Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

Take the whole boat, not a seat. This private St. Thomas charter lets you shape the day around your group, with snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and island views aboard the 47-foot luxury catamaran Pisces. I especially like the freedom to choose your stops and the roomy layout, including a broad back deck, shaded salon, bow bean bags, and twin trampolines. The main drawback is that lunch is not included, and a full-day charter can cost more than a standard shared excursion.

The crew receives especially high marks for friendly service and personal attention. Captains such as AnneMarie, Alex, Christian, and JP have helped families find turtles, rays, coral, and quieter coves, while first mates such as Lindsey, Megan, Darren, and Alicia keep the drinks and gear organized. Just remember that the charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands, despite the easy temptation to imagine island-hopping that far.

Key reasons to consider this St. Thomas catamaran charter

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group gets the entire yacht, so you are not sharing the day with strangers.
• Flexible island itinerary: You and the captain can plan stops around St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, nearby harbors, and possibly a small secluded cay.
• Strong snorkeling setup: Masks, snorkels, floats, and local guidance are included, with past outings reaching turtles, stingrays, coral, and schools of fish.
• Comfortable 47-foot catamaran: Pisces has an open back deck, indoor salon, bow seating, bean bags, and two large trampolines.
• Drinks and music included: Bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and Bluetooth audio are provided.
• Useful for mixed-age groups: Families ranging from young children to older adults have found space to relax, swim, and enjoy the boat at their own pace.

A private day on the water from Havensight

Your day begins at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight. Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, about 15 minutes before departure. The captain will walk you to Pisces, which keeps the start simple once you know the right landmark.

This meeting point matters if you are arriving by cruise ship. Ships using Havensight may be close enough that you do not need a taxi. If your ship docks at Crown Bay Marina, plan on a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande, with about 15 minutes each way for the ride. Check your ship’s actual dock before booking, because the two marinas create very different morning plans.

A full-day departure commonly begins around 9 a.m., but your private group can set the starting time. The advertised full-day experience lasts about seven hours. A half-day option is also available, so confirm the exact start and end time when you reserve.

What makes sailing on Pisces comfortable

The 47-foot Leopard catamaran gives you much more room than a small center-console boat. The salon opens onto a large back deck with comfortable seating, making it easy to move between shade, breeze, and sun without feeling boxed in.

At the bow, bean bag chairs create a relaxed place to stretch out. The two trampolines are useful for sitting together, catching the breeze, or watching for turtles in clear water. They also give your group a natural meeting spot when some people want to talk and others want to keep an eye on the sea.

The boat has a restroom on board, a small detail that becomes important during a long charter. You also get a JBL sound system with Bluetooth, so you can play your own music. Keep the volume sensible, though. The boat is shared only by your group, but the captain still needs to communicate clearly while underway.

The private format is the real luxury here. A family with young children can slow down. A group of adults can spend longer at a beach. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others remain on the floats or relax on deck. You are not working around the fixed pace of a large excursion boat.

Planning the route around St. Thomas and nearby islands

There is no single fixed sightseeing route. You and the captain decide what fits the day, based on your interests and the conditions on the water. Possible areas include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, nearby harbors, and perhaps a less-publicized cay.

That freedom is valuable, but it also means you should arrive with a short wish list. Tell the captain if snorkeling, turtles, beach time, scenery, swimming, or a quiet cove matters most. Captains have guided groups to Shipwreck Cove, Honeymoon Beach, and several snorkeling spots, sometimes adjusting the route to avoid crowded areas.

Honeymoon Beach has appeared repeatedly in successful itineraries. It can work well when your group wants sand and a break from swimming. Some outings have paired beach time with lunch, while others have focused on snorkeling and hanging out aboard the catamaran.

Water Island and Buck Island add an island-hopping feel without promising a particular number of stops. The distance, sea conditions, and your chosen activities will shape the day. If you have a must-see stop, mention it before departure rather than assuming it is automatic.

One important boundary is clear: this charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands. St. Thomas and nearby US Virgin Islands are the focus, so do not book this expecting a trip to Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, or another BVI destination.

Snorkeling with turtles, rays, and reef fish

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this charter. Equipment is included, and the crew can help you reach suitable locations. Past outings have included coral, turtles, stingrays, rays, and large groups of fish beneath the boat.

Turtle sightings are not guaranteed, but the experience can be especially rewarding when they appear. One outing included a turtle feeding in a seagrass meadow, while another reached several turtles and rays at more than one location. These details show why a private boat can be useful: you can spend more time in the water when the spot suits your group.

You should still set realistic expectations. Sea life is wild, visibility changes, and the captain cannot promise a particular animal. The value comes from having local guidance, several possible stops, and the option to shift the plan rather than being locked into one crowded site.

Floats are also included, which helps non-snorkelers enjoy the stops. Families with children can divide their time between the water and the boat. One family group ranging from age eight to 76 found that the layout worked for different ages and energy levels.

Drinks, lunch, and the true cost of the charter

The listed price is $1,495 per group of up to 12 people. That is not a per-person fare. If you fill the boat, the cost works out to roughly $125 per person before any tip or lunch purchase, which makes the private format easier to justify for a larger family or friend group.

For four people, the same group price becomes much harder to defend against shared boat trips. I would compare the total cost with the value of privacy, schedule control, and a captain who can focus on your group. This is a premium choice, not a budget water excursion.

Included drinks help. You receive bottled water supplied by Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day’s signature rum punch. The crew has been praised for keeping beverages available without letting the service become stiff or formal. Lindsey, in particular, is repeatedly associated with the rum punch, so expect that to be part of the boat’s easygoing character.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to purchase food at a stop, and past itineraries have included lunch at places such as Dinghy’s or Honeymoon Beach. Ask how lunch fits into your timing and budget before leaving the dock. A beach lunch sounds simple, but stopping for food uses time that could otherwise go toward snorkeling or cruising.

A gratuity is not listed as included. One response from the operator notes that crew members rely on tips to supplement their income. If the captain and first mate provide attentive service, local guidance, and help with your group throughout the day, plan for a tip as an additional cost.

The crew can make or break a private charter

A private boat gives you flexibility, but the crew determines how well that flexibility is used. The strongest pattern here is personal service. Captains ask what your group wants, suggest routes, and adjust the day when practical.

AnneMarie has guided many outings with first mates including Lindsey, Darren, Liv, Ro, Alex, and others. Her style is described as a mix of humor and professionalism, which matters during a long day in close quarters. Captain Alex has also welcomed repeat groups, while JP has gone beyond the usual role by helping guests when a delayed taxi threatened their arrival.

The crew’s local information adds value beyond steering the boat. You can ask about island sights and local history while moving between stops. The best approach is to speak up early. Tell the captain who wants to snorkel, who prefers a beach, which children need a slower pace, and how much time you want for simply sitting on deck.

Do not expect a formal guided tour with a scripted lecture. This is better understood as a private day with a captain and first mate who can share information when it fits the conversation. That relaxed style suits people who want help without being marched from one activity to the next.

How the timing works for cruise ship passengers

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to the dock. The meeting point is at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, not automatically at every St. Thomas cruise terminal. If your ship docks at Crown Bay, a taxi ride is required and should be built into both ends of the day.

A full-day private charter often begins at 9 a.m. That can work well for a ship with a long port call, but you need enough time to disembark, find transportation, and reach the R Bar. Meet 15 minutes early rather than treating the listed departure as your arrival time.

The private nature can also help at the end of the day. A captain may be able to adjust the return timing when possible, but you should not rely on a last-minute change if your ship has a strict all-aboard time. Tell the operator your ship schedule before departure and leave a sensible margin for traffic, taxis, and walking back to the ship.

Who will get the most from Pisces?

I would recommend this experience most strongly to families, wedding groups, reunions, and friends who can fill much of the 12-person capacity. It also suits people who dislike crowded shared excursions and want a day that can shift between snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and quiet cruising.

It works well for mixed abilities. Strong snorkelers can spend time in the water, while others can use the floats, trampolines, or shaded seating. The restroom, open deck, and salon make a long day more manageable than one spent on a smaller boat.

Young children can enjoy the water and the boat, but parents remain responsible for judging swimming ability and comfort at each stop. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience is still water-based, so anyone prone to seasickness or uncomfortable with boat motion should think carefully before committing to a full day.

I would choose a half-day charter if your group wants a taste of the experience, has limited port time, or includes people who may tire after several hours in the sun. Choose the full day if you want several snorkeling locations, a beach stop, lunch ashore, and time to enjoy the catamaran itself rather than rushing from one stop to another.

Practical details before you book

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. Mobile tickets make the check-in process easier, but you still need to locate the R Bar kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande archway.

Bring the basics for a water day, including swimwear, sun protection, and anything your group needs between stops. Snorkeling gear, floats, water, soda, beer, rum punch, and a restroom are provided. Lunch is your responsibility.

The charter depends on good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and all cut-off times use local island time. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Health procedures described for the company include vessel sanitation after each trip and regular crew testing. Masks are not required because the activity is mainly outdoors, though you may wear one if you prefer.

Should you book this private St. Thomas yacht charter?

Book it if your group values privacy, flexible stops, and a comfortable boat more than the lowest possible price. The strongest combination is the roomy Pisces, included drinks and snorkel gear, and a crew that can tailor the day to turtles, reefs, beaches, or simple time on the water.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or with only one or two people and mainly want an inexpensive snorkel trip. The $1,495 group price makes the most sense when divided among a larger group, and lunch plus gratuity add to the final cost.

Before paying, confirm the full-day or half-day length, your cruise ship dock, the meeting time, and your preferred stops. With those details settled, this is a polished, personal way to see the waters around St. Thomas without spending the day in a crowd.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,495 per group of up to 12 people. It is a group price rather than a per-person fare.

How long does the full-day charter last?

The full-day experience lasts approximately seven hours. A half-day charter is also available, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.

What if my cruise ship docks at Crown Bay Marina?

You will need to take a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. Allow approximately 15 minutes each way for the trip.

Can I choose the departure time?

For a full-day private cruise, your group can determine the starting time. A 9 a.m. departure is common, but confirm the agreed time with the operator.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but you may be able to purchase food at several locations during the charter.

What drinks are included?

The charter includes bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch.

Does the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The charter does not visit the BVI. Its possible destinations include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, nearby harbors, and possibly a smaller cay.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel yourself for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.