Private St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip for Groups up to 24 Guest

The best St Thomas days happen offshore. This private charter pairs two Lagoon multi-deck catamarans with room to spread out, swim, snorkel, listen to music, or simply watch the islands slide past. I especially like the private format, since your group does not share the boats with strangers, and the crew handles the sailing while you settle into the day. The included drinks, snorkeling gear, captain, and first mate also make the $4,995 group price easier to understand. The main catch is the price: it is a serious splurge, and lunch is not included.

You can bring up to 15 people at the listed group rate, while the two-boat setup is described as accommodating as many as 24. That makes this a strong choice for a large family gathering, wedding party, or group celebration, but I would confirm the exact price and boat arrangement before booking for more than 15. The seven-hour schedule gives you plenty of time on the water, though a full day aboard a boat works best if everyone enjoys sun, swimming, and a flexible island schedule.

Key Points To Know Before You Book

• Two Lagoon catamarans: SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana provide a tandem private sailing setup, with total capacity described as up to 24 people.
• Room for both sun and shade: Stretch out at the bow, or use the shaded cockpit with open-air seating.
• Strong crew praise: Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie are singled out for safe handling, island stories, humor, and good snorkeling choices.
• Drinks are included: Water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s signature rum punch are provided, with alcohol for guests 18 and older.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The day includes drinks and gear, but not a meal, so plan ahead with the operator.
• Easy cruise-port access: The boats leave from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.

Setting Sail From Yacht Haven Grande

The charter begins at 9:00 a.m. from 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. The yacht departs from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, a useful detail if you are arriving by cruise ship because the marina is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.

That location cuts out a common island headache: arranging a long transfer before a boat trip. You still need to allow time to leave your ship, walk to the marina, and find the meeting point, but the departure setup is notably simple for cruise passengers.

Pay close attention to local time. The charter operates on St Thomas time, and cruise ships do not always display the same time zone as the island. I would check your ship’s guidance before setting your alarm, especially if you are booking this as a cruise excursion.

The boats return to the same meeting point after the approximately seven-hour outing. That makes the end of the day fairly tidy, though you should keep enough time for the walk back to the ship and any required boarding procedures.

Two Lagoon Catamarans, One Private Group

The main feature here is the boat setup. SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana are described as late-model Lagoon multi-deck sailing yachts used together for the private charter. A tandem catamaran arrangement gives a large party more room than a single crowded vessel, and the separate hulls should make it easier for people to spread out.

The listed price is $4,995 per group for up to 15 people. That works out to about $333 per person for a full group of 15. If you fill the booking, the cost becomes more reasonable for a private, seven-hour charter with crew, drinks, and equipment included. For a smaller group of eight, the per-person cost rises to roughly $624, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

The description also gives a capacity of up to 24 people on the two vessels. Since the published price is specifically stated for up to 15, do not assume that adding nine more people is covered. Ask Seas the Day Charters and Tours for the correct group rate and how the guests will be divided between the boats.

This is not the right product for a solo visitor or a couple looking for a cheap day cruise. It makes much more sense for a birthday group, extended family, corporate outing, reunion, or cruise party that wants its own space and schedule.

Finding Your Favorite Spot Onboard

Catamarans are useful for a long day on the water because they offer several ways to sit. At the bow, you can feel the breeze, stretch out, and enjoy the sun. The large shaded cockpit has open-air seating for anyone who wants shelter without being shut inside.

That split matters in the Caribbean. Some people will chase the sun all day, while others will want shade after an hour. A private boat lets your group settle into its own rhythm instead of following the seating habits of a larger public cruise.

A private full bathroom is also available onboard. It is a practical feature that becomes more valuable as the hours pass, particularly for families and groups who would rather not cut the outing short to find facilities ashore.

The boats also have a Bluetooth sound system. Bring a phone with your group’s preferred music, but remember that a shared playlist works better than one person controlling every song. The supplied information does not specify whether the charter provides a backup device or speakers outside the yacht, so you should arrive with your music ready and your phone charged.

A Seven-Hour Route Through St Thomas Waters

The charter is not presented as one fixed stop-by-stop route. Instead, the captain takes your group around the islands, harbors, surrounding cays, and white sandy beaches of the US Virgin Islands. That flexible design is part of the appeal.

Your day may include several different moods: a scenic sail near the harbor, time near a beach, swimming from the boat, and snorkeling at selected sites. The exact order and locations can change with weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

That flexibility is helpful because the best anchorage on one day may not be the best choice on another. Captain JW is specifically praised for taking the group to good snorkeling locations and keeping everyone informed. Captain Anne Marie is also highlighted for her safety direction, island stories, humor, and ability to keep the music and mood going.

I would treat the itinerary as a guided day on the water rather than a checklist of guaranteed beaches. If you need to visit one particular island or cove, ask before departure. The supplied details promise island, harbor, cay, and beach exploration, but they do not guarantee a named stop.

Snorkeling With Gear Supplied

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing masks and fins or renting them separately. Several accounts of the day place snorkeling among the strongest parts of the experience, with more than one stop possible during the charter.

Captain JW is credited with choosing good snorkeling locations, while Captain Anne Marie is praised for guiding a USVI tour with several worthwhile snorkeling stops. That suggests the crew does more than point the boat toward the nearest water. They help shape the day around conditions and the group’s interests.

The boats also worked well for a mixed-age group. One outing included teenagers and a seven-year-old, with the captain keeping the music going and the day enjoyable for the whole family. That does not mean every child will be comfortable in open water, so parents should still judge their own child’s swimming ability and confidence.

Snorkeling conditions are naturally weather-dependent. The cancellation policy notes that the experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. Even on a day that goes ahead, wind and water conditions may affect which sites are practical.

Drinks, Rum Punch, and the Missing Lunch

The all-inclusive part of the fare covers water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s signature rum punch. Alcoholic drinks are for guests 18 and older. Having cold drinks ready onboard is a real convenience, especially when your group is moving between swimming and sunbathing.

The rum punch gives the day a distinctly island feel, but pace yourself. A seven-hour boat trip in warm weather is not the time to forget water. I would use the included water as your main drink and enjoy the beer and punch at a sensible speed.

Lunch is not included. This is the most important practical omission in the package. One account describes a particularly good lunch stop, but the formal tour details do not include lunch, so you should not count on a meal being part of the price.

Ask Seas the Day Charters and Tours whether they recommend a particular lunch stop, allow you to bring food, or offer any arrangements. If you bring food, pack items that are easy to eat outdoors and do not require much preparation. The supplied information does not state whether catering, coolers, or food storage are provided, so confirm those details rather than guessing.

Captains Who Shape The Day

The crew can make or break a private charter, and the strongest praise centers on the captains. Captain JW is described as a great communicator who explains what is happening, finds good snorkeling spots, and helps the day feel relaxed from the moment you step aboard.

Captain Anne Marie receives equally warm attention. She is praised for safety, clear direction, island stories, humor, and keeping the music lively. That combination matters because a captain is not only steering the yacht. The captain also sets the pace, answers questions, and decides how to respond when conditions change.

First mates are included in the fare as well. Kahlia is specifically praised alongside Anne Marie for being fun and well informed about the islands. Since crew assignments can change, you should not book on the assumption that one named captain will operate your trip, but these names give you a useful sense of the service style to expect.

The crew’s role is especially valuable on a private charter because your group can ask questions and request a pace that suits everyone. You get a more personal day than you would on a large sightseeing boat, without needing to manage the navigation yourself.

What The Price Really Buys

At $4,995 for up to 15 people, this is a luxury group purchase rather than a standard excursion. You are paying for the boat, private use, captain and first mate, seven hours, drinks, ice, and snorkeling equipment.

The value improves when the group is close to the 15-person limit. At eight people, the private setting still has appeal, but the cost per person becomes much harder to justify unless privacy, comfort, and control of the day matter more than saving money.

You also avoid several small costs and inconveniences. There is no separate captain fee, no equipment rental fee, and no need to buy basic drinks for the boat. Those savings will not transform the price into a bargain, but they make the total easier to compare with other private charters.

The real advantage is control. Your group has the yachts to itself, can spread out between sun and shade, can play its own music, and can enjoy a day built around sailing, swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and scenery. If you want the cheapest way to see the water, choose a shared excursion. If you want a private celebration with room to breathe, the math is more favorable.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most

I would recommend this experience most strongly to:

• Families or friends traveling as a large group
• Wedding parties and birthday groups
• Cruise passengers who can comfortably fit the seven-hour schedule
• People who want a private boat rather than a shared tour
• Groups that value snorkeling, swimming, music, and scenic sailing
• Mixed-age parties that need both sun and shaded seating

It is less suited to anyone seeking a low-cost activity, a short harbor cruise, or a guaranteed lunch. It may also disappoint a group expecting a rigid itinerary with named islands and fixed beach stops.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boats are near public transportation, and the activity ends where it starts. The details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access, so anyone with mobility needs should contact the operator before booking.

Booking, Weather, and Timing Tips

You receive confirmation when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. If you cancel inside that window, you will not receive a refund, and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.

Weather deserves special attention. The experience requires good weather, and if the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. I would avoid placing this charter on the final morning of a cruise if possible, since a weather cancellation leaves little room to reschedule.

Keep your day flexible. The boat returns to the meeting point, but the exact sequence of sailing, snorkeling, beach time, and harbor views can depend on conditions. Bring the essentials for a full day outside, and confirm lunch arrangements before you arrive.

Should You Book The St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day with room, music, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a crew that takes an active hand in the experience. Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie are strong reasons to feel confident about the service, while the two Lagoon catamarans give a large party useful space to spread out.

Think twice if your group is small, your budget is tight, or lunch and a fixed itinerary are important. Before paying, confirm the rate for more than 15 people, the exact boat assignment, food options, and the cruise-ship timing. For the right group, this is an expensive but well-focused way to enjoy St Thomas from the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart?

The charter departs from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, St Thomas. The meeting point is listed as 83PH+CV9, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 00802, USVI.

What time does the charter start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m. All charters use local St Thomas time. Cruise ship passengers should check their ship’s time zone before departure.

How long is the experience?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed price of $4,995 covers a group of up to 15 people. The two-catamaran setup is described as accommodating up to 24 people, so you should confirm pricing and arrangements for groups larger than 15.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The package includes water, ice, soda, beer, Argo’s signature rum punch, and snorkeling equipment. Alcoholic drinks are for guests 18 and older.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the stated package. Contact Seas the Day Charters and Tours to confirm whether you may bring food or arrange a lunch stop.

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 also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.