Sail and Snorkel Private Charter – Mid-Day Sail 1230pm to Sunset

Trade traffic for sails and sea turtles. This five-hour private charter from St. Thomas offers a calm, personal way to explore St. John and the Virgin Islands National Park waters. I especially like the small group size, capped at six, and the freedom to shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and food stops.

I also like that the crew handles the drinks, gear, snacks, and boating while you enjoy the scenery. The main consideration is cost: at $219 per person, you need at least three people, and lunch from Pizza Pi or Lovango costs extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Private sailing for three to six people: Your group gets the boat, captain, and crew without sharing the experience with strangers.
• A 12:30 pm start: The timing gives you a relaxed afternoon on the water, with the trip lasting about five hours and running toward sunset.
• Flexible island route: Stops may include St. John beaches, nearby cays, Lovango, and waters chosen for snorkeling conditions.
• Turtles and guided snorkeling: Crew member Kim has snorkeled alongside visitors and pointed out turtles during the swim stops.
• Drinks and light food included: You get bottled water, soda, beer or seltzers, island alcoholic drinks, fruit, and snacks.
• Meals are separate: Pizza Pi and Lovango Resort Cafe are available possibilities, but you pay for those food stops yourself.

Setting out from Sapphire Beach Marina at 12:30 pm

Your afternoon begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, at 6720 Smith Bay Road in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. The boat returns here at the end, so you are not left arranging a second pickup at another harbor.

The 12:30 pm departure suits people who do not want an early alarm. You can have breakfast, take your time getting ready, and still spend the best part of the afternoon on the water. The tradeoff is simple: you give up the full morning, and the schedule leaves less room for a long chain of stops than an all-day charter would.

The charter lasts about five hours. That puts the return near the evening, with the timing designed to carry you toward sunset. Exact daylight and route details can change, since the captain builds the day around your group, weather, water conditions, and preferred activities.

This is a private activity, which matters more than it may sound. You are not waiting for a large group to board, and you do not have to match your pace to strangers who want something different. A family can spend more time in the water, while a group of friends can favor quiet sailing, drinks, and beach stops.

A vintage sailing vessel with room to relax

The boat is a vintage sailing vessel with space, shade, and a steady sea breeze. You are not simply being transported from one snorkel site to another. The sailing itself is part of the afternoon, giving you time to look across the islands and enjoy the open water between stops.

The crew provides a captain and onboard service. Past trips have highlighted Kim, along with Alan and Brodie, for friendly care and flexibility. Kim has joined swimmers in the water, helped point out turtles, and prepared rum drinks onboard. That personal involvement gives the trip more warmth than a basic boat transfer.

The boat also includes a Solstice swim deck and swim noodles. Those details help when you want to float without working hard, climb back aboard after a swim, or let less confident swimmers stay close to the boat. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

Still, keep your expectations in the right place. This is a small sailing charter, not a luxury yacht with a formal dining room or a private chef. The appeal is the relaxed boat time, personal attention, and freedom to adjust the route.

Choosing between St. John, Lovango, and nearby cays

The route is not locked to one set of stops. The captain may take you toward cays around St. Thomas, beaches along St. John, Lovango, or other small islands with clear water, coral reefs, and pale sandy bottoms.

That flexibility is useful because water conditions can shape the best stop. One bay may offer calmer swimming, while another may have better visibility for snorkeling. Rather than forcing the same route every day, the crew can use your input and set the pace around what your group wants to do.

St. John is a natural focus. Much of its surrounding water falls within Virgin Islands National Park, where the setting shifts from open sailing to quiet coves and reef areas. You may stop at more than one beach, but the exact combination is not guaranteed.

Lovango adds another option, especially if your group wants a meal stop. Lovango Resort Cafe is available as a lunch possibility, though food there is not included in the charter price. This can be a pleasant way to break up the time in the water, but you should plan for an additional bill.

The same is true of Pizza Pi, the well-known pizza boat. A pizza stop gives the afternoon a distinctly local and playful feel, and it can be a good choice for a group that wants a proper meal without returning to shore. The pizza costs extra, so do not mistake the included snacks for a full lunch.

Snorkeling for turtles and reef life

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to choose this charter. The crew carries the equipment and can guide you toward bays with clear water, coral reefs, sandy bottoms, and visible sea life.

The strongest personal detail here is Kim joining swimmers in the water. She has snorkeled alongside the group and pointed out turtles, which can make a real difference. A turtle can be easy to miss when you are scanning the water alone, especially if you are new to snorkeling or unsure where to look.

You can also shape the balance between swimming and snorkeling. If your group has mixed interests, some people can use the swim noodles or stay on the Solstice swim deck while others explore with masks and fins. That makes the private setup more useful than a fixed group trip where everyone must leave the boat at once.

The water is described as crystal clear, but visibility is still affected by weather and sea conditions. A good day can bring bright coral, fish, and turtles. A rougher day may call for a more sheltered bay, shorter swims, or more time sailing.

Bring a practical attitude toward snorkeling. The crew can provide the equipment and help you find good water, but marine life is never guaranteed at a precise time or location. The captain’s ability to adjust the route is one of the better safeguards.

What is included in the open-bar setup

The charter includes a useful range of drinks. You receive bottled water kept cold in a cooler with ice, soda, a 12-pack of beer or seltzers, and crew-served island alcoholic drinks.

The drinks are part of the service rather than a self-serve bar experience. Kim has made rum drinks onboard, and the crew can keep refreshments moving while you sail or relax after snorkeling.

Snacks and sliced fruit are included, too. These are helpful between swimming stops, especially if you choose not to stop for a full meal. They are not a substitute for lunch, though. If you book the trip around the idea of eating onboard all afternoon, plan to buy food from Pizza Pi or Lovango Resort Cafe.

A sensible approach is to treat the included food as light fuel and the local meal stops as optional extras. That keeps the price clear and lets you decide how much time you want to spend eating versus swimming.

A flexible afternoon instead of a rigid schedule

The crew builds the daily plan with your input. You can request snorkeling, swimming, rafting, and other water activities, then let the captain decide how to arrange the stops.

That is especially valuable for a private charter. One group might want several swims and little time ashore. Another might prefer a long lunch stop, a quiet beach, and a slow sail toward sunset. The crew can set the pace around those choices, within the limits of the weather and the boat’s five-hour window.

The flexibility also helps families. The description specifically presents the charter as suitable for small groups and families, and most people can participate. Parents can ask for a gentler rhythm, while active swimmers can make better use of the snorkeling and floating equipment.

You should not expect a precisely timed sightseeing route. The locations listed are possible stops, not promises that every one will appear in a single afternoon. If one particular beach, restaurant, or cay matters most to you, raise it with the crew at the start.

How the $219 price works for a private group

The listed price is $219 per person, with a minimum of three people and a maximum of six. At the minimum, the base cost is $657 for the group before gratuity and any meals. For six people, the total is $1,314 before those extras.

That price makes the most sense when you fill the boat. Six friends or a family group can share the charter cost while receiving a private vessel, captain, crew service, snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and the ability to shape the route.

For only three people, the per-person price feels more substantial. You are paying for privacy and service, not just a seat on a boat. If you compare it with a shared excursion, the private charter may cost more, but you also avoid a fixed group schedule and crowded onboard space.

Gratuity is not included. An 18 to 20 percent tip is the stated industry standard, so add that to your budget if the crew provides the attentive service described here. Meals at local venues are separate as well.

The value is strongest for people who care about a private setting, personal attention, and a flexible route. If your priority is the lowest possible price, a shared boat may be a better fit.

Practical planning for the marina and the water

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. The meeting point is near public transportation, which gives you some flexibility if you are not driving.

The trip begins and ends at Sapphire Beach Marina. Allow enough time to reach the marina before the 12:30 pm departure. Since the charter returns to the same place, you can plan the rest of your day without arranging transport from a different island or beach.

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Most people can participate, but the trip is built around swimming, snorkeling, and getting on and off a boat. If someone in your group has concerns about those activities, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the private format solves every mobility issue.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this charter for a group that wants the day to feel personal rather than packaged. It is a good match for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that can share the cost.

It also suits people who want several options in one outing. You can sail, snorkel, swim, float, visit beaches, stop for pizza, or simply rest under shade with a cold drink. You do not have to commit to one activity for the whole afternoon.

The charter may be less suitable if you want a long, early day on the water, a guaranteed list of specific beaches, or a fully included lunch. The 12:30 pm start and five-hour duration make it an afternoon experience, and the food stops cost extra.

The small-group setting is also worth considering for families with children. The crew’s flexibility, swim noodles, and onboard shade can help, but the day still centers on open water and boat access. Choose it because your group is comfortable with that setting.

Final verdict: book it when privacy matters

Book this charter if you have at least three people, can share the cost, and want a relaxed afternoon shaped around your group. The best reasons are the private boat, flexible route, included drinks and snorkeling gear, and the chance to spot turtles with help from a crew member such as Kim.

I would be clear about the budget before booking. Add gratuity and any Pizza Pi or Lovango meal to the $219 per-person price. If you want a private sailing day with personal service and no crowded group schedule, the cost can be fair. If you mainly want a cheap snorkel trip, it is probably more boat than you need.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing charter?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the charter begin?

It begins at 12:30 pm.

Where does the charter leave from?

The meeting point is Sapphire Beach Marina, 6720 Smith Bay Road, Smith Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the charter end?

The boat returns to Sapphire Beach Marina, the same place where the activity begins.

How many people are required to reserve the boat?

A minimum of three guests is required, and the maximum group size is six guests.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with swim noodles and use of the Solstice swim deck.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, ice, snacks, sliced fruit, a 12-pack of beer or seltzers, and crew-served alcoholic island drinks are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals from local venues, including Pizza Pi or Lovango Resort Cafe, are not included.