Reviewed · BEACH HOPPING IN ST THOMAS
St. Thomas Full Day Private Boat Charter for Beaches & Snorkeling
Clear water, quiet coves, one private boat. This St. Thomas charter gives you a comfortable way to see the island from the sea, with room for up to six people and a flexible plan built around beaches and snorkeling. I especially like the small private group and the included beverages, charcuterie, and snorkeling equipment.
The itinerary includes Charlotte Amalie Harbor, Brewer’s Bay, Water Island’s Honeymoon Beach, and Lindbergh Bay Beach. I also like that pickup and drop-off are available at Crown Bay Marina and Sapphire Marina, though the $1,950 group price makes the most sense when six people share it. The 5 to 6 hour schedule is generous, but it is not a full sunrise-to-sunset day despite the full-day label.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Why a private St. Thomas boat makes sense
- The cost: best shared by six
- Leaving Charlotte Amalie Harbor
- Two hours at Brewer’s Bay
- Water Island and Honeymoon Beach
- Finishing at Lindbergh Bay Beach
- Snorkeling, food, and drinks included
- Marinas, timing, and the practical details
- Weather and cancellation rules
- Who will enjoy this charter most
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long does the private boat charter last?
- How many people can join the charter?
- What is the price?
- Where can pickup and drop-off take place?
- Which places are included in the route?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Can I snorkel with sea turtles?
- Is this a private activity?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
Key points to know before booking

- Up to six people share the boat, so this works best for families or friends who want private use of the vessel.
- Captain Christian and First Mate Liz are the named crew associated with the well-appointed Twins Up boat.
- Brewer’s Bay gives you a calmer beach stop away from the better-known waterfront areas.
- Honeymoon Beach on Water Island offers soft sand, calm water, and a slower pace.
- Snorkeling gear, beverages, and charcuterie are included, which saves you from arranging the basics separately.
- Weather matters, and cancellations caused by poor conditions can be moved to another date or refunded.
Why a private St. Thomas boat makes sense

St. Thomas is easy to admire from land, but the best views often come from the water. A private charter lets you connect several coastal stops without joining a large boat full of strangers or following a rigid public excursion schedule.
That privacy has practical value. Your group can settle into one boat, keep your own company, and spend the day moving between swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and harbor views. The itinerary is still planned, but it feels less like checking off stops and more like having a floating base for the day.
The boat is described as the Twins Up, a well-appointed luxury vessel. Captain Christian and First Mate Liz are the named crew, and the boat has been praised for its comfort. That matters on a 5 to 6 hour outing. A cramped ride can wear thin quickly, while comfortable seating and included refreshments make the hours on board part of the experience rather than just transport.
The private format is also useful if your group has mixed interests. One person can focus on snorkeling, another can stay on the beach, and someone else can simply enjoy the views and a drink. You will not have to fit every activity into the same rhythm.
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The cost: best shared by six
The price is $1,950 per group, for as many as six people. Split six ways, that is $325 per person. For four people, it rises to $487.50 each, and for two people it becomes $975 each.
That is a substantial price for a 5 to 6 hour outing, so the value depends heavily on your group size and priorities. If you are comparing it with a basic shared snorkeling trip, this charter will cost much more. You are paying for private use of the boat, a custom-feeling route, included food and drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a more relaxed setting.
For six people who would otherwise book separate beach transportation, snorkeling gear, drinks, and a boat trip, the arithmetic becomes easier to defend. The charter also avoids the social compromise of a large group excursion. You are paying for control, comfort, and time on the water.
For a couple, the calculation is harder. Two people may appreciate the luxury and privacy, but the per-person cost is high. I would reserve this for a special occasion, a family reunion, or a small group that values private space more than the lowest possible price.
Leaving Charlotte Amalie Harbor

The first stop is Charlotte Amalie Harbor, with about 30 minutes set aside. The harbor gives you a broad introduction to St. Thomas, combining the island’s port activity, historic setting, and Caribbean scenery.
This is less about swimming and more about getting your bearings. From the boat, you can see Charlotte Amalie from a different angle than you would while walking the waterfront. The harbor also provides a natural opening to the trip, letting you settle into the boat before longer beach stops begin.
Half an hour is enough for views and photographs, but not enough for a full town visit. You should not expect time to shop, tour historic buildings, or explore the streets during this stop. If your main goal is beach time, that short harbor pause keeps the schedule moving. If you want a land tour of Charlotte Amalie, you would need to plan that separately.
Two hours at Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay receives the longest single beach stop, with roughly two hours. It sits along St. Thomas’s south shore and is presented as a calmer place to enjoy the island away from heavier crowds.
This is where the charter’s private format begins to pay off. You have enough time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment, relax on the beach, and enjoy the included refreshments without watching the clock every few minutes. Two hours is long enough to make the stop feel like a real part of the day rather than a quick photo break.
The bay’s calm character should appeal to anyone who wants a gentler water experience. It also suits families and mixed groups because not everyone has to be an enthusiastic snorkeler. You can treat the stop as beach time, water time, or simply a pause between boat rides.
Keep your expectations sensible. The available details do not promise specific marine life, underwater formations, or a particular snorkeling route at Brewer’s Bay. You may find good conditions, but the exact experience will depend on weather, water clarity, and the captain’s judgment.
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Water Island and Honeymoon Beach

Water Island is another two-hour stop, centered on Honeymoon Beach. This beach is known in the tour description for soft white sand, calm turquoise water, and a relaxed island atmosphere.
The name may suggest a couples-only stop, but the setting suits anyone who wants a quiet beach break. Families, friends, and small groups can use the time in different ways. You can swim, sit on the sand, snorkel with the provided gear, or enjoy a drink and charcuterie on board or near the beach, depending on how the outing is arranged.
Honeymoon Beach is also a useful contrast to Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The harbor gives you a sense of the island’s settled waterfront, while Water Island offers a slower coastal pause. The two stops make the day feel varied without requiring a long list of activities.
Again, the word calm should guide your planning. This is not described as a high-energy water-sports stop. If you want a beach with room to relax and time to enjoy the water at an easy pace, it fits well. If you want nonstop snorkeling, the captain may need to adjust the route based on conditions.
Finishing at Lindbergh Bay Beach

The final listed stop is Lindbergh Bay Beach, with about one hour. Just outside Charlotte Amalie, this is a broad, palm-lined beach with calm turquoise water and space to swim or rest.
The shorter stop works well near the end of the charter. After two longer beach visits, an hour gives you time for one last swim or a final stretch on the sand without adding another lengthy break. The beach is described as family-friendly, which makes it a practical choice for groups with children or different comfort levels in the water.
Its location near Charlotte Amalie also makes the return straightforward. The itinerary does not promise a long final beach session, so treat Lindbergh Bay as a closing stop rather than the main event. If you already know you want maximum time at one beach, ask about the day’s priorities when arranging the charter.
Snorkeling, food, and drinks included

You do not need to build a separate packing list for the basic snorkeling setup. Snorkeling gear is included, along with beverages and charcuterie.
That combination is more useful than it may sound. A private boat day can become inconvenient when you have to stop and buy drinks, find rental equipment, or carry a full picnic. Here, the essentials are part of the experience, so you can spend more time enjoying the water and less time managing supplies.
The food offering is charcuterie, not a full restaurant meal. If you need a substantial lunch, have dietary restrictions, or are feeding children with very specific preferences, confirm what is available before departure. The supplied details do not list the exact drinks, menu, or options for special diets.
Snorkeling with sea turtles is one of the headline possibilities. The charter offers the chance to snorkel with turtles, but no sighting can be guaranteed. Marine life and water conditions change, and the captain may choose a different location for safety or visibility.
Marinas, timing, and the practical details

Pickup and drop-off are available from Crown Bay Marina and Sapphire Marina. That is convenient if you are already near one of those locations, but you should confirm the exact meeting point when booking. The activity ends back at its meeting point.
Operating hours are listed as 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Sunday, for October 2, 2025 through December 17, 2026. The charter itself lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours, so the operating window allows for several possible departure times.
The listed stops add up to about 5.5 hours: 30 minutes in Charlotte Amalie Harbor, two hours at Brewer’s Bay, two hours at Water Island, and one hour at Lindbergh Bay Beach. Boat travel time and transitions fit within the stated 5 to 6 hour duration, but the exact balance may change.
You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. This is a boat-based day with beach and snorkeling activity, so expect some movement between the vessel, water, and shore. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting areas are near public transportation.
The charter is private, meaning only your own group participates. That is the key logistical difference from a standard sightseeing cruise. You get more personal space, but the price is not reduced if only two or three people join.
Weather and cancellation rules
Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can receive a full refund or arrange another date.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.
That policy is reasonable for a boat trip, since wind and sea conditions affect safety and comfort. Still, do not wait until the last minute if your plans are uncertain. A private charter is a large booking, and the 24-hour deadline matters.
Who will enjoy this charter most
I would recommend this boat day to a group of up to six people who want privacy, flexibility, and a polished experience. It is especially suitable for families, couples traveling with friends, and small celebrations where sharing a boat feels worthwhile.
It also suits people who want a mix of activities. The schedule includes harbor scenery, two-hour beach stops, snorkeling, swimming, food, and drinks. You are not locked into a single type of outing.
This is less suitable if your top goal is saving money, spending a full eight hours at sea, or touring Charlotte Amalie on foot. It is also not the best match if you want a guaranteed sea turtle sighting or a detailed snorkeling program with named underwater sites.
Should you book it?
Book this charter if six people can share the cost and you want a comfortable, private day built around St. Thomas beaches. Brewer’s Bay, Honeymoon Beach, and Lindbergh Bay give the schedule variety, while included gear, drinks, and charcuterie keep the day easy.
Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a strict budget. The private boat, premium setting, and personal space are appealing, but the price per person becomes steep with a small party. Before committing, confirm the departure marina, what food and beverages are included, and how the captain will shape the route around weather and snorkeling conditions.
FAQ
How long does the private boat charter last?
The experience lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours.
How many people can join the charter?
The private boat accommodates up to six people per group.
What is the price?
The charter costs $1,950 per group of up to six people.
Where can pickup and drop-off take place?
Pickup and drop-off are available from Crown Bay Marina and Sapphire Marina.
Which places are included in the route?
The listed stops are Charlotte Amalie Harbor, Brewer’s Bay, Water Island’s Honeymoon Beach, and Lindbergh Bay Beach.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.
Are food and drinks included?
Yes. Beverages and charcuterie are included.
Can I snorkel with sea turtles?
The charter offers the chance to snorkel with sea turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. Only your own group participates.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
You can be offered another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.
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