Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

Seeing St. Thomas from the deck of a sailing catamaran changes the day completely. You can snorkel for sea turtles, pause at clear-water coves, and stretch out on the trampolines while the boat moves between islands. The private boat means your group can help choose the stops instead of following a fixed crowd schedule.

I like the choice of snorkeling locations and the fact that lunch, gear, paddle boards, and drinks are already covered. I also like the easygoing setup: hammock chairs hang off the stern, and the bean bags on the forward trampolines give you a fine place to watch the islands slide by.

The main consideration is price. At $250 per person, this is not a cheap day on the water, though the private boat and included food and drinks make the cost easier to justify for a full group. You also need good weather, and the trip can be canceled or moved if conditions are poor.

Key points to know before booking

• Private sailing on Second Chance: Only your group takes part, with about 7 hours and 30 minutes on the water.
• Two or three snorkeling stops: Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, with choices shaped by your group.
• Sea turtles and reef time: Maho is one of the named spots, and the outing is built around swimming and snorkeling rather than simply cruising past the islands.
• Food and drinks are included: You get morning fruit and pastries, wraps, chips, water, soda, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.
• Relaxation is part of the plan: Use the bean bags, trampoline nets, paddle boards, or Beach Charters VI hammock chairs.
• Red Hook departure: Meet at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 8:30 a.m., then return to the same place.

A full day aboard Second Chance

This charter begins at 8:30 a.m. at Beach Charters VI in Red Hook, on the east end of St. Thomas. You meet at Dock B, Slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road. The activity ends back at the marina, which keeps the day simple if you are staying near Red Hook or using the area’s public transportation.

The catamaran is called Second Chance. Your group has the boat to itself, and that private setup matters more than it might at first seem. You can settle into your own pace, choose how long to spend in the water, and make the day work for a birthday, family outing, anniversary, or relaxed group holiday.

The crew associated with this charter includes Ivy and TL, while Captain Justin has also been praised for handling the day. John and Michelle have helped welcome groups aboard. Exact crew assignments can vary, but the experience is clearly built around a friendly, personal style rather than a large commercial boat operation.

Morning fruit, pastries, and a gentle start

The day begins with a morning fruit and pastry tray. It is a small detail, but a useful one. You do not need to arrive at the dock having arranged a full breakfast, and the food gives you something easy to eat before the first swim.

Water and soda are available throughout the day. Lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps with chips. This is practical boat food: simple to handle, not too messy, and suitable for a day when you may be moving between the deck and the water.

Rum punch or a Painkiller is included, along with a 12-pack of light beer. You must be at least 18 to drink alcohol. Since alcoholic drinks are part of the package, you can avoid the usual stop at a marina shop before departure, though you should still treat the afternoon drinks sensibly if you plan to snorkel or use a paddle board.

Choosing two or three snorkeling stops

A typical outing includes two or three snorkeling stops, but your group chooses the locations with the crew. Possible stops include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other options depending on the day.

That flexibility is the heart of the charter. If your group has strong swimmers who want more time in the water, you can shape the day around snorkeling. If some people prefer floating, paddling, or staying aboard, the catamaran gives them other ways to enjoy the same stop.

Maho on St. John is specifically associated with sea turtles, making it a natural choice for anyone who has always wanted to snorkel near them. Turtle sightings are never something any operator can promise, but the location is part of the appeal of this route. St. John also adds a scenic change from St. Thomas, giving you views of another island while you spend the day at sea.

Lovango Cay offers another possible setting for a reef stop. It gives the group a chance to break up the day with another stretch of water and another view. Christmas Cove is also named as a possible stop, adding variety to the route rather than forcing you to return to one snorkel site.

The exact sequence is not fixed in the information provided, and that is worth keeping in mind. You are booking a private day with choices, not a guaranteed list of every island and cove. Weather, water conditions, and the group’s preferences can affect where the boat goes.

Snorkel gear, paddle boards, and hammock chairs

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to rent masks, fins, or related gear separately. That makes a real difference for families and groups trying to keep the morning easy. The charter also includes paddle boards, giving you another way to spend time at anchor.

The most distinctive seating is at the back of the boat, where original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang over the stern. These are ideal if you want to feel close to the water without swimming every minute. You can sit with a drink, watch the group in the water, or simply enjoy the boat’s gentle movement.

The forward trampolines have bean bags for sunbathing and sightseeing. Catamaran trampolines are exposed to the sun, so bring whatever sun protection you normally use. The boat offers plenty of ways to relax, but much of the day is outdoors, and shade is not described as a primary feature.

This mix works well for groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can remain in a hammock chair. You are not forced into one activity from morning to afternoon.

The sailing experience and island views

The appeal here is not only the snorkeling. The boat itself gives you a smooth way to see St. Thomas, St. John, Lovango Cay, and the surrounding islands. You can spend the ride on the trampoline bean bags, in a hammock chair, or in another seating area aboard the catamaran.

The sailing format also creates breathing room between stops. Rather than rushing from one activity to the next, you have time to look out across the water, eat lunch, and let the day unfold. For a group celebrating a birthday or another special occasion, that unhurried rhythm is part of the value.

The supplied information does not promise a particular sailing route, wind conditions, or the use of sails for every part of the trip. You should think of this as a sailing catamaran charter with snorkeling and island cruising, not a guaranteed high-speed sail.

Why the private format can be worth $250

The listed price is $250 per person. That is a serious expense, especially for a large family, but this is a private full-day charter rather than a short shared cruise.

The price includes about seven and a half hours on the water, lunch, morning food, water, soda, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, rum punch or a Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer. You are also paying for the ability to set the day’s stops with your own group. Those inclusions reduce the extra spending that can build up on a boat outing.

The value improves when the boat is filled with people who will use the full day. A group of six to nine people can divide the cost while enjoying a private setting for a birthday or family celebration. One group of nine used the charter for a birthday, and another group described it as a highlight of a long visit to the Virgin Islands.

You should also budget for gratuity, which is not included. Parking at the marina may be available for an additional $30 when booked through the operator, based on information from one outing. Confirm that detail directly when arranging your day, since parking charges and availability can change.

What makes the crew part of the experience

The human side of this charter receives strong emphasis. Ivy and the crew have been described as warm and accommodating, and several outings involved celebrations, family groups, and special occasions.

That does not mean the day is a formal guided lesson. The information points instead to a crew that helps with the boat, the snorkeling stops, the food, and the group’s requests. Captain Justin has been singled out for making a trip feel welcoming and well handled.

Communication also appears to be a strength. One booking was made only about 12 hours before departure, with the group receiving clear help and plenty of refreshments. I would not count on last-minute space, especially since the experience is often reserved well ahead of time, but the detail is useful if your plans change unexpectedly.

The charter is booked about 98 days in advance on average. If your dates are fixed, especially during a busy holiday period, reserve early rather than hoping to find an open boat at the last minute.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants a full day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. It is particularly well suited to:

• Families with mixed interests
• Groups celebrating birthdays or anniversaries
• Friends who want snorkeling and drinks in the same day
• People who prefer a flexible route
• Strong swimmers and casual swimmers traveling together
• Anyone who values a calm, private boat setting

It may be less suitable if you want a strict sightseeing schedule with guaranteed stops. It may also be a poor match if you dislike long hours in the sun or want a low-cost, short boat ride.

Most people can take part, according to the supplied activity details, and public transportation is nearby. Still, you should consider your own comfort with boarding a boat, swimming, and spending much of the day outside.

Practical details that matter

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the reservation on your phone. The meeting time is 8:30 a.m., and you return to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, cancellations and changes are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

A gratuity is the only clearly stated exclusion. Bring your own personal sun protection and any items you need for a comfortable day outdoors, but do not assume that extra food, special drinks, or private transportation are included.

Is this St. Thomas catamaran charter worth booking?

Book it if you want the boat to be the main event, not just a way to reach a beach. The private format, flexible snorkeling stops, sea turtle possibility at Maho, paddle boards, hammock chairs, and included meals and drinks create a complete day rather than a quick excursion.

I would be more cautious if your budget is tight or if you want guaranteed weather and a fixed route. At $250 per person plus gratuity, the cost makes the most sense for a group that will use the full seven and a half hours and appreciates having the boat to itself.

For birthdays, family days, and groups with different ideas of fun, this is a strong choice. You can snorkel, paddle, eat, sunbathe, and watch St. Thomas and St. John from the water without racing through a crowded schedule.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

The tour starts at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Is this a private boat trip?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Which snorkeling locations might be included?

Possible stops include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other locations chosen by your group.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive morning fruit and pastries, turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps, chips, water, soda, rum punch or a Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.