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

St. Thomas is best seen from the water, and this private catamaran charter lets you set the pace. You can spend the day snorkeling for turtles and rays, stretch out on the bow trampolines, or stop at places such as Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, Water Island, and Buck Island. The captain helps shape the route, rather than sending you through a fixed schedule.

I like the private setting and the generous space aboard S/Y Pisces, a 47-foot Leopard catamaran with a shaded salon, wide back deck, and bow bean bags. I also like the easygoing extras: snorkel gear, floats, Bluetooth music, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch are included. The main caution is price. At $1,495 per group of up to 12, it can be a strong deal for a full group, but a costly choice for only two or three people. Lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• A private catamaran for up to 12: Your group has the boat to itself, with room to spread out and a crew focused on your plans.
• A flexible St. Thomas route: You may visit Water Island, Buck Island, Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, a reef, or a quiet cay, depending on conditions and your interests.
• Snorkeling gear and drinks included: Equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch are provided.
• A real sailing-day setup: Pisces has a salon, back deck seating, bow bean bags, two trampolines, a restroom, and Bluetooth audio.
• Strong crew service: Captains and first mates such as AnneMarie, JP, Megan, Lindsay, Alex, and Darren are repeatedly praised for adapting the day to families and groups.
• Plan carefully from the cruise port: The meeting point is at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, not Crown Bay Marina.

Why a private boat changes the day

A shared catamaran can be fun, but it comes with a set route and other people’s priorities. Here, you and your captain decide how to use the seven-hour outing. If your group wants more swimming, you can linger. If several people would rather relax on deck, the crew can balance water time with a quiet sail.

That flexibility matters for mixed groups. Families have used the boat with children as young as two, while one group ranged from age eight to 76. Strong swimmers can snorkel, less active members can stay aboard with a drink, and everyone still shares the same day.

The boat holds up to 12 people. That is a useful limit for a family reunion, a small wedding group, or friends splitting the cost. With a full group, the listed $1,495 price works out to about $125 per person before gratuity, assuming everyone shares evenly. With four people, it is about $374 each. The value depends heavily on your headcount and whether you want privacy more than the lowest possible excursion price.

The listing allows a half-day or full-day charter, but the supplied price information does not clearly separate the two rates. Confirm the exact duration and cost before paying. A full day is commonly arranged around a 9 a.m. start, while all departure times use local island time.

Boarding at Havensight

Meet 15 minutes before departure at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway. The address is 5316 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie. Your captain escorts you to the boat, and the trip ends back at the same meeting point.

This detail is especially important for cruise ship passengers. If your ship arrives at Havensight, the meeting point is close to the port. If you arrive at Crown Bay Marina, allow about 15 minutes each way by taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. Check your ship’s actual docking location the night before, since a taxi transfer can affect your schedule.

The operator asks you to arrive early, but there is no need to dress formally. You will spend much of the day in swimwear, and a cover-up, hat, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes will make the return trip more comfortable. The boat has a restroom, but it is still wise to use shore facilities before boarding.

S/Y Pisces gives you room to spread out

Pisces is a 47-foot Leopard catamaran. Its layout is a major part of the appeal. The salon opens onto a large aft deck with comfortable seating, so you can move between shade and open air without feeling confined.

At the bow, bean bag chairs offer a relaxed place to watch the water, and two large trampolines create room for conversation, sunbathing, or turtle watching. The trampolines are not a substitute for a lounge chair, and anyone sensitive to movement may prefer the more stable back deck, but they add a distinctly boat-like way to spend the day.

A JBL sound system with Bluetooth lets you play your own music. That small touch helps make the charter feel like your group’s day rather than a standard excursion. Keep the volume at a level that allows you to hear the captain’s instructions, especially before snorkeling and while moving around the boat.

The boat carries snorkel equipment and floats. That saves you from packing bulky gear or renting it separately. The crew also provides bottled water from Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day’s signature rum punch. Lunch is not part of the price, so plan to buy it at a stop or bring your expectations down to a drinks-and-snacks day. Several itineraries have included lunch stops at places such as Dinghy’s, but that is not guaranteed and should be discussed with the captain.

Snorkeling, turtles, and the island route

The exact route depends on weather, sea conditions, and your group’s wishes. That is a strength, but it also means you should not book expecting a guaranteed list of stops. Your captain may suggest reefs, coves, beaches, or harbors based on the day.

Snorkeling is the main reason to choose this charter. Past outings have included several snorkel locations, with sightings of sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and many kinds of fish. One group saw turtles feeding in seagrass, while another encountered a large school of small fish circling beneath the boat. Marine life is never guaranteed, but the flexible route gives the crew room to look for good conditions.

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island has been a popular stop for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. It gives you a chance to get off the boat and enjoy sand under your feet, which is useful on a full day. The tradeoff is that beach stops use sailing time, so tell the captain if your priority is reefs rather than shore time.

Shipwreck Cove can add a different kind of stop, with the boat serving as a base for swimming and snorkeling. Buck Island and Water Island may also be part of the plan. A secret cay is possible, but it should be treated as a pleasant possibility, not a promised destination.

The route may include views toward neighboring islands and St. Thomas harbors. On clear days, the crew can point out distant islands and local sights. This is one area where the crew’s local knowledge adds real value, especially if you want some context about the islands rather than a day of silent transport between swim stops.

The crew sets the tone

Crew assignments vary, so you may not sail with a particular captain. The names connected with successful outings include AnneMarie, Lindsay, JP, Megan, Alex, Coleman, Darren, Darron, Alicia, Selena, Eduardo, Liv, and others.

AnneMarie appears often in the supplied feedback, along with first mates such as Lindsay, Darren, Alex, and Callu. The recurring strengths are practical: helping families choose stops, keeping an eye on children, explaining the marine setting, adjusting the return time when possible, and making the group feel comfortable aboard.

That personal service is especially useful on a private charter. You are not simply handed a map and left to work out the day. Tell the crew early if your group has non-swimmers, young children, older adults, serious snorkelers, or a strong preference for beach time. The captain can then build a more sensible balance.

Gratuity is not listed as included. The operator notes that crew members rely on tips to supplement their income, so budget for a gratuity if the service meets your expectations. You should also know that drinks are included, but a generous rum-punch service does not replace a meal.

What the $1,495 price really buys

The headline price covers the yacht for up to 12 people, not a seat per person. That makes the charter most attractive for larger groups. A party of 10 can share a private boat, use the deck freely, and avoid the crowds that often come with cruise excursions.

For a couple, the calculation is different. You are paying for privacy, control of the route, and the boat itself, not just for snorkeling. If your budget is limited, a shared excursion may cost less. If this is a special family day and you value personal space, the private format may justify the premium.

Included drinks and gear help keep extra costs predictable, but lunch remains separate. You may purchase food at various locations, and the captain can discuss suitable stops. Ask before departure how much time a lunch stop will take and whether you can bring food aboard.

The operator has a 4.9 rating from 386 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate. Those numbers indicate a consistently strong experience, though they should not make you ignore the practical points: weather controls the day, route choices are flexible rather than guaranteed, and one reported booking failure involved a third-party reservation problem. Confirm your booking directly and keep the operator’s contact details handy.

Who will enjoy Pisces most

I would choose this for a group that wants one special day on the water rather than a packed list of land activities. It suits families, multigenerational groups, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who wants a private base for swimming and snorkeling.

It is also a good choice for people who dislike crowded cruise excursions. One group of 10 specifically valued having private space after spending time on a large ship. The boat’s layout lets active and relaxed members share the day without forcing everyone into the same activity.

You may want another option if nobody in your group wants to swim, snorkel, or spend several hours outside. The boat is comfortable, but this is still a water outing. You should also think twice if your schedule is tight and your ship docks at Crown Bay, since taxi time adds another moving part.

Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The operator describes the trip as primarily outdoors. The boat is sanitized after each trip, and masks may be worn if preferred.

Booking details and weather plans

You receive confirmation at booking, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so avoid waiting until the last minute if your cruise schedule changes.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the charter, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. That policy is fair for a boat trip, but it means you should avoid placing the outing on the final possible day of your vacation if you have flexibility.

Remember that this charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands. If your main goal is a BVI day trip, this is the wrong boat plan. The focus is St. Thomas and nearby waters, including Water Island, Buck Island, local harbors, beaches, and possible small cays.

Should you book this St. Thomas catamaran?

Book it if you can fill much of the 12-person capacity and want a relaxed, private day with control over the route. The combination of a roomy catamaran, snorkel gear, floats, drinks, music, and an attentive captain gives you more than a simple boat transfer.

Before booking, confirm the half-day or full-day price, your ship’s docking port, the expected start time, lunch options, and the stops you most want. If your group includes a mix of ages or activity levels, say so in advance. That is when the private format pays off most.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran charter?

The full experience is listed as approximately seven hours. A half-day option is also available, but confirm the exact duration when booking.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

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.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and use of the onboard restroom are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, though food can be purchased at various locations.

Can cruise ship passengers take this tour?

Yes. Passengers arriving at Havensight can meet near the charter dock. Those arriving at Crown Bay Marina need to take a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande, allowing about 15 minutes each way.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.