50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You get the 50-foot SY Sirena for your own group, then work with the captain to shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, beach time, or simply stretching out on the bow. Captains such as Maddy, JW, Alex, Dave, and Vic have been praised for adjusting plans to suit families, teenagers, and mixed swimming abilities.

I like the spacious catamaran layout, especially the back deck, salon, bow bean bags, and trampolines. I also like the practical all-inclusive touches: snorkel gear, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch. The main catch is that lunch costs extra, and some advertised beaches, including Trunk Bay, may not be available to commercial charters. Confirm your preferred stops before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 50-foot catamaran: Your group alone uses SY Sirena, with room for up to 12 people.
• Choose four to seven hours: A half-day works for one or two water stops, while a full day gives you time for snorkeling, lunch, and a longer route.
• Captain-led planning: You can discuss your interests and adjust the route around conditions and swimming ability.
• Sea life is a strong possibility: Past outings have included turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship.
• Drinks and water toys are included: Expect snorkel equipment, floats, ice, soda, beer, Virgin H2O, and signature rum punch.
• The British Virgin Islands are not included: This boat stays around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays.

Why a private catamaran changes the St. Thomas day

A private boat gives you something a standard group cruise cannot: you do not have to follow a fixed pace or spend the day with strangers. If one person wants more snorkeling and another prefers a quiet swim, the captain can usually find a workable balance.

That matters in a group of 12. Families with small children can take breaks on deck. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water. Anyone who gets tired or seasick has space to sit in the shaded salon or on the back deck. One family with children ranging from four months to five years praised the crew for making the boat work for very young children, while another group appreciated help watching a less confident swimmer while the adults snorkeled.

The boat itself is part of the experience. SY Sirena has an indoor salon that opens onto a broad rear deck with seating and dining space. At the front, bean bags and trampolines give you an easy place to stretch out while underway. The trampolines are also a good spot for watching turtles or dolphins, if the water and timing cooperate.

Do not think of this as a formal sailing lesson or a nonstop sightseeing cruise. It is a relaxed day on the water with the captain handling the route and the crew helping with drinks, gear, and boarding. The pleasure comes from moving between coves and beaches at your own group’s pace.

Half-day or full-day: choosing the right length

The half-day option lasts about four hours. That is enough for a focused outing, such as snorkeling at one or two spots, a swim at a beach, and time to enjoy the boat. It is a sensible choice if you are traveling with young children, have limited time in St. Thomas, or want a water activity without giving up the whole day.

A full-day charter lasts about seven hours. I would choose it for a group that wants to combine several activities, such as snorkeling, a beach stop, a floating break, and lunch. You have enough time to move between St. Thomas and St. John without making every stop feel rushed.

The published stop list contains 13 possible locations, each described with a suggested minimum of 90 minutes. That does not mean you can visit all 13 in a day. Even a seven-hour charter cannot reasonably allow that much time at every place, especially with travel between islands. Think of the list as a menu of possibilities, not a fixed route.

A useful plan is to choose two or three priorities before you arrive. Tell the captain if your group cares most about turtles, calm water, beach time, scenery, or lunch. The crew can then build a route that fits the weather and the time available.

St. Thomas stops: reefs, beaches, and easy swimming

Secret Harbour can work well as an early snorkeling or swimming stop. Its protected setting may appeal to a group that wants a calmer start, especially if some people are new to boat outings. Give yourself enough time to settle into the gear rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

Brewer’s Bay offers another possible place to swim and snorkel. It is on St. Thomas and can be useful when the crew is looking for a location that matches the day’s wind and water conditions. The captain’s local judgment matters here, since the best stop is not always the most famous beach.

Magens Bay Beach is one of St. Thomas’s most recognizable beach settings. It is a natural choice if your group wants a classic beach stop and time to relax rather than only snorkel. The drawback is simple: a famous beach can be busier than a smaller cove, and reaching it by boat does not guarantee that the stop will be available under every operating condition.

Sapphire Beach is another popular St. Thomas option. It suits a group that wants a broad beach setting paired with swimming. As with all the listed beaches, check the day’s route with the captain rather than assuming the boat will stop there.

Coki Point Beach can appeal to people focused on swimming and underwater life. It is often considered a lively beach choice, so it may not deliver the quietest stop. If your group wants peace and fewer distractions, ask about a calmer cove instead.

Lindqvist Beach is a good possibility for a less developed beach feel. You can ask whether conditions make it a better choice than the more well-known St. Thomas beaches. The boat’s flexibility is most useful when you let the captain compare those options on the day.

St. John: quiet bays and memorable snorkeling

Crossing toward St. John opens up a different style of day. Instead of trying to cover the island by road, you see its beaches and bays from the water, with the captain choosing locations suited to the conditions.

Honeymoon Beach is a natural pick for a relaxed swim and beach break. It fits a half-day plan if your group wants a scenic stop without trying to collect too many locations.

Francis Bay offers another St. John beach option and can work well for groups looking for a calmer setting. The advantage of a private boat is that you can spend more time at a place that suits your group instead of leaving because a larger schedule demands it.

Trunk Bay Beach is one of the most famous names on the list, but this is where you should pay close attention. One recent outing could not visit Trunk Bay because of restrictions on commercial charters. The company acknowledged that the change was recent. Treat Trunk Bay as a possibility only, and ask about current access before you book or depart.

Maho Bay Beach is especially appealing if seeing turtles is high on your wish list. Several outings have included sea turtles, and the crew has helped groups find them. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but this area can make sense for a group that wants more than a beach swim.

Waterlemon Cay is a strong choice for snorkeling and scenery. Its location near St. John makes it a good target for a full-day route, though travel time and water conditions affect how long you can stay. If the goal is underwater life, tell the crew early so they can protect enough time for the stop.

Scott Bay Beach and Hansen Bay Beach round out the St. John options. These less familiar names may be useful when the captain wants to avoid rougher water or crowded areas. You are paying for a private route, so do not be afraid to ask for a quieter alternative to a famous beach.

What you may see below the surface

The snorkeling is not a staged animal encounter. The crew chooses spots based on conditions, recent knowledge of the water, and what suits your group. That means sightings vary, but the possible rewards are substantial.

Past outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship. One group of teenagers specifically wanted turtles, and the captain shaped the day around that goal. Another group saw turtles, an octopus, a stingray, and a reef in one afternoon.

The crew helps with masks, fins, floats, and getting in and out of the water. That is useful for families and anyone who is not a confident swimmer. You should still tell the crew about swimming concerns before leaving the harbor. The boat has life jackets, and service animals are allowed, but you should make your needs clear during the planning conversation.

Wind can change the experience. One group had a windy week but still found calmer spots on the sheltered sides of the islands. That is one reason a private charter is more useful than a fixed route. The captain can look for better water instead of forcing the entire group to endure a rough crossing.

Food, drinks, and the practical comfort of the boat

The price includes bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, ice, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. You also get the use of snorkeling equipment and floats, plus an onboard restroom. These details reduce the amount of gear and planning you need to handle.

The crew often acts as bartender, gear helper, and safety support all at once. Past outings have praised first mates such as Olivia, Ro, Coleman, Celina, Kahlia, and Dylan for keeping drinks filled, fitting snorkeling equipment, and helping people into the water.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at some locations, and past routes have included stops at Lovango and the Pizza Boat. If you have dietary needs, young children, or a group that eats on a strict schedule, bring snacks and ask about lunch options ahead of time. A full-day boat trip feels much easier when food is planned rather than left to chance.

The wide deck and open salon help with comfort, but a catamaran is still a boat. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything your group needs for the day. If someone in your party is prone to seasickness, plan carefully. One group reported that a family member felt ill near the end, though the crew was accommodating.

Cost, group size, and what you are really paying for

The advertised price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $133 per person before gratuity. For four people, the same charter costs nearly $399 per person, so the value improves sharply as your group gets larger.

A 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew is customary for exceptional service. That adds roughly $239 to $319 to the group bill, before any lunch or other purchases. Include that in your budget from the start.

You are not only paying for transportation. The price covers the private boat, captain, first mate, fuel-related operating costs implied by the charter service, gear, drinks, and the ability to shape the route. A standard shared cruise may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same control or privacy.

For a family reunion, birthday, anniversary, or group of friends, the cost can make sense. For two or three people, a shared excursion may be better value unless privacy is your main goal.

Getting there and setting expectations

The boat leaves from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, St. Thomas, at 84GX+24H on Smith Bay Road. The activity returns to the same meeting point. Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the company has stated that its boats are sanitized after each trip. The activity is primarily outdoors, and masks are not required, though you may wear one if you prefer. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Arrive on time. A late start can reduce your time on the water, and the charter does not automatically extend because your group arrived late. This is a small practical detail, but it can make a large difference on a four-hour booking.

Weather also matters. The trip requires good conditions. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this private St. Thomas charter?

I would choose this boat for a group that values privacy, flexibility, and time in the water. It is especially suitable for families, multigenerational groups, birthday outings, and friends who want a full day together without splitting up.

It also suits mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel, younger children can use floats or stay aboard, and anyone who needs a break has room on deck. The crew’s approach has worked well for groups ranging from four people to the full 12-person capacity.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, if you want a guaranteed Trunk Bay stop, or if you expect lunch to be included. I would also avoid building the day around visiting the British Virgin Islands, since this vessel does not go there. A separate BVI charter is required.

Should you book SY Sirena?

Book this charter if you want the boat to fit your group, rather than forcing your group to fit a boat schedule. The strongest reasons are the private setting, roomy 50-foot catamaran, flexible route, helpful crew, and real chance of seeing turtles and other sea life.

Choose the full day if snorkeling and St. John are priorities. Choose the half day if you want a compact outing with one or two good stops. Before paying, confirm current beach access, especially for Trunk Bay, and ask the captain to help shape a route around your group’s top two or three goals.

For up to 12 people, the price can be fair, especially when divided among a full group. For a small party, it is a luxury purchase. In either case, the value comes from privacy and control, not from trying to visit every place on the list.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The boat departs from American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people.

How long does the charter last?

You can choose a half-day or full-day outing lasting approximately four to seven hours.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though food can be purchased at some locations.

Can the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel. A separate charter must be booked for a BVI visit.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.