Half Day Boat Charter around the Islands of St Thomas and St John

The best part of this private St. Thomas boat charter is control. Instead of following a fixed route, you can work with Captain RJ, Forrest, Lawrence, or another Drift Charters captain to shape four hours around beaches, snorkeling, sightseeing, fishing, or lunch on the water. I like the chance to reach coves around St. Thomas and St. John that are not practical to visit by land.

I also like the practical touches: snorkeling gear, floats, bottled water, and a Bluetooth stereo are included. The main catch is time. Four hours goes quickly, especially if you want to combine a beach stop, snorkeling, fishing, and a floating restaurant. Seas and weather can also change the plan.

Key points at a glance

• Your group controls the route: Choose beaches, snorkeling spots, sightseeing, fishing, or a floating meal with the captain.
• St. John is within reach: The charter can take you around both St. Thomas and St. John, with plenty of coves and bays between them.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You also get floats and bottled water, so the basic water kit is covered.
• A flexible backup plan matters: Past outings have shifted from fishing to snorkeling or protected bays when conditions were not right.
• Floating restaurants add local flavor: Lime Out and Pizza Pi can be added if you want lunch to be part of the boat day.
• The price works best for a group: The listed cost is $990, with the published pricing describing up to six guests and the tour capacity listed as up to 12.

Why a private boat is useful around St. Thomas

St. Thomas and St. John are close on a map, but the best way to understand the area is from the water. A private charter lets you see the islands from several angles instead of spending the whole day at one beach or on a standard sightseeing loop.

You begin at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas. From there, the captain discusses the available choices with you. That conversation matters. If your group wants calm water and easy snorkeling, the captain can steer the day in that direction. If you want more sightseeing, fishing, or a restaurant stop, you can make that clear before the boat gets moving.

I like this setup for families and mixed groups. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer to float, and someone else may simply want to watch the coast pass by. A private boat gives you more room to adjust than a shared excursion usually allows.

The published capacity is up to 12 people, though the price information says the $990 rate is for up to six. If you plan to bring seven to 12 people, confirm the final rate before paying. With six people, the base cost works out to $165 each. At 12, the per-person value could be much better, but only if the operator confirms that the same pricing applies.

Four hours between St. Thomas and St. John

A four-hour charter is long enough to create a proper water outing, but not long enough to do everything. I would plan two main priorities and treat anything else as a bonus.

A typical day might begin with a run along the coast of St. Thomas, followed by a quieter bay or beach near St. John. You can then snorkel, spend time on floats, and use the remaining time for a second stop or a meal. The exact route is decided with the captain, so the final experience depends on your interests and the day’s sea conditions.

If sightseeing is your main aim, you can spend more time moving between bays and coves. The boat gives you views that road travel cannot provide, and the captain can add local context along the way. One family outing included historical information during the ride, which is a useful bonus when you want more than a swim.

If snorkeling is your priority, say so at the start. The captains have taken groups to spots with turtles, rays, many kinds of fish, and even a shipwreck. Those sightings are not guaranteed, but the flexibility to change locations is valuable. One outing shifted away from fishing when the sea was rough, and the group had a better day snorkeling instead.

Snorkeling, turtles, and protected coves

The included snorkeling equipment keeps the planning simple. You do not need to rent masks and fins separately, and floats are available for anyone who wants support in the water. Bottled water is also included, which is welcome in the warm Caribbean sun.

The most appealing part for me is the captain’s ability to match the stop to your group. Strong swimmers may want a more open-water site, while children or less confident swimmers may be happier in a calmer bay. One family had several different comfort levels in the water, and the captain found places where everyone could take part.

You might see sea turtles, rays, reef fish, shells, conch, or tarpon. One outing included feeding large tarpon, while another found a shipwreck along with turtles and rays. These are possibilities, not promises, so I would book this for access to varied water sites rather than for one specific animal.

Snorkeling conditions depend on wind, waves, visibility, and the time available. If the sea is unsettled, the captain may move closer to a reef or into a protected cove. That can mean less open-water scenery, but it may give you a safer and more pleasant swim.

Choosing between a beach day, fishing, and sightseeing

The experience is presented as an island charter, but it can also accommodate fishing. Several outings included trolling, bottom fishing, or a change from fishing to snorkeling when the action was slow or the weather turned rough.

Fishing success is never certain. Some groups caught mahi, wahoo, tuna, barracuda, and other fish, while one group returned without a catch. That difference is normal on the water, but it is worth keeping in mind if fishing is the only reason you are booking.

The captains appear willing to adapt. When trolling was not producing results, Captain Forrest gave a group the choice of bottom fishing. Captain Lawrence helped another family keep the outing productive by changing tactics. If you choose fishing, ask what style fits the day and what instruction is provided. One less positive outing included limited guidance on using the reels, so I would make your experience level clear at the beginning.

For a mixed group, I would not make fishing the sole plan. Build in snorkeling or sightseeing as a backup. That way, the day still works if fish are not biting. This flexible approach also makes sense for children, who may enjoy catching a small fish but may not want several hours of waiting.

Floating restaurants: Lime Out and Pizza Pi

A meal stop can turn a simple boat ride into a full half-day outing. The charter can add a stop at Lime Out or Pizza Pi, two floating restaurants named as options for the route.

This is a good choice if your group wants a break from swimming and does not want to arrange a separate lunch on land. It also gives you a memorable setting for a meal, with the islands and water around you. Keep in mind that adding a restaurant stop uses part of your four-hour window. You may need to choose between a longer snorkeling session and a relaxed meal.

I would decide this before departure rather than waiting until the last hour. Tell the captain if lunch is a priority, then plan the water stops around it. If the group includes hungry children or anyone who does not want a full stretch in the water, the restaurant option can make the day easier.

The supplied details do not state that food is included in the charter price, so plan to pay for your meal separately.

What the captains add to the day

The charter has received especially strong praise for its captains. RJ is repeatedly described as friendly, helpful, and good at making the day fun. Families appreciated his work with children, his choice of snorkeling spots, and the history he shared while underway.

Forrest has also handled changing conditions well. He helped groups move from fishing to bottom fishing or snorkeling when the original plan was not working. Lawrence has taken groups around St. John and helped young anglers catch fish. Ben and Lawrence were also praised for assisting a passenger who felt seasick.

Those details matter because a private charter is only as good as the captain’s judgment. You are not simply paying for a boat. You are paying for route choices, safety decisions, local orientation, and the ability to adjust when wind or fish do not cooperate.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 19 reviews, which is a strong result, though the sample is not large. Most of the positive attention centers on the captains, family-friendly attitude, successful fishing days, and flexible snorkeling plans. The less positive experience points to a useful lesson: communicate clearly about weather, reef locations, and how fishing equipment works.

Is $990 good value?

At first glance, $990 is a serious price for four hours. The value improves when you divide it among a group and compare it with the privacy and flexibility you receive.

For six people, the listed cost equals $165 per person. For a larger group, the cost per person would be lower if the operator confirms that the advertised capacity of 12 can use the same base rate. You should ask about the price for seven or more before booking because the supplied pricing also says the listed rate is for up to six.

The package includes a captain, snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, and music. You are not paying for a bare boat rental that requires you to arrange your own operator. The private format also means you do not have to follow another group’s pace.

The value is strongest when your group has a clear plan and several people who will use the boat actively. It is less compelling if only one or two people want to snorkel and everyone else would be just as happy on a public beach. It is also less suitable if your top goal is guaranteed fishing success, since catches vary.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is Compass Point Marina, Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, and the charter returns there at the end. Give yourself enough time to reach the marina, since the experience does not begin from every resort or cruise terminal.

The booking uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. Since this is a private outing, only your own group takes part.

Weather matters. The charter requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather results in either a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

I would also tell the operator about children, weak swimmers, seasickness, fishing experience, and lunch plans before departure. That gives the captain a better chance to shape the route well from the start.

Who should book this St. Thomas charter?

I would choose this for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that do not all want the same activity. It is particularly useful when you want to combine St. Thomas and St. John in one outing without arranging several separate transfers.

It also suits people who prefer a quiet cove to a crowded beach. The private format gives you more say over the pace, and the equipment provided makes snorkeling easy to add.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, your group is very small, or you need a guaranteed fishing catch. Four hours is also short for a long list of stops. Pick your top two goals before you arrive.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you value freedom more than a fixed schedule. The strongest reasons are the private boat, access to both St. Thomas and St. John, included snorkeling equipment, and captains who can adjust the plan for children, weather, fishing conditions, and different swimming abilities.

For the best value, fill the boat with people you know, confirm the rate for more than six guests, and decide in advance if you want snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, or a floating restaurant. If you can accept that fish and sea conditions are unpredictable, this is a flexible way to spend a half-day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter begin?

The charter begins at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to Compass Point Marina at the end of the experience.

How long is the charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join?

The activity is listed for up to 12 guests. The pricing information says the $990 rate is for up to six guests, so confirm the cost for groups of seven to 12.

What is included?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, a Bluetooth stereo system, and a USCG-certified captain.

Can I choose what we do?

Yes. The captain discusses the options with you, and you can choose among beaches, snorkeling locations, sightseeing, fishing, and stops at floating restaurants such as Lime Out or Pizza Pi.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund.