Amazing Half Day Private Boat Charter on Luxury Sailing Catamaran

A private catamaran gives you something most boat trips cannot: control over the day. From Red Hook, you can set out aboard Second Chance for two or three snorkeling stops, perhaps at Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, or Christmas Cove. I like the freedom to shape the route, and I like that the boat offers more than snorkeling, with paddleboards, hammock chairs, bean bags, and open trampolines. The tradeoff is price: at $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a group sharing a private boat.

I also like the thoughtful food and drink setup. You get a morning fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps, chips, sodas, water, rum punch or painkillers, and a 12-pack of light beer. Captain James, TL, and Ivy have helped families, older parents, and groups with children enjoy the water at an easy pace. Just remember that gratuity is not included, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points at a glance

• Private route planning: Your group chooses from possible stops such as Maho, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.
• Four and a half hours on Second Chance: The time allows for two or three snorkel stops without turning the day into a rushed race between sites.
• More than snorkeling: Paddleboards, hammock swings, bean bags, and trampoline seating give non-snorkelers plenty to do.
• Food and drinks included: Expect fruit, pastries, wraps, chips, water, soda, rum punch or painkillers, and light beer.
• A flexible family option: The crew has accommodated groups ranging from older parents to families with young children and teens.
• Simple Red Hook logistics: The boat leaves from Beach Charters VI at VIDock B, slip 19, and returns there.

Starting in Red Hook aboard Second Chance

Your day begins at Beach Charters VI, VIDock B, slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road. This is the practical starting point for a private half-day on the water, and the same location serves as your return point.

The boat is a sailing catamaran, so you get a broad deck and several places to sit rather than a single narrow cabin. The front trampolines are set up for sunning on bean bags, while hammock chairs hang off the back. You can sit high and catch the breeze, stretch out in the sun, or stay closer to the shaded areas if that suits you better.

The trip lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes. That is enough time for a few stops, lunch, and relaxed movement between islands, but it is not a full-day charter. You should think of this as a focused taste of the US Virgin Islands by boat, not an all-day expedition.

The private format matters here. You are not locked into a fixed list of stops or sharing the boat with strangers. If your group wants more swimming, the captain can shape the day around that. If someone prefers a quieter ride, you have more room to keep the pace comfortable.

Choosing two or three snorkeling stops

A typical outing includes two or three snorkeling stops, with Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove among the possible choices. The final route is not fixed, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter over a standard group cruise.

Maho on St. John is a useful choice for a group that wants a scenic beach setting with time in the water. It gives you the classic island combination of pale sand, calm-looking coastal views, and snorkeling close to shore. The exact water conditions can affect visibility, so your crew may adjust the plan according to the day.

Lovango Cay offers a different feel. It adds a change of scenery and lets you see more of the island chain from the boat. I would choose this kind of stop if your group wants to spend part of the outing looking outward at the cays and coastline, not just swimming at one beach.

Christmas Cove is another possible stop and has also been used for sunset outings and private moments on the water. It is a practical place for a group that wants to pause, swim, and enjoy the setting without rushing. The route can change, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed sequence of named sites.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. That makes the trip easier for families and mixed groups. Still, if snorkeling is your main goal, tell the crew early. Your private format gives you a chance to make that preference clear before the route takes shape.

Past outings have included sightings of turtles, rays, fish, an octopus, and a shipwreck. Those sightings are never guaranteed, and conditions can change, but they show the range of marine life and underwater features you might find. Keep your expectations sensible: the day is built around access to the water, not a wildlife guarantee.

The best part for non-snorkelers

A good private boat charter needs to work for the person who does not want to snorkel. Second Chance handles that well with a mix of easygoing options.

You can take a ride on a paddleboard, sit in one of the hammock swings, or stretch out on the bean bags over the front trampolines. This matters if your group includes people with different energy levels. One person can snorkel while another stays aboard with a drink, and nobody has to spend the whole stop feeling left out.

The sailing catamaran also gives you a smooth ride between locations. That does not mean the water will always be calm, but the boat offers a pleasant way to see St. Thomas, St. John, and the nearby islands from the water. The movement between stops becomes part of the experience rather than dead time.

Families have used this charter with young children, older children, and adults. One outing included an 80-year-old couple celebrating a 60th anniversary. That is a useful clue about the pace: this can be a comfortable choice for a multigenerational group, especially when you value time together more than a packed schedule.

Lunch, rum punch, and the practical food setup

The food plan is more useful than a simple snack basket. In the morning, you receive fruit and pastries. Later, lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps with chips. Water and soda are available throughout the day.

Drinks include one gallon of rum punch or painkillers, based on your group’s choice, along with a 12-pack of light beer. Alcohol is only for people age 18 and older. Since the boat already carries ice, water, and drinks, you do not have to spend your short charter time arranging supplies.

The meal is casual and easy to eat aboard. Wraps work better than a formal meal when people are moving between swimming, snorkeling, and sitting on deck. You should still tell the provider about any dietary concerns before the trip if that applies to your group, since the listed meal has specific ingredients and no alternative menu is provided.

One outing included pizza delivered during the trip, but that should not be treated as a standard part of the package. The regular food provision is the fruit and pastry tray, wraps, chips, soda, and water.

The included supplies add real value to the $250 price. If you booked a private boat without food, drinks, snorkel gear, and paddleboards, those extras would quickly add cost and planning work. The price remains substantial, but the package is more complete than a bare boat rental.

What $250 per person really buys

At $250 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in St. Thomas. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated crew, a sailing catamaran, flexible stops, equipment, food, and drinks. The value improves as your group grows, provided everyone wants the same type of day.

A private charter works best when your group has a clear reason for avoiding a larger public cruise. That reason could be a family celebration, a multigenerational trip, a group of friends, or simply the wish to set your own pace. One family booked the boat for Christmas Day, while another used it for a 60th anniversary. Those occasions make the private price easier to justify.

The format also saves you from paying for activities your group does not want. You can emphasize snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, or simply seeing the islands from the deck. A fixed group excursion may give you a set itinerary, but it cannot adjust as easily when your parents want a quiet stop or your teenagers want more time in the water.

The limitation is capacity information. The supplied details do not state the boat’s maximum number of people. One past group included 11 people, but you should confirm the current capacity and final price for your own party before booking. At a minimum, ask how the per-person rate applies to your group and what happens if your party size changes.

Crew service and the feel of a private day

The crew names connected with Second Chance include James, TL, and Ivy. Their role is important because a flexible itinerary only works when the crew pays attention to what your group actually wants.

Communication and helpful transport arrangements have been part of some outings. Pickup and return transportation from a cruise port was arranged for one family, but you should confirm this directly because the listed meeting point is the marina in Red Hook, not a cruise terminal. Do not assume transportation is included unless the provider confirms it.

The crew has also worked with groups that included older parents and small children. That does not remove the usual need for care around ladders, water entry, and boat movement, but it suggests you can discuss a slower or more comfortable plan before leaving the dock.

The atmosphere appears informal and personal. The provider’s dogs have been part of the onboard experience on some trips, and one family specifically enjoyed having them around. If that matters to you, ask ahead about whether the dogs will be aboard your particular charter. It is a detail some people will love and others may need to plan around.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied details confirm the boat provides snorkel gear, paddleboards, ice, water, and drinks, so you can keep your packing light. A phone with a mobile ticket is useful for the booking details, though the meeting point itself is at the marina.

Service animals are allowed, and the starting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should still consider your own comfort with boat steps, swimming, and snorkeling. If someone in your group has limited mobility or needs special assistance, contact Beach Charters VI before booking rather than assuming the boat can meet that need.

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end. That makes the half-day schedule easier to fit around other St. Thomas plans, though you should leave a cushion before any flight, cruise departure, or fixed appointment.

Who should book this charter

I would choose this experience for a group that values time together and wants freedom from a fixed public-cruise schedule. It suits families with mixed ages, couples celebrating a special occasion, and friends who want a private boat with both activity and downtime.

It is also a good match for a group where snorkeling interests are uneven. The paddleboards, hammock chairs, bean bags, and sailing ride give non-snorkelers a pleasant way to spend the time.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone, as the private price will be hard to justify. I would also look elsewhere if you want a long, highly structured snorkeling program with guaranteed sites or a full day on the water. This charter is about flexibility, comfort, and shared time, not a strict checklist.

Should you book Second Chance?

Book it if your group can make the $250 per-person price work and you care about having the boat to yourselves. The included meal, drinks, gear, paddleboards, and flexible route make the cost easier to defend, especially for a celebration or a family outing.

Before paying, confirm your group size, the exact meeting plan, any transportation needs, and which route preferences you have. If the weather holds, this is a relaxed way to combine snorkeling, island views, and time together without forcing everyone into the same activity.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter begin?

The charter begins at Beach Charters VI, VIDock B, slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point in Red Hook.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

A typical trip includes two or three snorkeling stops.

Which snorkeling locations might be visited?

Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other sites chosen for your private trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddleboards available?

Yes. Paddleboards and hammock swings are included.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a morning fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese and vegetable wraps, chips, soda, water, one gallon of rum punch or painkillers, and a 12-pack of light beer.

Is gratuity included?

No. Gratuities are not included in the tour price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.