Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

A private catamaran, three possible snorkeling stops, sea turtles, paddle boards, hammock chairs, and lunch on the water make this one of the more flexible ways to spend a day around St. Thomas and St. John. You leave from Red Hook at 8:30 a.m. aboard Second Chance, then shape the day around your group instead of following a fixed schedule.

I like the private route planning, since you can choose among places such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove. I also like the unusually relaxed setup, with bean bags on the trampolines, hammock chairs hanging off the stern, and drinks available throughout the day. The main consideration is cost: at $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that will use the boat for the full seven and a half hours.

Key things to know before you book

• Your group chooses the stops: The crew can arrange two or three snorkeling locations, with Maho, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other possibilities on the table.
• Second Chance is a private catamaran: Only your party takes part, making this a good choice for birthdays, family days, and celebrations.
• The day includes more than snorkeling: Paddle boards, stern hammock chairs, bean bags, and open sailing time give you several ways to enjoy the boat.
• Food and drinks are covered: You receive fruit and pastries in the morning, wraps and chips for lunch, soda, water, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.
• The schedule is long but unhurried: The charter runs about seven hours and 30 minutes, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending back at the marina.
• Book early if your dates are fixed: This experience averages 98 days of advance booking, a useful clue for busy vacation periods.

Red Hook is the launch point for a private day at sea

You meet the crew at Beach Charters VI, dock B, slip 19, at 6501 Red Hook Road. The departure time is 8:30 a.m., and the boat returns to this same meeting point at the end of the day.

Red Hook is a practical place to begin. The area is near public transportation, and the meeting point is clear enough for a group that wants to avoid a hotel pickup circuit. If you are driving, all-day marina parking is available for an additional $30 when arranged with the operator. That fee is not part of the charter price, so include it in your budget.

The early start matters. A full-day private boat trip needs time to reach several areas, let you snorkel without rushing, serve lunch, and still leave room for quiet sailing. Arrive ready to board rather than treating 8:30 as a loose suggestion.

The catamaran is called Second Chance. Its design gives you several places to sit, stretch out, and watch the water. Bean bags sit over the forward trampolines, while the original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang off the back of the boat. You can also use the paddle boards when conditions and the crew’s plan allow.

The route is yours, within the day’s conditions

A typical charter includes two or three snorkeling stops. The important word is typical, not guaranteed. Since this is a private trip, you can discuss the route with the crew and choose the locations that best match your group’s interests.

Maho on St. John is one possible stop. It is known as a place to look for sea turtles, making it an appealing choice if seeing turtles is high on your list. It can also be a strong pick for a mixed-age group, since some people may prefer watching from the boat while others spend time in the water.

Lovango Cay offers another possible setting for snorkeling and swimming. Christmas Cove is also available among the choices. The appeal of a private charter is not just getting to these places, but having room to adjust the pace. You can spend longer at a favorite stop or move on if your group has had enough.

The crew may suggest other locations as well. Exact stops depend on conditions and the day’s planning, so you should think of the named places as examples rather than a locked route. That flexibility is valuable, but it also means you should not book this expecting a rigid checklist of exact beaches.

Snorkeling, turtles, and time in the water

Snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to rent masks, fins, or related gear separately. The central attraction is the chance to swim over beautiful reefs and look for sea turtles, particularly around possible stops such as Maho.

I would treat the snorkeling as an opportunity rather than a promise of guaranteed wildlife. Sea turtles are wild animals, and the crew can take you to favored areas, but no operator can control what appears during your swim. The same goes for reef conditions and visibility.

The private format helps here. A large shared boat often has to move everyone along together. On Second Chance, your group can talk through the pace with the crew. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone who prefers a slower morning can stay aboard, use the hammock chair, or watch from the edge.

The day also includes paddle boards. These offer a change of pace between snorkeling stops. You can paddle, swim, or simply settle into the boat’s seating. Since the water portion is only one part of the experience, this charter works well for people who want an active day without making every minute an athletic event.

A catamaran built for lounging, not just transport

Many boat trips treat the vessel as a way to reach the destination. Here, the boat is part of the attraction. The trampolines give you a place to stretch out in the sun, and the bean bags make it easy to settle in during the ride.

The hammock chairs at the back are the most distinctive feature. They hang over the stern, offering a low-key place to watch the water while the boat moves or sits at anchor. If you like the idea of a beach day but prefer not to remain on one crowded stretch of sand, this setup gives you a similar sense of leisure with changing views.

You should still plan for sun exposure. The supplied details emphasize sunning on the trampolines, but they do not specify the amount of shade or the availability of a cabin. Bring the sun protection you normally use for a full day outdoors. The practical point is simple: seven and a half hours on the water is a long time, and comfort depends on pacing yourself.

The sailing itself is described as smooth, though conditions can change. If you are sensitive to motion, let the crew know at the start. You will have more than one place to sit, which can help you find the most comfortable spot as the boat moves.

Morning fruit, pastry, wraps, and a full drink supply

Food is included in the $250 price. The day begins with a morning tray of fruit and pastries, followed by freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps with chips. Soda and water are available throughout the day.

That menu suits a casual boat outing. You can eat without leaving the water or arranging a separate lunch stop. The food also helps make the long duration feel worthwhile, since the charter is not simply a short snorkeling ride with a premium price.

Alcohol includes one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, based on your group’s choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer. You must be at least 18 to drink alcohol. Water and soda are also included, which matters on a hot day when you should not rely on rum punch or beer for hydration.

The menu is specific, so do not book this expecting a full restaurant meal or a custom catering package. If anyone in your group has strict dietary needs, ask the operator before the trip. The supplied information lists turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps, but it does not promise substitutions.

Why the $250 price can make sense

At first glance, $250 per person is a serious day-trip price. The value improves when you compare it with what is bundled into the private charter: a dedicated catamaran, crew, two or three possible snorkeling stops, equipment, paddle boards, lunch, drinks, and roughly seven and a half hours on the water.

The private format is the key. A group of six to nine people can share the cost while keeping control of the route. One booking celebrated a friend’s birthday with nine people, and another group of six used the boat for a full day. For a small group of two or three, the per-person cost may feel harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are especially important.

You also avoid paying separate rental charges for snorkel gear and paddle boards. Lunch and the listed drinks are included as well. The extra costs to remember are gratuity and, if needed, the $30 all-day parking fee at the marina.

I see this as a celebration or group splurge rather than a budget activity. Birthdays, family gatherings, and milestone trips fit the format well. One group even used the charter as part of a wedding celebration. If your main goal is simply to snorkel for an hour at the lowest possible price, a shared excursion may be a better match.

The crew sets the tone

The supplied details identify Ivy, TL, John, Michelle, and Captain Justin in connection with the charter experience. Ivy and the crew are described as friendly and helpful, while Captain Justin received specific praise for his work on the water.

The human side matters on a private boat. You spend most of a day with the crew, so clear communication and a relaxed manner are just as important as the catamaran itself. The crew can help shape the route, explain the day’s options, and keep the group moving between swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and rest.

I would tell you to speak up early about your priorities. If turtles are the main goal, say so. If your group wants more time on paddle boards, a slower lunch, or a particular island view, mention it before the route is set. A private charter gives you flexibility, but the crew needs your input to use it well.

Gratuity is not included. Since the crew is responsible for the boat, food, equipment, and day’s pacing, plan to tip separately if the service meets your expectations.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong fit for a group that wants one special day rather than a string of separate activities. Families can split time between swimming, paddle boarding, and relaxing on board. Couples can enjoy a private setting, though the cost is easier to justify for a larger party.

It also suits people who dislike fixed group schedules. You are not locked into a single public route or forced to leave a favorite stop at the same moment as a large crowd. The crew can discuss the options with your group and build the day around your preferences.

The charter is less suitable for someone seeking a cheap, short excursion or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The route can change, snorkeling conditions can vary, and the $250 rate assumes you value privacy, comfort, food, and a long day at sea.

Most travelers can participate, and the activity is private to your group. Still, snorkeling and paddle boarding require comfort around the water. If someone in your party has concerns, discuss them with the operator before departure rather than waiting until boarding.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

This experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 98 days. If you are visiting during a popular season or have a fixed celebration date, it is sensible to reserve early.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Weather can affect the trip. The charter requires good conditions, and if poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The cut-off times use local St. Thomas time, so keep that in mind if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

Should you book Second Chance?

Book this private catamaran if you want a full, flexible day with your own group, especially if you can share the $250-per-person cost among six or more people. The best parts are the choice of snorkeling locations, the chance to look for turtles, and the fact that you can spend as much time relaxing on the boat as you do in the water.

I would be more cautious if your budget is tight, your group is very small, or you want a guaranteed stop at one exact beach. For everyone else, the combination of a private route, included food and drinks, paddle boards, hammock chairs, and a long day around St. Thomas and St. John gives this charter a strong claim on one vacation day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

The meeting point is Beach Charters VI, dock B, slip 19, at 6501 Red Hook Road in St. Thomas. The activity begins at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The charter returns to the same meeting point at Beach Charters VI.

How long does the private charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops. Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other options.

Can my group choose the snorkeling locations?

Yes. Since the trip is private, your group can choose locations with the crew. Exact stops depend on the day and conditions.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Are snorkeling gear and paddle boards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and paddle boards are included. The boat also has hammock swings and bean bags on the trampolines.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.