Private Luxury Catamaran Half Day Charter

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is the freedom to make the day your own. You get a private power catamaran for up to 12 people, a guided snorkel at Turtle Cove, and relaxed time at Honeymoon Beach instead of following a fixed crowd schedule.

I like the personal service, especially the way Captain Joe and Katie can adjust the outing around your group. I also like the practical comforts: a roomy bathroom, a large swim platform, a custom boarding ladder, sanitized gear, snacks, and a top-shelf open bar after the in-water activities.

The main drawback is time. Four hours goes quickly once you include the boat ride, snorkeling, and beach stop. This is also a water-based outing requiring a moderate level of fitness, so it may not suit anyone with mobility or medical concerns.

Key points to know before booking

• Private group of up to 12: You share the boat only with your own family or friends, with more room than the vessel’s certified maximum.
• Turtle Cove at Buck Island: A professional snorkel guide leads you through an area known for green sea turtles, colorful fish, and coral reefs.
• Honeymoon Beach on Water Island: The second stop gives you a choice of warm sand, boat lounging, or floats.
• Four-hour format: The schedule fits a half day and returns to Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie.
• Drinks come after swimming: Snacks and an unlimited top-shelf open bar are included after the in-water activities.
• Captain Joe and Katie: Captain Joe brings local island experience, while Katie handles snorkeling guidance and the onboard bar.

Why a private catamaran changes the day

A private charter makes sense when your group cares more about control than about the lowest possible price. You are not being added to a large boat with strangers or asked to accept a preset pace. The crew can discuss alternative pickup locations, itinerary changes, and celebrations with you before the outing.

The boat is certified for up to 26 people, but this charter limits each booking to 12. That difference matters. It leaves more social space, makes it easier to move around the aft swim platform, and gives the crew a better chance to keep track of everyone in the water.

I would especially consider this format for a family group, a birthday, a couples’ gathering, or friends who want a polished day on the water without renting and operating a boat themselves. You pay for the whole vessel, so the value improves sharply as your group grows.

At the full 12-person capacity, the $1,495 price works out to about $125 per person before gratuity. With six people, it is about $249 per person. That is not a bargain-basement boat trip, but it includes fuel, crew, gear, snacks, a private itinerary, and drinks after the water activities.

Leaving Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie

The charter begins at Someday Charters, 5304 Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie. The activity also ends there, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return from a distant beach or another marina.

The opening ride takes you along the picturesque southern coast of St. Thomas toward the first stop. This is part of the appeal of a power catamaran. You get the pleasure of moving between sites by water rather than treating the outing as one stationary snorkeling session.

The ride itself also sets the rhythm of the day. You will have time on the boat, time in the water, and time on shore or the floats. Since the charter lasts about four hours, keep your departure time in mind if you have dinner plans, a cruise schedule, or another afternoon activity.

The crew can discuss an alternative pickup location in advance. Do not assume every change is automatic, though. If your group needs a different meeting place or has a special celebration in mind, bring it up before departure.

Turtle Cove and the Buck Island snorkel

The first main stop is Turtle Cove in Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge. Here, a professional snorkel guide gives you instructions on using the equipment and then leads you at the surface through the marine area.

The draw is clear: green sea turtles, colorful fish, and coral reefs. The guide adds value because you are not left to figure out the site on your own. Katie is specifically identified as the snorkel guide, and she also helps with the onboard bar later in the outing.

This is a good arrangement for mixed groups. Confident swimmers can appreciate having a guide point out marine life, while less experienced snorkelers receive basic instruction before heading into the water. You should still be comfortable with the physical demands of snorkeling and swimming. The tour asks participants to have a moderate fitness level.

The boat is set up to make water access easier. A large aft swim platform and custom-built boarding ladder help you get in and out without climbing over the side of the boat. Afterward, a fresh-water rinse lets you wash off salt water before settling back onboard.

Sanitized snorkeling gear is provided, which removes one of the more annoying packing decisions. You do not need to organize masks, snorkels, or related equipment for the group, though you should still tell the captain about any allergies or medical conditions.

The exact amount of time at Turtle Cove is not specified, so do not plan on a fixed number of minutes in the water. The captain and guide may need to balance the snorkel with the boat ride and the second stop. That is one reason the four-hour format can feel full.

Snacks, a rinse, and the onboard bar

After the in-water activities, the crew serves snacks and opens the top-shelf bar. The timing is worth noting. Drinks are included, but the unlimited open bar is described as available after the swimming and snorkeling, not as a reason to drink before getting into the water.

You also get a fresh-water rinse after leaving the sea. It is a small feature, but it makes the transition from snorkeling to relaxing more pleasant. You can get the salt off before sitting down with a snack or drink.

The boat has a modern, fully functioning bathroom. That is one of the more useful details on a half-day charter, especially for families or anyone who does not want to rely on a beach facility. A private boat day is much easier when you are not forced to return to shore for every basic need.

The description does not specify the exact snack menu or bar brands. If your group has allergies, dietary restrictions, or a special celebration, tell the captain and office staff ahead of time. The crew specifically asks for allergy and medical information, and the staff can organize special requests when arranging the charter.

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island

The second stop is Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. This part of the outing is less structured than the Turtle Cove visit. You can catch the sun on the boat, use the floats, or spend time on the warm sand.

That choice is helpful because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of afternoon. One person can swim, another can remain on the boat, and someone else can enjoy the beach. You are not required to make every person follow the same plan.

Honeymoon Beach also gives the charter a change of pace. Turtle Cove is the active portion, with equipment, instruction, and a guided look at marine life. The beach stop is for slowing down, enjoying the water, and letting the group spread out.

Do not expect a long beach day from a four-hour charter. The boat must still return to Yacht Haven Grande, and the first stop takes time. If your priority is several hours on a beach, a full-day charter would be a better match. If you want a mix of snorkeling and relaxed beach time, this half-day plan has a sensible balance.

The crew and the personal feel

Captain Joe and Katie are the named crew members for this charter. Captain Joe’s experience with the islands is especially useful when your group wants advice about where to go or how to shape the day. Katie handles the water guidance and bartending, giving her two distinct roles during the outing.

The strongest indication of the service style is the crew’s flexibility. One group wanted to set its own agenda, and the crew adjusted the day around those preferences. That does not mean every request can be granted, since weather, safety, and time still matter. It does mean this is not designed as a rigid, one-size-fits-all boat ride.

The private setup also makes communication easier. You can tell the crew if your family wants more time floating, if some people would rather stay on the boat, or if the group is celebrating something. The office staff handles special requests, alternative pickup locations, itineraries, and celebrations.

Comfort, safety, and physical demands

The catamaran includes a large swim platform, an easy-access ladder, a bathroom, and a fresh-water rinse. These details support a more comfortable day, particularly when several people are moving between the water and the boat.

You still need to be honest about your own ability. The outing includes a boat ride, snorkeling, swimming, and possibly moving between the vessel, floats, and beach. A moderate physical fitness level is recommended.

Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation. The available information does not specify every accessibility detail for the ladder, platform, beach, or bathroom, so contact the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

If you have a medical concern, discuss it with your own medical professional before booking. You should also inform the captain about medical conditions and allergies. That is especially important on a private charter, where the crew can prepare for your group but needs accurate information first.

How the $1,495 price works for your group

The price is $1,495 per group, with a maximum of 12 people. It is not priced per seat, so the math depends on how many people you bring.

For 12 people, the cost is about $125 each. For 10, it is about $150 each. For six, it is about $249 each. A smaller group may still value the privacy, flexibility, and service, but you should compare the price against your priorities rather than assuming the larger boat is automatically the better deal.

Fuel is included, which protects you from one common add-on cost. Snorkel gear, crew, snacks, and drinks after the water activities are also part of the price. Customary gratuities are not included, so leave room in your budget for that.

I see the best value for a group that would otherwise book several seats on a shared boat and spend the day working around someone else’s schedule. If your group is small and mainly wants a quick swim, this may feel expensive. If you want privacy and a flexible day with several built-in comforts, the price is easier to justify.

This charter is booked far ahead on average, about 318 days in advance. That is a strong reason to plan early, especially if your dates are fixed or you are organizing a celebration. Confirmation arrives at booking, so you can secure the main details well before your St. Thomas visit.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes inside that same window are not accepted. The cut-off is based on local time in St. Thomas.

Bring the right expectations for a boat outing. You are paying for a private day with a set four-hour window, not a guaranteed custom trip of unlimited length. Discuss special plans, dietary needs, medical concerns, pickup questions, and any celebration requests before the day arrives.

Because the activity returns to its starting point, it can fit neatly into a day based in Charlotte Amalie. Still, I would leave breathing room after the charter instead of scheduling something that begins immediately. Boat timing and weather can affect the pace, even when the plan is straightforward.

Who should book this St. Thomas charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of friends and families who want privacy, easy water access, and a balance of activity and downtime. It also suits people who value a personal crew and do not want to spend half the day surrounded by strangers.

The trip works well for a group with mixed interests. Strong snorkelers can enjoy Turtle Cove, while others can spend more time on the catamaran, floats, or Honeymoon Beach. The bathroom and fresh-water rinse also make it more comfortable than a bare-bones boat trip.

I would think twice if your group dislikes boats, is not comfortable in the water, or wants a full-day beach stay. The trip involves physical activity, and four hours does not allow unlimited time at each location.

Should you book it?

Book this private catamaran if you have enough people to spread out the cost and care about setting your own pace. The combination of Turtle Cove snorkeling, Honeymoon Beach, a capable crew, a private boat, and useful onboard comforts gives you more than a simple ride along the coast.

The main decision is value. At 12 people, the price is reasonable for a private outing with fuel, crew, gear, snacks, and drinks included. With a much smaller group, the privacy may still be worth it, but you should be comfortable paying a premium for that freedom.

If Captain Joe and Katie are available for your date, ask about your preferred pickup point, celebration plans, dietary needs, and how you would like to divide time between the two stops. For a flexible half day on the water, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Someday Charters, 5304 Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The charter returns to the meeting point at Yacht Haven Grande.

How many people can join the private charter?

The booking is limited to 12 people per group. The catamaran has CE certification for up to 26 people, but this charter keeps the group smaller for more room and personal service.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

Sanitized snorkeling gear is provided. The boat also has a custom boarding ladder, a large aft swim platform, and a fresh-water rinse.

Where do you snorkel?

The first stop is Turtle Cove at Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge.

What can you see at Turtle Cove?

The guided snorkel can include green sea turtles, colorful fish, and coral reefs.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks and unlimited drinks from a top-shelf open bar are included after the in-water activities. Fuel is also included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can select a different date or receive a full refund.