Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

A private day aboard S/Y Pisces gives you something most boat excursions cannot: the freedom to shape the day around your own group. You can snorkel near St. Thomas, stop at Water Island or Buck Island, relax at Honeymoon Beach, search for turtles and rays, or simply stretch out on the catamaran with your own music playing.

I like the flexible route, since the captain can steer toward quieter coves rather than following a fixed schedule. I also like the genuine group experience: a 47-foot boat for up to 12 people, with snorkeling gear, floats, drinks, a restroom, and plenty of open deck space. The main drawback is cost. At $1,495 per group, it makes the most sense for a larger family or friend group, not one or two people.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 47-foot catamaran: S/Y Pisces gives your group the entire boat, with a salon, back deck, bow seating, and two trampolines.
• You help choose the route: Possible stops include Buck Island, Water Island, St. Thomas coves, Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, and smaller cays.
• Snorkeling is a major focus: Equipment is supplied, and the waters may bring turtles, rays, coral, and schools of fish.
• Drinks are included: Bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are provided.
• Lunch costs extra: You can buy lunch at one of the many waterfront spots, but it is not part of the charter price.
• Plan carefully from the cruise port: The meeting point is at Havensight, and Crown Bay cruise passengers need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande.

A private boat day built around your group

The best part of this charter is not one particular beach. It is the ability to decide what kind of day you want once you meet the captain.

You might spend the morning snorkeling, stop for lunch at a beach restaurant, and finish with a quiet swim. Or you might prefer a slow sail, a few short water stops, and plenty of time on the deck. The captain and first mate can suggest locations based on your interests, weather, and sea conditions.

That flexibility matters in St. Thomas. A fixed excursion may send every group to the same popular stop at the same time. With a private charter, you can ask to avoid crowds when conditions allow. Captain AnneMarie, Captain JP, Megan, Lindsey, Alex, Darren, and other crew members have all been praised for adjusting the day to suit different groups. Crew assignments can change, so you should not book expecting one particular person unless the operator confirms it.

This is also a social boat rather than a bare-bones sailing trip. The Bluetooth JBL sound system lets you play your own music, and the open bow gives you room to sit on bean bags or the large trampolines. If part of your ideal vacation day means swimming, sipping rum punch, and talking with your family while the islands slide past, the layout works well.

Getting aboard at Havensight

The meeting point is the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain will meet you there and walk your group to Pisces.

This location is convenient if your cruise ship docks at Havensight. One large family group aboard Norwegian Aqua reported being able to walk from the ship area and return with enough time for other plans. Still, confirm your ship’s dock before booking. Cruise ships arriving at Crown Bay Marina need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande, with about 15 minutes each way allowed for the drive.

For a full-day charter, 9 a.m. is a common start time, though your group can determine the departure time. The full outing lasts about seven hours. The operator also offers a half-day option, which may suit cruise passengers or anyone who wants time for another St. Thomas activity.

All times use local island time. That detail matters if you are arriving from a cruise ship or coordinating airport, hotel, and shore plans.

What the 47-foot Pisces feels like

Pisces is described as a 47-foot Leopard luxury catamaran. Its two hulls give the boat a broad, stable feel, while the open design gives everyone several places to sit.

The salon opens onto a large back deck with comfortable seating. This is a useful feature for a mixed-age group because you can move between shade and sun without losing contact with everyone else. At the front, bean bag chairs and two trampolines provide a breezy place to stretch out, chat, or watch for turtles.

A private boat is especially useful for groups with different energy levels. Some people can snorkel while others stay aboard with a drink. Children can enjoy the floats and water activities, while older family members can remain in a comfortable seat and take in the views.

The boat has a restroom, which becomes important on a seven-hour outing. It also carries floats, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch. The water comes in Virgin H2O, part of the company’s stated effort to reduce waste.

The word luxury should not make you expect a formal yacht service. This is a relaxed, outdoor day with wet swimsuits, salt water, music, and casual seating. That is exactly the appeal for most groups, but it is worth knowing the tone before you book.

Snorkeling with turtles, rays, and reef fish

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter. Your captain can take you to more than one location, and the crew can help identify good spots for your group.

Stops described during past outings included reefs near St. Thomas, Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, and other island waters. The exact route depends on conditions and your preferences, so you should think of these as possible destinations, not guaranteed stops.

The marine life can be a real highlight. Groups have encountered sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and fish. One outing included a group watching a turtle feed in a seagrass meadow. Another found a large school of small fish circling beneath the boat. Those moments are a reminder that the best part of a snorkeling stop may be right below the catamaran, not far offshore.

The crew can also make the water time easier for families. In one outing, a first mate accompanied children toward a turtle-viewing area. A crew member also helped capture underwater video of a turtle for a group. These details suggest useful hands-on support, though the exact level of assistance depends on the crew and conditions.

You should be comfortable getting into the water if you want the full experience. The snorkeling gear is included, but the activity is still dependent on sea conditions, visibility, and your own swimming ability. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but this is not a sightseeing cruise where you remain seated all day.

Beaches, coves, and possible island stops

The charter can include several different kinds of stops. Buck Island and Water Island are listed as possible destinations, along with St. Thomas harbors and an occasional smaller cay. The captain helps decide what makes sense for the day.

Honeymoon Beach is a recurring favorite because it adds a sandy beach stop to the snorkeling and sailing. You can swim, walk ashore, or use the break for a slower lunch hour. Shipwreck Cove may appeal to you if you want another snorkeling location and a change of scenery.

A beach stop also breaks up the day. Seven hours on a boat can feel long if every minute is spent underway, but swimming, snorkeling, sitting onshore, and eating lunch create a better rhythm. The captain may also steer away from crowded areas when the conditions and schedule permit.

Do not assume the charter will visit the British Virgin Islands. It does not. If BVI sightseeing is your main goal, you need a different excursion. This charter is focused on St. Thomas and nearby US Virgin Islands waters.

Food and drinks: what is actually covered

The price includes beer, signature rum punch, soda, and bottled water. That makes the day easier to manage, especially for a group that does not want to bring a large supply of drinks aboard.

Lunch is not included. You can purchase it at several locations, and past routes included stops such as Dinghy’s and lunch at Honeymoon Beach. If your group has firm dietary needs or a tight schedule, ask the operator how lunch will fit into your preferred route before departure.

This arrangement is reasonable for a private charter because it gives you some control over where and when to eat. It also means the advertised all-inclusive wording does not mean every meal is covered. Budget separately for lunch and any optional purchases ashore.

The rum punch is part of the experience, but you should pace yourself. Sun, salt water, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Drink the supplied water as well, use the shaded seating, and keep children and less confident swimmers close to the crew’s instructions.

Is $1,495 a good value?

The listed price is $1,495 for the group, with up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $125 per person before lunch and any tip. For 10 people, it is about $150 each. For a couple, the same price becomes a very expensive private boat day.

That calculation explains who should book this. A family reunion, wedding group, cruise group, or gathering of friends can spread the cost and gain privacy, a flexible route, drinks, snorkeling gear, and seven hours on the water. You are also paying for the boat itself, not just transportation between stops.

A shared excursion may be cheaper for a small party. The private charter earns its premium through space, control, and time with your own group. You do not have to follow another party’s music, pace, or preferred snorkeling stop.

The strongest value comes when you use the flexibility. If your group wants a custom mix of snorkeling, beach time, swimming, and relaxing aboard the boat, the price is easier to justify. If you only want a short sail and one swim stop, a half-day or shared trip may be the smarter choice.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Pisces for families and friend groups of six to 12 people who want a full day together without the crowd of a large excursion boat.

It also suits groups with mixed ages. Children as young as two have enjoyed the boat, while one outing included people from age eight to 76. The shaded salon, open deck, floats, and restroom give people several ways to spend the day.

This is a good pick if you care about snorkeling. The combination of supplied equipment, several possible stops, and crew support gives you a better chance of finding a spot that fits your group.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or are booking for only one or two people. The boat is comfortable, but the day remains centered on the sea. You should also avoid booking a full-day charter if your cruise schedule leaves little room for a delayed return.

Practical details that can save you trouble

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since the route depends on sea conditions, keep some flexibility in your St. Thomas plans.

The company states that vessels are sanitized after each trip and that captains and crew are tested monthly for Covid 19. Masks are not required for this mainly outdoor activity, though you can wear one if you prefer.

Tip expectations are worth clarifying before you step aboard. One response from the operator notes that crew members rely on gratuities to supplement their income. A tip is not listed in the tour price, so budget for one if the service meets your expectations.

Should you book the Pisces charter?

Book it if you have a larger group and want a private, adjustable day on the water. The strongest reasons are the boat’s roomy design, snorkeling opportunities, drinks, crew attention, and freedom to choose between beaches, coves, and island stops.

Think twice if you are a small party, need lunch included, or want a guaranteed visit to a particular island. Also confirm your cruise dock and return timing before paying.

The current score is 4.9 out of 5 from 386 ratings, with 98 percent recommending the experience. The practical takeaway is simple: for the right-size group, this is one of the more comfortable ways to combine sailing, snorkeling, turtles, beach time, and a relaxed private day around St. Thomas.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran charter?

The full-day experience lasts about seven hours. A half-day option is also available.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet the captain 15 minutes before departure.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and use of the onboard restroom are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but you can purchase it at several locations during the day.

Can my group choose where to go?

Yes. You and the captain can design a route around your preferences. Possible locations include St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and a smaller cay.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes, but you should confirm your ship’s dock. Passengers arriving at Crown Bay Marina need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande, with about 15 minutes each way allowed for the trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.