50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best thing about this St. Thomas charter is control. You get a 50-foot private catamaran for your own group, then work with the captain to choose calm coves, snorkeling sites, beaches, and sightseeing around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays. Captains such as Maddy, JW, Alex, Dave, and Glen have all been praised for adjusting the day to suit families and mixed-age groups.

I like the generous deck space, especially the bow trampolines and beanbag seats. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: snorkel equipment, floats, restroom, water, soda, beer, and rum punch are ready to go. The main consideration is price. At $1,595 for up to 12 people, the value improves sharply with a larger group, but lunch, captain gratuity, and any BVI visit cost extra or require a different booking.

Key points to know before you sail

• Private space for up to 12 people: You share the boat only with your own group and crew.
• Flexible half-day or full-day route: The captain helps shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and sightseeing.
• SY Sirena has room to spread out: Use the salon, back deck, dining area, beanbag seats, or forward trampolines.
• Sea life is a major draw: Past outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, tropical fish, and a sunken ship.
• Food is not included: You can buy lunch at some stops, and Lovango and the Pizza Boat have been used as meal options.
• BVI trips are not available on this boat: Ask about the separate BVI products if that is your priority.

A private catamaran day built around your group

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. You charter the entire SY Sirena, a 50-foot catamaran, for four to seven hours and discuss your priorities with the captain.

That distinction matters. A family with small children may want one easy swim stop and plenty of time aboard. A group of strong swimmers may prefer several snorkel sites. Others may care more about beach time, island views, lunch, or a slow sail with drinks in hand.

The boat holds up to 12 people, making this especially useful for a family reunion, birthday, wedding party, or group of friends. If only four people join, the cost is much higher per person. With 12 aboard, the base price works out to about $133 per person before gratuity, which is a fairer comparison with premium shared cruises.

You leave from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on St. Thomas. Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John can be arranged in advance after booking. The trip returns to the original meeting point, so plan your evening around a Red Hook finish unless a different arrangement has been confirmed.

What life is like aboard SY Sirena

The design gives you several ways to spend the day. The salon opens onto a wide back deck with seating and dining space. That makes it useful when someone wants shade, a drink, or a break from the water.

At the bow, beanbag chairs and large trampolines create the most distinctive seating area. You can stretch out while the boat is underway, talk with your group, or watch for turtles and dolphins. The forward nets are also a good place for sun, though you should use sensible sun protection and follow the crew’s instructions.

The crew provides snorkel equipment and floats. That saves you from packing bulky gear and helps a mixed group get into the water without much fuss. Several families found the setup workable with young children, including babies and toddlers, though adults remain responsible for watching children at all times.

The onboard restroom is another small feature with real value on a half-day or full-day outing. Water is supplied in an effort to reduce waste, and the company says it uses Virgin H2O aboard. Soda, beer, and the signature Seas the Day rum punch are included.

The boat is sanitized after each trip under stated CDC and WHO procedures. Masks are not required on this mainly outdoor activity, but you may wear one if you prefer. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people.

Choosing between four hours and seven

The half-day option works well if you want a taste of the water without giving up an entire day. You can usually build it around one or two main goals, such as turtle snorkeling followed by a beach stop, rather than trying to collect too many locations.

The full-day option gives you more breathing room. You can spend longer in the water, add a lunch stop, visit St. John, and allow time for the captain to shift plans if wind makes one side of an island uncomfortable.

The suggested minimum is about 1.5 hours at each stop. That is useful guidance, but it also shows why the long list of possible beaches is not a promise that you will visit them all. A seven-hour trip cannot sensibly include all 13 locations, especially once travel time and swimming are counted.

Tell the captain what matters most before leaving the harbor. If your teenagers want turtles, say so. If a child does not swim well, mention it. If your group wants lunch, bring it up early so the route can allow for it.

The St. Thomas stops and what they offer

Secret Harbour is one of the listed choices for a more sheltered beach and swim setting. It can suit a group that wants relaxed water time without spending the entire stop walking around.

Brewer’s Bay offers another possible beach stop and gives the captain a choice on the western side of St. Thomas. Having alternatives matters on a windy day, when one bay may feel far more comfortable than another.

Magens Bay Beach is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beach choices. It is a sensible pick for a group that wants classic beach scenery and an easy swim, though its popularity may make it less quiet than a smaller cove.

Sapphire Beach and Coki Point Beach are eastern St. Thomas options. They can add variety to a route focused on snorkeling and beach time. Coki is associated with active water recreation, while Sapphire gives you another broad beach setting.

Lindqvist Beach offers a quieter-feeling alternative among the St. Thomas choices. Ask the captain what conditions are like that day rather than deciding only from the name on the route list.

The important point is flexibility. Wind and sea conditions can make one side of St. Thomas better than another, and the crew can look for calmer water instead of forcing a pre-set route.

St. John beaches and turtle country

The St. John options are the strongest reason to consider a full-day charter. Honeymoon Beach and Francis Bay offer attractive places to swim and spend time ashore, while Trunk Bay is one of the island’s famous beach settings.

There is an important catch with Trunk Bay. Commercial charters may face restrictions there, and the captain may not be able to stop even though it appears among the possible locations. Confirm the current access rules before you build your whole day around it.

Maho Bay Beach is particularly appealing if sea turtles are high on your list. Sightings are never guaranteed, but several outings reported turtles there and at other snorkeling sites. You might also see stingrays, octopus, and schools of tropical fish.

Waterlemon Cay can be a good choice for snorkeling and island scenery. The area gives you something different from simply anchoring at a broad beach, though conditions and access determine how long you can stay.

Scott Bay Beach and Hansen Bay Beach add quieter St. John possibilities. These stops are best used when your group values time in the water and a slower pace rather than a long checklist of famous names.

The captain may also suggest Christmas Cove or Lovango, both mentioned as successful stops on past outings. Lovango can work for lunch, while a Pizza Boat stop has also been arranged for groups. These are not included meals, so ask about the plan and bring a payment method.

Snorkeling, floats, and sea life

Snorkeling is the heart of this experience, but the appeal is that you are not locked into one reef. The crew can suggest sites based on wind, water conditions, and what your group wants to see.

Past outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, tropical fish, and a sunken ship. Those sightings show the range of the local water, but they are not a guarantee. The best approach is to treat wildlife as a bonus and choose the trip for the private access and time in the sea.

The crew helps fit people with equipment and get them in and out of the water. One family described a child who was not a strong swimmer, while the adults took turns snorkeling. That kind of arrangement can work, but you should not assume crew supervision replaces a parent or guardian.

Floats give non-snorkelers a way to enjoy the water. They also help create a better day for a mixed group: strong swimmers can explore, while others float near the boat or stay aboard with a drink.

Wind can change the experience. One outing took place during a windy week, but the crew found calmer spots on the sheltered sides of the islands. That is where a private charter earns its keep. A fixed route has fewer ways to adapt.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the crew’s personal service. Maddy and Olivia received praise for handling a group with three children, including an infant. JW was noted for sending a message the day before, explaining the plan at arrival, and asking what the group wanted to do.

Alex and Coleman helped arrange pizza for one family and shared island facts. Glen and Celina helped a group of 11 pursue turtle snorkeling, while Captain Wallens and Kallia were praised for finding an octopus, turtles, a stingray, and plenty of fish.

Names and crew assignments can change, so you cannot book a particular captain unless the company confirms it. The useful takeaway is to explain your needs clearly. Tell the crew about children, weaker swimmers, preferred snorkeling, lunch, birthdays, or a desire for quiet time.

There is also one sharply negative account involving a late departure, disagreement over extending the trip, food, service, and life jackets. The company disputed several parts of that account. The practical lesson is simple: arrive on time, understand that the charter ends at its scheduled time, and raise concerns directly with the crew while there is still time to solve them.

Is $1,595 a good value?

For a private boat holding up to 12 people, $1,595 is not out of line for a premium day on the water. The value depends almost entirely on your group size and how much you value privacy.

For 12 people, the base cost is about $133 per person. For six people, it is about $266 each. For four, it is roughly $399 each, before the customary 15 to 20 percent tip for captain and crew.

The price includes the boat, crew, snorkel gear, floats, restroom, water, soda, beer, and rum punch. It does not include lunch or gratuity. If you plan to eat at Lovango or another stop, budget for that separately.

This is a better fit for a large group than for a couple or small family. A private boat also gives you something a shared cruise cannot: the ability to change the pace, avoid a crowded plan, and focus on your own group’s comfort.

Who should book this charter?

I would consider it for families with different ages, groups celebrating a special occasion, and friends who want a full day without strangers aboard. It also suits people who want to combine St. Thomas and St. John instead of choosing only one island.

The charter is less suitable if you want a guaranteed visit to every named beach, a low-cost outing for two people, or a BVI trip on the same vessel. It may also frustrate anyone who dislikes making choices. You and the captain need to agree on priorities, since four to seven hours goes quickly.

Book at least a half-day if you mainly want snorkeling and one beach. Choose the full day if you want St. John, lunch, several water stops, and time to relax aboard.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you can fill much of the boat and want a private, flexible day around St. Thomas and St. John. The high 4.9 rating from 606 ratings and 97 percent recommendation rate match the experience’s strongest features: attentive crew, a comfortable catamaran, good snorkeling, and useful flexibility.

Before paying, confirm the current beach access, especially Trunk Bay, and tell the company if you want Cruz Bay pickup. Arrive on time, plan for lunch and a 15 to 20 percent tip, and treat wildlife sightings as a pleasant possibility rather than a promise. With those points clear, this is a strong choice for a group that wants the water on its own terms.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran charter last?

You can select a half-day or full-day charter lasting approximately four to seven hours.

How many people can join the charter?

The private charter includes up to 12 people.

Where does the boat leave from?

Departure is from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Can I be picked up in St. John?

Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with an advance request after booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase food at some locations. Lovango and the Pizza Boat have been used as meal options.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, and the Seas the Day signature rum punch are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Can this catamaran visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The BVI is not available on this vessel. A separate BVI product must be booked.

What is the cancellation policy?

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