Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

The best part of this St Thomas charter is control. You are not following a fixed cruise schedule. Your group chooses among spots such as Maho on St John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, then spends the day moving at a pace that suits you. The 7.5-hour trip aboard the sailing catamaran Second Chance includes snorkel gear, paddle boards, lunch, and drinks.

I like the private format, especially for families or birthday groups who want time together without a boatload of strangers. I also like the small comforts built into the boat, from bean bags on the trampolines to hammock chairs hanging off the stern. The main consideration is cost: at $250 per person, this is a serious outing, though the inclusions and private use can make it good value for a full group.

Key points at a glance

• Choose your own water stops: Plan two or three snorkeling locations from options around St Thomas, St John, and nearby cays.
• A full day afloat: The 8:30 am departure runs about seven and a half hours and returns to Red Hook.
• More than snorkeling: Paddle boards, hammock swings, bean bags, and trampoline seating give you several ways to spend time between stops.
• Food and drinks are covered: Breakfast fruit and pastries, wraps, chips, water, soda, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer are included.
• A friendly crew: Ivy and TL are named members of the team, while Captain Justin has been praised for making the day feel warm and relaxed.
• A true private charter: Only your own group takes part, making this a strong choice for birthdays, families, and celebrations.

Setting Sail From Red Hook at 8:30 am

Your day begins at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 St Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road. Red Hook is a practical departure point for a day around the eastern end of St Thomas and nearby St John.

The boat leaves at 8:30 am and returns to the same place. That fixed start matters. You will want to arrive ready for a full day on the water, with sunscreen, a swimsuit, and anything else you want close at hand. The experience includes a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent when you book.

This is not a short harbor sail with a quick swim. Seven and a half hours gives the crew time to reach several locations, let you snorkel without rushing, serve lunch, and leave room for simple pleasures such as lying on the trampolines or sitting in a stern hammock.

All-day parking is available at the marina for an additional $30 when booked through the operator. That is a useful detail if you are driving, since returning to a distant hotel or arranging a ride during a long boat day can be inconvenient. The meeting point is also near public transportation.

A Private Catamaran With Room to Spread Out

The private setup changes the feel of the day. You are not adjusting your plans around a large tour group, and the itinerary can reflect your own priorities. A group that wants more snorkeling can ask for it. A family with children may prefer extra time on the paddle boards. A birthday group may simply want a relaxed day with music, food, swimming, and views.

The catamaran offers several places to sit. Bean bags on the forward trampolines are suited to sunbathing and watching the islands pass. The original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang off the back of the boat, giving you a lower, breezier perch above the water. You can also move around rather than spending the entire day in one bench seat.

The sailing design should appeal to anyone who prefers a smoother ride and a quieter feel than a fast powerboat. Still, this is a boat day, not a resort deck. Wind, sun, and changing sea conditions are part of the experience. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead.

The crew receives especially strong praise for its welcoming manner. Ivy and TL are mentioned as warm hosts, and Captain Justin is singled out for helping create a comfortable, cheerful day. That human touch matters on a private charter, where the crew helps set the tone for the entire outing.

Choosing Two or Three Snorkeling Stops

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops, but the locations are not locked in. Possible choices include Maho on St John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other nearby options.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience over a standard sightseeing cruise. You can discuss the plan with the crew and choose places that match your group. You are not promised one exact wildlife sighting or reef condition, but you do get the chance to adjust the day.

Maho on St John

Maho is associated with clear water and the possibility of seeing sea turtles. The chance to snorkel in an area known for turtles is a major draw, especially for families and first-time snorkelers.

Wildlife is never guaranteed, and conditions can affect visibility. Still, this stop gives the day a clear goal: swimming over a reef and watching for turtles in their natural setting rather than seeing them in a controlled exhibit.

Lovango Cay

Lovango Cay adds a different island setting to the route. It gives you another possible place to snorkel and another view of the surrounding islands from the water.

The benefit of having several options is that the crew can shape the day around the conditions and your interests. You may prefer a stop for swimming, a stop for reef viewing, and a quieter stretch for lunch and rest.

Christmas Cove

Christmas Cove is another possible snorkeling location. It works well as part of a mixed itinerary, especially if your group wants to balance active water time with relaxing on the boat.

The important point is not to treat these names as a guaranteed route. This is a private trip, and the final stops depend on the choices made for your group and the day’s conditions. Ask the crew about the best plan when you arrive.

Snorkel Gear, Paddle Boards, and Sea Turtles

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack or rent a separate set for the charter. That saves time and removes one common task from a beach day.

The boat also carries paddle boards. You can use them during a stop when you want a break from snorkeling but still want to be on the water. For mixed-age groups, this is valuable because not everyone wants to swim with a mask for hours.

The hammock swings offer another choice. You can sit above the water, watch family members attempt their own paddle-board routines, or simply enjoy the scenery. One especially appealing feature is the ability to turn the boat itself into part of the activity. You are not limited to swimming at each stop.

The promised highlights include sea turtles and beautiful reefs, but nature sets the schedule. Water clarity, weather, and wildlife movement can vary. I would choose this trip for the chance to see turtles and reefs, not as a guarantee of a particular animal encounter.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Drinks Included

Food is simple but useful for a full day away from shore. The morning begins with a fruit and pastry tray. Later, lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and veggie wraps with chips.

Water and soda are available throughout the day. The package also 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.

These provisions add real value. Buying breakfast, lunch, drinks, and alcohol separately for a private group can quickly add up, and bringing your own food on a catamaran is not always convenient. The menu is not a catered feast, but it is well suited to a day of swimming and sun.

You should remember that gratuities are not included. Set aside money for a tip if the crew gives you the kind of service you expect from a private charter.

Is $250 Per Person a Fair Price?

The listed price is $250 per person. That may look high beside a short snorkeling trip, but this is a private, seven-hour experience with a catamaran, flexible stops, lunch, breakfast snacks, equipment, paddle boards, nonalcoholic drinks, rum punch or Painkiller, and beer.

Value depends heavily on group size. For a group celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or wedding, the private boat and flexible plan may justify the price. You are paying not only for transport, but also for privacy, time, equipment, food, and the freedom to shape the day.

For a solo visitor or a couple, the price may be harder to defend. A shared excursion could cost less, although it would not offer the same control or personal space. I would compare the total cost of this charter with the combined price of a boat trip, snorkeling rental, lunch, drinks, and a separate paddle-board rental.

The trip is booked an average of 98 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is wise, especially for a vacation with a fixed schedule or a special celebration. At the same time, one booking was reportedly made only about 12 hours before departure, so last-minute availability can happen. I would not count on it.

Why It Works for Birthdays and Family Groups

The boat’s mix of activities makes it easier to please a group with different ideas of fun. Some people can snorkel while others paddle board. Someone who wants a quiet hour can settle into a hammock chair, while children or more energetic adults use the water around the boat.

The private format is particularly useful for celebrations. A group of nine used the charter for a birthday, and another party arranged the outing around a wedding celebration. The crew has also been praised for accommodating requests and creating a relaxed, almost home-like feel.

That does not mean every request will be possible. The route still depends on weather, safety, and local conditions. But you have far more room to discuss preferences than you would on a fixed group cruise.

Families should note that most people can participate, but the activity involves boarding a catamaran, swimming, and moving around on a boat. Anyone in your party who is not comfortable in the water may spend more time onboard using the seating and hammock areas.

Weather, Timing, and What to Bring

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy offers useful protection, but weather can still affect your vacation plans, so avoid placing this outing on the only possible day of your trip if you have flexibility.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times follow local time in St Thomas.

Pack the basics for a long day in the sun:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Any personal medication
• Cash or another method for gratuity

The provided details do not specify a maximum group size, so ask about capacity before booking if your party is large. A group of nine has taken the trip, but that does not establish the boat’s maximum.

Who Should Book Second Chance

I would recommend this charter to you if privacy matters, your group enjoys being on the water, and you want several activities in one day. It is especially well suited to birthdays, family outings, wedding celebrations, and groups that do not want to split up between snorkeling and relaxing.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable with a full day outdoors. The boat has shaded or sheltered areas only as provided by its design, and much of the appeal comes from swimming, sun, wind, and open water.

I would think twice if you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with guaranteed stops. The flexible route is a strength, but it also means you should be comfortable making choices and accepting that conditions may change the plan.

Final Call: A Strong Choice for a Full Day on the Water

Book this experience if you want a private St Thomas boat day that combines snorkeling, island views, food, drinks, and time to relax without a fixed group schedule. The best features are the flexible stops, friendly crew, hammock chairs, paddle boards, and generous list of included items.

The main question is value. At $250 per person, it makes the most sense when shared among a group that will use the boat for the full seven and a half hours. For a celebration or a family highlight, it offers a lot in one outing. For a couple seeking the lowest-cost snorkeling option, a shared trip may be the better fit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

It starts at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 St Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St Thomas 00802, USVI.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The charter returns to the original meeting point at the end of the day.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops, although the exact locations can vary.

Which snorkeling locations may be visited?

Possible locations include Maho on St John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other nearby options.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddle boards and hammock swings included?

Yes. Paddle boards and hammock swings are included for use during the charter.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes morning fruit and pastries, turkey, cheese and veggie wraps, chips, water, soda, one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer. Gratuities are not included.

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 departure are not refunded or accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.