Private Full Day Boat Charter around St Thomas and St John

The best part of this charter is control. You are not following a fixed route or waiting for a large group to finish lunch. Your captain discusses the options, then you choose how to use your seven hours around St. Thomas, St. John, and the islands between them. Turtle snorkeling and hard-to-reach beaches are the big draws.

I like the private format, which lets your group set the pace, and I like that the price includes fuel, a cooler with ice, bottled water, snorkel gear, and floats. The main consideration is value: $1,500 is a strong deal for 12 people, but a much bigger spend if only two or three people book.

Key points

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat and captain to itself.
• Seven flexible hours on the water: Choose beaches, snorkeling spots, and food stops with the captain.
• Turtle snorkeling is possible: The experience can reach snorkeling areas around St. Thomas and St. John that are accessible by boat.
• Floating restaurants can be added: Lime Out and Pizza Pi are named options for a meal on the water.
• Useful gear is included: Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, fuel, ice, and a Bluetooth stereo come with the charter.
• Simple marina start: Meet at Compass Point Marina at 9 a.m. and return there at the end.

A private day between St. Thomas and St. John

This is a boat day built around choice rather than a rigid sightseeing schedule. From Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, you set out at 9 a.m. for about seven hours around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby islands.

The captain talks through your options before the day takes shape. You can favor beaches, spend more time snorkeling, add a restaurant stop, or mix all three. That flexibility matters in the Virgin Islands, where a place that looks perfect from shore may not be the best fit for your group’s mood, weather, or swimming plans that day.

You should think of this as a private platform for exploring, not a narrated cruise with a list of guaranteed stops. The exact route is decided with the captain. That is a strength for groups with different interests, though it also means you should arrive ready to speak up about what you want.

Why the private format changes the day

A boat for up to 12 people works especially well for a family group, a few couples, or friends traveling together. Everyone on board already knows one another, so you do not have to organize your day around strangers or compromise with a large crowd.

The private setup also helps with small decisions. If your group wants more time in the water, you can say so. If the snorkeling is enough for the morning and you would rather see a beach or stop for food, the route can change within the captain’s available options.

That freedom has limits. A seven-hour charter cannot cover every beach and island around both St. Thomas and St. John in meaningful detail. You will get more from the day if you pick two or three priorities instead of trying to collect every possible stop.

The boat has a Bluetooth stereo, so your group can bring its own musical atmosphere through the boat’s sound system. Keep the volume practical, since the experience is also about the water, the views, and conversation with your captain.

Starting at Compass Point Marina at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas. The scheduled start is 9 a.m., and the charter ends back at the same marina after roughly seven hours.

That morning departure gives you a full daytime outing rather than a short afternoon cruise. You should allow enough time to reach the marina and be ready at the start time, since any late arrival cuts into the hours you paid for.

The return to the same place keeps the day straightforward. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup at another harbor, and the activity does not end at a different island.

The provided details do not specify boat size, seating layout, restroom facilities, or transfer service to the marina. If those points matter to your group, ask Drift Charters before booking. The practical information that is clear is the meeting location, start time, return point, and approximate duration.

Choosing beaches around St. Thomas and St. John

The charter gives you access to beaches around both main islands, plus the islands between them. The real appeal is reaching shoreline spots by water instead of treating the day as a land tour with a few minutes at the coast.

A beach stop can be as active or relaxed as your group prefers. You might use the floats, swim, spend time on shore, or simply enjoy a pause between boat rides. The supplied details do not promise any particular beach, so ask the captain which choices fit the day’s conditions and your interests.

St. Thomas and St. John offer different settings, but this charter is not presented as a formal island tour with guaranteed landmarks. Its value comes from having a captain help you select places that work for your group. If you want one exact beach or a specific sight, confirm that request before departure rather than assuming it is included.

This is also where the private format pays off. A group with children may want a shorter water stop and more beach time. Strong swimmers may prefer to spend longer at a snorkeling area. The day can be shaped around those differences.

Snorkeling, turtles, and the gear on board

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to book this charter. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental for masks, snorkels, and related gear. Floats are also provided, which gives your group another way to enjoy time in the water.

One specific highlight connected with the experience is snorkeling with turtles. Captain RJ is named as a captain associated with an especially memorable outing, including turtle sightings around St. Thomas. Since wildlife is never a fixed appointment, treat turtles as a possible highlight rather than a guarantee.

The captain can direct you toward snorkeling spots accessible by boat, including quieter locations away from the busiest shore access. That can make the water time feel more personal than a crowded beach rental, but the exact conditions and visibility can change with weather.

Bring the attitude of a flexible snorkeler. You may find a spot that suits the group, or the captain may recommend a different location based on the day. The included gear removes a common extra cost, but you should still confirm that the equipment sizes and fit work for everyone in your party.

Adding Lime Out or Pizza Pi

The charter can include a stop at a floating restaurant, with Lime Out and Pizza Pi offered as examples. This is a useful option if your group wants a proper break without giving up the feeling of being on the water.

A restaurant stop also changes the rhythm of the day. You will spend less time at beaches or snorkeling spots, but you gain a meal stop that is part of the boat outing rather than an interruption on land.

Food is not listed among the inclusions, so plan to pay for any meal separately. The same applies to any other purchases made during the day. Ask the captain how much time to allow for your preferred restaurant stop, especially if your group has a long list of beach and snorkeling plans.

For some groups, this is the ideal balance: swim in the morning, eat on the water, then finish with another beach or snorkeling stop. For others, the restaurant may not be worth giving up water time. Because the itinerary is private, you can make that call together.

What is included for $1,500

The full charter price is $1,500 per group, with up to 12 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to $125 per person before any separate food costs. That is a sensible price for a private seven-hour boat day when the group is large enough to share the cost.

The value drops for a small party. Four people would pay the equivalent of $375 each, and two people would effectively pay $750 each. The charter may still be worthwhile for a couple seeking privacy, but it is clearly designed to make the most financial sense for a larger group.

The price includes:

• A USCG-certified captain
• Fuel
• Bottled water
• A cooler with ice
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floats
• Bluetooth stereo use

Those inclusions matter because fuel and equipment can otherwise create surprise costs on a private boat day. You still need to budget for food at a floating restaurant, since meals are not included.

The captain is the key part of the value. You are paying for a private route, local decision-making during the day, and the ability to avoid a one-size-fits-all schedule. If your group wants a tightly scripted sightseeing tour, the open format may feel less satisfying. If you want to choose as you go, it is the reason to book.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend this for groups that care more about time on the water than a formal tour script. Families, groups of friends, and multigenerational parties can all benefit from setting their own pace.

It is also a good fit for people who want snorkeling and beaches in the same day. The supplied equipment, floats, water, and ice make the outing easier to organize, while the private boat gives you room to adjust the balance between swimming, relaxing, and eating.

This may be less suitable for someone traveling alone or with only one companion, unless privacy and a custom route matter more than price. A shared excursion could cost less, though no shared option is described here.

You should also consider your group’s expectations. The experience promises access to beaches and snorkeling around St. Thomas and St. John, but it does not list a fixed set of stops. If you need guaranteed turtle sightings, a particular beach, or a specific restaurant reservation, ask what can be confirmed before you pay.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful for a boat day, since conditions directly affect comfort and safety.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start, or a change made inside that window, is not refunded or accepted under the stated policy. Cutoff times use local time in the US Virgin Islands.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this experience is booked an average of 47 days ahead, arranging it early is sensible if your dates are fixed, particularly for a larger group.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The details do not give a full accessibility description, so ask Drift Charters about boarding and boat access if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

How to make the seven hours count

Before you board, agree on your group’s top priorities. A simple plan such as snorkeling, beach time, and lunch gives the captain useful direction without taking away the day’s flexibility.

Bring any personal items you need for a long day out, but note that bottled water, a cooler with ice, snorkel equipment, and floats are supplied. Since food is not included, decide in advance if you want to use one of the floating restaurant options.

Use the captain’s local judgment. If the group is set on a single plan but conditions make another stop better, a private charter gives you room to adjust. Captain RJ is described as relaxed and good at finding strong snorkeling spots, including turtle areas, but the captain assigned to your trip should be confirmed with the provider.

Remember that the boat returns to Compass Point Marina. The day is not a one-way island transfer, so keep the return point in mind when making plans afterward.

Should you book this St. Thomas boat charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,500 cost and want a private day built around your own mix of snorkeling, beaches, and food. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, included water gear and fuel, and the chance to seek out turtle snorkeling and boat-accessible spots around St. Thomas and St. John.

Think twice if you have only one or two people, need a low-cost outing, or want a fixed list of guaranteed sights. For the right group, this is a practical way to trade a crowded schedule for seven hours of personal choice on the water.

FAQ

How long does the boat charter last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the experience begin?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Where does the experience end?

The charter ends back at Compass Point Marina, the same place where it starts.

How many people can join the private charter?

The charter is for one private group of up to 12 people.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. Fuel is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and restaurant meals included?

No. Food is not listed as an inclusion. You can add a stop at floating restaurants such as Lime Out or Pizza Pi, but meals are separate.

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.