Private St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip for Groups up to 24 Guest

The best part of this St Thomas charter is the private use of two spacious Lagoon catamarans, giving your group room to spread out while the captain chooses island views, harbors, cays, beaches, and snorkeling spots. You can sit in the sun at the bow, or retreat to the shaded cockpit when the Caribbean heat catches up with you.

I like the easy cruise-port location and the all-inclusive drinks, snorkeling gear, captain, and first mate. I also like the relaxed social setup: Bluetooth music, open-air seating, a private bathroom, and enough deck space for a family group or reunion. The main drawback is the price, especially for a smaller party, and lunch is not included.

Key details to know before you book

• Two Lagoon catamarans for larger private groups: SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana together can accommodate up to 24 people.
• A 9 a.m. start at Yacht Haven Grande: The marina is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock in Havensight.
• Seven hours on the water: The route can include St Thomas, nearby cays, harbors, white-sand beaches, and snorkeling locations.
• Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie have earned strong praise: Their strengths include safety, island stories, fun music, and choosing good snorkeling areas.
• Drinks and gear are included: Water, ice, soda, beer, Argo’s signature rum punch, and snorkeling equipment come with the charter.
• Lunch is your responsibility: A stop for lunch may be part of the day, but the meal itself is not included in the price.

Two catamarans make room for a real private day

This is not a quick sail around the harbor. The charter lasts about seven hours and uses two late-model Lagoon multi-deck sailing yachts. That setup matters most when you have a large family, wedding party, reunion group, or cruise group that wants its own boat day rather than a fixed public excursion.

The combined capacity is up to 24 people, though the advertised price is listed at $4,995 per group of up to 15. If your party has 16 to 24 people, confirm the exact rate before paying, since the capacity and price description do not match perfectly.

For a party of eight, the cost works out to about $624 per person if everyone shares the listed $4,995 price. That is a serious sum, but it buys a private seven-hour charter rather than individual seats on a crowded boat. Add a larger party and the per-person cost drops quickly. The value is strongest when you fill the boat and care about privacy, space, and control over the day.

The two-vessel arrangement also helps prevent that packed feeling common on small excursion boats. You can move between the forward lounging space and the shaded cockpit, find a quiet corner, or gather around the music. The description does not promise separate routes for the two boats, so think of them as a coordinated private sailing setup rather than two independent itineraries.

Starting at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight

The departure point is Yacht Haven Grande, near Charlotte Amalie, at the listed location 83PH+CV9. It is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock in Havensight, which makes this a practical choice if you are arriving by cruise ship.

The scheduled start is 9 a.m. Plan around local St Thomas time. Cruise ships sometimes use a different time zone setting, so check your ship’s onboard time before heading to the marina. This is a small detail, but missing a private boat departure is an expensive mistake.

The charter ends back at the same meeting point. That return makes the trip easier to fit into a cruise day, although you still need to allow a sensible cushion for disembarkation, walking to the marina, and returning to your ship. The tour information does not give a precise return time, only an approximate seven-hour duration, so a 9 a.m. departure likely means an afternoon return.

Life aboard SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana

The boats are designed for a full day outside, not simply for getting from one beach to another. At the bow, you have room to feel the breeze and sit in the sun. The large shaded cockpit has open-air seating, which is the better choice when you want shelter without giving up the view.

I would treat the boat as a flexible living room on the water. Start forward in the morning, move to shade during the hottest part of the day, then use the open deck again when you want a better look at the coast. With a private full bathroom onboard, you avoid the basic inconvenience of having no facilities during a long charter.

The Bluetooth sound system is another useful touch for a private group. You can bring your own playlist and give the day a soundtrack, though the supplied information does not specify whether you need to bring a phone, connection cable, or other device. The music was a highlight for one family traveling with teenagers and a seven-year-old, while Captain Anne Marie was praised for keeping the stories and humor going.

That gives you a good sense of the atmosphere: this is not a silent sailing lesson. It is a social day with music, conversation, island scenery, swimming, and snorkeling. If you want a technical sailing class or a quiet, formal yacht experience, this may not be the right fit.

How the seven-hour route works

The exact order of stops is not fixed in the information provided. The captain takes your group among St Thomas, nearby harbors, surrounding cays, white-sand beaches, and snorkeling spots. That flexibility is one of the main reasons to book privately, since the day can respond to weather, sea conditions, and what your group wants to do.

Morning departure and open-water sailing

After leaving Yacht Haven Grande, you can settle into the boat and get comfortable with the different seating areas. The crew includes a captain and first mate, and their fees are already included, so you do not need to arrange those separately.

The early part of the trip is a good time to enjoy the bow, take in the harbor views, and let the crew explain the plan. Captain JW received praise for keeping the group informed, while Captain Anne Marie was noted for combining safety guidance with island stories and humor. Those details matter because a good captain does more than steer. You want clear direction before swimming and snorkeling, plus someone who can read the conditions and shape the day sensibly.

Snorkeling at selected locations

Snorkeling is a central part of the experience, and equipment is provided. The boats visit several snorkeling areas, according to the available trip details, but the names of the sites are not fixed. That means you should not book this expecting one guaranteed reef or a specific beach.

The advantage is flexibility. The captain can select from the surrounding waters based on the day’s conditions and the group’s needs. The supplied feedback specifically praises JW and Anne Marie for choosing good snorkeling locations, and one family said the activity worked well for both teenagers and a seven-year-old.

You should still be comfortable in the water or be prepared to enjoy the boat while others snorkel. The information says most people can participate, but it does not promise flotation instruction, lifeguard supervision, or specialized equipment for non-swimmers. Ask the operator directly if your group needs those items.

Beaches, cays, and swimming time

The itinerary may include white-sand beaches and nearby cays. These stops give the day a welcome change of pace. Instead of spending all seven hours underway, you can expect time to sit, swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the view from the boat.

Do not assume that every beach stop means a long shore visit. The provided details describe destinations in broad terms, not a guaranteed schedule or amount of time at each place. Your captain decides the practical route, so the experience is best for people who value a flexible day over a checklist of named stops.

The surrounding islands and harbors are also part of the appeal. From the catamaran, you see the coast from a different angle than you would from a car or walking tour. The boat itself becomes the base for the day, with the scenery changing as you move between open water, sheltered bays, and sandy shoreline.

Lunch and the afternoon return

Lunch is not included. One account describes a particularly good lunch stop, but you should not read that as a supplied meal. Ask Seas the Day Charters and Tours whether you may bring food, buy lunch during the route, or arrange a stop that suits your group.

This is worth settling before departure, especially with children or anyone who needs food at set times. The package includes drinks and ice, not lunch. Once the swimming and snorkeling begin, a proper meal can feel important.

After the final stop, the catamarans return to Yacht Haven Grande. The boats, equipment, and drinks are all part of the same private setup, so you do not need to change vessels or arrange a separate ride back to the marina.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes the captain and first mate, water, ice, soda, beer, Argo’s signature rum punch, and snorkeling equipment. Beer and rum punch are for people age 18 and older. That combination covers the basic needs of a day on the water, though it does not cover a full meal.

The drinks are a practical benefit rather than a minor extra. Buying beverages for a large private group can become costly and awkward, and having ice already onboard keeps the day simple. You should still confirm whether you want to bring any other drinks or snacks, since the supplied information does not spell out outside-food rules.

The private bathroom is included as part of the boat, and the Bluetooth sound system gives your group control over music. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information does not provide detailed accessibility measurements for the catamarans, so ask the operator about boarding and deck access if anyone in your party has mobility needs.

The captains shape the day

The crew is a major part of this charter. Captain JW is praised for explaining the surroundings, keeping the group informed, and finding good snorkeling locations. Captain Anne Marie is praised for safety, clear direction, island stories, humor, and creating a fun atmosphere.

Those strengths suit a private charter because you have more direct contact with the captain than you would on a large public boat. You can ask questions, explain your group’s preferences, and get guidance about when and where to snorkel.

The available feedback also points to a crew that works well with mixed ages. One family included teens and a seven-year-old, and the music and snorkeling suited everyone. That does not mean every child will be comfortable on a sailing yacht, but it suggests the format can work well for a group that wants both activity and downtime.

The vessel names in the supplied details are SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana. Some customer comments refer to a boat named Pisces, so confirm the exact vessel assignment when booking. The important practical point is to expect a late-model Lagoon catamaran setup, with the operator assigning the available boat or boats.

Is $4,995 a good value?

At first glance, $4,995 is a high price. It becomes easier to assess when you divide it among the people in your group and compare it with what is included.

For 15 people, the listed price is about $333 per person for seven hours. For 24 people, if the same total price applied, it would be about $208 per person, but you must confirm the rate for the larger capacity. The price covers the private charter, professional crew, snorkeling gear, non-alcoholic drinks, beer, rum punch, ice, and the boat itself.

I see good value here for a full group that wants privacy and a relaxed schedule. You are not paying only for transportation. You are paying for a private setting, space to spread out, crew support, a bathroom, music, drinks, and a route built around your party rather than a public timetable.

The value is weaker for a small group that mainly wants a short snorkeling trip. In that case, a shared excursion may cost less. This charter makes the most financial sense for a full family gathering, corporate outing, birthday, wedding group, or cruise party that wants a special day together.

Who should book this private St Thomas charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Groups that can fill much of the 15-person base capacity
• Families with mixed ages who want both snorkeling and time to relax
• Cruise passengers looking for a full-day private outing near Havensight
• Friends who care about music, drinks, swimming, and an easy social atmosphere
• People who prefer a flexible route instead of a fixed list of stops
• Anyone willing to arrange lunch separately

I would think twice if your group is very small, wants a low-cost excursion, or expects a named snorkeling reef and fixed beach schedule. The route is flexible, and that is useful, but it also means you need to accept some uncertainty about the exact stops.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for late cancellation. The charter requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you have a sizeable group and want the boat to be your private base for a full day around St Thomas. The strongest reasons are the roomy catamarans, easy cruise-port access, capable captains such as JW and Anne Marie, included drinks and snorkeling gear, and the freedom to balance active stops with shaded deck time.

I would confirm three things before paying: the exact price for 16 to 24 people, the assigned boat since the names vary in the supplied details, and how lunch will work. If those points fit your plans, this is a well-equipped way to turn a large group outing into a relaxed day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, near the listed location 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. The marina is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m. All charters use local St Thomas time, so cruise ship passengers should check which time zone their ship is using.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the activity end?

The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at Yacht Haven Grande.

How many people can join?

The two catamarans together can accommodate up to 24 people. The listed price is $4,995 per group of up to 15, so confirm the price for groups larger than 15.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s signature rum punch are included. Beer and rum punch are for people age 18 and older.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the charter price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.