Explore the Virgin Islands on a Private Boat Charter

The best part of this St Thomas charter is control. You choose the kind of day you want, then a captain handles the boat while you visit St John beaches, snorkel near reefs, or stop for lunch at the floating Lime Out taco boat. I like the small private group, limited to six people, and the included drinks, especially rum punch, beer, soda, and bottled water. The main drawback is cost: the $1,195 base price does not include the separate $250 fuel surcharge, lunch, or a restroom on the boat.

I also like the practical design of the boat. It has dry storage for your belongings and a fast Yamaha engine, so you spend less time getting from one island stop to the next. The schedule needs a little checking before you pay, since the tour is described as about six hours while one part of the program lists eight hours.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You share the boat only with your own group, with a captain driving.
• Build your own day: Tell the captain what you want to see, then shape the outing around beaches, snorkeling, and lunch.
• St John is the main attraction: You can look for sea turtles and reef fish or relax on a private beach.
• Drinks are included: Bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, beer, and rum punch are provided.
• Budget for the fuel fee: Add $250 per booking to the advertised $1,195 price.
• No onboard restroom: Plan accordingly, especially if you are traveling with children or prefer longer time on the water.

A private boat day from St Thomas

This is a flexible island-hopping trip rather than a fixed sightseeing ride. Your captain drives the boat, shares stories about the US Virgin Islands, and can add local color about the pirate tales tied to these waters. The small group setup gives you room to speak up about what you want from the day.

You can book for as many as six people. That matters because the price is per boat, not per person. At the full six-person limit, the $1,195 base rate works out to about $199 per person. Once you add the $250 fuel surcharge, the total becomes $1,445 before lunch, or about $241 per person for six people. For a couple or a group of three, the cost per person rises quickly.

I see the value most clearly for families or friends who already plan to spend a day on the water and want privacy. You are not paying for six separate seats on a large vessel. You are paying for a captain, private transportation, a custom plan, and the freedom to adjust the day around your group.

The boat has dry storage, a useful detail that keeps bags and other belongings protected from spray. The fast Yamaha engine also helps the day feel efficient, although engine speed alone should not be the reason you book. The real benefit is having a captain take care of navigation while you focus on the islands.

Your captain sets the tone

The captain is not just the person at the wheel. This person is also your main source of island context and the one who turns a basic boat ride into a more personal day. The company describes its captains as long-time Virgin Islands residents, and the tour includes stories about local islands and pirate activity.

You should tell the captain your priorities early. If snorkeling matters most, say so. If you prefer a quiet beach, a relaxed swim, or a lunch stop, put that on your wish list at the start. The trip is advertised as completely customizable, but the amount you can fit into the day will depend on weather, travel time, and how long you spend at each stop.

There is no captain name provided for this experience, so you cannot request a particular guide from the information available. That is worth noting if you care strongly about who leads the trip.

The operator has also responded to one serious account involving unacceptable captain conduct. Its response asked the customer to contact the office and said the behavior did not match company standards. I would not treat one account as a reason to dismiss the whole experience, especially with the overall rating shown at five out of five from 303 ratings and 100 percent recommendation. Still, it is sensible to keep the office contact details handy and speak up promptly if the service does not meet basic professional standards.

St John beaches and reef snorkeling

St John is the heart of the day. The plan allows about two hours for the island portion, though the captain can shape the timing around your group. You can snorkel near a reef, look for sea turtles and reef fish, or spend the time exploring a private beach.

That choice makes this outing useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend time in the water while others stay on the beach. You do not have to treat snorkeling as the only reason to go. The beach option gives non-swimmers a clear way to enjoy the same stop.

The phrase private beach should be understood in the practical sense offered by this tour, not as a guarantee that no other person will ever be nearby. The information says you can visit a private beach and have it to yourselves, but exact conditions can change with the day and the captain’s plan. I would ask the captain what beach is available and how much time you will have before leaving St Thomas.

Snorkeling near a reef can be the highlight for anyone who enjoys seeing marine life without committing to a full-day water program. The chance to look for sea turtles and reef fish adds a clear purpose to the stop. At the same time, the supplied details do not promise equipment, so confirm whether masks, snorkels, and fins are provided or if you should bring your own.

The boat’s dry storage is especially handy here. You can keep clothing and other belongings protected while you spend time in the water. Bottled water is also included, which is useful after swimming in the sun.

Lunch at the floating Lime Out taco boat

One lunch option is Lime Out, a floating taco boat known here as a fun break on the water. The schedule gives this stop about an hour and lists it under Johnny Lime, while the description identifies Lime Out as the lunch choice. I would confirm the exact lunch location and timing with the operator before departure.

Lunch is not included in the price, so bring a payment method and budget for the meal. The attraction is not only the tacos. A floating restaurant gives the day a casual island rhythm and lets you eat without turning the excursion into a formal shore stop.

You should also consider the pace. An hour can feel just right for a quick meal, but it leaves less time for an extra beach or snorkeling stop. If food is central to your plans, tell the captain before the boat leaves. If swimming and beach time matter more, you may prefer to keep the meal brief.

The included beer and rum punch pair naturally with a relaxed lunch, but you should pace yourself. You still have a boat ride ahead, and there is no restroom on board.

What the six hour timing really means

The main tour details describe an experience of about six hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start. That suggests a morning departure and an afternoon return to the same meeting point. Another part of the schedule describes the private experience as eight hours, so I would confirm the actual operating time before booking.

This discrepancy matters for planning. You need to know when you will be back if you have dinner reservations, a flight, a cruise departure, or another activity. The boat returns to the meeting point at the end, but the exact location is not stated in the supplied details.

A six-hour outing can provide enough time for a beach, snorkeling, lunch, and boat travel, especially with a fast engine and a focused plan. An eight-hour outing gives you more breathing room. Do not assume you will receive the longer day simply because one section mentions eight hours.

The start time is listed as 9:00 a.m. A morning departure should give you a full portion of daylight for the water activities. Bring only what you need, since the boat has dry storage but not unlimited room.

Drinks, storage, and the missing restroom

The included refreshments are one of the better practical features. You receive bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, beer, and rum punch. That reduces the need to pack a cooler and helps keep the base price from feeling quite as bare.

Lunch is separate, and there is a $250 fuel surcharge per booking. These costs should be part of your first calculation, not an afterthought. For six people, the complete boat and fuel cost is about $241 each before lunch. For two people, it is about $723 each before lunch, which is a very different value.

The boat can comfortably seat six and has dry storage. You should still pack light and secure anything that could be damaged by water. Swimwear, a cover-up, sun protection, and a small personal bag make more sense than bulky luggage, though the supplied information does not give a specific packing list.

There is no restroom on board. This is the most important comfort limitation. Use facilities before departure and plan your drinks sensibly. Lunch stops may offer access to facilities, but that is not stated as part of the tour, so do not rely on it.

Weather, passports, and participation

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is helpful for a water-based outing, since rough conditions can affect both comfort and safety.

The standard cancellation policy is strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, unless the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met. I would avoid booking this until your schedule is firm.

The experience is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, which may make reaching the starting point easier, though the exact meeting address is not provided here.

A valid passport is required if you travel to the British Virgin Islands. The described day centers on St Thomas and St John in the US Virgin Islands, but you should ask whether your requested route crosses into British territory. Do not assume a US passport card or another document will be accepted if the boat enters the British Virgin Islands.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I would recommend this boat day most strongly to a group of four to six people. The fixed price becomes easier to justify when shared among six, and the private format lets you set the pace without adapting to strangers.

It also suits families with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can look for turtles and reef fish, and someone else can focus on a quiet beach. The captain can help shape the day around those different wishes.

Friends who want drinks, a floating taco lunch, and several hours on the water may also find the format appealing. The included beer, rum punch, soda, and water simplify the day, while the private boat gives you more say than a large group cruise.

I would think twice if you dislike boats without restrooms, need a firm return time, or are booking for only one or two people. The cost per person becomes high, and the timing needs clarification. I would also confirm snorkeling equipment, the exact meeting point, and the expected duration before making a non-refundable purchase.

Should you book the St Thomas private charter?

Book it if you have a group close to six, want a captain-led private day, and care more about flexibility than a fixed sightseeing route. The best features are the custom plan, St John beach time, the chance to see turtles and reef fish, and the simple comfort of included drinks.

Skip it if the $1,445 boat-and-fuel total is too high for your group, if you need a restroom aboard, or if the six-hour versus eight-hour timing creates a problem. Before paying, confirm the duration, meeting point, border plans, snorkeling gear, and captain arrangements.

For the right group, this is a relaxed way to see the Virgin Islands without giving up control of your day. Just budget honestly and treat the missing restroom and strict cancellation terms as real planning issues.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The base price is $1,195 per group for up to six people. A $250 fuel surcharge applies per booking, and lunch is not included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour summary describes the experience as approximately six hours. One part of the schedule lists eight hours, so you should confirm the expected duration before booking.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

How many people can join the boat charter?

The private boat can accommodate up to six people.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Is a captain included?

Yes. A captain drives the boat and leads the experience.

What drinks are included?

Bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, beer, and rum punch are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. One possible lunch stop is Lime Out, the floating taco boat, with about one hour allowed for the stop.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. The boat does not have a restroom on board.