Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You and your captain can shape the day around snorkeling, swimming, beach time, turtle watching, or simply stretching out on a roomy catamaran. I especially like the private setting for families and groups, plus the chance to avoid the fixed pace of a large cruise excursion. Captain AnneMarie, Captain Alex, JP, Megan, Lindsey, and other crew members have earned repeated praise for friendly service and flexible planning.

I also like the practical comforts: a restroom, floats, bottled water, beer, rum punch, soda, snorkeling gear, and a Bluetooth sound system. The main consideration is price. At $1,495 for up to 12 people, this works best when you fill much of the boat. Lunch is not included, and this charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands.

Key points at a glance

• Private 47-foot catamaran: S/Y Pisces gives your group the full boat, with seating in the salon, back deck, bow, and trampoline areas.
• Your route, within reason: Plan a day around St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, beaches, snorkeling areas, and possibly a quieter cay.
• Strong crew reputation: Captains and first mates such as AnneMarie, Alex, JP, Megan, Lindsey, and Darren are frequently praised for warm service and good local suggestions.
• Useful onboard extras: Snorkeling equipment, floats, beer, rum punch, soda, water, Bluetooth audio, and a restroom are included.
• Good for mixed ages: Families with children, adults, and older relatives have all been accommodated on the boat.
• Watch the logistics: Meet 15 minutes early at the R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, and allow extra taxi time if your ship docks at Crown Bay.

A private day on S/Y Pisces

This is not a seat on a shared sightseeing boat. You reserve the yacht for your own group, with space for as many as 12 people. The featured boat is S/Y Pisces, a 47-foot luxury Leopard catamaran with a salon, open back deck, forward seating, bean bags, and two large trampolines.

That layout matters. A catamaran gives you several places to spread out, so the person who wants shade, the child who wants to watch the water, and the swimmer who wants to stay near the stern do not all have to sit in one spot. The front trampolines are made for a breezy ride and conversation, though you will want to follow the crew’s instructions about where to sit while underway.

The salon opens onto the back deck, which makes moving between indoor and outdoor areas easy. A restroom is onboard, a small but important comfort during a seven-hour outing. The JBL sound system connects by Bluetooth, so you can bring your own music and give the day a personal soundtrack.

The boat carries floats and snorkeling equipment, and the charter includes bottled water supplied by Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. Those inclusions reduce the usual packing list. You still need to handle lunch, towels, sunscreen, and any personal medication you may need.

Meeting at Havensight

The departure point is the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight. Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, 15 minutes before departure. The captain escorts you to the boat from there.

This is an easy setup if your cruise ship docks at Havensight. If your ship arrives at Crown Bay Marina, you need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. The listed estimate is about 15 minutes each way, but you should leave room for port traffic and the return to your ship.

Confirm your ship’s pier before booking. One family arriving on Norwegian Aqua had a particularly convenient day because the ship used the same Havensight port as the charter. They arranged an early return and still had time for the Paradise Point Skyride and lunch before reboarding. That kind of timing is possible only when you know your port and ship departure rules clearly.

Full-day charters often begin at 9 a.m., though the group can determine the starting time. All times use local island time. A half-day option is available, but the supplied details do not give a separate half-day price or exact duration, so confirm those points before paying.

Choosing the route with your captain

The itinerary is intentionally flexible. You might visit St. Thomas harbors, Water Island, Buck Island, a beach, a reef, or a quieter cay. The captain helps match the route to the weather, sea conditions, interests, and available time.

That flexibility is valuable because your group may not want the same thing as the next boat. One outing can focus on several snorkeling stops and turtle watching. Another can include beach time, lunch ashore, and long stretches of relaxing on the boat. You can also ask for a quieter route when larger boat traffic is heavy.

The route is not a promise to visit every named location. Conditions and timing matter, and the captain decides what is practical and safe. The charter also does not visit the BVI. If crossing to the British Virgin Islands is the main reason you want a private boat, this is not the right trip.

Snorkeling, turtles, and reef time

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter. Equipment is provided, and the crew can guide you toward suitable spots. The day can include more than one snorkeling stop, which gives you a better chance to see different underwater settings instead of treating one location as the whole outing.

The most memorable sightings described from this charter include sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and schools of fish. One group saw turtles in several locations, while another encountered rays near Honeymoon Beach. A crew member even swam down to capture video of a turtle feeding on seagrass, an unusual personal touch that shows how involved the crew can be.

Do not treat wildlife sightings as guaranteed. Turtles and rays are wild animals, and visibility changes with weather and water conditions. Still, the boat’s ability to adjust the route gives you more opportunity than a rigid transfer from one scheduled stop to another.

Families should find the setup manageable. A group with children as young as two reported a good day, and another group ranging from age eight to 76 enjoyed snorkeling and time aboard the boat. You should still judge water activities according to your own family’s swimming ability and comfort.

Beaches, lunch, and time off the boat

Honeymoon Beach appears repeatedly as a favorite stop, with sandy shore access and room for a swim or a break from the boat. Shipwreck Cove and other beach areas may also fit the day, depending on the route your captain recommends.

Lunch is not included. You can purchase it at various locations, and some outings have stopped at places such as Dinghy’s or included lunch at Honeymoon Beach. Since the charter price does not cover the meal, ask your captain about the day’s likely stops and bring a payment method that works for your group.

This is one area where planning matters. If your group wants a proper lunch ashore, that stop uses part of your seven-hour schedule. If snorkeling and sailing are more important, you may prefer a shorter meal break or food picked up near the route. Discuss this early rather than trying to decide when everyone is already hungry.

The crew makes the difference

A private boat day depends heavily on the captain and first mate. The most frequently praised crew names in the supplied material include AnneMarie, Alex, JP, Megan, Lindsey, Darren, Eduardo, Alicia, Selena, Coleman, Ro, and Liv.

The common strengths are clear: the crew helps shape the route, explains local history, keeps an eye on the group, and handles the practical details of snorkeling and boarding. Captain AnneMarie is repeatedly described as professional, funny, and attentive. Captain Alex has also hosted repeat groups, which suggests the company can provide a satisfying return visit with different stops.

You should tell the crew what matters most at the start. Say if you want turtles, quiet coves, beach time, swimming, local stories, or music. Also explain how much activity your group can manage. A family with small children and an active group of adults may need very different pacing, and the captain can make better choices with that information.

Alcohol is included, but this is still a family-friendly daytime charter rather than a party boat by definition. The private format lets your group set the tone. Keep the music and drinks comfortable for everyone onboard, and remember that the crew’s job is safety as well as service.

What the $1,495 price really means

The listed price is $1,495 per group for up to 12 people. That is not a per-person fare. With 12 people, the base cost works out to about $125 per person before any tip or lunch. With 10 people, it is about $150 each. With six people, it is nearly $249 per person.

That makes the charter most attractive for a full family group, several couples, or friends traveling together. You are paying for privacy, a large catamaran, a dedicated captain and crew, route flexibility, and the ability to use the boat as your own for the day. When divided among a nearly full group, the price becomes easier to justify than it first appears.

The value is weaker for a small party that does not care about privacy. If you have only two or three people and mainly want a short snorkel trip, a shared excursion may cost less. Here, the main benefit is not just transportation to the water. It is control of the day, room to spread out, and a crew focused on your group.

The price also excludes lunch. Beer, rum punch, soda, and water are included, but you should budget separately for food and gratuity. One response from the operator notes that crew members rely on gratuity to supplement their income, so plan for a tip if the service meets your expectations.

Full day or half day?

A full day gives you time to combine several activities without rushing. You can snorkel at more than one site, stop at a beach, eat lunch ashore, cruise between islands, and still spend time relaxing on the catamaran. This is the better choice if your group has varied interests.

A half-day charter makes sense when you are fitting the boat around a cruise schedule or want a focused outing. It can work well for snorkeling, turtle watching, and swimming without committing the entire day. The tradeoff is simple: every lunch stop, beach visit, and extra cruise uses a larger share of your available time.

Cruise ship passengers should be strict about the return schedule. Tell the captain when you need to be back, not just when your ship leaves. Returning 15 minutes early helped one group get back comfortably, but you should not rely on a tight connection between the boat, taxi, security, and boarding.

Comfort, safety, and practical limits

The experience is mainly outdoors, so bring sun protection and expect time in the water. The boat is sanitized after each trip under stated CDC and WHO procedures, and the company says captains and crew are tested monthly. Masks are not required, but you may wear one if you prefer.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not describe a detailed accessibility setup, so contact the operator before booking if someone in your party has mobility needs or requires special boarding assistance.

Sea conditions can change the feel of the ride and the route. The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel yourself, the cutoff is 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 386 ratings, with 98 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, but it does not remove the need to match the trip to your group. A private catamaran is a poor choice if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or want a guaranteed BVI itinerary.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this for a group that wants a special day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. It is particularly well suited to families, multigenerational groups, birthday outings, couples traveling together, and cruise passengers who can coordinate their port schedule.

It also suits people who want options. You can spend the day moving between snorkeling sites, watching for turtles and rays, stopping at Honeymoon Beach, playing music, or lying on a float with a rum punch. You do not have to commit to one activity for seven straight hours.

I would hesitate if your group has fewer than four people and is mainly seeking the cheapest way to snorkel. I would also look elsewhere if a BVI crossing is essential, or if you need lunch and transportation bundled into one fixed price.

Should you book S/Y Pisces?

Book it if privacy, flexible planning, and a comfortable boat matter more to you than finding the lowest fare. The combination of snorkeling gear, floats, drinks, a restroom, Bluetooth audio, and a crew that can adapt the route gives a full group plenty to do.

Before you reserve, confirm the half-day price, your ship’s docking location, the preferred departure time, and your lunch plan. If you fill most of the 12 available places and want snorkeling, beaches, turtles, and time to relax, this is a strong way to spend a St. Thomas day.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,495 per group for up to 12 people. The price is for the private yacht rather than a separate fare for each person.

How long is the charter?

The experience is listed as approximately seven hours. A half-day option is also available, but the supplied information does not state its exact duration or separate price.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

What is included onboard?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and use of the onboard restroom are included. The boat also has Bluetooth audio.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch costs extra, though food can be purchased at various locations during the day.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI. The route focuses on areas such as St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, beaches, and possibly a quieter cay.

What happens if weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you receive a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.