Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

The sea is your itinerary. This seven-and-a-half-hour private catamaran charter from St. Thomas gives your group control over the day, with two or three snorkeling stops, beach views, paddle boards, hammock chairs, lunch, and drinks included. The boat, Second Chance, offers a smooth sailing platform for a relaxed day around St. Thomas and St. John.

I like the freedom to choose between places such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove. I also like the unusually complete package: fruit, pastries, wraps, chips, sodas, water, rum punch or Painkiller, light beer, snorkel gear, paddle boards, and hammock swings are all covered. The main consideration is price. At $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a private group that will use the boat for most of the day.

The crew receives especially warm praise for making the boat feel welcoming and personal. Ivy and TL are named repeatedly, while Captain Justin and crew members John and Michelle are also praised in the feedback. One group of nine used the charter for a birthday, and another booked it for a wedding celebration. That tells you something important: this is less a fixed sightseeing ride and more a floating private gathering where the crew can shape the day around your group.

Key points at a glance

• Private route planning: Choose among snorkeling areas such as Maho, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, depending on your group’s interests and the day’s conditions.
• Seven and a half hours on the water: The 8:30 am start gives you a full morning and afternoon aboard Second Chance.
• Food and drinks included: Fruit, pastries, turkey, cheese and veggie wraps, chips, water, sodas, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer are provided.
• More than snorkeling: Paddle boards, hammock swings, bean bags, and trampoline seating give you several ways to spend time between stops.
• Strong crew reputation: Ivy, TL, Captain Justin, John, and Michelle are singled out for friendly service and making celebrations feel special.
• Plan ahead: The charter is booked about 98 days in advance on average, although one group secured a reservation only 12 hours before departure.

Starting at Red Hook for a full day on Second Chance

You meet the crew at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road. Departure is scheduled for 8:30 am, and the charter returns to the same place after the day on the water.

Red Hook is a practical starting point because it is near public transportation. All-day marina parking may also be available when booked through the operator for an additional $30, according to one detailed account. Confirm that arrangement when you reserve, since parking is not included in the $250 price.

The early start matters. Seven and a half hours sounds generous, but time passes quickly once you add sailing, swimming, lunch, and several stops. You will want to arrive ready rather than treating the first hour as a slow morning. The mobile ticket and booking confirmation make the check-in process simple, but the tour information does not specify a required arrival time beyond the 8:30 am start.

A private charter that lets you choose the pace

The biggest difference here is control. This is a private activity, so only your group participates. You are not working around a boatload of strangers or following a rigid list of stops chosen for someone else.

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops, but the exact route is flexible. Your group can discuss the possible locations with the crew and decide how much time to spend swimming, paddling, sailing, or simply sitting in the sun. That flexibility is valuable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water, while anyone who prefers a quiet afternoon can stay aboard and enjoy the scenery.

There is a tradeoff. A private charter gives you choices, but it also means the final plan depends on communication with your own group and the crew. If everyone wants something different, the freedom can become a small decision-making chore. Agree on your priorities before departure: snorkeling, beach views, paddle boards, relaxing, or a special celebration.

The crew’s friendly style seems to be a major part of the experience. Ivy and TL are praised for treating people warmly, and Captain Justin receives special credit for making a day feel comfortable and well managed. Several celebrations, including a birthday and a wedding outing, were handled with personal attention.

Snorkeling at Maho, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove

The possible stops give you a good range of scenery and water activities. Maho on St. John is listed as one option and is associated with sea turtle swimming in the tour description. Seeing turtles is never something any operator can guarantee, but the chance to snorkel in an area known for them is a clear draw.

Lovango Cay and Christmas Cove are also possible stops, along with other locations selected for your private outing. The exact order and selection can change, so you should think of these as examples rather than a promised route.

At each stop, the value comes from having time to enter the water without rushing to meet a large boat’s schedule. Snorkel equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing fins, masks, and related gear. Still, if you have a personal mask that fits well, you may prefer to bring it. The supplied equipment is useful for convenience, but the tour information does not specify brands, sizes, or how many sets are carried.

The charter also provides paddle boards. These give you a calm alternative to snorkeling and can be especially useful when your group has different comfort levels in the water. The available activities are simple, but that is the appeal: swim, paddle, sit in the shade or sun, and move on when your group is ready.

Bean bags, trampolines, and hammock chairs between stops

Second Chance is set up for more than standing at the rail. Bean bags on the trampolines provide a place to stretch out while the boat sails. The original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang off the back of the catamaran, giving you a distinctive spot to sit close to the water.

These details matter because a full day at sea can feel tiring if every hour is spent snorkeling. The hammock swings and open seating create a better rhythm. You can be active for one stop, eat lunch aboard, then spend the next stretch watching the islands pass by.

The trampolines may appeal most to people who want the classic catamaran feel, while the hammock chairs are better for quiet lounging. As always, conditions on the water affect how comfortable these spots feel. The tour requires good weather, and a rougher day may make some seating areas less appealing.

The boat’s sailing style is another part of the draw. The experience is described as a smooth ride on a beautiful sailing catamaran. That does not mean the water will always be perfectly calm, but it does suggest a more pleasant setting than a basic transport boat. If you are sensitive to motion, bring whatever personal remedy you normally use, though no specific seasickness provision is listed.

A practical lunch and open drink service

The food is designed to keep the day easy. In the morning, the crew provides a fruit and pastry tray. Later, freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and veggie wraps are served with chips.

This is not a restaurant-style lunch, and the menu is fairly simple. That is a reasonable choice for a boat day: wraps are easy to eat, and the food does not interrupt the schedule. If you have a serious allergy or a special diet, ask about options before booking because no detailed dietary information is provided.

Water and soda are available throughout the day. The alcohol package includes one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, with the choice made by the group, plus one 12-pack of light beer. Alcohol is limited to people 18 and older.

The included drinks add real value to the price, especially for a group that would otherwise spend extra money buying beverages at the marina or packing a cooler. You should still drink water during a hot day and remember that the charter does not include gratuities. Tipping is the one listed expense left outside the package.

What the $250 price really buys you

At $250 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in St. Thomas. The price becomes easier to justify when you count what is bundled into the day: a private boat, crew, sailing time, several possible snorkeling stops, food, soft drinks, alcohol, snorkel equipment, paddle boards, and hammock seating.

A simple hourly calculation puts the price at about $33 per person per hour, before assigning any separate value to lunch, equipment, or drinks. That is a useful comparison if you are considering a shorter shared cruise. A shared excursion may cost less, but it will not provide the same control over the route or the privacy for a birthday, wedding, family outing, or reunion.

The value is strongest when your group enjoys several parts of the package. If you plan to snorkel, use the paddle boards, eat aboard, and spend most of the day on the catamaran, the price feels more complete. If you only want a quick swim and a beach stop, a shorter tour may suit you better.

The private format also spreads the cost across your own group. The supplied information does not give a maximum passenger number, so you should ask the operator how many people your party can include and how the per-person rate applies to your dates.

Celebrations feel especially well suited here

The charter has a clear strength for groups marking an occasion. A birthday group of nine enjoyed the boat, and another outing included a wedding celebration. The crew’s responses describe a warm, personal atmosphere rather than a formal sightseeing routine.

That makes this a good choice if your group wants one shared day that feels different from a standard beach visit. You can bring a loose plan, then adjust it around the group’s mood. One hour might be spent snorkeling, the next on paddle boards, and another simply in the hammock chairs with drinks and island views.

Families can also benefit from the mix of activities. Children may prefer the paddle boards and open seating, while adults relax with lunch or a drink. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific details about mobility access, age limits for children, or flotation equipment. Ask those questions directly if they matter to your group.

The atmosphere may be less suitable for someone seeking a quiet, formal sailing lesson. This is presented as a social day on the water, with plenty of room for conversation, swimming, and celebration.

Timing, weather, and booking advice

The charter lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes, beginning at 8:30 am and ending back at the Red Hook meeting point. Because the route is flexible, the actual balance between sailing, stops, lunch, and lounging is shaped by the group and conditions.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from losing the full cost to conditions outside your control, but you still need a backup plan for the day.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. The tour is booked about 98 days ahead on average, so reserve early if you are visiting during a busy period. At the same time, one group managed to book about 12 hours ahead, so last-minute availability can happen.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would choose this charter for a group that wants privacy, flexibility, and a full day rather than a short boat ride. It fits couples traveling with friends, families with mixed interests, and anyone planning a birthday or wedding-related outing.

You should also book it if the included food and drinks matter to you. Packing and buying supplies for seven and a half hours on the water can add up, and the supplied lunch and beverage package keeps the day straightforward.

I would look elsewhere if you prefer a fixed sightseeing route, a highly structured schedule, or the lowest possible price. The private format charges for comfort and control. It is also less ideal if no one in your group wants to spend much time on the boat.

Should you book Second Chance?

Yes, if you want your own floating day around St. Thomas and St. John, with the freedom to choose snorkeling stops and the time to relax between them. The strongest reasons to book are the private setting, broad list of inclusions, and the crew’s record of making birthdays, weddings, and family outings feel personal.

Before paying, confirm the passenger capacity, parking arrangement, food needs, and preferred route. If your group will use the snorkeling gear, paddle boards, seating, lunch, and drinks, $250 per person is a fair value for a full private day. If you want only a short swim or a simple transfer, it is more boat than you need.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

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

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

Where does the experience end?

The charter returns to the same meeting point in Red Hook.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

Which snorkeling locations might be included?

Possible stops include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other locations selected for your private group.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, fruit and pastries, turkey, cheese and veggie wraps, chips, water, soda, snorkel equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the charter, you are offered another date or a full refund.