A day on a catamaran beats a bus tour. This private 50′ luxury yacht lets you pick the pace, pick the stops, and spend time in the water around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays. You can choose a half or full day charter, and the captain builds a route that fits your group’s mood, from easy float-and-snack to serious snorkeling.

I especially love the all-inclusive vibe for a group of up to 12: snorkeling gear, floats, soda, ice, bottled water, and rum punch (plus beer) are handled. I also like the layout. The back deck has room to hang out and eat, while the bow has bean bag chairs and trampolines—perfect for watching turtles and dolphins when you’re underway.

One thing to plan around: this boat can’t do the BVI, and some specific beaches may be limited depending on conditions and access. If you have a heart set on one named beach, be ready for the captain to swap stops to keep the day running smoothly.

Key Things I’d Book This For

• Private charter for up to 12 means no awkward “who’s in charge of music” group dynamics
• Snorkel gear + floats included so you can get in the water fast
• Captain-led itinerary so you’re not stuck at a stop that’s wrong for your group
• Bean bags on the bow for easy sun time and wildlife spotting
• Rum punch and beer included makes the “vacation math” work out

50′ Luxury Catamaran on St Thomas: Real Privacy, Not Just a Bigger Boat

This is a private yacht charter on a 50′ catamaran. The point isn’t just size. It’s control: your group sets the rhythm, and you’re not sharing the water time with strangers.

The boat itself is set up for hanging. The spacious salon opens to a wide back deck with seating and dining, which helps when you have kids, a mix of swimmers and non-swimmers, or anyone who just wants shade between dips in the sea.

Then there’s the bow setup: bean bag chairs and large trampolines. On a good day, it turns into an informal viewing deck. It’s a smart detail because St Thomas waters are about what you see while you’re moving too—sea life, birds, and the coastline in all its angles.

Price and Value: What $1,595 Covers for Up to 12

The price is $1,595 per group for up to 12 guests. That matters because private boat days can get expensive fast once you factor in snacks, drinks, gear, and “tiny add-ons.” Here, most of the essentials are included.

Included items you can feel right away:

• snorkeling equipment and floats
• bottled water (Virgin H2O)
• soda/pop, ice
• beer and rum punch
• restroom on board

Lunch is not included. You can often buy food at beach stops, and the captain can steer you toward a practical option based on timing. Tips for the captain and crew are also separate, and it’s customary to budget 15–20% for good service.

If you’re splitting costs across 8 to 12 people, the math gets easier—especially for families or friend groups who want a true half-day or full-day experience without rushing. If you’re only 2–4 people, it can still be worth it, but you’ll want to think of it as a premium “private day on the water,” not a cheap snorkel.

How the Captain Builds Your Day Around Real Energy Levels

This charter runs about 4 to 7 hours depending on whether you book a half or full day. You and the captain choose an itinerary and then you spend time at each stop.

A key pacing rule is the guidance to plan for about 1.5 hours at each stop if you really want snorkeling and beach time, not just quick photos and back onboard. That one detail is what keeps the day from feeling like a checklist.

Your captain also has flexibility. Some days are about calm water and easy swimming. Other days are about deeper snorkeling and wildlife hunting. The best part is that the crew is used to matching the plan to the group’s comfort level.

Where You’ll Go: St Thomas, St John, and Nearby Cays

You can visit St. Thomas and St. John plus surrounding cays. Popular stops include beaches with easy water access and areas where snorkeling tends to be productive. The exact route changes with weather and conditions, so treat the stop list as a menu, not a guarantee.

Also note this limitation: the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are not available on this vessel. If BVI is part of your dream day, you’d need a separate booking option for that.

Below is what each named stop tends to mean for your day, and what to watch for as you plan your time.

Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour is the kind of stop where you can settle in. It’s a good first anchor point because you usually get a smooth start: put on snorkel gear, test the water, and then decide if you want beach time or extra swimming.

If your group includes non-swimmers, this is the kind of location where people can relax while others go explore.

Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay is another spot that works well for mixing activities. You can split your group mentally: some people chase fish, others keep it simple and enjoy the beach time.

If you’re sensitive to choppy water, give yourself a little margin. Timing at each stop matters, and 1.5 hours is a solid target so nobody feels rushed.

Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay is famous for good reason: it’s a classic “postcard beach” choice. If you want more beach than snorkeling, this is often where your day shifts into relax mode.

The drawback? It can tempt people to overstay the sand. If you want both beach and underwater time, keep an eye on the schedule and don’t let the beach steal the whole day.

Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach is a strong option when your group wants a straightforward beach-and-water plan. This is the type of stop where you can snorkel, float, and then regroup without too much hassle.

A practical tip: set a simple meet time before you split up. The crew can’t magically read everyone’s mind, and a quick system keeps the day fun instead of stressful.

Coki Point Beach

Coki Point is often a crowd favorite for water time. If your group likes snorkeling and wants to be active, it’s the kind of stop that fits that energy.

Keep in mind that your ability to snorkel comfortably can depend on conditions that day. If the water’s not cooperating, the captain may shift how long you spend in the water.

Lindqvist Beach

Lindqvist Beach is more of a “hang out and take your time” stop. For groups with a wide range of comfort levels, it’s a helpful place because not everyone has to be in the water at the same moment.

If you want shade breaks and calm breaks between snorkeling sessions, plan for that here.

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach sounds romantic because it is. The payoff is the vibe: a quieter, more laid-back feeling that helps the day slow down.

If you’re the type who wants action, you’ll still find it—just remember “romantic” often means “more relaxing than sprinting.”

Francis Bay

Francis Bay can be a great mid-day stop. It’s a place where you can reset: snorkel, float, and then get back into group mode without burning time.

This also works well if you’re trying to keep kids happy. The calmer pace helps.

Trunk Bay Beach

Trunk Bay is a big name—and it’s on the stop list. But here’s the consideration you should take seriously: access can change. In at least one past experience with this operator, the captain couldn’t go to certain popular beaches due to restrictions affecting commercial charters.

So treat Trunk Bay as a possible stop, not a guaranteed one. If it’s a “must,” ask the captain early how flexible the plan is based on current access.

Maho Bay Beach

Maho Bay fits the pattern of “beach time plus water time.” It’s a solid choice when you want scenic coastline and a chance to snorkel without turning the day into a rushed tour.

Plan to give this stop time too. If you arrive and immediately burn your energy, you’ll miss the best part of the stop.

Waterlemon Cay

Waterlemon Cay is a smaller island/cay kind of stop, which often makes it feel like a bonus stop. These little cays are where you can get that sense of leaving the main tourist flow and finding your own patch of sea.

The practical angle: cays tend to reward good timing. If your group wants to swim, go when conditions are best, not at the exact minute you think you should.

Scott Bay Beach

Scott Bay is another beach option that lets you keep the day balanced. It’s a reasonable place to spend time when your group wants a mix: a little beach, a little snorkel, and plenty of time to relax on board between dips.

If you’re the planner type, this stop is where I’d schedule “second thoughts.” After a couple stops, you’ll know if your group wants more snorkeling or more shoreline.

Hansen Bay Beach

Hansen Bay rounds out the roster of beachy, water-access spots. It’s the kind of stop where the value is in the total experience—time on the water adds up fast when you’re not fighting a crowd.

Give yourself the full time at this stop if it’s on your captain’s route. The best moments often happen after you’ve stopped trying to do everything.

The Boat Experience: Snorkel Success, Easy Viewing, and Comfort

The equipment is included: snorkeling gear and floats. That’s a big deal because it removes the “we forgot something” chaos. You show up, you get geared, and you’re in the water faster.

On board, the boat also supports wildlife spotting from the surface. Past trips with this company include sightings like sea turtles, sting rays, octopus, and lots of fish. I can’t promise exact sightings, but the pattern is clear: these charters are set up for underwater time, not just a quick dip.

Comfort matters too. People have mentioned the boat as spacious and very clean, and that it runs smoothly enough even when conditions aren’t perfect. If you’re traveling with kids, the setup helps because you can watch from shaded seating while others snorkel.

A real plus from past experiences: the crew has worked with people who weren’t comfortable swimming by keeping watch and making sure everyone felt looked after. That’s not just nice. It’s what makes the day enjoyable instead of stressful.

Food, Drinks, and the Rum Punch Factor

Lunch isn’t included, but you do get a lot to snack on and sip. Soda, bottled water, beer, and rum punch are included, and ice is handled too.

This is the “value” piece. When drinks and basic refreshments are covered, you can spend more of the day at the beach and less of the day hunting down purchases. Rum punch also hits the sweet spot for group energy at the end of a snorkeling run—just keep it casual and don’t turn the boat into a party that forgets safety.

If you want a reliable lunch plan, plan on buying food at stops where it’s available and manageable. Your captain can point you toward practical options based on timing.

Wind, Weather, and Route Changes: How This Tour Actually Works in Real Life

This experience requires good weather. If weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Even with good weather, the sea is still the sea. When winds kick up, the captain can sometimes find calmer areas by shifting to other sides of islands or quieter pockets. That’s why the itinerary flexibility is such a big deal.

If a planned beach becomes restricted (for example, a highly requested spot may not be accessible for commercial charters), the captain may swap stops so your day doesn’t stall.

Who Should Book This Charter (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This charter is ideal if you:

• want privacy with a group of up to 12
• care more about water time and snorkeling than walking around shops
• have mixed ages or mixed comfort levels in your group
• want drinks handled and gear provided so the day stays smooth

It might not be the best fit if you’re trying to do the absolute cheapest possible outing. You’re paying for a private yacht experience with included extras and staff attention.

Should You Book This Private Catamaran Day in St Thomas?

Yes, I’d book it if your goal is a true private day on the water with minimal stress. The included snorkel gear, floats, and drinks remove a lot of friction. And the boat setup—bean bags on the bow, lots of deck space, and a crew that helps you get in the water comfortably—makes it easy to enjoy the day at your own speed.

Just go into it with two mindset shifts: first, the BVI isn’t on this vessel, so don’t build your plan around it. Second, specific named beaches can change based on access and conditions, so keep your expectations flexible and trust the captain to build a good day.

FAQ

Half day or full day: how long is it?

The charter duration is approximately 4 to 7 hours, depending on whether you book a half or full day.

What’s included in the price for the private yacht?

The package includes the yacht for up to 12 guests, use of floats, bottled water, soda/pop, beer and rum punch, restroom on board, and use of snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but it can be purchased at many locations.

Where do we meet and where can pickup happen?

You depart from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook. Pickup from Cruz Bay, St John may be possible with advance request after booking.

Can this boat go to the BVI?

No. The BVI is not available on this vessel, but BVI visits can be booked separately using the provided product codes.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.