50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is simple: you control the day. On the 50-foot SY Sirena, your captain can shape the route around snorkeling, quiet beaches, sea turtles, lunch, sightseeing, or a little of everything. Up to 12 people share the boat, but no unrelated group joins you.

I like the generous deck space, especially the bow trampolines and bean bag chairs, and I like the way the crew adjusts plans for families, changing wind, and different swimming abilities. The main drawback is the price. At $1,595 per group, this makes the most sense when you fill the boat and split the cost.

• A private 50-foot catamaran: Bring up to 12 people, with the boat reserved for your group.
• A flexible four-to-seven-hour route: Choose a half-day or full-day trip and help shape the stops.
• Snorkeling with real wildlife: Sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, sunken ships, and tropical fish have all been spotted.
• Comfort between swims: Use the salon, back deck, bow trampolines, bean bags, floats, and onboard restroom.
• Drinks are included: Ice, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch come with the charter.
• St. Thomas and St. John only: The British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel.

A Private Yacht Day With Room to Change Plans

Many boat outings follow a fixed route. This one gives you a private catamaran, a captain, and a broad menu of possible stops. You can spend more time in the water, skip a beach that feels too busy, or ask for a quieter cove when the wind picks up.

The boat leaves from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the eastern side of St. Thomas. Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible if arranged in advance after booking. The tour returns to the same meeting point unless that pickup plan has been confirmed.

A half-day lasts about four hours. A full-day charter runs about seven hours. That difference matters. A shorter trip can fit neatly into a busy vacation, but a full day gives you time to sail, swim, eat, relax, and make several stops without racing the clock.

The crew has included captains and first mates such as Maddy, Olivia, JW, Alex, Coleman, Dave, Vic, Ro, Dylan, Celina, and Kahlia. Names may vary by departure, but the role stays the same: the captain handles the route and boat, while the first mate helps with drinks, snorkeling gear, floats, and getting people safely in and out of the water.

What the $1,595 Price Really Buys

The listed price covers the entire boat for up to 12 people, not a per-person seat. For a full group, the arithmetic is attractive. Split evenly among 12 people, the base price comes to about $133 per person. With six people, it is about $266 each before gratuity. A smaller party will pay more for privacy and space.

That private setting is the main value. You are not tied to a stranger’s preferred beach or forced to leave a good snorkeling site because another group has had enough. A family with small children can slow down. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water while others relax aboard.

The price includes use of the catamaran, floats, snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, ice, and the boat’s signature rum punch. Lunch is not included. You can buy food at some stops, and past routes have included places such as Lovango for lunch and the Pizza Boat.

A 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew is customary for exceptional service, so include that in your budget. The final cost can also change in practice if your group chooses to buy lunch ashore.

The SY Sirena: Comfort Above and Below Deck

The SY Sirena is a 50-foot luxury catamaran with a salon that opens onto a large back deck. That layout gives you several ways to spend the day. You can sit in the shade, gather around the dining area, stretch out near the bow, or move around while the boat is underway.

The forward trampolines and bean bag chairs are a particularly useful touch. They give your group a place to talk, sunbathe, watch for turtles and dolphins, or simply rest between swims. The catamaran design also provides a broad, stable-feeling platform compared with a small open skiff, though the sea can still be rough and some people may get seasick.

Families have used the boat with children ranging from infants to teenagers. Crew members have helped young children with gear and kept an eye on a child aboard while parents took a short snorkeling turn. That does not replace a parent’s responsibility, but it can make the day easier for families with mixed swimming abilities.

There is an onboard restroom, which matters on a four-to-seven-hour outing. You also avoid packing a separate rental setup for masks, snorkels, and floats. Bring your own personal items, but much of the basic water equipment is already aboard.

How the Route Works Around St. Thomas and St. John

The printed list includes many possible beaches and bays, but you will not visit all of them in one outing. The captain and your group select a practical route based on time, weather, sea conditions, and current access rules. Spending about 90 minutes at a stop gives you enough time to swim and snorkel without turning the day into a series of rushed arrivals.

Here is what the main options offer.

Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour is a sensible choice for a protected swim and an easy start to the day. It can work well for a group that wants to settle aboard, test the water, and get comfortable with the snorkeling gear before going farther afield.

Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay on St. Thomas gives you a quieter beach option and a change of scenery from the more famous shoreline stops. It may suit a group that values a calm setting over a long list of sights.

Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beaches, with a wide sweep of sand and an iconic setting. It is a good pick for beach time and photos, though a famous beach can feel less private than a smaller cove.

Sapphire Beach and Coki Point

Sapphire Beach offers another easy swimming stop, while Coki Point is known for clear water and lively marine activity. These choices can be useful when snorkeling is the day’s main goal, but conditions and access can change.

Lindqvist Beach

Lindqvist offers a less developed feel than the island’s most famous beaches. It is a good place to ask about when your group wants natural scenery and a quieter shore rather than facilities or a busy beach scene.

Honeymoon Beach and Francis Bay

Honeymoon Beach on St. John is a strong choice for a relaxed swim and classic island views. Francis Bay is often appreciated for its calmer, more peaceful character. These stops pair well with a route that favors St. John over a long list of St. Thomas beaches.

Trunk Bay

Trunk Bay is a famous St. John stop, but do not assume it is guaranteed. Commercial charter access restrictions have changed, and the captain may not be able to take you there. Ask about current access when you book and have a backup plan.

Maho Bay

Maho Bay is one of the better-known places around St. John for turtle sightings. Several outings have included sea turtles, and the bay can be a smart request if wildlife is more important to your group than beach-hopping.

Waterlemon Cay

Waterlemon Cay offers a more active snorkeling option and a chance to see a different section of St. John’s waters. Conditions matter here, so follow the captain’s advice about where and when to enter the water.

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay give the captain more quiet-water choices on St. John. These are useful alternatives when wind or crowd levels make another stop less appealing.

Snorkeling, Sea Turtles, and Water Time

Snorkeling is the heart of this charter. The equipment is included, and the crew helps fit masks, organize fins, and guide you toward suitable water. You may see tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, and, with luck, an octopus. One outing also included a sunken ship.

The captain’s local judgment is important here. The best site is not always the most famous one. Wind can make one side of an island uncomfortable while another bay remains calm. The crew has adjusted routes during windy weeks so groups could still swim and snorkel in sheltered water.

If your group includes beginners, tell the crew early. If teenagers want turtles, say so. If one person is not a confident swimmer, mention that before entering the water. The crew can help select a better stop and organize the activity around your group instead of treating every passenger alike.

You should still bring realistic expectations. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and sea conditions can change. The strongest value here is not a promise of a particular animal. It is having a private boat and crew who can look for good conditions and make sensible changes.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The strongest part of the service is personal attention. Captains such as JW, Maddy, Alex, Dave, and Vic have been praised for asking what each group wants, explaining island history, suggesting snorkeling sites, and changing the route to fit the day.

First mates such as Olivia, Coleman, Ro, Dylan, Celina, and Kahlia have helped keep drinks filled, set out gear, assist with floats, and make the transition from boat to water less awkward. That support is especially useful when you have children, older relatives, or a dozen people trying to get ready at once.

There is also a relaxed social side. The crew serves beer and rum punch, and several outings have included help arranging lunch. If you want lunch ashore, say so at the start. A meal can take a meaningful part of a half-day trip, so the captain needs to build it into the route.

One poor experience in the feedback involved arriving late, disagreements about extending the charter, and dissatisfaction with the crew’s manner. The practical lesson is clear: arrive on time, state your priorities early, and do not assume the boat will run beyond the booked hours. A private charter gives you flexibility, not unlimited time.

Choosing Half Day or Full Day

Choose the half-day option if you want a focused outing. You might pick one or two snorkeling areas, spend time on a beach, and return with part of the afternoon still available. It works well for families with very young children, people who tire in the sun, or visitors fitting the boat around other plans.

Choose the full-day charter if your group wants to combine St. Thomas and St. John, include lunch, or make several water stops. Seven hours gives the day room to breathe. You can spend 90 minutes at a favorite site without feeling that every extra swim cuts into the next stop.

I would not try to cram all 13 listed locations into a single charter. That would mean spending too much time moving and too little time enjoying the water. Pick two or three priorities, then let the captain fill in the gaps.

Who Will Get the Most From This Charter

This is a strong choice for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who values privacy over the low price of a shared excursion. It also suits groups with mixed interests. Swimmers can snorkel while others sit on the back deck, use the floats, or watch the scenery.

The boat can hold up to 12 people, but comfort depends on how much personal space your group wants. Twelve friends may find the arrangement ideal for a shared celebration. A smaller family may prefer the extra room and privacy, but should compare the cost with a shared catamaran trip.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed visit to the British Virgin Islands. The SY Sirena does not serve the BVI. A separate BVI product is required. It is also not the best fit for anyone who dislikes boats, sun, or changing plans at sea.

The activity is wheelchair accessible only to the extent stated in the supplied information, so ask the operator directly about your specific needs. Service animals are allowed, most people can participate, and the activity is primarily outdoors. The company states that vessels are sanitized after each trip and that masks are optional.

Booking Details and Weather Rules

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience offers a mobile ticket. Meet at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas. The tour ends back at the meeting point unless an advance Cruz Bay pickup has been arranged.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel inside that window and you do not receive a refund. Changes inside 24 hours are not accepted.

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since the route depends on wind and sea conditions, this policy is reasonable, but keep your schedule flexible when possible.

Should You Book the SY Sirena?

Book it if your group can share the $1,595 cost, wants a private boat, and cares more about control and comfort than the lowest possible price. The combination of room for 12, snorkeling gear, floats, drinks, a restroom, and a captain-led custom route gives you a full day rather than a simple boat transfer.

Before paying, decide whether you want a half-day or full day, tell the operator your top snorkeling and beach priorities, ask about current access to Trunk Bay, and confirm that everyone understands the BVI is not included. Arrive on time and budget for a 15 to 20 percent crew tip.

For a family celebration, a group birthday, or a friends’ day on the water, this is a very good use of a St. Thomas vacation budget. For two or three people watching every dollar, the private price is harder to justify. For everyone else, the freedom to find calm water, stay longer at a favorite beach, and set the pace is the reason to choose it.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The price is $1,595 per group for up to 12 people. The cost is not listed per person, so a larger group generally gets better value per passenger.

How long is the experience?

You can choose a half-day or full-day charter lasting about four to seven hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The departure point is American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can the boat pick up passengers on St. John?

Pickup from Cruz Bay, St. John may be possible with an advance request after booking. Confirm this with the operator before making plans around it.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase food at some locations. Past route options have included Lovango and the Pizza Boat.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes bottled water, soda, beer, ice, signature rum punch, snorkeling equipment, and floats.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The SY Sirena does not visit the BVI. A separate BVI charter must be booked for that destination.