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

A private catamaran turns a day on St. Thomas into your own floating vacation. On S/Y Pisces, you can set the pace: snorkel with turtles, stop at a beach, play music over Bluetooth, or simply stretch out on the bow while the boat moves between islands. Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to 12 people.

I especially like the flexible route and the spacious design. The 47-foot Leopard has a shaded salon, a broad rear deck, bean bags, and two forward trampolines. The crew, including captains AnneMarie, Alex, and Christian, and first mates such as Lindsey, Megan, and Darren, are praised for adapting the day to families, couples, and mixed-age groups.

The main drawback is cost if you have only a few people, since the $1,495 price is charged per group rather than per person. Lunch is also not included, and cruise ship passengers must confirm they are docking at Havensight, not Crown Bay.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 47-foot S/Y Pisces: Your group gets the catamaran rather than sharing with strangers.
• Flexible island route: Work with the captain to visit St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, beaches, reefs, and possibly a quiet cay.
• Excellent for mixed ages: Families have used the boat with children as young as two and adults as old as 76.
• Snorkel gear and floats included: You can swim, look for turtles and rays, or relax without bringing your own equipment.
• Drinks are part of the deal: Bottled water, soda, beer, and the boat’s Seas the Day rum punch are included.
• Lunch costs extra: You can buy lunch at various stops, but you should plan that part with the captain.

Why a private catamaran works so well in St. Thomas

St. Thomas is easy to admire from land, but the best parts of the island often sit offshore. A private boat gives you access to coves, beaches, and snorkel sites that are awkward to reach by car. It also removes the fixed rhythm of a large excursion boat.

That flexibility matters. If several people in your group want to snorkel, the captain can build the day around water time. If others would rather stay dry, the boat offers plenty of space to sit, talk, listen to music, or watch the coastline slide past.

You also avoid the social compromise of a shared tour. A family with young children can take its time. A group of friends can make more swim stops. A multigenerational group can split up naturally, with some people in the water and others relaxing aboard.

The boat is large enough to keep the day comfortable without feeling like a floating resort. The salon opens onto a broad back deck, while the bow has bean bag seating and two trampolines. Those forward nets are a good spot for breezy sunbathing or turtle watching, though anyone uncomfortable with open water may prefer the more stable deck seating.

Boarding at Havensight and getting the timing right

You meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain escorts you from the meeting point to Pisces, so you do not need to search the marina alone.

For a full-day charter, 9 a.m. is a common departure time, but your group can choose the start time. That is useful if you are staying on St. Thomas and want to avoid a rushed morning. It can also help cruise ship passengers, though ship schedules require more care.

If your ship docks at Havensight, the meeting point is conveniently close. If it arrives at Crown Bay Marina, allow roughly 15 minutes each way by taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. Confirm your ship’s port before booking. One family on Norwegian Aqua had a particularly easy day because the ship used Havensight, while a Crown Bay arrival would require extra transport planning.

All departure times use local island time. That sounds obvious, but it is worth checking when you are coordinating a ship, hotel transfer, or a large group.

Planning the route with your captain

There is no single fixed sightseeing route, which is one of the best features of the charter. You and the captain create the day around weather, sea conditions, and your priorities.

Possible areas include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, and perhaps a less-publicized cay. The exact combination can change. A captain may suggest one cove for calmer swimming, another site for snorkeling, and a beach stop later in the day.

Some groups have built their outing around several snorkel locations. Others have combined a reef stop with Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, or lunch at a waterfront restaurant such as Dinghy’s. You can also request time simply to enjoy the boat. A private charter should not feel like a race to collect stops.

This is where an experienced crew adds real value. Captains such as AnneMarie and Alex have been praised for matching the route to what each group wants, while first mates help people find sea turtles, rays, fish, and coral. The crew also share local history and information about the marine setting as you move between stops.

One practical note: this charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands. If the BVI is your main goal, choose another excursion. This experience is built around the waters and islands near St. Thomas.

What the snorkeling is like

Snorkeling is central to the experience, but the day does not force everyone into the water. Equipment is provided, along with floats, so you can get in without packing fins and masks from home.

The most memorable sightings described from this charter include sea turtles, stingrays, rays, colorful fish, and coral. One group watched a turtle feeding in a seagrass area, while another found a large school of small fish circling beneath the boat. The crew may also get in the water or guide you toward a promising area, depending on the stop and conditions.

Honeymoon Beach has been a favorite stop for some outings, combining sand, swimming, and snorkeling. Shipwreck Cove has also been used as part of a custom route. These names should be treated as possibilities, not guarantees. The captain decides what works best on the day.

The snorkeling can be rewarding for both serious swimmers and first-timers, but this is still an ocean outing. Conditions vary, and the number of animals you see cannot be promised. A calm day may allow several stops. Rougher water may lead to a shorter route or more time in sheltered areas.

If your group includes children, bring a calm attitude about the water. The boat has floats and plenty of deck space, and families with young children have enjoyed the outing, but each child should be supervised closely around the catamaran and swim stops.

Life aboard S/Y Pisces

The boat itself is a major part of the appeal. At 47 feet, Pisces gives a group of 12 enough room to spread out. You can sit in the salon, use the rear deck, or move forward to the trampolines and bean bags.

The layout makes it easy for a mixed group to do different things at once. One person can read or relax in the shade, another can listen to music, and others can snorkel or swim. That is a better setup than a small center-console boat if you are spending seven hours on the water.

The JBL sound system connects by Bluetooth, so you can bring your own playlist. Keep the volume considerate, especially if your group wants to hear the captain or enjoy a quieter stretch of water. The crew can also share local stories and point out scenery along the route.

A restroom is available onboard, which matters on a full-day charter. Bottled water comes from Virgin H2O, reflecting the company’s effort to reduce disposable plastic. Soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included. The rum punch is a recurring favorite, but pace yourself if you plan to swim later.

Food, drinks, and the extra lunch decision

Lunch is not included in the price. You can purchase it at several locations, and some full-day routes include a restaurant stop such as Dinghy’s or lunch near Honeymoon Beach.

I recommend deciding early whether your group wants a proper meal ashore or prefers to bring a simple plan. A restaurant stop can add local flavor and a break from the boat, but it also uses time that could otherwise go toward snorkeling or sailing.

Because the captain helps shape the route, mention food preferences when you meet. A large group will move more slowly than a couple, especially when ordering lunch. If you are booking a half-day charter, lunch may not fit comfortably into the schedule at all.

The included drinks make the price feel less bare-bones than a charter where every beverage costs extra. Still, the $1,495 group price does not cover lunch, taxi rides from Crown Bay, or gratuity. Since the captain and first mate rely in part on gratuities, budget for a tip if the service suits you.

Full day or half day?

A full day gives you enough time to combine snorkeling, a beach, lunch, and unhurried time aboard. It is the better choice if your group has different priorities or if you want to visit several locations without rushing.

A half day works well for cruise passengers, families with young children, or anyone pairing the boat with another St. Thomas activity. One family combined a shorter charter with a visit to the Skyride to Paradise Point. A half day also makes sense if you mainly want one or two swim stops and time on the catamaran.

The supplied price is $1,495 per group of up to 12, but confirm the current rate for the exact half-day or full-day option you select. At maximum capacity, the group cost works out to about $125 per person before lunch, transportation, and tip. For 10 people, it is about $150 each. For two people, it becomes a very expensive private boat day.

That per-group structure is the key value question. A full boat with family or friends can make the charter quite reasonable compared with booking several separate seats or paying for drinks and equipment one item at a time. A small group should compare the private cost with a shared sailing excursion.

Who will get the most from this charter?

I would choose this experience for a family reunion, a birthday, a group of friends, or a cruise party that wants privacy. It is also a strong option for mixed ages. The boat has enough space for people who want to swim and people who want to remain aboard, and children do not have to follow a rigid group schedule.

It suits you if you care more about a personal route than a checklist of sights. The strongest part of the day is the combination of captain-led local judgment and your own priorities.

You may want another option if you dislike boats, rarely swim, or want a guaranteed visit to a particular island outside the St. Thomas area. You should also skip it if the BVI is essential, since this charter does not go there.

The experience is weather dependent. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

My verdict: book it for the right group size

I would book S/Y Pisces when I had at least six or eight people to share the cost and wanted a full, flexible day on the water. The spacious catamaran, included snorkeling gear, floats, drinks, restroom, and attentive crew make it a strong choice for a group that values comfort and control.

The best reason to book is not one particular beach. It is the ability to say, This is what we want from our day, then let the captain shape a sensible route around it. Confirm your port, plan for lunch, and remember that marine life and exact stops depend on conditions. If those limits suit you, this is one of the more personal ways to see St. Thomas.

FAQ

How many people can join the private catamaran charter?

The charter is for up to 12 people. Only your group participates.

How long does the experience last?

The full-day experience lasts approximately seven hours. A half-day option is also available, with the exact duration depending on the option you book.

Where do I meet the captain?

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

What happens if my cruise ship arrives at Crown Bay?

You need to take a taxi from Crown Bay Marina to Yacht Haven Grande. Allow about 15 minutes each way.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but you can purchase it at various locations during the day.

Are snorkeling equipment and floats provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included. The boat also has a restroom, bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI. Its route focuses on St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, nearby beaches, snorkeling areas, and possible smaller cays.