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

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is the freedom to shape the day around your own group. On S/Y Pisces, a 47-foot luxury catamaran, you can snorkel with turtles, stop at a beach, drift near an uncrowded cove, or simply stretch out on the broad deck while your captain handles the route.

I like the private setting and the way the crew adapts the plan to your priorities. I also like the practical comforts: a restroom, floats, snorkel gear, Bluetooth music, beer, and the house rum punch. The main drawback is that lunch costs extra, and a full day on the water is a major expense for a small group.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12: Your group has the entire catamaran, not a seat on a crowded shared cruise.
• Custom route from Havensight: You and the captain can plan around St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, beaches, coves, and possible secret cays.
• Excellent snorkeling setup: Masks, snorkels, floats, and swimming stops are included, with turtle, ray, fish, and coral sightings possible.
• Comfortable 47-foot catamaran: Pisces has a salon, shaded back deck, bow bean bags, and two large trampolines.
• Drinks are covered: Bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day rum punch come with the charter.
• Lunch is your responsibility: You can buy food at one of several stops, but it is not part of the listed price.

A private day on the water, not a fixed sightseeing loop

This charter works best if you want control. You are not locked into a published sequence of stops or asked to keep pace with a large boat. The captain can listen to what matters most to your group, then suggest a route based on the conditions and available time.

A full-day trip lasts about seven hours. A half-day option is also available. For a full day, 9 a.m. is a common start, but your group can choose the departure time. That flexibility matters if you are staying on St. Thomas and want to avoid rushing breakfast, or if you are visiting by cruise ship and need to work around port hours.

The experience begins at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight. Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, 15 minutes before departure. The captain will walk you to the boat.

If your ship docks at Crown Bay Marina, plan on a taxi ride to Yacht Haven Grande of about 15 minutes each way. If your ship arrives at Havensight, the meeting point is much easier to reach. Check your ship’s docking location before booking, especially if you are bringing a large group and need to leave enough time for the return to the ship.

Inside S/Y Pisces

The boat is a 47-foot Leopard catamaran with several places to settle in. The salon opens onto a large back deck with comfortable seating. This gives you a shaded place to eat, talk, or take a break from the sun.

At the bow, bean bag chairs create a relaxed spot for watching the islands pass. Two large trampolines are useful for spreading out, taking in the breeze, or keeping an eye on the water. They also give the group a natural place to gather without everyone crowding into one seating area.

The catamaran layout is particularly useful for a mixed-age group. In one family group, ages ranged from 8 to 76, and everyone was able to enjoy the day. Young children can stay near adults, while others move between the water, the bow, and the shaded seating.

Pisces also has a JBL sound system with Bluetooth. You can connect your own music, which makes a difference on a private charter. The music choice stays with your group rather than a boat operator or a shared crowd. Keep the volume considerate when the boat is near other people, but this is an easy way to give the day a personal feel.

There is also a restroom onboard. That may sound like a small feature, but it is important during a seven-hour outing, particularly for families and anyone who does not want to depend on facilities at a beach stop.

Building your route around snorkeling and beach time

Your captain and first mate help you decide how to use the hours. You might focus on several snorkeling locations, add a beach visit, or spend more time relaxing aboard. The exact route depends on your interests and the conditions that day.

The possible area includes St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and perhaps a smaller secret cay. The boat does not visit the British Virgin Islands, so do not book this trip expecting a BVI crossing or a stop at St. John unless the operator specifically confirms it. This is a St. Thomas area charter.

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose the boat. Equipment is included, so you do not need to rent masks and snorkels separately. The crew can help direct you toward suitable spots, and several trips have included sightings of sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and schools of fish.

One particularly memorable outing included three snorkeling stops and a turtle feeding on seagrass at roughly 25 to 30 feet below the surface. Another group saw turtles and rays around Honeymoon Beach. These sightings are never guaranteed, but the flexible route gives the captain more room to choose a promising location instead of following a rigid schedule.

You should still think about your group’s swimming ability. The boat is built around time in the water, and the best parts of the day often involve snorkeling, floating, or swimming from the boat. If some people prefer not to get wet, the seating and views make it possible to relax onboard, but the charter is most rewarding when at least part of the group wants to swim.

Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, and possible island stops

Honeymoon Beach has appeared often in successful day plans. It offers a change from snorkeling off the boat, with time on the sand and a chance to have lunch nearby. One full-day itinerary paired Honeymoon Beach with Shipwreck Cove, three snorkeling locations, and time simply relaxing on Pisces.

The appeal of a beach stop is variety. Seven hours of snorkeling can become tiring, particularly for children or anyone not used to the sun. A beach gives you a chance to dry off, walk around, and reset before returning to the boat.

Water Island and Buck Island may also form part of the route. The description allows the captain to work with your group on the final plan, so you should treat these as possible destinations rather than promised stops. If one location matters most to you, bring it up before departure.

A private charter is not a guarantee of solitude. Popular beaches and coves can have other boats nearby. The advantage is that your captain can try to steer away from the busiest areas when conditions and timing allow. Several outings were planned specifically around quieter snorkeling locations and less crowded water.

What comes with the $1,495 group price

The listed price is $1,495 per group for up to 12 people. That is a high total if you are traveling as a couple or a small family, but the calculation changes with a larger group.

At the full 12-person limit, the listed price works out to about $125 per person before any tip or food costs. With 10 people, it is about $150 each. For a private seven-hour boat, drinks, equipment, a captain, and a custom route, that can be a fair value for a reunion, family celebration, or cruise group that wants to avoid a crowded excursion.

For two or three people, the price is much harder to justify. You are paying for the whole boat, not individual seats, so the charter makes more financial sense when you can fill several places.

The included items are useful:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Floats
• Bottled Virgin H2O
• Soda
• Beer
• Seas the Day signature rum punch
• Restroom access
• Private use of the boat for your group

Lunch is not included. You can purchase it at several locations, including restaurants near some beach stops. If a meal matters to your plan, ask the captain about the available choices and allow enough time for it. A restaurant stop may be convenient, but it also uses time that could otherwise go toward snorkeling or sailing.

Tipping is not included. The crew has noted that gratuity supplements their income, so plan for it if the captain and first mate provide attentive service. It is best to bring this cost into your real budget rather than treating the listed price as the final expense.

The crew can shape the day

The crew assigned to Pisces can change, but names associated with these outings include Captain AnneMarie, Captain Alex, Captain Christian, JP, Megan, Lindsey, Darren, Alicia, Selena, Coleman, Liv, and others. The strongest crew experiences have a common pattern: the captain asks what you want to see, explains the options, and adjusts the day without making you feel rushed.

AnneMarie appears often in the trip details, including outings with Lindsey, Darren, Ro, Alex, and other first mates. Her style combines humor with practical information about the water and the islands. Other pairings have been praised for local history, snorkeling help, and making the boat comfortable for both children and older adults.

Do not book based on a particular crew member unless the operator confirms that person will be aboard. Do book if you value an interactive captain who can help you make decisions. The crew is not just there to steer the boat. They can point out snorkeling areas, help locate turtles, explain local sights, and keep the day moving.

One small but useful detail is the crew’s flexibility with timing. On one cruise outing, the captain adjusted the return by about 15 minutes so the group could get back to the ship with more breathing room. You should still build in a generous buffer, but it shows why direct communication at the start matters.

Cruise ship timing and meeting details

The meeting point is R Bar at 5316 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie. Look for the kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway. Meet 15 minutes before departure.

If your ship uses Havensight, the meeting point is close to the cruise port area. If you arrive at Crown Bay, use a taxi and allow about 15 minutes each way. Do not assume the two cruise docks are interchangeable.

For a full-day charter, 9 a.m. is a common starting time. Cruise ship passengers should confirm the ship’s port and make sure the planned return leaves time for security, walking, and any delay on the road. The operator may be able to adjust the boat’s return slightly, but you should not depend on a last-minute change.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Confirmation is provided when you book, and service animals are allowed. The operator says the boat is sanitized after each trip and that captains and crew are tested regularly. Masks are not required for this primarily outdoor activity, though you may wear one if you prefer.

Who will enjoy Pisces most

This is a strong match for:

• Families who want swimming and beach time without splitting up
• Groups of friends who want their own music and schedule
• Cruise passengers docking at Havensight
• Birthday, anniversary, and reunion groups
• Confident swimmers who want several snorkeling stops
• Anyone who prefers a private boat to a large shared excursion

It is less appealing for a small group that wants the lowest possible cost. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is visiting the British Virgin Islands, since that is specifically excluded.

You should also be comfortable with an outdoor day. The catamaran has shade and seating, but the main attraction is the water. Bring what you need for sun protection and swim time, and tell the crew early if anyone in your party needs a slower pace.

Should you book this St. Thomas catamaran?

I would book S/Y Pisces when I had at least six or eight people to share the cost and wanted a flexible day built around snorkeling, turtles, beaches, and time together. The boat’s size, private layout, included drinks, and restroom make a seven-hour outing easier than a basic open-deck boat trip.

I would skip it if I wanted a cheap short cruise, a guaranteed BVI visit, or a meal included in the price. Also confirm the half-day or full-day rate before paying, since the listed group price and the two duration choices need to be clear for your date.

The cancellation policy is simple: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran charter?

The full-day charter lasts about seven hours. A half-day option is also available.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Where does the charter depart?

You meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet the captain 15 minutes before departure.

What if my cruise ship docks at Crown Bay Marina?

You need to take a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. The drive takes about 15 minutes each way, so allow extra time for transport.

Are snorkeling gear and floats included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase it at several locations.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The charter does not visit the BVI.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.