Amazing Half Day Private Boat Charter on Luxury Sailing Catamaran

Christmas Cove, Maho, Lovango Cay, and other nearby waters are yours to choose on this private sailing catamaran charter. You can snorkel at two or three stops, rest on the forward trampolines, swing from the stern hammock chairs, or paddle when you feel like moving.

I like the way the price includes the useful extras: snorkel gear, paddle boards, lunch, fruit, pastries, rum punch, beer, water, and soda. I also like the flexible format, which works for families, couples, and mixed-age groups. The main drawback is the cost, $250 per person, which makes the trip a serious splurge for a half-day.

Key points at a glance

• Choose your own 2 or 3 snorkeling stops: Your captain can suggest places such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.
• Second Chance is a private catamaran: Only your group takes part, so the day can suit your pace and interests.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps, chips, soft drinks, water, rum punch, and light beer.
• More than snorkeling: Paddle boards, hammock chairs, and trampoline bean bags give non-snorkelers plenty to do.
• A strong option for mixed-age groups: Past parties have included young children, teens, older adults, couples, and families celebrating major occasions.
• Plan around the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while late cancellations are not refundable.

A private half-day on Second Chance

This is not a boat ride with a fixed script. Second Chance, the sailing catamaran used by Beach Charters VI, gives your group a private platform for seeing the waters around St. Thomas and St. John.

The trip lasts about four hours and 30 minutes, long enough for several water stops without taking over your entire day. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, which matters if your group has different energy levels. Some people can snorkel while others sit in the shade, use the hammock chairs, or stay on deck with a drink.

That private setup also helps with special occasions. The boat has been used for family anniversaries, Christmas Day outings, sunset cruises, and a ceremony involving cremated remains. A group of 11, including small children and adults, has also taken a private outing. The exact maximum group size is not provided, so ask Beach Charters VI before booking if your party is large.

The crew names connected with this charter include Ivy, TL, and James. Communication and personal care are frequent strengths of the operation. One family arranged transportation between its cruise port and the charter shop with help from the company, but transportation is not listed as a standard inclusion, so confirm this before you count on it.

Leaving Red Hook for the islands

The meeting point is Beach Charters VI, dock B, slip 19, at 6501, St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas 00802. The trip returns to the same place.

Red Hook is a practical starting point for a day on the water. You will meet there, board Second Chance, and settle into the boat before the captain sets the route. Since the stops are chosen for your group, the exact order depends on the conditions and what you want to do.

I would arrive ready for water time rather than expecting a formal sightseeing tour. The main reward is the view from the boat: beaches, small islands, and open Caribbean water passing by as you move between stops. The catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. Sit on the forward bean bags over the trampolines for a low, breezy view, or use the hammock chairs hanging off the back of the boat.

The ride is designed to be smooth, though any boat outing depends on the day’s wind and water. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. The listing does not state that medication is provided, so bring anything you normally use.

Picking your snorkeling stops

A typical outing includes two or three snorkeling stops, but your captain can work with your group on the locations. Examples include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.

Maho on St. John is especially appealing if your group wants a chance to see sea turtles. The available experience also points to sightings of rays, fish, an octopus, and a shipwreck in the waters visited on different trips. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the variety makes the snorkeling more interesting than a quick swim beside the boat.

Christmas Cove is another named option and has also served as a quiet anchorage for a private sunset outing. The cove can suit a group that wants time in the water without rushing from one stop to the next. It is also a possible choice for a meaningful private moment, such as a memorial.

Lovango Cay gives you another setting among the islands and reefs. The captain can help match the stop to your group’s interests, but the supplied information does not promise a specific reef, visibility level, or animal sighting on any particular date. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly to see turtles or a wreck.

You receive snorkeling equipment as part of the trip. That saves you from packing or renting gear separately, and it makes spontaneous water stops easy. Still, if you have a favorite mask or snorkel, you may prefer to bring it. The tour does not specify the brands, sizes, or types of equipment supplied.

What happens at each water stop

A good half-day rhythm is simple: sail, anchor, swim or snorkel, climb back aboard, then repeat at another location. Because the boat is private, you can spend more time at a stop if everyone is enjoying it, or move on if the water activity is not working for your group.

Snorkelers can look for reef fish and other sea life. Past outings have included turtles, rays, an octopus, and a shipwreck. The boat is also a good fit for people who want only a short swim. You do not need to spend every stop in the water.

That matters for a family with young children or older adults. One group brought 80-year-old parents for a half-day outing, using the boat as a comfortable way to see the beauty of the US Virgin Islands without committing to a full-day charter. The crew has also hosted groups with small children and older teens.

The main practical issue is that snorkeling can be tiring. Three water stops in four and a half hours sounds generous, but time also goes to sailing, anchoring, boarding, eating, and changing activities. If your group includes hesitant swimmers, tell the crew early. The private format lets you shape the day around the people actually on board.

Paddle boards, hammock chairs, and trampoline lounging

Snorkeling is not the only attraction. Paddle boards and hammock swings are included, giving you a choice between calm rest and light activity.

The paddle boards are useful for people who want to move around without committing to a long swim. You can take a turn while other members of your party snorkel or relax. The information does not specify how many boards are available, so do not assume everyone can use one at the same time.

The hammock chairs at the back of the boat are a particularly nice touch for a slow afternoon. They let you sit close to the water and watch the islands pass by. Forward bean bags on the catamaran trampolines offer another place to stretch out and catch the sun.

This mix of spaces helps make the charter work for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can focus on snorkeling, active guests can try the paddle boards, and anyone who prefers a quiet ride can stay aboard. The tradeoff is that the boat’s open areas offer plenty of sun. Bring sun protection and use the shaded areas when you need a break.

Food and drinks for the 4.5-hour outing

The included food is more substantial than a simple bag of snacks. In the morning, you receive a fruit and pastry tray. Later, lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps with chips.

Water and soda are available through the day. The drink package also includes one gallon of rum punch or painkiller, based on your group’s choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer.

This setup is useful because you do not need to organize a separate lunch for a private boat day. It also keeps the schedule flexible. You can eat between stops instead of leaving the water to find food.

The alcohol policy is straightforward: you must be at least 18 to consume alcoholic drinks. Since a gallon of rum punch and beer are included, groups should pace themselves, especially in strong sun. The package is generous, but it is not a reason to treat the boat like a drinking cruise. The real value is the freedom to eat and sip while enjoying the islands.

One detail needs clarification: a trip described by a family included pizza delivered to the boat, but pizza is not part of the standard inclusions listed here. If that sounds appealing, ask Beach Charters VI about food options before booking rather than assuming it comes with the charter.

Is $250 per person a fair price?

At $250 per person, this is expensive for four and a half hours if you compare it with a shared snorkeling excursion. The comparison changes when you consider what is included and the fact that the boat is private.

You are paying for a catamaran, captain and crew, custom stops, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, lunch, breakfast snacks, drinks, and the privacy of having only your own group aboard. A couple will feel the price more sharply because the total cost climbs quickly. For a larger family or a group splitting the charter cost across several people, the value is easier to see.

The private format is the key benefit. You do not have to follow a large group’s pace, wait for strangers to return from the water, or spend the afternoon with people you do not know. If privacy, flexibility, and an occasion matter to you, the premium may be worthwhile.

If your main goal is simply to snorkel for a short time at the lowest price, I would compare shared options first. If you want a relaxed boat day with food, drinks, several activities, and room for different ages, this charter makes a stronger case.

Remember that gratuity is not included. Set aside extra money for the crew if the service meets your expectations.

Who will enjoy this boat charter most?

I would recommend Second Chance to families, couples, groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want a private outing rather than a standard shore excursion.

It works especially well for groups with mixed interests. A teenager can paddle board, an adult can snorkel, a grandparent can sit in a hammock chair, and a child can enjoy fruit and the open-air boat without needing to take part in every activity.

The charter also suits milestone days. The boat has been used for a 60th anniversary, Christmas Day, sunset outings, and a memorial. The crew, including Ivy, TL, and James, has experience making personal occasions feel cared for without turning the day into a stiff ceremony.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a tightly scheduled sightseeing trip with guaranteed wildlife, a specific wreck, or a particular beach. The route is flexible, and sea conditions affect what works. Flexibility is the point, but it also means you should not expect a fixed list of stops.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though you should discuss any mobility or swimming concerns with the operator before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in St. Thomas.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. These items are not listed as provided, so plan to supply your own. Since the trip includes alcohol, think ahead about transportation after the charter. The standard meeting point is at Red Hook, and the activity ends there.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is sent at booking. The charter returns to its starting location, which keeps the day easy to plan around other activities.

Should you book Second Chance?

Book this charter if you want private time on the water, not just a quick snorkel stop. The strongest reasons are the custom route, the range of included activities, the thoughtful food and drink package, and the crew’s ability to handle groups that include children, teens, couples, and older adults.

Skip it if $250 per person feels too high for a half-day or if you prefer a fixed itinerary with guaranteed sights. For everyone else, Second Chance offers a comfortable, flexible way to see the islands from the water. It is especially good for a special occasion or a group that wants its own pace.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran charter?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the trip begin and end?

It begins at Beach Charters VI, dock B, slip 19, at 6501, St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas 00802. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

A typical trip includes two or three snorkeling stops. Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other locations chosen with your captain.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddle boards available?

Yes. Paddle boards and hammock swings are included.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a morning fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps, chips, water, and soda. The package also includes one gallon of rum punch or painkiller and a 12-pack of light beer.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.