Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

The best part of this private catamaran charter is control. You are not following a fixed bus tour or being rushed through one crowded cove. Your group can work with the crew to choose two or three snorkeling stops, perhaps Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, or Christmas Cove, then settle into the boat’s hammock chairs and trampoline nets.

I like the generous seven-and-a-half-hour schedule, which gives you time for both active water fun and plain old loafing. I also like the unusually complete package: lunch, fruit and pastries, snorkel gear, paddle boards, water, sodas, beer, and rum punch are covered. The main consideration is price. At $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that will use the boat for most of the day.

The crew, including Ivy, TL, and Captain Justin, puts a friendly face on the outing. Families have used the charter for birthdays, kids’ beach days, and even a wedding celebration. You can expect a warm, flexible day, but your exact stops depend on conditions and the choices your group makes.

Key details before you book

• A full private boat day: Only your group takes part, so you can shape the pace and stops.
• Two or three snorkel locations: Possible destinations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.
• A complete food and drink setup: Breakfast-style fruit and pastries, lunch wraps, chips, water, sodas, beer, and rum punch are included.
• Several ways to relax: Stretch out on bean bags over the catamaran trampolines, use the hammock chairs at the stern, or take a paddle board out.
• An early Red Hook departure: Meet at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 8:30 a.m.
• Strong overall satisfaction: The experience carries a 4.9 rating from 91 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it.

Setting sail from Red Hook at 8:30 a.m.

Your day begins at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 6501, 201 Red Hook Road in St. Thomas. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the charter returns to the same dock after the outing.

The early start is useful. You have the whole day ahead, and a 7-hour-30-minute schedule leaves room for several stops without making the trip feel like a quick harbor ride. You should arrive ready for the water, with anything personal you want to keep close at hand.

The boat is Second Chance, a sailing catamaran built for open-air comfort. A catamaran gives you broad, stable deck space, and this one adds bean bags on the front trampolines, hammock chairs hanging off the back, and paddle boards for time away from the boat.

I like that the design supports different moods. One person can snorkel while another rests in a hammock chair. Kids can enjoy the boards and swimming, while someone who prefers a quiet hour can watch the islands slide past from the deck.

Choosing between Maho, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove

The itinerary is not locked to one route. Your group chooses the locations with help from the crew, and a typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops.

Maho on St. John is one possible destination. It is known for its clear water and the chance to swim near sea turtles. That makes it especially appealing to families and anyone hoping to see larger marine life without turning the day into a serious athletic outing.

Lovango Cay offers another kind of stop, with the boat experience itself becoming part of the appeal. You can snorkel, swim, or stay aboard and enjoy the views. Christmas Cove is also among the possible choices, giving your group another place to spend time in the water.

These stops are examples, not promises. The crew may suggest different locations depending on the day and conditions, and the flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose a private charter. You are paying for more than transportation between beaches. You are paying for the ability to adjust the day to your group.

The tradeoff is that you cannot know the precise route in advance. If you want a guaranteed visit to one particular beach, ask about that before booking. If you prefer a good mix of snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing, the open plan works in your favor.

Snorkeling with room to set your own pace

Snorkel equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately or packing a full kit. The day is built around two or three water stops, so you should have more than one chance to get in.

The advertised experience includes swimming with sea turtles and viewing reefs. As with any wildlife encounter, sightings are not something anyone can guarantee, but Maho is specifically offered as one of the possible stops for this reason.

The private format matters here. A large group outing can make water time feel hurried, especially when everyone must return to the boat at the same moment. With your own group, the pace can better suit the people aboard, though the crew still controls the schedule needed to complete the day safely.

Bring your own comfort plan for the water. The provided equipment covers the basics, while personal masks or fins may be useful if you are particular about fit. The supplied information does not specify children’s sizes or special flotation equipment, so ask in advance if anyone in your party needs something beyond standard snorkel gear.

Paddle boards, hammock chairs, and trampoline lounging

The boat offers more than a series of swim stops. Paddle boards are included, giving you an easy way to spend time on the water without snorkeling. You can also use the original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs that hang from the back of the catamaran.

Those hammock chairs are a memorable touch. They let you sit close to the water while still staying aboard, and they give the group another option besides sunbathing on the deck. The trampoline areas at the front are set up with bean bags, making them a natural place to stretch out while the boat sails.

This variety helps the charter work for mixed groups. A birthday party can split up for an hour, with some people snorkeling and others relaxing. Families can let kids enjoy the boards while adults take a quieter break. A couple looking for a calm day can skip the more active parts without losing the value of the boat.

Sun exposure is the practical catch. A day on the water can feel mild because of the breeze, but you are still outside for most of seven and a half hours. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and any personal sun protection you prefer. The charter provides water and sodas, but your own refillable bottle can still be useful.

What is served from morning through afternoon

Food begins with a morning fruit and pastry tray. That is a small but useful detail, especially with an 8:30 a.m. departure. You do not need to rush through breakfast before reaching the marina.

Lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and veggie wraps, with chips on the side. Water and soda are available throughout the day. The food is practical rather than elaborate, and that is appropriate for a boat outing where the focus is swimming and sailing.

The drink package includes one gallon of rum punch or painkiller, based on the guest’s choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer. Alcohol is only for those 18 and older. Gratuities are not included, so plan for that separately if the crew gives you the kind of service you want to reward.

The included meals and drinks improve the value of the $250 price. You are not adding lunch, snorkel rental, paddle board rental, and beverages one by one. That said, the value depends heavily on group size and how much time you spend aboard. If you only want a short swim and a quick look at the coast, a full private charter may be more than you need.

A crew that keeps the day personal

The crew is a major part of the appeal. Ivy and TL are associated with the welcoming service on the boat, while Captain Justin has been singled out for handling the sailing day well. John and Michelle have also been involved in greeting groups at departure.

The tone appears suited to celebrations as well as ordinary vacation days. Groups have booked the boat for birthdays, family outings, and a wedding celebration. The crew has also accommodated special requests, which is useful when a private group has different ages and interests.

You should still communicate clearly before departure. Tell the operator if your group wants more snorkeling, more sailing, more time on paddle boards, or a slower day in the hammock chairs. Private does not mean every wish can be guaranteed, but it gives the crew room to shape the outing around your priorities.

The high 4.9 rating from 91 reviews and 98 percent recommendation rate suggest that service is not an afterthought here. The strongest pattern is simple: people value the friendly crew, clean boat, smooth day on the water, and willingness to make the charter feel personal.

What $250 per person really buys you

At $250 per person, this is not a budget beach transfer. It is a full private boat day with food, drinks, equipment, and a dedicated crew. The price is easier to justify when several people in your group will snorkel, paddle, swim, and spend time aboard rather than treating the boat as a ride between beaches.

The private setup also changes the value calculation. You are not paying only for a seat. You are reserving the experience for your own group, with no unrelated passengers setting the pace or choosing the music, stops, and schedule.

For a birthday or family milestone, that privacy may be worth more than a lower-cost shared cruise. For a solo visitor or a couple who mainly wants a short snorkeling session, it may be harder to justify.

The charter is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 98 days. That tells you to plan early for popular travel dates, especially if your group needs one particular day. Still, one booking described a reservation made only about 12 hours before departure, so last-minute availability can happen. It should not be your main plan.

All-day marina parking may be available through the operator for an additional $30. Confirm this when you book rather than assuming parking is included.

Who will enjoy Second Chance most

I would choose this charter for:

• Families who want swimming, snorkeling, food, and time to relax in one outing.
• Groups celebrating a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or reunion.
• Friends who want a private day rather than a scheduled shared cruise.
• Mixed-ability groups that need both active and restful options.
• Visitors who want to see parts of St. Thomas and St. John from the water.

I would think twice if your group dislikes sun, boat motion, or a flexible itinerary. The day is long, and the experience is built around being outdoors. It is also not the right fit if you need a guaranteed route or a highly structured tour with exact stop times.

Most participants can take part, according to the supplied details, but anyone with mobility, medical, or equipment concerns should ask Beach Charters VI directly before booking.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. The trip starts and ends at Beach Charters VI’s Red Hook meeting point.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is fair for a sailing trip, where sea conditions affect both comfort and safety.

Should you book this private catamaran day?

Book it if you want one flexible, full-day outing that combines snorkeling, island views, swimming, food, drinks, and downtime. The private boat, hammock chairs, paddle boards, and choice of snorkeling locations give the day more range than a basic reef trip.

I especially like it for groups of six to nine, based on the kinds of celebrations and family outings the boat has hosted. The more people who share the private charter, the easier it is to see the $250-per-person price as a complete day rather than a costly boat ride.

Skip it if you want the lowest possible price, a short excursion, or a guaranteed single destination. For everyone else, Second Chance offers a well-rounded way to spend a day around St. Thomas and St. John, with enough freedom to make the outing feel like your group’s own.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The trip departs from Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 6501, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas, USVI 00802.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Red Hook.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops.

Which locations might the boat visit?

Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other locations chosen with your group.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Are paddle boards and hammock chairs available?

Yes. Paddle boards and hammock swings are included.

Is alcohol included for everyone?

Alcohol is included for guests who are at least 18 years old. Gratuities are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.