Private Full Day Guided Snorkeling or Diving Charter in St Thomas

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You get a private 42-foot boat and can talk with the captain about the places your group wants to see, instead of following a fixed route with a boatload of strangers. The day can include a shipwreck, coral gardens, sea turtles, rays, and quiet beaches.

I like the personal help with equipment, especially for a first-time snorkeler. I also like the crew’s flexible approach, which has included staff such as Steph, Abby, Wolfgang, Nen, and others who can guide swimmers in the water and adjust stops to local conditions. The main drawback is the price: at $3,225 per group, this is a major splurge unless several people share the cost.

• Private 42-foot vessel: Your group has the boat to itself for a full day on the water.
• Buck Island shipwreck stop: The Cartanza wreck gives you something unusual to see beyond coral and fish.
• Flexible route: The captain can adjust stops and suggest sites based on conditions and your interests.
• Good first-time support: A certified snorkel guide can stay close and help with masks, fins, and water confidence.
• Creature sightings: Sea turtles, stingrays, schools of fish, barracudas, dolphins, and nurse sharks have all been seen on past outings.
• Practical extras: Water, soda, snacks, snorkeling equipment, flotation gear, and rum punch for adults 18 and older are included.

A private day instead of a packed excursion

St. Thomas has plenty of boat trips, but this one aims for a more personal day. You meet the crew at Aqua Marine Dive Center in Saga Haven Marina, complete the paperwork, get fitted for gear, and board your own boat. Check-in is 30 minutes before the activity, with an advertised start time of 8:30 a.m.

That early start matters. A full day gives the captain room to change the order of stops, pause for lunch, and spend more time at the places your group enjoys. You are not forced to leave a good snorkeling site after 20 minutes simply because the schedule says so.

The boat is described as eco-friendly and measures 42 feet, giving you more space than a small open skiff. Still, this is a day at sea, not a yacht charter with hotel-style comforts. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything you need to stay comfortable for several hours outdoors.

The listed price is $3,225 per group, which makes this an expensive choice for one or two people. The value improves if a family or larger group shares the cost, since you are paying for exclusive use of the boat, a licensed captain, a snorkel guide, gear, drinks, and a long day on the water. The booking information lists the price for a group of up to one, while the private format and past group outings indicate that capacity and pricing deserve a direct check before you book.

What the crew adds to the day

A private charter works only if the crew listens. The people associated with these outings include captains such as Steve, Justin, Tommy, Dave, and Wolfgang, along with guides including Steph, Abby, Erika, Jess, Nen, and Ryan. Crew assignments can change, so you should not book expecting a particular person unless the operator confirms it.

The strongest pattern is hands-on help. Abby has provided one-on-one support for a first-time snorkeler, while other crew members have helped children and adults choose properly fitting masks and fins. That kind of attention can make a big difference when someone in your group is nervous in open water.

You also get local interpretation during the ride. The crew shares information about the area’s geography and history, points out marine life, and suggests sites that fit the day’s sea conditions. Nen has been singled out for knowing a great deal about the ocean, while other crews have helped returning scuba guests refresh skills and choose suitable sites.

The key safety point is simple: every participant must be able to swim comfortably and capably in open water without assistance. The trip accepts children age five and older, but children must remain with an adult at all times. A flotation device is provided, though it is not a substitute for swimming ability.

Little Buck Island and the Cartanza wreck

Buck Island is often the first substantial stop, with about three hours available for two different snorkeling sites. That time allows you to see more than one underwater setting and gives the crew some flexibility if wind or visibility affects a particular cove.

The Cartanza wreck in Shipwreck Cove adds a bit of adventure. A shipwreck gives you a clear point of interest to explore, especially if some members of your group are less excited by simply looking at reef fish. The wreck is paired with another snorkeling area, so you get variety rather than one long session over the same type of bottom.

Reports from past outings include schools of fish, turtles, stingrays, barracudas, and other sea life. None of these sightings is guaranteed. Marine animals move freely, and the captain may alter the stop if conditions are poor.

Three hours is generous, but it does not mean you will spend every minute in the water. Expect time for cruising, fitting equipment, entering and leaving the water, and resting. If half your group wants to snorkel and the other half prefers to sit aboard, a private boat makes that arrangement easier than a shared excursion.

Secret Harbour for a possible lunch stop

Secret Harbour is usually considered a lunch option, with about an hour assigned to the stop. The boat gets as close to shore as practical, but you need to swim or float to the beach if you want to eat at the restaurant.

That detail is important. Lunch is not included, and you should not expect the crew to serve a meal on board. The boat carries cookies, crackers, chips, water, and soda, but a proper meal requires buying food at the restaurant. You may also bring your own plan, though the supplied information specifically identifies the beach restaurant as the lunch possibility.

The swim to shore can be a small adventure, but it may not suit everyone in your group. If someone has trouble swimming in open water, Secret Harbour may work better as a short boat stop than as a restaurant visit. Ask the captain about conditions and timing before committing to the swim.

Little St. James and protected coral areas

The Ledges of Little St. James are reached by a short boat ride. This area is described as a protected marine park with hard and soft corals, along with schools of fish such as bluestriped grunts and blue tangs.

The setting provides a different kind of snorkeling from the wreck at Buck Island. Here, the appeal is the reef structure and fish activity rather than a man-made object. The stop lasts about an hour, which is enough for a focused look at the coral area without making the day feel repetitive.

Little St. James is a private island with a public reputation, but the useful reason to visit here is underwater. Keep your attention on the marine environment, follow the guide’s instructions, and avoid touching coral. The boat does not promise a particular animal sighting or a specific amount of time in one exact spot.

Christmas Cove and the best chance for animal sightings

Christmas Cove near Greater St. James gets about two hours, making it one of the longer stops. You may visit before or after lunch, depending on the captain’s plan and the day’s conditions.

The cove is associated with spotted trunkfish, French angelfish, southern stingrays, and other fish. Past outings have also included large sea turtles, dolphins, barracudas, and possible nurse sharks. That range of sightings is a strong reason to leave time for this stop, though no responsible captain can guarantee wildlife.

A private charter is especially useful here because your group can set the pace. Strong swimmers may want more water time, while beginners may prefer a shorter swim followed by a rest aboard. A guide can help locate animals, but you should give wildlife space and avoid chasing turtles or rays.

The rum punch is available for adults 18 and older, along with water and soft drinks. Alcohol and open water require good judgment. If you plan to drink, keep it modest and make sure everyone remains safe and attentive.

Scuba options and mixed groups

The experience is not limited to snorkeling. Scuba guests can arrange a day with snorkelers, and past outings have included groups with two scuba participants, two snorkelers, and two non-swimming tagalongs. That makes the charter appealing for families or friends with different levels of interest.

Do not assume that every participant receives the same underwater program automatically. Contact Aqua Marine Dive Center about your group’s needs, experience, and equipment requirements before booking. The supplied details clearly cover mask, fins, snorkel, and flotation equipment, but they do not list every possible scuba item or certification requirement.

The crew has helped experienced scuba guests refresh forgotten skills, while also giving first-time snorkelers close personal guidance. That range suggests a useful strength for mixed groups, but the captain still needs an honest picture of who can swim, who needs help, and who plans to stay aboard.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The package includes:

• A USCG-licensed captain
• A certified snorkel guide
• Mask, fins, snorkel, and flotation device
• Water and soft drinks
• Cookies, crackers, and chips
• Rum punch for adults age 18 and older
• Private use of the boat for your group

Transportation to Saga Haven Marina is not included. You need to reach Aqua Marine Dive Center at 6117 Estate Frydenhoj, Saga Haven Marina, Dock, St. Thomas, VI 00802, and the trip returns there at the end.

Meals are also not included. Secret Harbour offers a possible restaurant stop, but you need to swim or float to shore and pay for lunch yourself. If your group includes children or anyone who gets hungry quickly, use the provided snacks as a supplement, not as a full meal plan.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, the marina is near public transportation, and most people can participate if they meet the open-water swimming requirement. Contact the operator about special requirements before paying.

Weather, cancellation, and the price question

This charter requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That protection does not apply if you cancel for another reason: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

Because the cost is high, weather risk matters. I would avoid booking this on the last possible day of a St. Thomas visit, since a bad-weather cancellation could leave you with little room to reschedule. A mid-trip date gives you more flexibility.

The price makes sense for a group that values privacy, time, and personal service. It is harder to justify for a couple who only wants a short snorkeling outing. Compare the cost with the price of several shared boat trips, then ask yourself how much control and comfort are worth to your group.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this for a family or group of friends who wants one boat, one flexible plan, and several chances to get in the water. It is also a good match for a mixed group, since some people can snorkel, some can arrange scuba, and others can stay aboard between stops.

First-time snorkelers may appreciate the close guidance, especially if they are comfortable swimming but unsure about masks or fins. Experienced swimmers and scuba participants will likely appreciate the ability to spend more time at sites that interest them.

I would think twice if you dislike open water, want guaranteed wildlife sightings, or need a full meal included. I would also avoid it if your group cannot share the price comfortably. The boat, crew, equipment, and long route provide real value, but this is still a premium day.

Should you book the St. Thomas private charter?

Book it if your priority is a flexible day with your own captain and crew, not the lowest-cost way to see the water. The combination of Buck Island’s Cartanza wreck, Little St. James coral, Secret Harbour, and Christmas Cove gives you a varied route, and the crew can adjust the plan around conditions and your group’s interests.

Before booking, confirm the exact group capacity and final price, ask about scuba equipment if needed, and make sure every participant can swim comfortably in open water. If those points fit, this charter offers a strong way to trade a crowded schedule for a personal day among St. Thomas reefs, wrecks, beaches, and sea life.

FAQ

Where does the charter start and end?

You meet at Aqua Marine Dive Center, 6117 Estate Frydenhoj, Saga Haven Marina, Dock, St. Thomas, VI 00802. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

The advertised start time is 8:30 a.m. You should check in 30 minutes before the activity, allowing time for paperwork, equipment fitting, and boarding.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. Secret Harbour may be used for a lunch stop, but you need to swim or float to the beach and purchase food at the restaurant.

What equipment is provided?

The charter provides a snorkeling mask, fins, snorkel, and flotation device. Water, soft drinks, and snacks are also included.

Can children join the trip?

Children age five and older can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Every participant must be able to swim comfortably and capably in open water without assistance.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. If you cancel or request a change for another reason, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended.