Private St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip for Groups up to 24 Guest

The best part of this St Thomas charter is the freedom of having two luxury catamarans reserved for your own group. You can settle into the shaded cockpit, stretch out at the bow, snorkel from a quiet stop, or let the captain shape the day around the weather. I especially like the private bathroom and the included drinks and snorkeling gear, two small comforts that matter during seven hours on the water.

The main caution is price. At $4,995 per group of up to 15, this makes the most sense when a large family or friend group shares the cost. The boats can accommodate up to 24 people together, but you should confirm the rate for a party larger than 15 before booking. Lunch is also not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Lagoon catamarans: SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana provide a tandem sailing setup for groups of up to 24.
• A full seven-hour outing: You have time for sailing, swimming, snorkeling, beach stops, and a relaxed meal break.
• Captains with personality: JW and Anne Marie are specifically named as captains, with first mates helping on board.
• Comfort on the water: Expect bow lounging, shaded cockpit seating, a full private bathroom, and Bluetooth music.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, ice, soda, beer, Argo’s Signature Rum Punch, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Bring or arrange food before departure, since it is not part of the package.

A private catamaran day from Yacht Haven Grande

This is not a quick harbor cruise. You get roughly seven hours on the water, beginning at 9 a.m. from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight. The departure point is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock, which makes the charter especially practical if you are arriving by cruise ship.

The two boats are late-model Lagoon multideck sailing yachts. That matters because a catamaran gives you more usable space than a small monohull. You can move between the sunny bow and the shaded cockpit instead of being stuck in one seat for the day.

The boats are described as SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana. Some of the supplied feedback also refers to a catamaran called Pisces, so confirm the exact vessel assignment when booking if that matters to your group. The important point is the setup: this is a private, spacious charter with two boats working together for a larger party.

You will have a captain and first mate included in the price. You are not expected to manage sails, navigate between cays, or organize the snorkeling equipment yourself. That leaves you free to enjoy the views and let the crew handle the practical work.

The first hours: sailing, seating, and island views

Once underway, I would use the first part of the trip to get comfortable rather than rush straight into the water. The bow gives you open air and sun, while the cockpit offers shade and open-air seating. That choice is useful in St Thomas, where a few hours in direct sun can feel very different from a breezy morning.

The catamarans are designed for a social day. Your group can spread out, talk, listen to music, and move around without feeling confined. The Bluetooth sound system lets you play your own music, which is a nice touch for a birthday, family gathering, reunion, or sailing day with friends.

The review information points to captains who add more than basic boat handling. JW is singled out for keeping the group informed and taking people to good snorkeling locations. Anne Marie is described as lively and funny, with island stories, music, and a strong focus on safety. Those details suggest a day shaped by the crew’s style as much as by the route.

Still, the exact route is not fixed in the information provided. The charter visits islands, harbors, surrounding cays, and white sandy beaches in the US Virgin Islands, but the captain chooses the stops based on conditions and the group’s plan. That flexibility is one of the reasons to choose a private charter, though it also means you should not book expecting a guaranteed list of named beaches.

Snorkeling stops and time in the water

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to book this outing. Equipment is included, so you do not need to rent masks, snorkels, or fins separately. The crew can take you to several snorkeling locations, with the choice guided by the day’s conditions.

The feedback specifically praises multiple snorkeling stops and good guidance from both JW and Anne Marie. That is useful for families and mixed-age groups. A seven-year-old and teenagers were reported as enjoying one of the outings, which suggests the format can work for a broad age range, provided everyone is comfortable in the water.

I would still treat snorkeling as weather-dependent. The cancellation policy notes that the experience requires good weather, and conditions can also affect which cays or anchorages are comfortable. The private format gives the crew more room to adjust the plan, but it cannot guarantee clear water or a particular site.

The boat’s layout helps here. After snorkeling, you can return to the shaded cockpit, dry off, and settle in with a cold drink. You are not forced to spend the whole day in the water, and non-snorkelers can remain on board with music and views.

Beaches, cays, and the flexible middle of the day

The charter is designed to show you more than one stretch of coastline. The route may include harbors, nearby cays, sandy beaches, and open sailing areas around St Thomas. This gives the day a varied rhythm: move under sail or power, pause for swimming or snorkeling, then continue to another scenic stop.

The word private matters here. You are not following a fixed schedule shared with a large public boat. The captain can make practical choices for your group, such as spending longer at a favorite stop or moving on if a location is crowded or less comfortable.

The tradeoff is that the trip description does not promise exact destinations. If your top priority is one specific beach or island, ask about that before paying. If you care more about having a private boat, flexible pacing, and several chances to get in the water, the open route is a plus.

The US Virgin Islands are well suited to this kind of outing because the scenery changes quickly between open water, small cays, protected harbors, and beaches. You will get the best value by treating the day as a custom sailing outing rather than a checklist of landmarks.

Drinks, music, and the missing lunch

The all-inclusive part covers more than the crew. Water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s Signature Rum Punch are provided. Alcohol is for people 18 and older, according to the tour details.

That selection is convenient, especially on a seven-hour trip. You do not need to fill a cooler with basic drinks or worry about ice. The rum punch gives the day a festive touch, while water and soda cover people who prefer nonalcoholic options.

Lunch is not included. This is the most important planning detail beyond the price. The charter information does not specify a catered meal, restaurant stop, or food menu, so arrange lunch with the operator before departure or bring whatever the company permits. One piece of feedback praised a lunch stop, but you should not assume that a meal is automatically part of every booking.

The Bluetooth sound system is another feature that works best with a little planning. If music matters to your group, bring a phone with a charged battery and a playlist ready. Keep the volume reasonable so the captain can communicate important instructions.

What the $4,995 price means for a large group

The listed price is $4,995 per group of up to 15 people. Divided evenly, that works out to about $333 per person for 15 people. That is a substantial price, but it includes the boat, captain, first mate, drinks, ice, snorkeling gear, and about seven hours of private use.

For eight people, the same base price works out to roughly $624 per person. That is why group size matters so much. One small group specifically found the private format worth the cost, but an eight-person booking will naturally feel far more expensive than a full party.

The title and capacity information state that the tandem catamarans can hold up to 24 people, while the price summary specifies a group rate up to 15. Treat those as two separate details. If your party has 16 to 24 people, contact Seas the Day Charters and Tours to confirm the correct rate and booking arrangement.

I like the value best for a family reunion, wedding-related outing, corporate group, or large circle of friends. You get privacy, a full day on the water, crew service, and equipment without paying separate admission for each snorkeling stop. For a couple or small family, a shared sailing trip will likely be easier on the budget.

Getting there from a cruise ship

The meeting point is 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight. It is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock, so cruise passengers may not need a taxi.

The scheduled start is 9 a.m. local St Thomas time. Cruise ship passengers should check the ship’s time zone before heading ashore. That detail is easy to overlook, especially when a ship’s displayed time differs from local island time.

The activity returns to the same meeting point. Since the day lasts about seven hours, you should check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully before booking. The supplied information does not state a specific return time beyond the approximate duration, so leave a generous buffer for the walk back and any port procedures.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is received at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation. The activity states that most people can participate, though the details do not spell out specific mobility accommodations.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this for a group that wants its own space and does not want to spend the day on a packed excursion boat. Families can spread out, teenagers can enjoy the water and music, and adults can use the shaded seating when they need a break from the sun.

It also suits people who value a captain-led day instead of a rigid tour route. JW and Anne Marie are both identified as captains, and the feedback highlights their safety focus, storytelling, humor, and ability to guide groups to snorkeling spots.

The format is less ideal if you want a guaranteed lunch, a fixed list of beaches, or a low per-person price for a small group. You should also think carefully about sun exposure. The boat has shade, but seven hours on the water still calls for sensible planning.

The private bathroom is a real advantage for a long outing. It removes one of the common worries about spending an entire day aboard a boat, especially for families with children.

Weather, cancellation, and the practical fine print

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Cutoff times follow local St Thomas time, not necessarily the time shown on your cruise ship.

The high rating shown for the experience is based on six reviews, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than a complete record of every possible sailing condition. The strongest themes are crew service, snorkeling, clean and spacious boats, music, safety, and the value of privacy for a group.

Should you book the St Thomas private catamaran?

Book it if you have a large group, want a full day on the water, and care about privacy more than finding the cheapest excursion. The roomy Lagoon catamarans, included drinks, snorkeling gear, private bathroom, and flexible route make the package appealing for groups that will use the boat for most of the day.

Before booking, confirm three things: the price for more than 15 people, the exact boat assignment, and how lunch will be handled. If those points work for your group, this is a strong choice for a relaxed St Thomas sailing day with room to swim, snorkel, listen to music, and let the crew handle the route.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart?

The charter departs from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, at 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. It is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.

What time does the trip start?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m. All charters use local St Thomas time, so cruise ship passengers should check their ship’s time zone.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the charter?

The tandem catamarans can accommodate up to 24 people. The listed price is for a group of up to 15, so confirm pricing and arrangements for groups of 16 to 24.

Which boats are used?

The boats are identified as the late-model Lagoon catamarans SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana. Some supplied feedback refers to a vessel named Pisces, so confirm the exact boat assignment when booking.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the experience.

What drinks are included?

Water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s Signature Rum Punch are included. Alcoholic drinks are for people 18 and older.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the listed package, so arrange food details with the operator before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the company cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.