Sail and Snorkel Private Charter – Mid-Day Sail 1230pm to Sunset

The best part of this charter is its small scale. You reserve the whole sailing boat for three to six people, so the day can move at your pace instead of following a crowded group schedule. Kim and her crew can shape the route around snorkeling, swimming, rafting, or a relaxed sail past St. John and the Virgin Islands National Park waters.

I like the personal service, especially since Kim has snorkeled alongside guests, pointed out turtles, and helped people feel safe in the water. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: snorkeling gear, chilled drinks, fruit, snacks, beer or seltzers, and crew-served island drinks are included.

The main consideration is the price. At $219 per person, you are paying for a private boat, not a basic shared cruise, and the minimum booking is three people. Lunch at Pizza Pi or Lovango costs extra, as do gratuities, so your final bill can rise.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for three to six people: You share the vessel only with your own group.
• 12:30 pm to sunset: The afternoon schedule gives you roughly five hours on the water.
• Flexible route: Stops may include St. John beaches, nearby cays, Lovango, and snorkeling spots around St. Thomas.
• Turtle-friendly snorkeling: Kim has joined swimmers in the water and helped point out sea life.
• Drinks and gear included: Snorkel equipment, noodles, water, soda, beer or seltzers, snacks, fruit, and island alcoholic drinks are supplied.
• Lunch is separate: Pizza Pi and Lovango Resort Cafe are possible stops, but you pay those venues directly.

Starting at Sapphire Beach Marina at 12:30 pm

Your afternoon begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, at 6720 Smith Bay Road in Smith Bay. The boat returns here at the end, which keeps the arrangement simple. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the tour information does not promise hotel pickup, so plan to reach the marina on your own.

The timing matters. A 12:30 pm departure avoids the early-morning rush and lets you enjoy a long afternoon on the water. You should still arrive ready to board and with any personal items secured, since the schedule is built around sailing time rather than a long check-in process.

This is a private activity, not a shared excursion. That changes the feel of the day. You can ask for more time in the water, spend longer at a beach, or favor a quiet sail when your group has had enough snorkeling. The crew sets the practical route, but your preferences help shape the plan.

The vessel is described as a vintage sailing boat with shade, open air, and room to spread out. You should expect the character of a sailing yacht rather than the polished, standardized feel of a large commercial catamaran. That may appeal to you if you enjoy a more personal boat ride. It may be less appealing if you want a modern resort-style vessel with a fixed entertainment program.

Sailing toward St. John and the nearby cays

The route is flexible, so there is no single guaranteed sequence of stops. The crew may work around cays near St. Thomas, beaches along St. John, Lovango, or other areas selected for clear water, sandy bottoms, coral, and sea life.

That flexibility is useful in the Virgin Islands. Water conditions and weather can affect which bay works best on a given day. Instead of treating the route as a checklist, the crew can choose a stop that suits your group and the conditions. You should think of this as a private sailing day with suggested destinations, not a fixed sightseeing circuit.

St. John and the Virgin Islands National Park waters are the heart of the setting. You get a view of the islands from the water, with beaches and coves appearing as part of the sailing experience rather than as a separate bus or walking stop. Since the boat returns to Sapphire Beach Marina, the experience stays focused on the sea from start to finish.

The tradeoff is predictability. If you have your heart set on one exact beach or one exact cay, ask the crew about that preference before departure. The available route may change with weather and the captain’s judgment.

Snorkeling in clear bays with Kim

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this charter. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. Swim noodles and a Solstice Swim Deck are also provided, giving your group extra ways to relax in the water.

Kim has joined swimmers while snorkeling and pointed out turtles. That detail matters because a crew member in the water can help you notice sea life you might miss on your own. It also gives less confident swimmers a reassuring point of contact. The supplied information does not promise turtles at every stop, so treat them as a welcome possibility rather than a guarantee.

The planned snorkeling areas may have coral reefs, pale sandy bottoms, and clear water. The route can include several stops, which gives you a chance to compare different bays rather than spending the whole afternoon in one place. If your group has mixed interests, some people can swim while others remain on the boat with a drink and a view.

You should bring any personal swim items you prefer, but the core equipment is supplied. The tour information does not specify individual equipment sizes or a detailed safety briefing, so ask the crew for help if you need a particular fit or have concerns before entering the water.

Choosing between swimming, rafting, and a quiet sail

This charter is not limited to snorkeling. The crew can include swimming, rafting, and other water activities in the day. That makes it a good match for a family or friend group that does not all want the same thing.

You might spend one stop in the water, then use the next stretch of sailing to cool down under shade. The vessel has room, shade, and sea breeze, which gives you a place to pause between activities. The crew can also adjust the pace based on how energetic your group feels.

The private format is especially useful here. On a shared boat, one person’s long swim can feel like everyone else’s delay. On this charter, your group can decide how much time to spend doing each activity. The captain still controls the safe operation of the boat, but you are not locked into a rigid public-tour schedule.

Keep your expectations practical. The tour promises water activities and a flexible itinerary, not a specific number of snorkeling stops or a particular amount of time at each one. If you value choice and a relaxed pace more than a tightly planned route, that is a fair trade.

Drinks, fruit, and the Pizza Pi option

The included refreshments are a real part of the value. You receive bottled water kept cold in an ice-filled cooler, soda, sliced fruit, snacks, and a 12-pack of beer or seltzers. The crew also serves island alcoholic drinks, including rum drinks prepared by Kim.

That setup means you can settle into the boat without constantly thinking about supplies. It also makes the afternoon feel more like a private outing than a bare boat transfer. If you do not drink alcohol, the water, soda, fruit, and snacks still give you useful coverage during a five-hour excursion.

Lunch is different. The charter can stop for pizza at Pizza Pi, the well-known pizza boat, or lunch at Lovango Resort Cafe, but the meal is not included. One especially memorable option is eating pizza from Pizza Pi while still making the day about sailing and snorkeling. You should budget for the food separately and confirm the preferred lunch plan with the crew.

There is also a practical timing question. A lunch stop uses part of your five hours, while a quick snack keeps more time available for swimming. Talk with your group before departure so the crew knows if lunch is a priority or if you would rather keep moving between water stops.

What the $219 price really covers

The $219 per-person price is easier to judge once you consider the booking structure. With the minimum three people, the base cost is $657 for the private charter. Six people bring the per-person value into sharper focus because the same private boat and crew are shared across a larger group.

The price includes the captain, all fees and taxes, snorkeling equipment, swim noodles, the swim deck, drinks, snacks, fruit, and water. It also buys privacy and flexibility, which are the main differences between this and a lower-cost shared cruise.

You still need to add gratuity. An 18 to 20 percent tip is the stated industry standard, and lunch from Pizza Pi or Lovango is separate. For a group of three, those extra costs can make the outing feel expensive. For a group of six that wants a private boat, the overall value is more convincing.

I would book this for a group that cares about service and control over the day. I would look elsewhere if you mainly want the lowest-cost way to reach a snorkeling beach, or if your group is too small to meet the three-person minimum.

The crew and the personal touch

The crew is central to this experience. Kim is specifically associated with snorkeling alongside the group, preparing rum drinks, and helping create a relaxed onboard mood. Other supplied details name Alan and Brodie as crew members on different outings, so the exact team may vary.

The most useful thing to expect is hands-on service rather than a scripted lecture. The crew handles the boat, serves drinks and snacks, helps organize water activities, and works with your group on the route. That matters on a private charter because the quality of the day depends as much on communication as on scenery.

You can make the experience better by being clear about your priorities. Tell the crew if snorkeling, turtles, lunch, beaches, sailing, or quiet time matters most. A private boat gives you more control, but only if you use that opportunity.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend the trip to families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want a shared day without strangers on board. The private setting also suits people who appreciate a slower pace or need to balance swimmers and non-swimmers.

It is a good fit for people who want several parts of a St. Thomas holiday in one outing: sailing, snorkeling, island scenery, drinks, and an optional meal stop. You can have an active afternoon without giving up the chance to sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze.

The charter may not suit you if you want a large party boat, a fully fixed itinerary, or a guaranteed specific animal sighting. It also requires a minimum of three people, and the afternoon price is not designed for a solo budget traveler.

Most people can participate, but the available details do not provide a full accessibility description. If anyone in your group has mobility, swimming, or equipment needs, contact Adventure Awaits Charters USVI LLC before booking.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 12:30 pm start time.

Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local St. Thomas time, so do not wait until the last moment if your plans are uncertain.

The five-hour schedule ends around sunset and returns to Sapphire Beach Marina. That makes the charter a strong afternoon option, but you should avoid placing an important evening reservation too close to the expected return.

Should you book this St. Thomas private charter?

Book it if you have three to six people, want a private sailing day, and care more about personal service than the lowest price. The combination of flexible stops, included water gear, cold drinks, snacks, and the chance to snorkel with Kim gives the outing a clear identity.

I would especially consider it for a group that wants to split the difference between activity and rest. You can snorkel for turtles, swim, raft, stop for Pizza Pi or Lovango, then spend the ride back enjoying the sea breeze.

Skip it if your budget is tight, you need a guaranteed route, or you do not want to pay separately for lunch and gratuity. For everyone else, this is a well-focused way to spend an afternoon around St. Thomas and St. John, with enough flexibility to make the boat feel like your own for the day.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Sapphire Beach Marina, 6720 Smith Bay Road, Smith Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 12:30 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately five hours and returns to Sapphire Beach Marina around sunset.

How many people can join the private charter?

The minimum booking is three people, and the maximum is six people. Only your own group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, swim noodles, and a Solstice Swim Deck are included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The charter includes bottled water, soda, ice, snacks, sliced fruit, a 12-pack of beer or seltzers, and crew-served alcoholic island drinks.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Pizza Pi or Lovango Resort Cafe is not included in the ticket price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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