SPECIAL – (Up to 4 Passengers) All Inclusive Day Sail

The best part of this private sail is its small scale. You get a 40-foot sailboat for your group of up to four, rather than sharing the day with a crowd. I like the chance to take the helm and learn basic sailing from Captain Mike, and I like that the itinerary includes two water stops, lunch, snorkeling gear, and drinks without tacking on fuel or customs charges.

The main thing to weigh is the price. The listed group fare is $1,346.67 for up to four people, while the tour description also cites an all-inclusive price of $755, so confirm the current total before paying. The five-hour schedule is also built around US Virgin Islands waters, not a full-day trip to the British Virgin Islands.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to four: Your party has the 40-foot sailboat to itself, with a quieter feel than a shared excursion.
• Two protected-water stops: You can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, and visit white-sand shoreline at separate anchorages.
• Sea turtles are part of the plan: The crew offers snorkeling for different skill levels and regularly looks for turtles.
• Captain Mike teaches sailing: You may take the helm and learn the basics instead of simply sitting back.
• Food and drinks are included: Choose from a full deli lunch, with snacks, water, soft drinks, mocktails, cocktails, and other bar options.
• Easy Cruz Bay finish: The boat returns to the Saint John Ferry Terminal area after about five hours, leaving time for an afternoon on St. John.

Setting sail from Cruz Bay

The day begins at the Saint John Ferry Terminal in Cruz Bay. This is a practical meeting point if you are already on St. John or arriving by ferry, and the activity ends back at the same spot. Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify the pickup area or whether it costs extra, so ask before booking if you need transport.

Cruz Bay gives the crew several possible routes along St. John’s western shoreline. The waters here are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park, which helps explain the calm, easygoing feel promised for the day. Conditions can still change, but this is a much gentler setting for a sail than open ocean.

You are not being rushed from one landmark to the next. The plan is to set a course for a sheltered bay near one of the surrounding cays, anchor for water time, then move to a second stop. That flexible format matters because the captain can choose among several nearby locations based on the day’s conditions.

The boat is a 40-foot sailboat, large enough to feel stable while still giving a small group a close connection to the water. With only your party aboard, you can settle into the pace that suits you. You might spend more time sunbathing, ask questions about sailing, or get in and out of the water several times without negotiating with a boatload of strangers.

What a five-hour sailing day feels like

A five-hour tour sounds brief compared with a full-day charter, but the schedule is designed to make good use of the time. You leave Cruz Bay, sail toward a protected anchorage, stop for snorkeling and swimming, then continue to a second location before returning.

That timing works well for people who want a major water outing without surrendering the entire day. You should have room afterward for an afternoon happy hour, dinner, shopping, or more sightseeing around St. John. The tradeoff is simple: you will not have the long, unhurried hours of a full-day charter.

The first stop is where the crew fits you with snorkeling equipment. Gear is included, and the outing is presented as suitable for different skill levels. If you are a confident swimmer, you can make the most of the water time. If you are less sure in the sea, tell the crew early so they can help you approach the activity at a comfortable pace.

The focus is not only on coral and fish. Sea turtles are a daily goal, and one confirmed sighting came during snorkeling on a recent outing. That never makes a turtle encounter guaranteed, but it gives the water portion a clear sense of purpose. Keep your expectations sensible: wildlife follows its own schedule.

After snorkeling, you can swim, relax, and enjoy the sun before the boat moves on. This pause is important. A charter that treats snorkeling as a quick photo stop can feel hurried, while this plan leaves time for the pleasures between activities: floating, talking, eating a snack, and watching the shoreline from the deck.

The second stop brings another chance to see sea life and reach white-sand shoreline. The exact bay or beach is not fixed in the information provided, and that is likely part of the captain’s ability to adjust the route. You may get a secluded anchorage, a quiet beach, or another good place for swimming.

Captain Mike, Bridget, and the sailing lesson

Captain Mike is not presented as a driver who simply points the bow toward a beach. He teaches the fundamentals of sailing and may let you take the helm of the boat. If you have always wanted to try sailing but have not booked a formal lesson, this adds real value to the outing.

You can ask about the boat, the route, and the basics of handling a sailboat. The experience is still a vacation sail, not a certification course, but a few hands-on minutes can make the day more memorable than passive sightseeing.

Bridget is also part of the hosting team. The pair’s role is central to the tone of the trip: help with snorkeling, keep the food and drinks moving, and make sure the group has a pleasant day on the water. Captain Mike is also credited with strong local knowledge, which matters when the crew must choose a protected bay or adjust the route.

The private format makes this interaction easier. On a shared boat, a captain may have to divide attention among a large group. Here, you can ask for a sailing explanation, request more time in the water, or talk through the plan without feeling like you are holding up everyone else.

Lunch, cocktails, and the real value of all-inclusive

Food is included, with a full gourmet deli lunch menu available for you to choose from before sailing. That advance selection is worth taking seriously. A boat day can leave you hungry, and knowing lunch is arranged means you do not need to bring a separate meal or cut the outing short to find one.

Snacks are included as well. Drinks cover bottled water, soda, juices, and other nonalcoholic choices. The bar is described as very open, with island cocktails, mocktails, and a full bar. That gives you plenty of options, but remember that alcohol and swimming require good judgment. If you plan to spend much of the day in the water, alternate drinks with water.

The all-inclusive format has practical value because the usual small add-ons can accumulate on a boat trip. Fuel, taxes, fees, and captain charges are included. Since this route stays in US Virgin Islands waters, there are no extra customs or immigration fees listed for the outing.

Still, the price needs a careful look. The tour summary gives a current group price of $1,346.67 for up to four passengers. Elsewhere, the description states an all-inclusive price of $755. Those figures do not match, so you should use the live booking page or ask Morningstar Sailing and Power Charters for the exact total, including any pickup charge.

At the higher listed price, the math looks different for a full group than for one or two people. Four passengers sharing $1,346.67 works out to about $337 per person. A couple would carry a much higher per-person cost. The private boat, crew, lunch, drinks, fuel, and five-hour access can make sense for a special occasion or a small family group, but budget-minded couples may prefer a shared trip.

Gratuity is not included. Plan to tip separately if the crew provides the level of service you expect. Towels are also not included, so bring your own.

Snorkeling for mixed skill levels

This sail is a good fit for a group with different comfort levels in the water. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment and offers options for all skill levels, so one person can focus on a relaxed swim while another spends more time looking for fish and turtles.

You should still be honest about your ability before getting into the water. The details do not promise flotation devices, lifeguard service, or a private snorkel lesson, so ask the crew what support is available if you are nervous. The wording suggests an accommodating approach, but you remain responsible for choosing an activity that feels safe.

The two-stop plan also helps mixed groups. You do not have to make the entire day about snorkeling. Someone can swim at the first bay, rest during the second stop, or enjoy the beach and boat while others spend more time looking below the surface.

The water time is likely to be the emotional center of the outing. St. John is known for clear Caribbean water and beautiful shorelines, but the appeal here is not just scenery. You have time to move at a human pace, with the boat acting as your base for swimming, eating, and drying off in the sun.

White-sand beaches and protected bays

The first anchorage is intended to feel quiet and sheltered. You can expect a calm bay where the crew sets up snorkeling, followed by time to swim and relax. Since the exact location can change, do not book this expecting one named beach or one guaranteed view.

The second stop adds beach time. You may get to comb a white-sand shoreline, swim near another patch of sea life, and see a different side of St. John’s coast. The variety is useful: one stop centers on snorkeling, while the next can feel more like a beach break.

This is also where the private charter earns its keep. If your group wants to linger at the beach, you can talk with the captain about the available schedule. The boat still needs to return to Cruz Bay on time, but you are not locked into the fixed rhythm of a large excursion.

There is a small uncertainty here, and it is worth stating plainly. No exact beaches, reefs, or anchorages are promised. That protects the captain’s ability to choose safe, calm water, but it means you should judge the tour by the overall style of the day rather than by a checklist of named sites.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend this sail to a group of up to four who values privacy, personal service, and a relaxed day on the water. It works especially well for a family, two couples, or a small group marking a birthday or another special occasion.

It also suits people who want more than a beach transfer. You can learn sailing, snorkel, look for turtles, swim, eat lunch, and enjoy a drink without changing boats or arranging separate activities.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a long open-ocean sail, a late return, or a guaranteed visit to the British Virgin Islands. One account connected Captain Mike and Bridget with a trip to Foxy’s and Soggy Dollar, but this particular experience is described as staying in US Virgin Islands waters. Do not assume the five-hour Cruz Bay sail includes a BVI crossing.

It may also be a poor match if you dislike being on a boat, need a highly structured sightseeing program, or want a large menu of organized water sports. The strength here is calm, personal sailing, not a packed activity schedule.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying near Cruz Bay. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Weather, cancellations, and timing your booking

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not met.

Your own cancellation terms are much stricter. The experience is nonrefundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. That means you should confirm your vacation dates, group size, and current price before committing.

Because the boat returns after about five hours, this is easy to pair with other plans. Leave some breathing room after the scheduled finish rather than booking a fixed appointment immediately afterward. Boats, weather, and water activities do not always run to the minute.

Should you book this St. John sailing?

Book it if you want a private, low-key day where the boat, crew, food, drinks, snorkeling, and beach stops are bundled together. The chance to learn basic sailing from Captain Mike, search for sea turtles, and spend time in protected bays gives the outing more character than a simple cruise.

I would be cautious if the price is near $1,346.67 and only two people are sharing the boat. At four passengers, the cost becomes easier to justify. Before paying, confirm which price applies, what pickup includes, and what lunch choices are available.

For a small group that values comfort and personal attention, this is a strong use of a St. John afternoon. For anyone seeking a BVI adventure or a full-day expedition, choose a different charter. This sail is about a calm USVI route, two good water stops, and a crew that puts the pace in your hands.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at the Saint John Ferry Terminal in Cruz Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the meeting point at the Saint John Ferry Terminal area in Cruz Bay.

How long does the activity last?

The sailing experience lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The advertised private charter is for up to four passengers, and only your group participates.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, juices, mocktails, cocktails, and other bar options are included. You select from the deli lunch menu before sailing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the activity offers snorkeling options for different skill levels. Towels are not included.