Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You and your captain decide whether the day centers on snorkeling with turtles, beach time, island scenery, or simply stretching out on a comfortable catamaran with your own music. Captains such as AnneMarie, Christian, Alex, and JP have been praised for adjusting the route to suit each group.

I like the generous space aboard S/Y Pisces, especially the bow trampolines and bean bags, and I like that the captain can steer you toward quieter coves when busy spots are not appealing. The main drawback is the price: $1,495 is a serious expense for a small group, though it becomes much better value when divided among 8 to 12 people. Lunch is also not included.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Private boat for up to 12: Your group gets the entire catamaran, with no strangers sharing the day.
• A 47-foot Leopard catamaran: S/Y Pisces has an open back deck, salon, bow seating, two trampolines, and an onboard restroom.
• Your captain shapes the route: Possible stops include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, beaches, harbors, and a quiet cay.
• Snorkeling supplies are included: Gear, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day rum punch come with the charter.
• Havensight departure: Meet at the R Bar near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, 15 minutes before departure.
• Bring lunch money or a plan: Lunch is extra, though you can buy it at several stops or locations.

A Private Day on S/Y Pisces

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same route. It is a private charter, so your group has room to set the pace. You can spend more time in the water, request a beach stop, linger in a harbor, or keep the boat moving when the scenery is especially good.

The vessel described for this experience is S/Y Pisces, a 47-foot Leopard catamaran. It has a salon that opens onto a broad aft deck, comfortable seating, a restroom, and plenty of room for a group of 12. Up front, two large trampolines and bean bag chairs create a pleasant place to talk, stretch out, catch the breeze, or watch for turtles.

That layout matters. A smaller powerboat can get you from place to place, but it may not offer much room once everyone is aboard. Here, your group can spread out. Children can move between seating areas, adults can sit in the shade or sun, and not everyone has to take part in every swim stop.

The catamaran also has a JBL Bluetooth sound system. You can bring your own playlist and provide the soundtrack for the day, a small touch that makes a private charter feel more personal.

Planning Your Route Around St. Thomas

Your captain will help shape the day based on what your group wants to see. Possible areas include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, local harbors, and perhaps a quieter cay. The exact route depends on conditions and the time available, so you should think of the destinations as options rather than guaranteed stops.

If snorkeling is your priority, say so early. The crew can help select suitable water for your group and provide the equipment. Past outings have included several snorkeling locations, with sightings of sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and schools of fish. Those sightings are never guaranteed, but the ability to try more than one spot gives you a better chance than a single-stop outing.

Turtle watching has been a major highlight for many groups. Some outings have included turtles feeding in seagrass, along with rays and colorful fish. The crew may also enter the water with you and point out marine life, which is useful if you are not confident identifying what you see.

For a mixed-age group, the private format is particularly helpful. A family with children can choose shorter swims and more time aboard. Adults who want longer time in the water can do that without forcing the entire boat to follow a public excursion schedule. One group ranging from age 8 to 76 found that everyone could enjoy the day, a good indication of the charter’s flexibility.

Snorkeling, Swimming, and Beach Time

The water portion of the day is central, not an afterthought. Snorkeling equipment and floats are provided, so you do not need to pack a full kit. You should still bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, as well as any prescription equipment you need.

The itinerary can include a beach stop such as Honeymoon Beach. This spot has been singled out as a favorite for its sandy shore and easygoing feel. You may also have the chance to visit Shipwreck Cove or another beach selected by the captain.

A beach stop changes the rhythm of the day. After time in the water, you can walk ashore, sit on the sand, or have lunch nearby. It also gives less confident swimmers a way to enjoy the outing without spending all day snorkeling.

If you want a full day with several water stops, ask the captain to build in variety. One group enjoyed three snorkeling locations, beach time, lunch, and relaxed time on the boat. Another combined reef snorkeling with Honeymoon Beach and saw rays. These examples show what a full charter can offer when you communicate your priorities.

The main caution is simple: this is a water-focused experience. You should expect to spend time swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing in the sun. If someone in your group dislikes boats or does not want to get wet, the value of the charter may be lower.

Why the Private Format Changes the Experience

A shared boat tour usually trades flexibility for a lower individual cost. This charter makes the opposite choice. You pay for the boat, captain, and crew as a group, then decide how to use the time.

The listed price is $1,495 for up to 12 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to roughly $125 per person before any additional food or gratuity. For six people, it is roughly $249 per person. Those numbers help explain who should book it.

For a large family, wedding party, group of friends, or cruise group, the cost can be reasonable because you are buying privacy, space, and control. For two or three people, the same price is harder to justify unless a private yacht day is the main event of your St. Thomas visit.

The crew’s role also adds value. Captains and first mates named in past outings include AnneMarie, Megan, Christian, JP, Lindsey, Alex, Darren, Eduardo, Alicia, Selena, Coleman, and others. The strongest experiences have involved crews who explain local history, suggest different stops, help locate marine life, and keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.

Some guests have even had the crew adjust the return time slightly to help with a cruise departure. Do not assume that accommodation is automatic, but tell the captain about your schedule before departure. Cruise passengers should leave a generous buffer because traffic between the port and the meeting point can be unpredictable.

Drinks, Music, and the Practical Details Aboard

The charter includes bottled water supplied through Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and the operator’s Seas the Day Signature Rum Punch. That is useful because drinks add up quickly on a hot day. You can also connect to the JBL Bluetooth system and play your own music.

The rum punch has become a favorite part of the outing for many groups, but pace yourself. The sun, wind, and salt water can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. Keep drinking water throughout the day, especially if you plan to snorkel more than once.

Lunch is not included. Depending on your route, you may be able to buy food at a beach or waterfront location. Past outings have included lunch at Honeymoon Beach and Dinghy’s, including the possibility of local seafood dishes. Since food stops depend on the route and opening arrangements, confirm your options with the captain rather than assuming a restaurant visit is part of the charter.

You can also ask about bringing or arranging lunch for the boat, but the supplied details do not promise a catering service. Plan this before departure if your group includes children or anyone with dietary needs.

The onboard restroom is another practical advantage. You are not tied to shore facilities every time someone needs a break, which matters on a seven-hour full-day outing.

Getting to Havensight Without a Scramble

The meeting point is the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight. Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway 15 minutes before departure. The captain will escort you to the catamaran.

The exact address is R Bar, 5316 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

If your cruise ship arrives at Crown Bay Marina, you need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. Allow about 15 minutes each way for that ride, and leave extra time for traffic and port procedures. Cruise passengers arriving at Havensight have a simpler connection because the meeting area is nearby, but you should still confirm which pier your ship will use.

For a full-day private cruise, 9 a.m. is a common start time, though the group can determine the start time. All departure times use local island time, so check your ship and phone settings carefully.

The meeting instructions deserve attention because one serious booking problem involved a reservation not being properly passed to the charter company. That was blamed on the booking agent rather than the boat operator, but the lesson is useful: confirm your reservation directly with Seas the Day Charters and Tours before you arrive, especially when booking through an intermediary.

Who Will Get the Most From This Charter

I would recommend this experience most strongly to a group of six to 12 people that wants a full day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. The price makes more sense when divided across a larger group, and the private format lets everyone help shape the plan.

It is also a strong choice for families with different ages and energy levels. The boat offers shade, open-air seating, water toys, a restroom, and room to separate active swimmers from people who prefer to stay aboard. The crew has handled groups that included toddlers, children, and older adults.

It suits cruise passengers too, provided you confirm the port and leave enough time for the return. If your ship uses Havensight, the location is especially convenient. If you dock at Crown Bay, budget for taxis in both directions.

You may want another option if your budget is tight, your group is very small, or you want a fixed sightseeing schedule with guaranteed stops. This is also not a British Virgin Islands excursion. The charter does not visit the BVI, so do not book it expecting that route.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the experience still requires comfort with boat movement, stairs or boarding, swimming conditions, and time in the sun.

Weather, Cancellation, and Booking Advice

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts, based on local time.

Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. I would avoid scheduling this on the last possible day of your vacation if snorkeling and boating are the main reason you are booking. A weather issue late in the trip leaves little room to reschedule.

Ask about the exact length of the half-day option before paying. The full-day experience is listed at about seven hours, while the booking allows a half-day or full-day charter. Confirm the start time, expected return, food plan, and preferred snorkeling or beach stops in advance.

Should You Book S/Y Pisces?

Book this charter if you want your St. Thomas day to feel private, relaxed, and shaped around your own group. The strongest reasons are the roomy 47-foot catamaran, flexible route, included snorkeling gear and drinks, and crew members such as AnneMarie and Christian who have been praised for combining local information with good judgment on the water.

The price is the deciding factor. With 10 or 12 people, it can be a sensible way to turn a large-group outing into a private yacht day. With only two or three people, it is a luxury purchase, not a bargain.

For the right group, I would choose the full day. Seven hours gives you time for more than one snorkeling stop, a beach visit, lunch, and quiet time aboard. If your schedule or budget is tighter, the half-day version can still deliver the boat, crew, and water activities without committing your entire day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter depart?

It departs from the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight. Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet the captain 15 minutes before departure.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one group of up to 12 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, though you can purchase food at several locations.

Are snorkeling equipment and floats provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

What drinks are included?

The charter includes Virgin H2O bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day Signature Rum Punch.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI. It may visit areas around St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, local harbors, beaches, or a quiet cay.