Sail Away on your Private 55-foot Catamaran Charter

Buck Island Marine Sanctuary is the star here, with sea turtles, fish, and clear-water snorkeling reached after a scenic 45-minute sail from St. Thomas. I like that this is a private catamaran charter, so your group gets the boat rather than sharing the day with a large tour crowd. I also like the simple rhythm: sail, swim, snack, and sail home with music and a drink in hand.

The main catch is the high price of $1,895 per person. That can make sense for a special group willing to pay for privacy, but it is a serious spend for a 3 1/2-hour outing. Snorkeling takes place directly from the boat in open water, so rough seas, currents, or a medical condition can change the day.

Key Points at a Glance

• Turtle Cove is the main event: Snorkel directly from the catamaran in Buck Island Marine Sanctuary, with crew instruction and help spotting turtles and fish.
• A private 55-foot catamaran: The Gold Coast is reserved for your group, creating a more personal setting than a standard shared boat trip.
• Shipwreck Cove may be added: If time and conditions allow, expect another 45 to 60 minutes of snorkeling.
• The best crew feedback is about safety: Captains and crew members including Ashley, Rose, Reed, Brody, Coda, Judi, Mandi, and others are praised for clear instructions, attention in the water, and a lively mood.
• Food and drinks come later: Fruit, cheese, salami, crackers, rum punch, rum and cokes, water, and sodas are included. Alcohol is served after swimming and snorkeling.
• Plan around open-water swimming: A strong level of fitness is expected, and age, height, weight, and medical restrictions apply.

Sailing From Yacht Haven Grande at 9:30 a.m.

Your morning begins at R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, at 5316 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite S-104, Unit 61, in Charlotte Amalie. The start time is 9:30 a.m., and the trip returns to this same meeting point.

You arrange your own way there. Private transportation is not included, though parking is available at the meeting point and the location is near public transportation. If you are coming from a cruise ship or staying elsewhere on St. Thomas, allow enough time to find the marina and check in without rushing.

The first 45 minutes are spent sailing toward Buck Island. That crossing matters because it gives you time to settle into the boat, take in the St. Thomas coast, and get used to the movement of the sea before entering the water. Music plays aboard the catamaran, and the ride back is designed as a relaxed part of the outing rather than a quick transfer.

A catamaran gives you two hulls, a broad deck, and more room to spread out than a narrow monohull sailboat. That does not mean the ride will be perfectly smooth. One account describes rough waves that caused some people to feel sick, while others enjoyed the motion. If you are sensitive to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable, watch the horizon, and consider bringing any medication you normally use.

Turtle Cove and the First Snorkel

The boat anchors in Turtle Cove, in the protected waters of Buck Island Marine Sanctuary. This is the part of the trip built around wildlife. You receive instructions before entering the water, then snorkel directly from the catamaran rather than walking into a shallow beach area.

That distinction matters. Open-water snorkeling offers access to places where turtles and fish gather, but it also asks more of you physically. You need to be comfortable entering from the boat, swimming in moving water, and staying aware of current and waves. The minimum age is 5, minimum height is 36 inches, and the maximum listed age is 80. The maximum weight is 275 pounds.

The crew’s role is especially important here. Names associated with different departures include Captain Ashley with Rose and Reed, Captain Mandi with Reed and Haley, and Brody with Coda. Other crew members named include Collette, Judi, Victor, Taylor, Isaiah, Tina, Tyler, John, Sam, Nicole, and Louis. Crew assignments can change, but the recurring strength is clear: instructions before swimming, help with equipment, and active attention while you are in the water.

Expect the crew to point out turtles and fish rather than leave you to find everything alone. Some crew members have also helped take photographs, including close-up shots when visitors handed over a GoPro. Bring your own camera only if you can secure it properly and are comfortable using it in open water. The supplied information does not promise photographs or underwater camera service, so treat that help as a courtesy, not a guaranteed feature.

The wildlife is not a stage show. You may see turtles and fish, and the setting is designed for that purpose, but animals move on their own schedule. Water clarity, cloud cover, waves, and current can affect how much you see. One useful point from the trip feedback is that cloudy weather did not erase the scenery or the snorkeling, but conditions can still change the quality of the experience.

Shipwreck Cove, If the Clock Cooperates

After Turtle Cove, the captain may take you to Shipwreck Cove for another snorkeling stop. The planned time there is about 45 to 60 minutes, but this visit depends on time and conditions.

That makes Shipwreck Cove an appealing extra rather than something to count on as firmly as Turtle Cove. The private format may give the crew more room to shape the outing around your party’s interests, but the boat still has to return on schedule. If the first snorkel runs long, the sea turns rough, or the captain needs to adjust the route, the second cove may be shortened or skipped.

Shipwreck Cove adds variety to the day. Instead of spending the full water stop in one place, you may get another setting for fish watching and underwater exploring. If two snorkeling areas matter greatly to you, ask at the start how the captain expects to handle the timing. That simple question will give you a clearer idea of how much time you may have in the second cove.

The boat’s private setup is most useful here. You are not simply following a fixed crowd from one stop to the next. Your group has a more intimate atmosphere, and the crew can explain what is happening as the plan develops. Still, safety and sea conditions come first.

Snacks, Rum Punch, and the Ride Home

Food is served after the active part of the day. You receive a platter with fresh fruit, cheese, salami, and crackers. It is not a full lunch, so eat a proper breakfast if you tend to get hungry after swimming.

The open bar includes rum punch, rum and cokes, water, and sodas. Alcoholic drinks are available only after swimming and snorkeling, which is a sensible rule for an open-water activity. You can relax on the return sail, listen to music, and take in the views without having to rush into another stop.

I like this order of events. A drink after snorkeling feels like part of the reward, while serving alcohol before swimming would be a poor choice. If you do not drink, water and sodas are included, and the snack platter gives you something salty and fresh after the water.

The 3 1/2-hour duration is short enough to fit into a busy St. Thomas schedule. The actual experience may run about 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 hours, according to the supplied timing. That is useful for cruise passengers and families who want a substantial boat outing without giving up a full day on the island.

Why the Crew Makes a Difference

A private boat is only as good as its crew. Here, the strongest praise focuses on the people who manage the practical details: safety briefings, snorkeling help, drink service, and the mood aboard.

Captain Ashley and crew members Rose and Reed are repeatedly singled out for making the water portion feel safe and easy. Rose is described as keeping watch in the water, while Ashley and Reed handled the boat and shore-side support. Captain Judi is also praised, as are Mandi, Haley, Brody, Coda, Collette, and several other crew members.

The tone appears to be friendly without losing the safety message. That matters because a fun crew can make first-time snorkelers feel less awkward, but the activity still requires clear limits. You will want staff who explain where to enter, how to use the equipment, and what to do if you become tired or uncomfortable.

The crew also contributes to the social side of the sail. Music, conversation, drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere are part of the package. If you want a silent sailing lesson or a formal marine biology tour, this is probably not the right match. If you want an active Caribbean outing with a friendly crew, it fits better.

What the $1,895 Price Really Buys

At $1,895 per person, this is not a budget snorkeling trip. The value depends heavily on how many people are in your private group and how much you care about keeping the boat to yourselves.

You are paying for a 55-foot catamaran, a private setting, crew service, snorkeling instruction, access to Buck Island waters, food, and drinks. For a group celebrating a birthday, reunion, wedding event, or major vacation milestone, privacy may be worth more than a lower-cost shared excursion. You also avoid the feel of being one small part of a large boat operation.

The price is harder to justify for a couple or small party that simply wants to see turtles. A shared catamaran or shorter snorkel trip may offer the main attraction for much less. The listing also mentions group discounts, so ask about the exact total for your party before booking. The per-person figure may make more sense with a larger group, but you should confirm how the discount is applied.

The maximum capacity is listed as 50 people, though a private charter means the number aboard should be tied to your booking rather than automatically filled to capacity. Ask for the expected group size if space is a major reason you are choosing this option. A full boat can still feel roomy, but private use is the central value here.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would choose this trip for a group that wants three things at once: a scenic sail, open-water snorkeling, and a private social setting. It suits families with older children, friend groups, and special-occasion parties who want the boat experience to be as important as the turtle stop.

Children must be at least 5 years old and 36 inches tall. The water activity still requires real swimming ability and a good fitness level. A child who is allowed by age but nervous in open water may not enjoy the outing, since snorkeling is done directly from the boat rather than in a calm, shallow beach area.

You should be cautious if you have a cardiac condition, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or another heart or respiratory condition. The supplied safety guidance specifically warns that wind, waves, and current can affect swimming and snorkeling. If you have a medical concern, speak with your doctor and the operator before booking.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a beach day, a long lunch, or a guaranteed second snorkeling stop. It is also not ideal if you dislike boat motion, open-water entry, or group music. The strongest match is an active party that can enjoy both the sea and the social atmosphere.

Practical Details Before You Book

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity ends back at R Bar. Restrooms are available on board, which is useful during a boat trip of this length.

Wear swimwear and bring anything you normally need for sun and sea conditions. The included gear and instruction are described as part of the snorkeling experience, but the exact equipment list is not specified, so ask if you have a strong preference for mask, fins, flotation, or prescription lenses.

Weather matters. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The cancellation window uses local time. That detail is easy to miss when you are booking from another time zone, so make any changes early.

Should You Book the Gold Coast Charter?

Book it if privacy, crew attention, and a polished boat day matter more to you than finding the lowest price. Turtle Cove gives the trip a clear purpose, and the chance to add Shipwreck Cove, followed by snacks and drinks on the return sail, creates a tidy half-day experience.

Think twice if you are traveling on a tight budget, dislike open-water snorkeling, or need a guaranteed itinerary. The $1,895 per-person price is substantial, and sea conditions can affect both comfort and the second cove.

For the right group, this is a strong St. Thomas splurge: a 55-foot catamaran, attentive crew, turtle snorkeling, and a relaxed sail back. Just make sure everyone in your party is comfortable in open water, and confirm the group discount before paying.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

It starts at R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, 5316 Yacht Haven Grande Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long is the charter?

The charter lasts about 3 1/2 hours, with the overall experience described as approximately 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience is described as a private charter aboard the 55-foot sailing catamaran Gold Coast for your group.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place directly from the boat in open water at Turtle Cove in Buck Island Marine Sanctuary. Shipwreck Cove may be added if time permits.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The included food is fresh fruit, cheese, salami, and crackers. Drinks include rum punch, rum and cokes, water, and sodas. Alcohol is served after swimming and snorkeling.

What age and size limits apply?

The minimum age is 5, the maximum age is 80, the minimum height is 36 inches, and the maximum weight is 275 pounds.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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