50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

A private boat changes the whole day. This 50-foot catamaran lets your group of up to 12 set the pace between St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays, with room to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply stretch out on deck. I especially like the flexible route and the large bow trampolines, which give the boat a relaxed feel instead of a crowded excursion-boat mood.

I also like that the price includes snorkeling gear, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch. Captains such as Maddy, JW, Alex, Dave, and Glen have received strong praise for adjusting plans to suit families and helping locate turtles, rays, octopuses, and colorful fish. The main drawback is that the long list of possible beaches can create unrealistic expectations. Some places, including Trunk Bay, may be off-limits to commercial charters, and lunch costs extra.

The charter costs $1,595 per group, not per person, for up to 12 people. That can be good value for a large family or friend group, but much less so for only two or three people. You also need to budget for a customary 15 to 20 percent crew tip and any lunch you buy ashore.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• The boat is private for your group: You will not share the catamaran with strangers, and the captain works with your group to shape the day.
• The best value comes with a larger party: At 12 people, the base price works out to about $133 per person before gratuity. With four people, it is about $399 each.
• The route is flexible, not guaranteed: Secret Harbour, Magens Bay, St. John, Waterlemon Cay, and other sites may be considered, but weather, marine rules, and commercial access restrictions affect the final plan.
• Snorkeling is a major strength: The crew can help with equipment and has often located sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, reef fish, and even a sunken ship.
• The boat suits families: The crew has assisted groups with babies, toddlers, older children, and swimmers who need extra attention.
• Bring lunch plans: Food is not included, though the captain can suggest or reach restaurants and beach stops where you can purchase it.

What the 50-Foot Catamaran Feels Like

SY Sirena is designed for relaxed cruising rather than merely getting you from one beach to another. The salon opens onto a large aft deck with seating and dining space, while the bow has beanbag chairs and wide trampolines.

That layout matters. You can sit in the shade, stretch out in the sun, keep an eye on children, or gather at the front while the boat is under way. The beanbags have earned special praise for good reason: they are a comfortable place to rest during longer crossings.

A restroom is available on board, which is useful during a half-day charter and even more important on a full-day outing. Floats and snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to bring a full set of water gear.

The catamaran can carry up to 12 people, but the experience will feel more spacious with a smaller group. At full capacity, everyone can fit, though the deck will naturally feel busier when people are moving between the water, seating, and dining areas.

Half Day or Full Day: Choosing the Right Length

The half-day option lasts about four hours. It works well if you want one strong snorkeling stop and time for a second cove or beach, without giving up most of your day.

Families with young children may find the half-day easier. Several families with babies, toddlers, and young swimmers appreciated the crew’s patience and practical help. A shorter trip also gives children less time to become tired or seasick.

The full-day option lasts about seven hours and gives you room to slow down. You can visit more than one island, allow a proper swim, stop for lunch, and still have time to sit on the boat without constantly watching the clock.

I would choose the full day for a group that wants to see St. Thomas and St. John in one outing. It is also the better choice if teenagers are eager to snorkel, since finding turtles or reef life sometimes takes patience. A short charter can feel rushed if your group wants both beach time and several water stops.

The suggested stop length is at least 90 minutes. That is sensible. A stop must include anchoring, getting gear ready, swimming, snorkeling, drying off, and getting everyone back aboard. Trying to squeeze five or six beaches into a half-day would leave you with more boat photos than water time.

How the Captain Shapes Your Route

The captain and first mate are central to the experience. You discuss what your group wants, such as snorkeling, quiet beaches, sightseeing, lunch, or time in the water, and the crew recommends a workable route.

Past trips have included captains and crew members such as Maddy and Olivia, JW and Ro, Alex and Daron, Dave and Chase, Glen and Celina, and Vic and Kahlia. The names may vary, but the most praised qualities are consistent: friendly service, help with masks and fins, drink service, island information, and attention to safety.

The crew has also adjusted plans when conditions were windy, finding calmer water on another side of an island or in a protected cove. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter over a fixed group cruise.

Still, private does not mean every request can be granted. Weather, time, marine access rules, and the captain’s judgment all matter. Arrive on time at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook. One serious complaint centered on a late departure and disagreement over extending the charter, so do not assume lost time will be added at the end.

The St. Thomas Stops: Coves, Reefs, and Familiar Beaches

The possible route includes many places, but you will not visit all 13 locations in one half-day or even one full day. Think of this list as a menu for planning, not a promise of every stop.

Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour is a useful choice for a sheltered swim and snorkeling. It can work well early in the day or when wind makes exposed beaches less comfortable.

The main appeal is practical: you can spend time in the water without needing a long beach visit. Ask the captain about current conditions and how much snorkeling time makes sense.

Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay offers another possible snorkeling and swimming stop. Its location gives the crew a different option if conditions are better on that side of St. Thomas.

It is best treated as a water stop rather than a guaranteed beach outing. Your captain will decide how suitable it is on the day.

Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beaches, with a broad curve of sand and a classic island setting. Seeing it from the water gives you a different perspective than arriving by road.

The tradeoff is popularity. A private boat lets you enjoy the view without committing to a long shore visit, but the captain may choose another location if the water or access rules are not favorable.

Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach is another possible stop for swimming and beach time. It can suit a group that wants an easy break between snorkeling sessions.

Do not plan on covering several nearby beaches just for the sake of collecting names. One good stop with time to swim is usually more rewarding than a string of brief visits.

Coki Point Beach

Coki Point is associated with clear water and snorkeling opportunities. It may appeal to groups focused on fish and reef viewing rather than a quiet, empty beach.

Conditions and local activity can affect the mood. Ask the crew if it fits your group’s priorities that day.

Lindqvist Beach

Lindqvist Beach is a possible stop for a quieter beach atmosphere and a swim. It can be a pleasant choice if your group wants sand and water without turning the trip into a full beach day.

You may find that the captain chooses a nearby cove instead if it offers calmer water or better snorkeling.

The St. John Stops: More Time on the Water

Several of the listed locations are on St. John, including Honeymoon Beach, Francis Bay, Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Scott Bay, and Hansen Bay. Reaching St. John adds travel time, but it also gives the full-day charter a stronger sense of exploration.

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach is a natural fit for a swim, float, and relaxed break. It may work well for families because not everyone has to snorkel at once.

The boat’s floats are useful here. They give less confident swimmers another way to enjoy the water, though parents remain responsible for supervising children.

Francis Bay

Francis Bay offers another possible St. John stop, with room for swimming and a pause from the boat. It can be paired with nearby St. John sites if the route and conditions allow.

The key is not to overpack the schedule. A full day can include St. John, but your group should decide if it values longer stops over a rapid tour of several bays.

Trunk Bay

Trunk Bay is a famous St. John beach and an obvious request for many groups. However, commercial charter access can be restricted, and the captain may not be able to stop there.

This is the clearest itinerary caution. If Trunk Bay is a priority, ask about current access before departure and have a backup plan. The view from offshore may still be possible, but do not treat a beach landing or swim stop as guaranteed.

Maho Bay Beach

Maho Bay is especially appealing for groups hoping to see sea turtles. Several outings located turtles along with rays and tropical fish, though wildlife sightings are never promised.

Bring patience and listen to the crew’s instructions around marine life. The best experience comes from observing quietly rather than chasing animals.

Waterlemon Cay

Waterlemon Cay is a strong option for snorkeling and open-water scenery. It may suit confident swimmers and groups that want more time in the sea.

Conditions can affect access, so let the captain judge the safest anchoring and swimming area. This is another reason the full-day option makes sense: you have more time to wait for a good stop.

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay add quieter St. John possibilities to the route. They may be useful when the better-known beaches are busy, restricted, or exposed to wind.

These locations are best viewed as flexible alternatives. Your captain can decide which bay gives your group the best mix of calm water, scenery, and time in the water.

Snorkeling and Sea Life

Snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of this charter. Equipment is supplied, and the first mate can help fit masks, organize fins, hand out floats, and assist people getting into or out of the water.

The sightings described from past outings include sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship. Those are excellent possibilities, but the crew cannot guarantee wildlife. Water conditions, season, location, and simple luck all play a part.

I like that the experience can work for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling while others float or relax on board. One family appreciated that the crew kept an eye on a child who was not a confident swimmer while the parents snorkeled for a short period.

You should still supervise children yourself. Crew assistance is helpful, but it does not replace a parent or guardian in the water.

Drinks, Lunch, and the Real Cost

The $1,595 price covers the private catamaran for up to 12 people. It includes ice, bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, and the boat’s signature rum punch.

The group pricing is most attractive when you fill much of the boat:

• 12 people: about $133 per person before tip
• 8 people: about $199 per person before tip
• 6 people: about $266 per person before tip
• 4 people: about $399 per person before tip

These figures do not include the customary 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew. Lunch is also excluded, though the crew can suggest places where you can buy food. Past outings have included lunch stops such as Lovango, and some groups have arranged pizza during the trip.

For a birthday, family reunion, or large group holiday, the private format can be worth the premium. For two people, a shared sailing or snorkeling trip may offer better value unless privacy is your main goal.

Meeting Point, Weather, and Booking Details

The boat departs from American Yacht Harbor on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas, and returns there at the end of the charter. Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity is described as suitable for most people.

This is a weather-dependent outing. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The vessel does not visit the British Virgin Islands. If the BVI is your main goal, you need a different product rather than assuming this St. Thomas charter can cross over.

Who Should Book This Charter?

I would choose this boat for a group that values privacy, flexible timing, and plenty of time in the water. It is especially suitable for families with different ages and swimming abilities, since some people can snorkel while others use floats or relax on deck.

It is also a good match for a birthday or family celebration. The crew has helped make special occasions feel personal, and the boat offers enough room for a group meal, drinks, and sightseeing without splitting into separate activities.

I would think twice if your group is small and focused mainly on price. I would also avoid booking it with a rigid list of guaranteed beaches. The route is flexible, and Trunk Bay access in particular may not be available to commercial charters.

Should You Book the Seas the Day Catamaran?

Book it if you have at least six people, want a private boat, and care more about a well-paced day than checking off every beach name. The strongest reasons are the spacious catamaran, helpful crew, included water gear, flexible route, and real chances to see turtles and other sea life.

Choose the full day if you want St. John, a lunch stop, and unhurried snorkeling. Choose the half day if you are traveling with very young children or want a shorter taste of private boating.

Before paying, confirm your departure point, ask which beaches are currently available to commercial charters, discuss lunch, and tell the captain your top two priorities. With realistic expectations and a reasonably full group, this can be one of the more memorable ways to spend a day around St. Thomas.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The charter costs $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. The price is not charged separately per person.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose a half-day or full-day charter. The listed duration is approximately four to seven hours.

Where does the boat depart?

The departure point is American Yacht Harbor on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Can the boat pick up passengers in St. John?

Pickup from Cruz Bay, St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase it at some locations during the charter.

What drinks are included?

Bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, ice, and the boat’s signature rum punch are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The BVI is not available on this vessel.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive another date or a full refund.