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

Make the sea your itinerary. This private 50-foot catamaran charter gives your group a comfortable way to explore St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays without sharing the boat with strangers. I like the freedom to shape the day with the captain, and I like that the price covers up to 12 people rather than charging each person separately. The main catch is that lunch costs extra, and the full list of possible beaches can change with local charter rules.

The boat has a roomy salon, a broad rear deck, bean bags, trampolines, floats, snorkeling gear, a restroom, and drinks. I also like the crew’s record of helping families with small children and adjusting routes in windy weather. Still, you need to arrive on time, confirm your preferred stops, and understand that the British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group gets the entire SY Sirena, with no unrelated passengers aboard.
• Half-day or full-day flexibility: The outing lasts about four to seven hours, letting you choose between a shorter water excursion and a full island-hopping day.
• Captain-led planning: You can ask for snorkeling, beach time, sightseeing, wildlife, or a mix of all four.
• Drinks are included: Bottled water, soda, beer, and the signature Seas the Day rum punch are provided.
• Snorkeling is a major strength: Previous outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, tropical fish, and even a sunken ship.
• BVI access is excluded: This charter stays around the US Virgin Islands. A separate vessel and booking are needed for the British Virgin Islands.

What You Get for $1,595

The advertised price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. That works out to about $133 per person if you fill every seat, before gratuity and lunch. For four people, the same boat costs nearly $399 each, so the value improves sharply as your party gets larger.

This is not a cheap boat ride. You are paying for privacy, space, a captain and first mate, flexible routing, and the ability to spend the day at your own pace. A shared catamaran may cost less per person, but it also gives you less control over the route and the mood aboard.

The price includes the boat, floats, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch. Ice is also included. Lunch is not included, though food can be purchased at some stops. Lovango has been used as a lunch option, and the crew can help point you toward suitable places based on the route.

A 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew is customary for excellent service. Add that to your budget before deciding whether the charter fits your trip.

Life Aboard the SY Sirena

The SY Sirena is designed for a full day outside, not merely a quick ride between beaches. The salon opens onto a large back deck with seating and dining space, giving you shelter when you want a break from the sun. A restroom aboard is especially useful for families and groups spending seven hours on the water.

The bow is the social center. Bean bag chairs offer a soft place to stretch out, while the large trampolines suit sunbathing, conversation, and watching for turtles or dolphins. The bean bags have received special praise because they make the boat feel more relaxed than a standard excursion vessel.

The crew handles the practical parts of snorkeling, including equipment and floats. That matters when your group includes children, weak swimmers, or people who have never snorkeled from a boat. One family with a child who did not swim well was able to snorkel while the crew kept an eye on the child aboard.

The boat is not a private yacht in the sense of having a chef, luxury cabins, or a formal dining service. Its luxury comes from space, privacy, comfort, and attention from the crew. If that is what you want, the setup makes sense.

How the Captain Shapes Your Day

At the start, you and the captain discuss what your group wants to do. You might focus on snorkeling, spend more time on beaches, look for sea turtles, or simply cruise past the islands with drinks in hand.

This flexibility is the heart of the experience. Captains have suggested calmer coves during windy weeks, found snorkeling areas suited to the conditions, and adjusted plans for families with young children. Some outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, schools of fish, and a sunken ship.

The crew also adds island context along the way. Captains and first mates such as Maddie, Olivia, JW, Alex, Coleman, Dave, Vic, Celina, Ro, and others have been singled out for friendly service, island facts, and practical help. The exact crew depends on the departure date, but the pattern is clear: the best days come when you tell the crew what matters to your group.

Arrive on time at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook. A late start can reduce your time on the water, and the crew is not expected to extend the charter because you arrived late. That is a small point, but it matters when you are paying for a fixed block of private time.

Choosing Between a Half-Day and Full-Day Charter

A half-day lasts about four hours. It is a good fit if you want one or two snorkeling stops, a swim, and some time to enjoy the boat without giving up the entire day.

Families with young children may prefer the shorter option. Four hours can provide plenty of water time while limiting sun exposure and fatigue. It also suits people who have other plans in St. Thomas.

A full-day charter lasts about seven hours. I would choose it if your group wants to visit St. John, spend serious time in the water, stop for lunch, and still have room for cruising and sightseeing. The crew recommends allowing at least 90 minutes at each stop, which means a full day works better for a small number of well-chosen locations than for trying to visit every beach listed.

Do not plan to visit all 13 possible stops. Even with seven hours, the boat needs time to travel, anchor, handle equipment, and get everyone safely in and out of the water. Pick two or three priorities and let the captain build the rest around them.

St. Thomas Stops and What They Offer

Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour is a sensible choice when you want protected water and snorkeling close to St. Thomas. It can work well as an early stop while everyone learns the boat routine and tests the water.

Because conditions change, ask the captain whether it is the best option on your departure day. The value here is not simply the beach. It is the chance to settle into the charter without spending too much time moving between islands.

Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay gives you another option on St. Thomas, particularly useful if wind or sea conditions make one side of the island less comfortable. The crew has shown a willingness to switch to calmer areas instead of forcing the original plan.

This flexibility is important on a boat day. A pretty destination is less useful if the water is rough or the anchorage does not suit your group.

Magens Bay

Magens Bay is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beach settings. It makes sense for people who want classic scenery and a swim rather than a day built entirely around reef exploration.

Ask about access and conditions before counting on it. A private charter lets you request the bay, but the captain still has to consider weather, marine traffic, and current operating restrictions.

Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach is another St. Thomas option with a strong swimming and snorkeling appeal. It can be a good stop for a group that wants beach time without giving up the ease of returning to the boat.

Use it as one part of the day rather than trying to turn the charter into a beach-hopping checklist. The boat is at its best when you spend enough time in the water to enjoy each anchorage.

Coki Point Beach

Coki Point is known for accessible water activities and makes sense for groups that want an active stop. Snorkeling gear and floats are already aboard, so you do not need to arrange separate equipment.

The area can feel busier than a quiet cove, depending on the day. If peace and privacy matter more than easy access to activity, tell the captain before setting the route.

Lindqvist Beach

Lindqvist Beach offers a quieter-feeling option on St. Thomas. It suits a group looking for sand, swimming, and a less structured stretch of the day.

As with every stop, the captain’s local knowledge matters more than a fixed list. Ask whether the anchorage is comfortable and practical on your date.

St. John’s Beaches and Snorkeling Water

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach is a natural choice for a swim and an easygoing beach stop on St. John. It fits a relaxed itinerary, especially if some people want to stay aboard while others head into the water.

The boat lets your group divide its time without joining a shore excursion. That is useful when children, older family members, or weaker swimmers need a slower pace.

Francis Bay

Francis Bay offers another St. John setting for swimming and snorkeling. It works well as part of a route that includes several bays on the island’s north side.

You may find that the crew chooses it because conditions are better there than at another planned stop. Keep your schedule open enough to accept those changes.

Trunk Bay

Trunk Bay is one of the most recognizable beach choices on St. John, but do not assume it is always available. Commercial charter access has become restricted, and one recent outing could not stop there despite it appearing among the possible destinations.

This is the clearest booking tip in the entire description: ask about Trunk Bay before departure. If it is unavailable, the captain can suggest another St. John beach or snorkeling location.

Maho Bay

Maho Bay is especially appealing if your group hopes to see sea turtles. Several outings have included turtle sightings, along with stingrays and fish, though no wildlife sighting can be promised.

Give yourself enough time to enjoy the water. A rushed stop reduces your chance of spotting anything and makes snorkeling feel like a chore.

Waterlemon Cay

Waterlemon Cay is a strong choice for a snorkeling-centered full-day route. It offers the kind of setting where your group can spend real time in the water rather than making a quick photo stop.

The exact approach and conditions depend on the day. Let the crew advise you on safety and water conditions before anyone enters.

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay provide additional St. John options for swimming, snorkeling, and a quieter pace. These stops are useful when your group wants more room to shape the day around the weather.

You do not need to visit both. Choose one if you prefer longer water sessions, or ask the captain to use them as alternatives if another location is crowded or exposed.

Families, Wildlife, and Service

This charter suits families unusually well because the crew can help with equipment, floats, young children, and changes in ability. Outings have included babies, toddlers, and school-age children, with crew members helping parents manage the boat while they enjoyed time in the water.

The wildlife possibilities add real excitement. Sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, tropical fish, and a sunken ship have all been seen on past trips. Still, these are possibilities, not promises. Choose the trip for the boat, the islands, and the snorkeling access, then treat wildlife as a bonus.

Service is usually one of the strongest parts of the experience. First mates keep drinks available, help people in and out of the water, fit snorkeling equipment, and keep an eye on the practical details. Captains also share island information and explain the day’s options.

There is one serious caution. A single poor account described rude communication, disagreement about life jackets, and frustration over arriving late. The operator disputed those claims and stated that the boat carries enough life jackets. The practical lesson is simple: arrive on time, ask safety questions clearly, and discuss any special needs before leaving the harbor.

Booking Details That Matter

The meeting point is American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas. The charter returns to the same meeting point.

Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking. Confirm this before assuming you can start there.

The activity is private, and only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, the location is near public transportation, and most people can take part. The operator also states that the vessels are sanitized after each trip and that the crew undergoes regular health testing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book This Catamaran?

I would book it for a group of six to 12 people that values privacy, a flexible route, and a comfortable boat more than the lowest possible price. It is particularly well suited to families, birthday groups, and friends who want snorkeling without sharing their day with strangers.

I would choose the half-day option for a shorter family outing or a first boat experience. I would choose the full day for St. John, several snorkeling stops, lunch ashore, and a slower pace.

Before paying, confirm the current beach restrictions, especially Trunk Bay, ask about pickup if you are staying on St. John, and agree on your top two or three priorities with the captain. If you do that, the $1,595 price can be fair for a full private boat and crew. If your group is small and price-sensitive, a shared excursion may offer better value.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The charter departs from American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas, and returns there at the end.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one group of up to 12 people.

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.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch costs extra, but food can be purchased at some locations along the route.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, ice, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included.

Can the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The BVI is not available on this vessel. A separate booking and vessel are required for a BVI visit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.