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

The main attraction here is simple: you get a 50-foot private catamaran for your own group, not a seat on a crowded boat. From American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, your captain can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, quiet beaches, sightseeing, or a mix of all four.

I like the freedom to spend more time at a good cove instead of watching the clock. I also like the boat itself, with a spacious back deck, an indoor salon, bow bean bags, large trampolines, a restroom, and plenty of room for up to 12 people. The main catch is that the long list of beaches is a menu of possible stops, not a promise that you will visit them all. Some places, including Trunk Bay, may be restricted to commercial charters.

The crew earns especially strong praise for attentive service. Captains and mates such as Maddy, Olivia, JW, Alex, Coleman, Vic, Celina, Dave, and Ro have helped families with young children, found calm water during windy weather, and pointed out turtles, stingrays, octopuses, and reef fish. Still, this is a boat day, so the final route depends on weather, sea conditions, timing, and current access rules.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat is private for your group: The $1,595 rate covers the yacht for up to 12 people, making the cost much easier to justify for a larger family or friend group.
• You choose the rhythm: Pick a half or full day and work with the captain on snorkeling, swimming, beaches, and lunch stops.
• SY Sirena has useful comfort features: Expect a restroom, salon, back-deck seating, bow bean bags, trampolines, floats, and snorkeling gear.
• Drinks are included: Bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch are provided. Lunch costs extra.
• St. John access is a major advantage: Stops can include Honeymoon Beach, Francis Bay, Maho Bay, Waterlemon Cay, and other coves around the island.
• The BVI is not part of this charter: If visiting the British Virgin Islands matters to you, you need a different product and should not book this vessel expecting to cross there.

A private catamaran day from Red Hook

The day begins at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the east side of St. Thomas. That location is practical for reaching St. John and nearby cays without spending the whole charter crossing from the western end of the island.

The boat is the SY Sirena, a 50-foot luxury catamaran with a spacious salon that opens onto a broad back deck. You can sit at the stern for a drink or meal, move into the salon for shade, or stretch out on the forward bean bags and trampolines while the boat is underway.

That layout matters. A private boat can feel cramped when everyone has nowhere to move, especially with children. Here, your group can spread out. Parents can stay near young children, swimmers can gather by the stern, and anyone who wants a quieter ride can sit forward or inside.

A restroom is available onboard, which is a small but important comfort during a four to seven-hour outing. Snorkeling equipment and floats are provided, so you do not need to bring a full pile of beach gear.

The boat holds up to 12 people. That is a maximum, not necessarily the ideal number for every group. Twelve friends sharing the cost may find the setup social and spacious enough, while a small family of four will pay more per person for the same private setting.

What the $1,595 price really buys you

The advertised price is $1,595 per group of up to 12. Divided among 12 people, that works out to about $133 per person before gratuity. For eight people, it is roughly $199 each, and for four people, about $399 each.

Those figures help explain the value. This is not the cheapest way to get onto the water if you are traveling as a couple or small family. But for a large group, you are buying a private yacht, a captain and first mate, flexible routing, equipment, drinks, and the ability to avoid a fixed group schedule.

The fare includes bottled water, soda, beer, rum punch, floats, snorkeling equipment, and use of the restroom. The water is supplied by Virgin H2O as part of the company’s eco-friendly practices. Lunch is not included, though the crew can help you stop at a place where food is available.

Tips for the captain and crew are also extra. A 15 to 20 percent tip is customary for exceptional service, so include that in your budget. On the advertised price, that adds about $239 to $319.

The exact cost difference between the half-day and full-day options should be confirmed when booking. The experience is described as lasting about four to seven hours, but the $1,595 figure is presented as the group price rather than a separate rate for each duration.

How the captain shapes your route

The itinerary is intentionally flexible. You and the captain decide where to go based on what your group wants to do, current conditions, and which areas are open to this type of charter.

The operator recommends spending at least 1.5 hours at a stop. That is sensible. A quick swim, snorkeling session, and climb back aboard can easily take an hour, and a beach stop needs time to feel like a stop rather than a photo pause.

It also means you should not try to collect every location listed. Thirteen possible stops, each at 1.5 hours, would require more than 19 hours before allowing for travel time. On a half-day trip, choose one or two priorities. A full day gives you room for several stops, but not all of them.

Tell the captain what matters most before leaving the harbor. If your children want turtles, say so. If your group prefers a quiet cove and a long lunch, make that clear. The best use of a private charter is to identify your top two or three goals, then let the crew arrange a sensible route.

Captains including JW and Alex have been praised for asking what people wanted to see and adjusting the day around those wishes. Other crew members, including Olivia, Coleman, Celina, Ro, and Kahlia, have helped with gear, drinks, and getting swimmers safely in and out of the water.

St. Thomas beaches and coves

Several possible stops lie around St. Thomas, and each suits a different kind of day.

Secret Harbour is a reasonable choice for a relaxed swim and snorkel stop. Because you can stay as long as you like, it works well as an early water session before moving elsewhere.

Brewer’s Bay gives you another option on St. Thomas, especially when wind or waves make one side of an island less comfortable. The crew has shown flexibility during windy weeks by finding calmer water and protected coves.

Magens Bay Beach is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beaches and a natural choice for a scenic swim. Its popularity can also make it less peaceful than a small cove, so ask the captain about conditions and crowd levels on your date.

Sapphire Beach and Coki Point Beach are useful choices if your group wants classic St. Thomas beach scenery. Coki is also associated with snorkeling and easy water access, but a popular beach may feel busier than a secluded anchorage.

Lindqvist Beach offers a quieter-feeling alternative on St. Thomas. It suits a group that wants beach time without making the entire outing about organized activities.

The key advantage is not checking off every name. It is having the captain choose a suitable cove when the wind shifts, the water gets choppy, or your group simply likes the first place enough to stay.

St. John’s quieter water and turtle country

St. John is where the charter becomes especially appealing for people who want clear water, beach time, and a more nature-focused day.

Honeymoon Beach is a good choice for a swim and easy relaxation. Francis Bay and Maho Bay Beach are strong candidates for people hoping to see sea turtles. Several outings have included turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, and even an octopus, though no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.

Maho Bay is often the first place I would discuss with a family whose main wish is turtles. The crew can help point out sea life, but you should still treat any sighting as a bonus rather than a promise.

Trunk Bay Beach appears among the possible destinations, but access is not always available to commercial charters. One outing was affected by this restriction, and the company acknowledged that the change was recent. Ask about current access before building your whole plan around Trunk Bay.

Waterlemon Cay is another appealing option for snorkeling and scenery. It can be a good pick for a full-day charter, when you have enough time to enjoy the water without rushing straight back to the harbor.

Scott Bay Beach and Hansen Bay Beach provide more choices around St. John. These locations may be best used as alternatives when the captain is checking wind, water conditions, and local access.

The charm of St. John is the chance to combine a swim with views of undeveloped shorelines and small bays. The tradeoff is that the most desirable spots may be affected by anchoring rules, charter restrictions, weather, or the distance required to reach them.

Snorkeling, floats, and time in the water

Snorkeling is a major part of the experience, and equipment is included. The crew can help fit masks and fins, explain where to enter, and point out areas where sea life is likely to be found.

The reported sightings include sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, and large numbers of tropical fish. One family also saw a sunken ship. These details show the range of what might be encountered, but the captain cannot control visibility, wildlife, or sea conditions.

The boat also carries floats. That makes the charter work for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to snorkel for hours. Strong swimmers can explore while others relax on a float, sit on the boat, or enjoy the beach.

Families with very young children should speak plainly with the crew about swimming ability. The experience has worked well for groups with babies, toddlers, and children who were not confident swimmers, and crew members have helped supervise children briefly while parents snorkeled. That is a practical kindness, but it should not be treated as a substitute for a parent’s attention or formal childcare.

One family with children from four months to five years found the crew especially accommodating. That does not mean every young child will love a boat ride. Bring whatever your child needs for shade, comfort, and a calm afternoon, while remembering that the supplied details do not specify child seats or special infant equipment.

Food, drinks, and the lunch question

The included drinks keep the day easy. You get water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. Several crew members have also been praised for keeping drinks topped up and handling the bar service with care.

Lunch is not included. You can purchase food at some stops, and past routes have included Lovango for lunch and the well-known Pizza Pi boat. The crew may suggest a lunch stop that fits your route, but stopping to eat takes time away from swimming or beach time.

For a half-day charter, I would be cautious about adding a long lunch stop. A full-day outing makes more room for it. If your group has dietary needs, young children, or strong lunch preferences, ask ahead about the practical options rather than assuming food will be available everywhere.

You may also bring snacks, but the supplied details do not set out a specific outside-food policy. Confirm that point when you book.

Service and the occasional rough edge

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the crew’s personal service. Maddy, Olivia, JW, Alex, Coleman, Vic, Dave, Celina, Ro, and others have been praised for friendliness, island facts, safety help, drink service, and adapting the route.

That matters on a private charter because the crew shapes the mood. A good captain can turn a basic boat ride into a relaxed day with sensible stops. The experience has also worked for birthday celebrations, family reunions, and groups of 11 or 12.

Still, the record is not perfect. One serious complaint described poor communication, concerns about life jackets, a lack of customization, and tension after the group arrived late. The company disputed those claims and stated that the boat carries enough life jackets. The practical lesson is clear: arrive on time, clarify your priorities before departure, and speak directly with the company if something feels wrong.

The company also says boats are sanitized after each trip and that captains and crew were tested for COVID-19 monthly under the stated health program. Masks are not required for this mainly outdoor activity, but guests may wear them if they prefer.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It is particularly well suited to families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who wants to combine snorkeling with a flexible beach day.

It is also a good fit for mixed-age groups. Non-swimmers can use the floats or stay aboard, confident snorkelers can spend more time in the water, and children can move between the boat and a beach stop.

A small group should think carefully about cost. Four people will pay much more per person than 12, and a shared excursion may offer better value if privacy is not important.

This is not the right choice if your main goal is visiting the British Virgin Islands. The SY Sirena charter does not include the BVI, and a separate product is required. It is also not ideal for anyone who needs a guaranteed stop at one specific beach, since access and conditions can change.

Booking details that matter

The meeting point is American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas. The boat returns there at the end of the charter.

Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking. Do not assume it is automatic. Confirm it early if you are staying on St. John.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and the activity states that most people can participate.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and cancellations are not accepted for a refund. The charter requires good weather, and if poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the SY Sirena?

Book it if you have a large group, want your own boat, and care more about a flexible day than a fixed sightseeing route. The best value comes with eight to 12 people, especially if snorkeling, turtles, beach time, and a comfortable boat all matter to you.

Before paying, confirm the current half-day or full-day rate, ask which beaches are available on your date, and tell the captain your top priorities. If your plan depends on Trunk Bay or the BVI, choose another option.

For a family or group that wants personal service, room to spread out, and the freedom to linger in a good cove, this is a strong St. Thomas charter. For a small party on a tight budget, the price may be harder to defend.

FAQ

Where does the private catamaran charter begin?

It begins at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, in Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Where does the boat return?

The activity ends back at American Yacht Harbor, the starting point.

How long does the charter last?

You can select a half-day or full-day charter. The approximate duration is four to seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private yacht for up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with floats.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch costs extra, though food can be purchased at some locations.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The SY Sirena charter does not include the BVI. A separate product is required for a BVI visit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the charter to be canceled.