USVI Private Boat Charter Adventure

The best part of this private charter is the freedom to shape an entire day on the water. You can snorkel with sea turtles at Little Buck Island, stop at a beach on St. John, cruise past the smaller islands near St. Thomas, and finish with time at Lovango Resort and Beach Club. It is less a fixed tour than your own floating day plan.

I like the private boat for up to 12 people, since your group does not have to follow strangers or a rigid schedule. I also like that snorkel gear, fins, noodles, bottled water, and ice are supplied. The main catch is that fuel is billed after the trip, and Lovango adds a $35-per-person mooring fee.

Key points at a glance

• Turtle Cove or the Cartanza wreck: Choose between sea-turtle snorkeling at Little Buck Island or a 190-foot shipwreck with fish life.
• A full eight hours on the water: The long format gives you time for several islands, beaches, and a relaxed meal stop.
• Private planning: Chris contacts you about your wishes, and the captain can adjust the day around your group.
• Lovango costs extra: The resort and beach club charge a $35-per-person mooring fee, and food is not included.
• Captains make the difference: Kevin, Patrick, Kyle, and Phil have each been praised for safe boat handling, local knowledge, and a friendly manner.
• Good value for a group: At $1,500 for up to 12 people, the per-person price falls sharply as your party grows.

One private day from St. Thomas to St. John

This charter gives you something a standard group cruise cannot: room to set the pace. Start at 8:30 a.m. and spend about eight hours moving between St. Thomas, St. John, Little Buck Island, and nearby waters.

You can make the day active, with several snorkeling stops, or slow it down with long swims, beach time, and lunch. That flexibility matters in the Virgin Islands, where a short boat ride can take you from a busy harbor to a quiet cove.

The boat is private to your group. That makes this a natural fit for a family reunion, a birthday, a group of friends, or a couple traveling with several other couples. It also means you can talk with the captain about what matters most before the boat leaves. Chris has contacted guests ahead of time to discuss their plans, which is useful when your group has different ideas about snorkeling, beaches, and meals.

The boat carries up to 12 people, but the best experience depends on how much personal space your group wants. Eight people found there was plenty of room on one trip, while a full group of 12 will naturally feel busier. If your party is small, the $1,500 flat rate is less economical than it is for a large group.

Little Buck Island: turtles or a 190-foot wreck

Your first major choice is at Little Buck Island. At Turtle Cove, you can look for sea turtles in an area known for having a large number of them in the Virgin Islands. This is the clearest choice for anyone who wants a memorable wildlife encounter and an easy reason to get in the water.

The other option is Shipwreck Cove, where the 190-foot Cartanza wreck sits below the surface. The wreck brings a different kind of interest, with fish life around the structure and the chance to explore a notable underwater site.

You do not need to rent snorkeling equipment separately. Masks, fins, and flotation noodles are included, along with bottled water and ice. That saves time and makes the morning simpler, especially if several people in your party need gear.

The captain can help you decide between the two sites, but sea conditions matter. One day may be calm and clear, while another can bring choppy water. A past trip had rougher water, yet the captain kept the group feeling safe and secure. That is an important point: this is an open-water outing, not a guaranteed calm-water swim.

St. John beaches with room to change plans

The St. John portion gives you a long menu of beaches and snorkeling areas. Possible stops include Maho Bay, Trunk Bay, Caneel Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Great Lameshur Bay, and Salt Pond Bay.

Maho Bay is a sensible pick if sea turtles are high on your list. Trunk Bay is one of the best-known beach stops in the area, while the other bays offer different settings for swimming, sunbathing, and looking below the surface. The precise order is not fixed, which lets your captain respond to wind, water conditions, and your group’s energy.

This is where the private format earns its keep. You might want to snorkel for an hour, while someone else in your party would rather sit on a beach. A shared excursion often forces a compromise. Here, you can tell the captain when the group has had enough water time.

The tradeoff is that you need to make choices. You will not have time to linger at every beach on the list, and spending a long time at one stop means giving up time somewhere else. Ask your captain early how many stops are realistic, then choose your priorities instead of trying to collect every name.

St. Thomas from the water

The St. Thomas section brings the island into view from a different angle. The possible beach stops include Magen’s Bay, Brewers Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, and Mermaid’s Chair.

You can also explore smaller islands near St. Thomas, including Water Island and Little Water Island. Seeing the shoreline from the boat gives you a better sense of how the islands fit together. It also lets you spend time away from the main crowds without giving up the familiar scenery of St. Thomas.

Magen’s Bay is a well-known beach choice, while Brewers Bay and Frenchman’s Bay can offer a change of pace. Mermaid’s Chair is another possible stop for groups that want to see a distinctive coastal spot. The captain’s route will depend on the day and on what your group asks to do.

I would not treat this portion as a race to visit every named place. The value is in having a captain who can shape the day around your interests. If you have already spent time on St. Thomas’s beaches, use this section for a quieter swim or for views of the smaller islands.

Lovango Resort adds comfort, food, and an extra charge

Lovango Resort and Beach Club is the most polished stop on the route. You can lounge at the beach club and restaurant, then take the boat around the corner to a snorkel area with reef fish and a secluded beach.

Several past outings used Lovango or another floating restaurant as a meal stop. Lime Out, a floating taco restaurant and bar, was also part of some days, though it is not listed as a guaranteed stop. Ask before departure if you have a particular restaurant in mind.

Lovango is not included in the base price. The mooring fee is $35 per person, and food and drinks are additional. For a group of 12, that fee alone adds $420, so it can change the total cost in a meaningful way.

Still, the stop may be worth it if your group wants a proper break from the boat. The beach club provides a more comfortable pause than eating snacks between swims. If your priority is keeping the total low, skip the resort fee and spend that time at a beach instead.

What the captains add to the day

A good captain matters more here than on a simple harbor cruise. You are relying on that person to read the water, choose workable stops, handle the boat, and help a mixed group settle on a plan.

Kevin has been praised for being professional, kind, fun, and careful on choppier water. Patrick has guided groups to snorkeling spots and lunch locations while sharing information about the islands. Kyle has been praised for a friendly manner, clean boats, flexible stops, and making room for a family group.

Phil has taken groups to snorkeling areas, St. John beaches, and Lovango, and has helped younger passengers try new foods and learn basic swimming skills in the water. These details point to the sort of service you can expect from a strong captain: not just steering the boat, but helping your group use the day well.

You should still understand that a specific captain is not promised in the information provided. Names such as Kevin, Patrick, Kyle, and Phil show the range of captains who have led the experience, but your assigned captain may be different.

Price, fuel, and what you really pay

The base price is $1,500 per group, with up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to $125 per person before fuel and extras. For six people, it becomes $250 each, and for four people, $375 each.

That is not a bargain in the same way as a large shared boat trip. It can be good value if you want privacy, a full eight hours, flexible stops, and a captain focused only on your party. The value improves quickly as your group gets larger.

Fuel is billed at the end of the trip according to the fuel meter. Because the final fuel cost is not specified, ask about the expected range before departure. You should also ask about alternate marina pickup or drop-off fees if you want to use a different dock.

Lovango’s $35-per-person mooring charge is another clear extra. Meals, drinks, and any other purchases at the resort are also outside the base price. Build those costs into your decision rather than treating the advertised amount as the complete bill.

Pickup, timing, and practical planning

Pickup is offered from select locations, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Confirm the exact pickup place when you book, especially if your hotel or marina is not one of the standard locations.

The start time is 8:30 a.m. The early departure is useful because it gives you the full day on the water and leaves enough time for multiple stops. You will want to arrive ready to board, with swimwear, sun protection, and anything personal you need for several hours outside.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. The experience is near public transportation, and the supplied information says most people can participate. No special accessibility details are provided, so ask the operator directly if someone in your party has mobility or medical needs.

Weather can affect the trip. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this outing if your group wants a private day rather than a set sightseeing loop. It suits people who like to mix swimming, snorkeling, beach time, island views, and lunch without being pushed from one stop to the next.

It is especially useful for groups with different ages or energy levels. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling, while others can stay on the boat, float with a noodle, or relax on a beach. A private captain can adjust the pace in a way a large group boat usually cannot.

Families with older children and adults may appreciate the choice between Turtle Cove and the Cartanza wreck. Couples traveling with friends can split the day between quiet coves and a more social beach-club stop.

I would think twice if you want a very low-cost activity, dislike paying fuel after the trip, or prefer a guaranteed list of exact stops. The route is flexible, which is its strength, but flexibility also means the final day depends on weather, sea conditions, and your group’s choices.

Should you book the USVI private boat charter?

Book it if you have at least six people, value privacy, and want one long day that combines St. Thomas, St. John, Little Buck Island, snorkeling, beaches, and a possible resort stop. The captain-led planning is a major advantage, and the turtle cove and Cartanza wreck give the morning a clear sense of purpose.

For a smaller group, compare the per-person cost with shared boat trips before committing. Also ask about fuel, alternate dock fees, and the Lovango mooring charge so the final price does not surprise you.

My best tip is to decide your top two priorities before boarding. Tell the captain if those are turtles, the wreck, a certain St. John beach, a long lunch, or quiet time. You cannot do everything in eight hours, but with a private boat and a clear plan, you can make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How much does the private charter cost?

The charter costs $1,500 per group for up to 12 people. Fuel is billed separately at the end of the trip based on the fuel meter.

How long is the experience?

The outing lasts about eight hours and starts at 8:30 a.m. It ends back at the meeting point.

Which islands and areas can the boat visit?

The route can include Little Buck Island, St. John, St. Thomas, and smaller nearby islands such as Water Island and Little Water Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks, fins, and flotation noodles are included, along with bottled water and ice.

Can I snorkel with sea turtles?

At Little Buck Island, you can choose Turtle Cove, which is known for having a large number of sea turtles in the Virgin Islands. The captain may also offer Shipwreck Cove instead.

What is the Cartanza wreck?

The Cartanza is a 190-foot wreck at Shipwreck Cove, where you can explore underwater and see fish life around the wreck.

Is Lovango Resort included in the price?

The Lovango Resort and Beach Club stop is part of the possible route, but its $35-per-person mooring fee is not included. Food and drinks are also extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.