Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

The best part of this St. Thomas sailing day is the freedom to shape it around your group. Aboard the catamaran Second Chance, you can stop at Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, or other agreed locations for snorkeling, swimming, and time in the sun. If you prefer a slower stretch, settle into a hammock chair or bean bag and let the boat do the work.

I like the private format, since your group controls the pace instead of following a fixed crowd schedule. I also like the thoughtful food and drink setup, including fruit and pastries in the morning, lunch, water, soda, beer, and a gallon of rum punch or Painkiller. The main consideration is the price: at $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that will use the full seven and a half hours and enjoy several activities.

Key points at a glance

• Choose two or three snorkeling stops: Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.
• A full private boat day: Only your group participates, with a start at 8:30 a.m. and return to the same Red Hook dock.
• Sea turtles and reef time: The outing is designed around snorkeling reefs and the chance to swim with turtles.
• More than a sailing trip: Paddle boards, hammock swings, bean bags, and trampoline nets give you several ways to spend time between stops.
• Food and drinks are included: Fruit, pastries, wraps, chips, water, soda, light beer, and rum punch or Painkiller are provided.
• A well-reviewed crew: Ivy, TL, Justin, John, and Michelle are named in the experience details and guest feedback, depending on the day’s crew.

Setting out from Red Hook at 8:30 a.m.

Your day begins at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 201 Red Hook Road in St. Thomas. The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., and the boat returns to this same meeting point after roughly seven hours and 30 minutes.

That early start matters. A full day on the water can feel rushed if you leave late, but this schedule gives you a long window for several stops, lunch, sailing, and unhurried time aboard. You should arrive ready for a full day outside rather than treating this as a short harbor cruise.

The meeting point is near public transportation. If you drive, all-day marina parking has been available for $30 when arranged through the charter, according to one booking experience. Confirm the current parking arrangement before your departure, since parking terms can change.

The mobile ticket makes check-in simple. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity ends back at the starting dock, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another island.

Why a private charter changes the day

A private boat is a different product from a standard group excursion. Your group has the boat to itself, so the day can be shaped around the people aboard. That is especially useful when one person wants to snorkel, another wants to use a paddle board, and someone else would rather sit in the shade or on a hammock swing.

The captain can also adjust the stop choices. The planned route usually includes two or three snorkeling locations, but you choose among the available possibilities with the crew. That flexibility is valuable in the Virgin Islands, where conditions and group interests can affect which cove makes the most sense on a given day.

You should still keep expectations reasonable. Private does not mean every request can be guaranteed. Weather, sea conditions, and the time needed to sail between locations will shape the final route. The value is having room to make choices, not having a fixed promise of one exact beach or reef.

This setup works particularly well for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and small celebrations. A group of nine has used the boat for a birthday outing, while another party booked it for a wedding celebration. Those examples show how the charter can suit both active groups and milestone occasions.

Maho, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove

The possible stops give you a good sense of the day’s character. Maho, on St. John, is associated with calm water and sea turtle sightings, making it a natural choice for a group hoping to snorkel and see marine life. The trip description specifically highlights swimming with turtles, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Lovango Cay offers another possible setting for reef time and swimming. Christmas Cove is also on the list of possible stops. The crew may include two or three locations, depending on your choices and the conditions that day.

At each stop, you can use the provided snorkeling equipment rather than packing a full kit of your own. That saves space and makes the outing easier for a mixed group. Someone who is comfortable in the water can snorkel while another person stays aboard, uses the paddle board, or rests in a hammock chair.

The exact order and length of each stop are not fixed in the information provided. That is worth keeping in mind if you have one particular cove in mind. Ask the crew about the day’s options when you arrive, then choose based on weather, water conditions, and what your group wants most.

Snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and hammock swings

The boat is set up for more than sitting in a seat during the ride. The trampoline nets at the front give you a place to stretch out and catch the sun, while bean bags offer another relaxed spot. At the back, the original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang over the water.

Those details matter during a seven-hour outing. You are not locked into one activity, and the day can shift naturally between swimming, snorkeling, paddling, eating, and resting. The hammock swings are a particularly nice touch for anyone who wants the feel of being close to the water without spending every minute in it.

Paddle boards are included, giving you an easy way to explore the water at a calmer pace. The supplied information does not specify how many boards are aboard, so if several people in your group want to paddle at once, ask ahead of time.

The boat itself provides the setting for the day. You get a smooth sailing ride rather than a simple transfer from one stop to another. That said, anyone prone to seasickness should prepare for a full day on the water. No special seasickness provisions are listed, so bring anything you normally use.

What you eat and drink aboard Second Chance

The food plan is practical and generous for a day at sea. A morning fruit and pastry tray gives you something to eat early, followed by freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps with chips. Water and soda are available throughout the day.

You also receive one 12-pack of light beer and one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, with the choice made by the group. Alcohol is only for people age 18 and older. Since the day includes swimming and paddle boarding, you should pace yourself and keep water in hand.

The included meals add real value to the $250 price. You do not need to leave the water for lunch, find a restaurant at a beach stop, or pack enough food for seven and a half hours. This also helps keep the day flexible, since the group can eat aboard when it suits the schedule.

The food is casual rather than elaborate. Expect wraps, chips, fruit, pastries, and drinks, not a formal meal. For most groups, that is the right approach for a boat day. If anyone in your party has a serious dietary restriction, ask Beach Charters VI before booking, since the supplied details do not list special meal options.

The crew and the feel aboard

The crew receives unusually strong praise in the supplied feedback. Ivy and TL are repeatedly described as welcoming hosts, and Captain Justin is singled out for making one party’s day feel warm and well managed. John and Michelle are also named as friendly hosts in another account.

The important point for you is the tone of the service. The crew appears to treat the charter as a personal day rather than a simple transport job. That fits the private format, where the quality of communication and the crew’s willingness to adjust the plan can matter as much as the scenery.

A group celebrating a birthday found the crew friendly and helpful, while another group used the boat for a wedding celebration. One party also described the boat as clean and ready at departure. These details suggest that the charter is well suited to occasions where you want the crew to help mark the day.

Crew assignments can vary, so do not assume every named person will be aboard your trip. Ivy, TL, Justin, John, and Michelle appear in the supplied material, but your booking confirmation should be your guide to the current crew.

Is $250 per person a good value?

The listed price is $250 per person. That is not a bargain for a simple boat ride, but it is easier to justify when you use the full package: approximately seven and a half hours, a private catamaran, multiple possible snorkeling stops, equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and rum punch or Painkiller.

The comparison that matters is not only the ticket price. You are also paying for privacy, a flexible route, a full day on the water, and the ability to keep the same group together. For a large enough party, the private format can feel more worthwhile than booking separate seats on a crowded excursion.

The price is less attractive if your group wants only a short swim and a quick look at the reefs. In that case, you may not use the full range of included features. It also does not include gratuity, so set aside extra money for the crew.

The 98 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 91 reviews suggest a strong record, especially for hospitality and the overall day. Ratings are not a guarantee of perfect weather or identical conditions, but they do support the idea that the charter delivers the kind of personal, celebratory outing it promises.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this for a group that wants one major day on the water and likes having options. It suits people who want to combine snorkeling with easy relaxation instead of spending the whole day doing one activity.

Families can split up naturally, with stronger swimmers snorkeling and others remaining aboard. Couples traveling with friends can enjoy the private setting without sharing a boat with strangers. Birthday and wedding groups also have the space and time to make the day feel like an occasion.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour, or prefer to pay only for the activities you use. It may also be a poor fit for someone who needs a fixed menu or a guaranteed route, since the stops are selected around conditions and group preferences.

You should also think about sun exposure. The experience includes bean bags, trampoline nets, hammock chairs, swimming, and sailing, so much of the day takes place outdoors. Bring sun protection and anything you need to stay comfortable, though only the listed food, drinks, gear, and water should be treated as included.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The experience is usually booked well ahead, with an average booking window of 98 days. That makes sense for a private boat, especially if you are planning a birthday, wedding event, or vacation with a fixed schedule.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes the charter to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since the boat’s route depends on conditions, keep your schedule flexible enough to accept a changed plan if necessary.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

It starts at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, 6501, at 201 Red Hook Road in St. Thomas. The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes. It returns to the same meeting point in Red Hook.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity, rather than joining a shared group aboard the boat.

What snorkeling locations may be included?

Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other options. You can choose locations with the crew, and a typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, a morning fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese and vegetable wraps, chips, water, soda, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, and one 12-pack of light beer.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather forces the provider to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book Second Chance?

Book it if you want a full private day rather than a quick boat outing. The flexible snorkeling plan, sea turtle possibility, paddle boards, hammock swings, included food and drinks, and warm crew service create a well-rounded day for families and celebration groups.

Skip it if $250 per person feels high for your plans, if you want a guaranteed stop list, or if several hours at sea sounds tiring. For the right group, though, the private format and broad list of inclusions make this one of the more useful ways to spend a full day around St. Thomas and St. John.