Private St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip for Groups up to 24 Guest

A private day aboard two Lagoon catamarans is a fine way to see St Thomas from the water, especially if your group is too large for a standard charter. The boats, SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana, offer room at the bow, shade in the cockpit, a bathroom, music by Bluetooth, and a crew focused on your group rather than a mixed crowd. I like the freedom to shape the day around swimming and snorkeling, and I like that captain and first-mate fees, drinks, and gear are already covered.

The main catch is cost and capacity. The listed price is $4,995 for a group of up to 15, while the tandem boats can carry up to 24. If you have 16 to 24 people, confirm the exact rate before booking. Lunch is also your responsibility, and the day depends on good weather.

Key points at a glance

• Two Lagoon catamarans: SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana operate together for larger private groups.
• Seven hours on the water: The 9:00 am departure gives you most of the day for beaches, cays, harbors, and snorkeling.
• Crew-led island time: Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie are names connected with especially strong outings, along with first mate Kahlia.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, ice, soda, beer, rum punch, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Comfort for a full day: Use the sunny bow, shaded cockpit, open-air seating, private bathroom, and Bluetooth sound system.
• Lunch is not included: Plan ahead, since the charter price covers drinks but not a meal.

Two catamarans make this a strong group charter

This is not a small-boat outing with a few strangers squeezed along the rails. It is a private charter using two late-model Lagoon multi-deck sailing yachts, with a combined capacity of up to 24 people.

That setup matters for family reunions, wedding groups, cruise companions, and large friend groups. You can spread out between the two boats while still spending the day together. For a group of eight, the space should feel especially generous. One account described eight people as very comfortable, which fits the layout and the size of the vessels.

The listed price of $4,995 works out to about $333 per person for 15 people, before any lunch or other personal spending. At the full capacity of 24, the per-person figure would be lower, but the supplied price specifically says up to 15, so do not assume the larger group rate. Ask Seas the Day Charters and Tours how the pricing works for 16 to 24 people.

The value is strongest when you fill the boat with people you already know. A private charter costs more than a shared trip, but you are paying for space, control over the day, and a crew assigned to your group. That can be worthwhile when a standard tour would split your party or limit your time in the water.

Starting at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight

The yachts depart from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, at the meeting point listed as 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie. The marina is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock, which makes this a practical choice for a cruise day.

The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the charter lasts about seven hours. That gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water, rather than a short harbor ride. Cruise ship passengers should check the ship’s time zone carefully because the charter follows local St Thomas time.

The outing ends back at the meeting point. That return is useful if you have a ship departure or another planned activity, but you still need to leave enough time after the charter for the walk back to the dock and any ship boarding procedures. The supplied details do not promise transportation from hotels or the cruise terminal, so plan on making your own way to Yacht Haven Grande.

A flexible day around harbors, cays, and beaches

There is no fixed list of named stops in the available details. That is worth understanding before you book. Rather than selling a rigid sequence of attractions, the charter is designed to visit islands, harbors, nearby cays, and white-sand beaches according to the day’s conditions and the captain’s judgment.

That flexibility is one of the best parts of a private boat. You can tell the crew what matters most to your group. Some people will want more time snorkeling. Others may prefer to cruise, listen to music, swim, or sit in the shade. The captain can shape the day around those interests, within weather and sea conditions.

You should not expect a sightseeing lecture at every stop or a guaranteed visit to one particular beach. The exact route can change. That is normal for a sailing charter, but it means this outing suits you best if you value time on the water more than checking off a precise list of landmarks.

The captain also appears to be an important part of the experience. Captain JW is associated with clear updates, good snorkeling choices, and a smooth day on the water. Captain Anne Marie is noted for safety, storytelling, humor, and keeping the atmosphere lively. One outing also included first mate Kahlia, who was praised for making the day more enjoyable and informative.

Those names are useful, but the assigned crew and boat may vary. Confirm who will be aboard if having a particular captain matters to your group.

Snorkeling with equipment supplied

Snorkeling is a central part of the charter, and equipment is included. That saves you from packing masks, snorkels, and related gear, and it makes it easier for a mixed group to join in without buying equipment before departure.

The crew can take you to several snorkeling locations, though no specific sites are promised. Conditions, visibility, and sea traffic can affect the choice. Captain JW has taken groups to several good spots, and Captain Anne Marie has also led outings built around multiple snorkeling stops.

You should bring the personal items you normally need for a day outside, such as swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, since the supplied information does not say those are provided. Also remember that the charter is suitable for most people, but everyone should make their own judgment about swimming and snorkeling ability.

The water time works well for a group with different interests. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can remain aboard, sit in the shade, or enjoy the views from the bow. The boats’ size gives non-swimmers a comfortable place to wait instead of making the whole party leave a beach or snorkeling site early.

Space to sunbathe, sit in shade, and play your music

The catamarans are set up for a long day, not just a quick transfer between two points. At the bow, you can feel the breeze and sit in the sun. The large shaded cockpit has open-air seating, which is the better choice when the midday heat becomes tiring.

A private bathroom is a practical feature that is easy to overlook when comparing boats. With up to 24 people aboard two vessels, having onboard facilities makes the day more comfortable and reduces the need to cut short time at a beach or snorkeling area.

The Bluetooth sound system adds another personal touch. You can play music from your own device, giving your group more control over the mood. Keep the volume sensible, especially when the boat is near other people or when the captain is giving safety instructions.

The boats are described as late-model Lagoon sailing yachts. That does not mean every corner will feel luxurious to every person, but the combination of multiple decks, open seating, shade, a bathroom, and room at the bow gives you a more relaxed platform than a basic open skiff.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The all-inclusive part of the price covers the captain and first mate, water, ice, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and snorkeling equipment. Beer and rum punch are for people age 18 and older, according to the supplied details.

Those inclusions help explain the charter price. You are not adding crew gratuities listed as separate mandatory charges, renting snorkeling equipment, or buying every drink from a marina shop. The supplies also make the boat feel ready for a full day rather than a bare sailing rental.

Lunch is not included. This is the most important practical gap in the package. One day included a memorable lunch stop, but that does not mean food comes with the charter or that every route includes the same stop. Ask how lunch works for your date before departure. You may need to bring food, arrange a stop, or purchase lunch separately.

Because the charter includes alcohol, decide in advance who will be drinking and who will be responsible for keeping the group organized. The crew handles the boat, but you should still plan your own meals, personal items, and any child-specific needs.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would put this near the top of the list for a large private group that wants a shared day without giving up room to spread out. It also suits families because the setting offers several ways to participate. One particularly successful outing included teenagers and a seven-year-old, with music, snorkeling, and time aboard the boat all working together.

It is also a good match for people who care about the crew. Captain Anne Marie has been associated with humor, stories, safety, and strong island knowledge, while Captain JW has been praised for keeping people informed and selecting snorkeling locations. That combination can make the difference between a pleasant boat ride and a day that feels personal.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a cheap excursion, a guaranteed lunch, or a tightly scheduled list of named beaches. The price is high for a small party, and the route is not specified in enough detail to promise particular stops. A shared trip may make more sense if you mainly want transportation and a quick swim.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access or special mobility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if anyone in your group needs that support.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local St Thomas time.

That policy makes travel insurance or a backup plan sensible if your schedule is tight. Cruise passengers should be especially careful with timing, since the charter follows local time and the boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

Should you book the St Thomas catamaran charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost, want a private day, and care about comfort as much as snorkeling. The two-catamaran arrangement, open seating, shaded cockpit, bathroom, music system, supplied gear, and drinks create a strong full-day package. Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie are also names worth asking about when you confirm your crew.

Think twice if your party is small, your budget is tight, or you need lunch and a fixed route included. Before paying, confirm the rate for more than 15 people, the assigned boat, the captain, lunch arrangements, and the expected route for your date. With those points settled, this is a polished way to spend a full day around St Thomas with your own people.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter depart?

It departs from Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, at the listed meeting point of 83PH+CV9, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. The marina is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am. All charters use local St Thomas time, so cruise ship passengers should check their ship’s time zone.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The tandem catamarans can accommodate up to 24 people. The listed price of $4,995 covers a group of up to 15, so larger parties should confirm the additional pricing before booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, ice, soda, beer, and the signature rum punch are included. Beer and rum punch are for people age 18 and older.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the charter.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the charter price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.