Half or Full-Day Private Boat Charter from St. John or St. Thomas

The best part of this private charter is simple: you choose the day. Your captain can take you to sea turtles at Maho Bay, a quiet beach near Caneel Bay, a wreck in Christmas Cove, or a floating restaurant for pizza or tacos. It feels less like a fixed boat tour and more like borrowing a local’s favorite route around St. John and St. Thomas.

I especially like the private boat for up to eight people and the captain-led flexibility. Captains Andrew, Bryan, Steve, and Scott are praised for finding good snorkel sites, watching the clock for cruise passengers, and helping families with children or mobility limits. The main drawback is cost: $795 per group before fuel, tips, and food, so the value improves sharply when you fill most of the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Sea turtles are a major draw: Maho Bay is a strong choice for calm-water snorkeling and turtle sightings.
• Pizza Pi adds a memorable finish: You can swim from the boat to a floating pizzeria in Christmas Cove.
• The trip is genuinely private: Only your group participates, with room for up to eight people.
• Half-day timing works well for cruise visitors: Afternoon departures can fit families who want a slower morning.
• Full-day trips reach farther: You can combine north and south shore sites, Waterlemon Cay, and Lime Out.
• Budget beyond the advertised price: Fuel, gratuity, drinks, food, and transport from the cruise port are separate.

A private boat day around St. John

This is a good choice if you want to see St. John from the water without joining a large group. Bonus Time Charters uses a 29-foot or 32-foot power catamaran, and the boat is reserved for your party. That matters in the Virgin Islands, where a quiet cove can feel very different when you reach it with only your own family or friends.

The charter begins from the St. Thomas area, with trips also serving people staying on St. John. Your captain handles the route, boat safety, and snorkel setup while you decide what matters most. You can put more time into swimming, make room for a beach stop, or spend less time at a site that feels crowded.

The half-day experience lasts about three and a half hours, including travel time. That is enough for several stops, but not enough to see every corner of both islands. A full-day charter gives you a much wider range, including the south shore of St. John, Coral Bay, Waterlemon Cay, and Lime Out.

The boat includes water, ice, a cooler, and snorkeling equipment. You may bring your own drinks, but glass bottles are not allowed. Lunch and drinks purchased at Pizza Pi or Lime Out cost extra.

Maho Bay brings the best chance for turtles

Maho Bay is one of the most popular stops for good reason. Its calm water makes it approachable for families and less confident swimmers, and the bay is known for sea turtles. You might see them feeding near the seagrass while colorful fish move around the reef.

Plan on about an hour here on the suggested half-day route. That gives you time to get comfortable with the gear, swim at an easy pace, and watch the bottom rather than rushing from one spot to another.

Your captain’s role is important here. Captains Andrew and Bryan are praised for fitting snorkel equipment, explaining where to go, and keeping an eye on the group. That personal help can make a real difference when children, older adults, or first-time snorkelers are on board.

Maho Bay can be popular, so it may not feel private at every moment. Your captain can adjust the timing or choose another location if conditions and crowds make a different stop more sensible. The charter’s value comes from that flexibility, not from a promise that every planned stop will happen exactly as printed.

Waterlemon Cay rewards a full day

Waterlemon Cay is a particularly appealing choice for a full-day trip or a group that wants snorkeling to be the main event. The site has healthy populations of elkhorn coral, a threatened coral species, and offers another view of St. John’s underwater world.

The suggested visit lasts about 30 minutes, but the actual time can be adjusted. Waterlemon Cay is farther afield than the easiest north shore stops, so reaching it makes more sense when you have a full day or are willing to devote a larger share of a half-day to travel.

This is one place where the captain’s local judgment matters. Sea conditions can change, and some passages around the islands may be choppy. The crew selects locations with conditions in mind, but you should expect some boat motion, especially on the ride between bays.

Bring a cover-up for the return ride. One family found that the ride back was when most of the group got more sun than expected. The boat provides a cooler with ice, but sunscreen and sun protection remain your responsibility.

Scott Beach offers quiet time off the boat

Scott Beach, near the former Caneel Bay Resort, is a good counterpoint to the snorkel-heavy stops. You can swim, relax on the sand, or explore the shoreline near the old resort grounds. The beach is reached by boat, which helps it feel removed from the main road and the usual land-based traffic.

The suggested stop lasts about an hour. That is long enough for a proper break rather than a quick photo stop. Families can split up naturally, with some people snorkeling while others stay on the beach.

This stop also shows why a private charter can be a better fit than a rigid excursion. If your group has mixed interests, you do not have to make everyone snorkel. One person can float, another can walk the beach, and someone else can stay aboard.

Do keep expectations practical. Quiet beaches are not guaranteed to be empty, and conditions can affect how long you spend ashore. Still, Scott Beach is one of the stronger choices for a slower hour away from the boat.

Christmas Cove ends the half-day on a high note

Christmas Cove gives the half-day route a memorable finish. You can snorkel around Fish Cay, look for a sunken sailboat, or order food from Pizza Pi, the floating pizzeria.

Pizza Pi is not included in the charter price, but it is a fun part of the experience. You may swim from the boat to the floating restaurant and eat on the water. Families with children especially seem to enjoy the novelty, and it gives the day a clear ending beyond simply returning to the marina.

The cove also works well for groups that want one last snorkel. Reports include sightings of fish, rays, and a wrecked vessel. Marine life is never guaranteed, but the combination of snorkeling and an unusual lunch stop makes Christmas Cove one of the most distinctive parts of the trip.

If you want Pizza Pi, tell the captain early in the day. The route can be built around your preferred food stop, and the captain can help keep the schedule on track.

Full-day charters open up St. John

A full-day trip lets you move beyond the most common north shore circuit. You can head toward Salt Pond Bay, Little Lameshur, Pelican Rock, Tektite, and other coves along St. John’s south side.

Salt Pond Bay is useful for groups that want another turtle possibility and a change in scenery. Little Lameshur offers a quieter setting, while Pelican Rock near Hansen Bay adds another snorkel option. These stops are better suited to people who want variety instead of repeating the same type of bay.

You can also head toward Coral Bay for Lime Out, the floating taco bar. Like Pizza Pi, Lime Out is an extra purchase, but the setting is part of the appeal. Lunch on a floating restaurant turns a standard boat day into something you will remember clearly.

A full day is the better choice if you want both north and south shore sites, longer snorkel sessions, and a food stop without watching every minute. It also suits people who have already seen St. Thomas by land and want to spend a full day on the water.

The tradeoff is price and stamina. A full day means more sun, more boat time, and a larger overall expense. If your main goals are turtles, a beach, and Pizza Pi, several hours may be enough.

What the captains add to the experience

The captains are more than boat operators. Andrew is often praised for matching the route to a group’s interests, pointing out landmarks, explaining the best direction to swim at each snorkel site, and sharing stories about St. Thomas and St. John.

Bryan has been singled out for helping with snorkeling, music, safety, and family needs. Steve is praised for treating the boat as your own for the day and for adjusting the plan as you go. Scott has been described as attentive, friendly, and good at finding strong snorkel locations.

Captain assignments can change, so you should not book expecting a particular person unless the company confirms it. The larger point is the guiding style: the trip works best when you tell the captain what you want before leaving.

Be clear if your priorities are turtles, quiet beaches, a wreck, food, or sightseeing. Also mention mobility concerns. One captain helped a wheelchair user enter the water comfortably, and another assisted a group with mobility limitations. That does not mean the boat is fully accessible in every situation, so contact the company ahead of time if accessibility is important.

How the $795 price makes sense

The listed price is $795 per group of up to eight people. That is not a cheap excursion for two people, but it can be reasonable for a full group. Split eight ways, the base price is just under $100 per person before fuel, tip, food, and transport.

The private format is the key value. You are not paying only for a seat and a route. You are paying for a boat reserved for your group, a captain who can adjust the day, snorkel gear, ice, water, and access to beaches and coves that are harder to reach on your own.

Fuel is extra and billed according to use at $7 per gallon. A 20 percent tip is recommended if the captain provides excellent service. Add your own drinks, Pizza Pi or Lime Out, and taxi costs when building the real budget.

For cruise passengers, the taxi from the cruise port to American Yacht Harbor takes about 20 minutes and has been estimated at around $15 per person each way. With eight people, that transfer can add up quickly. Arrange enough time for the ride back to the ship, and tell the captain your sailing schedule at the start.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong fit for families with children and teenagers, especially if your group wants a later start. An afternoon half-day departure can work well for people who do not want to rush out first thing in the morning.

It also suits groups with mixed abilities. Some people can snorkel while others relax on the beach or aboard the boat. The captain can help with equipment and water entry, but you should discuss mobility needs before booking.

Cruise passengers can make good use of the half-day format, provided they allow time for taxis and port security. Captains have helped groups return on schedule, but the responsibility for getting back to the ship remains yours.

Couples or very small groups may find the base price harder to justify. If you can share the boat with family or friends, the per-person cost becomes more attractive.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation arrives when you book, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. The company says it tries to accommodate groups, but specific accessibility questions should be handled before payment.

The charter requires decent weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection. A cover-up is useful for the boat ride, and reef-safe habits are sensible around coral and marine life. Bring drinks in non-glass containers if you want something beyond the included water.

The boat ride itself is part of the day, so people prone to seasickness should plan accordingly. Conditions are usually considered when selecting stops, but the water can be choppy in open passages.

Should you book Bonus Time Charters?

Book this charter if you want a private, flexible day and your group cares more about choosing good stops than following a fixed sightseeing route. It is especially appealing for families, cruise passengers, and groups of six to eight who want turtles, snorkeling, a quiet beach, and an unusual meal on the water.

Choose the half-day if your priorities are Maho Bay, Scott Beach, Christmas Cove, and Pizza Pi. Choose the full day if you want Waterlemon Cay, the south shore, Lime Out, and several longer snorkel stops.

I would look carefully at the final cost before booking. Fuel, gratuity, food, and taxi fares are not minor details. Still, for a full group that values privacy and personal attention, the charter offers a more relaxed and adaptable way to see St. John than a standard group excursion.

FAQ

How long is the half-day charter?

The half-day experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

How many people can join the private boat?

The charter accommodates up to eight people per group.

What type of boat is used?

Bonus Time Charters uses either a 29-foot or 32-foot power catamaran.

What is included in the price?

The charter includes an experienced captain, private transportation on the water, water, ice, a cooler, and snorkeling equipment.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is billed separately according to usage at $7 per gallon.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. You may bring your own beverages, but glass bottles are not allowed on board.

Are meals included?

No. Food purchased at places such as Pizza Pi or Lime Out is paid for separately by your group.

Can cruise passengers use this charter?

Yes. Cruise passengers should take a taxi to American Yacht Harbor to meet the boat. The ride from the cruise port takes about 20 minutes and may cost around $15 per person each way.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.