Private New Powerboat to St John & LimeOut. Full Day USVI

St John is the star of this private boat day, but the real pleasure is choosing how to spend your time. Captain Bryan or Aron can shape the route around snorkeling, sea turtles, beach time, island views, or lunch at LimeOut or Lovango. You are not following a fixed group schedule.

I like the private price for up to 12 people, which can be good value for a family or group. I also like the 31-foot MV Aquarius, with twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines, bow seating, snorkeling gear, and a Bluetooth sound system. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, billed at $8 per gallon, plus the captain’s tip.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12: The $1,395 rate covers the whole group, not each person.
• St John-focused route: You can visit beaches, harbors, snorkeling sites, and nearby cays, but the British Virgin Islands are not included.
• Captain-led flexibility: Bryan and Aron have taken groups to scenic St John viewpoints, sea turtle areas, Lovango, and other stops.
• Food and beach choices: You can plan lunch at LimeOut, Lovango, Maho Crossroads, Dinghy’s Beach Bar, or simply find a quiet beach.
• Fuel costs extra: A full day generally uses 30 to 45 gallons, adding about $240 to $360 at the stated rate.
• Weather matters: The trip requires suitable conditions, with a different date or full refund offered if the operator cancels.

A private day across St Thomas and St John

This is not a simple ride from one port to another. It is a full-day boat outing built around your group’s interests, with the captain adjusting the plan as the day unfolds.

You start at 9:00 a.m. at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook. With advance notice, pickup can also be arranged at Cruz Bay on St John, WICO or Havensight in St Thomas, or Lovango. That flexibility matters if you are staying near one of those harbors or arriving from another part of the island.

The boat is the 2019 MV Aquarius, a 31-foot Wellcraft with twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines. That gives the day a faster, more capable feel than a small open skiff, while still leaving room for bow seating and snorkeling equipment. You can sit forward to talk, stretch out in the sun, or watch for turtles as you move between stops.

Because the vessel is private, you are not sharing the day with strangers who want a different pace. If half your group wants to snorkel and the rest would rather sit on a beach, the captain can work with that. The tradeoff is that your group must make choices together. A seven-hour charter can feel wonderfully full, but it will not allow unlimited time at every beach, bar, and snorkeling area.

Why St John works so well for this boat trip

St John is a natural focus for a private charter from St Thomas. The islands sit close enough for a day on the water, and a boat lets you experience the coast from a different angle than a road tour.

Your captain can build a route around island views and beaches, rather than simply dropping you at one scheduled stop. One outing may favor quiet coves and snorkeling. Another may spend more time near Cruz Bay, Lovango, or a beach with food and drinks. You should discuss your priorities at the start: swimming, snorkeling, lunch, sightseeing, or a mix.

The water route also gives you a chance to see the nearby cays and harbors. This is useful if you have already spent time on land in St Thomas and want a day that feels more open and less tied to roads.

The main limitation is clear: the British Virgin Islands are not available on this trip. If you want to visit the BVI, you need to book the separate BVI product instead. Do not assume that a private boat automatically means every nearby island is available.

MV Aquarius and what the boat adds

The MV Aquarius is large enough for a private group of up to 12, though the experience may feel most personal with a smaller party. One provided detail specifically points to groups of six or fewer as a strong fit for this style of outing. With fewer people, you will have more room to spread out and an easier time agreeing on the day’s plan.

The bow seating is one of the best practical features. It gives you a place to talk, sunbathe, or watch the water while underway. If you are hoping to spot turtles, the bow also puts you in a good position to keep an eye on the sea, though wildlife sightings can never be promised.

A Fusion sound system with Bluetooth lets you play your own music. Keep the volume sensible near beaches and other boats, but a personal playlist can make the ride feel like your group’s own day rather than a standard excursion.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with bottled water, soda, and beer. That keeps you from having to pack much beyond swimwear, towels, sunscreen, and anything personal you want on the boat. The provided information does not list a full meal, so plan to buy lunch at one of the suggested stops or confirm your food plans before departure.

Snorkeling, turtles, and choosing your pace

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this charter. The captain can take you to suitable spots and adjust for different skill levels. That is especially helpful if your group includes both confident swimmers and people who are new to snorkeling.

Captain Bryan has been praised for helping groups with varying snorkeling abilities and for taking them to places where they could see sea turtles. Another outing with Bryan included snorkeling and a stop for lunch at Lovango. Captain Aron has also led a route with St John views and attractive beaches while explaining the surrounding islands.

You should tell the captain early if snorkeling is a priority. A day built around several water stops will feel different from a day focused on beach time and lunch. You may also want to decide how long you are comfortable staying in the water before you leave the harbor.

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, but you remain responsible for using it safely and following the captain’s instructions. If anyone in your group has limited swimming ability, bring that up before the boat leaves. The activity information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but it does not provide a detailed accessibility description for the vessel.

Lunch at LimeOut, Lovango, or a beach bar

The title points to LimeOut, a floating taco bar in St John, but the exact sequence of stops is not fixed. Your captain designs the itinerary with your group, so you should ask what is realistic for your chosen route and timing.

LimeOut is a fun choice if you want lunch to be part of the boat experience. Pulling up for food breaks up the time on the water and gives you a social stop without giving up the private charter. Remember that the tour includes beer, water, and soda, but it does not state that lunch is included. Budget separately for food.

Lovango is another option. One full-day route included lunch there, and the setting was singled out as a highlight. Maho Crossroads and Dinghy’s Beach Bar are also listed as possible stops if you prefer a livelier break.

At the other end of the scale, you can ask for a quieter beach and spend more time swimming or resting. That choice is where a private charter earns its keep. A shared boat may need to satisfy a fixed schedule, while your captain can help you choose between a meal stop and a more peaceful cove.

You cannot do everything in seven hours. If LimeOut is important, say so when booking or at the beginning of the day. The same applies to Lovango, turtle watching, and any beach you have seen in photographs.

The real cost of a $1,395 private charter

The advertised price is $1,395 per group of up to 12, not $1,395 per person. Split among six people, that is $232.50 each before fuel and gratuity. Split among 12, it is $116.25 each before those extras. That makes the charter much more attractive for a full group than for a couple or small party.

Fuel is extra at $8 per gallon. A full day generally uses 30 to 45 gallons, so you should allow about $240 to $360 for fuel. At the stated range, the total before gratuity is roughly $1,635 to $1,755.

For six people, that works out to about $272.50 to $292.50 each before the captain’s tip. For 12, it is about $136.25 to $146.25 each before gratuity. Those figures help you compare the trip fairly with individual boat excursions.

You also need to budget a gratuity for the captain. It is not included in the quoted rate. The final cost is easiest to justify when your group values privacy, flexible stops, and a captain who can adjust the day to different snorkeling abilities.

For two people, the price is a much harder sell. You are paying for the whole boat, even if you use only a small part of its capacity. This experience makes the most financial sense for families, reunions, wedding groups, or friends sharing a full day.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The normal meeting point is American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, with a 9:00 a.m. start. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the harbor and organize your group before boarding.

Pickup may be arranged in advance from American Yacht Harbor, Cruz Bay on St John, WICO or Havensight, or Lovango. You need to call ahead for those arrangements. Do not assume that the captain will collect you from any hotel, marina, or beach.

The trip lasts about seven hours. That is enough for a morning departure, several water or beach stops, and lunch, but it is not an open-ended private yacht day. Your captain will need to balance travel time with time at each stop.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and any personal medication. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, beer, bottled water, and soda, but the information does not promise meals, specialty drinks, or personal gear. A waterproof phone case may also be useful if you want photos near the water.

The activity is primarily outdoors, so masks are not required, though you may wear one if you prefer. The operator states that boats are sanitized after each trip and that captains and crew are tested monthly under its health program.

Weather and cancellation details that matter

This is a weather-dependent outing. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is useful in the Virgin Islands, where wind and sea conditions can affect comfort and safety.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that condition is not met and the operator cancels, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would avoid placing this charter on the last possible day of your vacation. A weather change or boat issue could remove your only chance to get on the water. Booking ahead is sensible, as the experience is commonly reserved well in advance.

Who should book this St John boat day?

I would choose this charter if you want control over the day and have enough people to share the cost. It suits a group that can agree on a broad plan but still wants room to change direction once the boat is underway.

It is particularly good for:

• Families with different swimming and snorkeling abilities
• Friends who want a private music and beach day
• Groups hoping to combine snorkeling with lunch at LimeOut or Lovango
• People who prefer a captain-led route rather than a fixed schedule
• Anyone who wants St John views without spending the entire day on roads

I would hesitate if you are traveling as a couple, dislike extra fuel charges, or want a guaranteed list of stops. The itinerary is flexible by design, so you need to be comfortable discussing priorities with the captain.

The reported satisfaction is very strong, with a five-star rating and a 100 percent recommendation rate from the available feedback. The praise centers on accommodating captains, good snorkeling, sea turtles, St John views, and the personal feel of the boat. Those are the areas where this experience appears strongest.

Should you book MV Aquarius?

Book it if your group can fill several seats, values privacy, and wants a flexible day that may include St John, snorkeling, turtles, a beach, and lunch on the water. Captain Bryan and Captain Aron have both been praised for friendly guidance and for shaping routes around what the group wanted.

Before paying, calculate the full figure: $1,395, estimated fuel of $240 to $360 for a full day, lunch, and the captain’s gratuity. Then tell the operator which stops matter most, especially LimeOut or Lovango, since the captain must fit them into a seven-hour schedule.

For a large group, this can be a smart way to see more of the US Virgin Islands at your own pace. For a small party, compare the per-person total with shared boat trips before committing.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter start?

The usual meeting point is American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, St Thomas. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Can the boat pick us up somewhere else?

With advance notice, pickup can be arranged at Cruz Bay on St John, WICO or Havensight, or Lovango. You need to call to arrange an alternate pickup.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private rate covers up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the $1,395 price per person?

No. The $1,395 price is for the private group, up to 12 people.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is charged separately at $8 per gallon. A full day generally uses 30 to 45 gallons.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, and beer are included. Lunch is not listed as included.

Can the tour visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The British Virgin Islands are not available for this activity. A separate product is offered for BVI trips.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.