50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You get the whole 50-foot catamaran for your group, then work with the captain to choose calm coves, snorkel sites, beaches, and lunch stops around St. Thomas and St. John. The open bow, bean bags, and large trampolines make the boat itself part of the day.

I like the private format, especially for families or groups that do not want to follow a fixed route. I also like the useful extras: snorkel gear, floats, a restroom, bottled water, beer, soda, and rum punch are included. The main drawback is that the long list of possible beaches can create false expectations, since access changes and some places, including Trunk Bay, may be restricted to commercial charters.

Key points at a glance

• A true private charter: Your group of up to 12 has the entire SY Sirena, rather than sharing space with strangers.
• Flexible timing: Choose a half-day or full-day outing lasting about four to seven hours.
• Strong family setup: The crew can help with snorkel equipment, floats, and children who need extra attention in the water.
• Good onboard comfort: Expect a spacious salon, back-deck seating, dining space, bow bean bags, trampolines, and a restroom.
• Sea life is a real possibility: Past outings have included turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship.
• Know the limits: Lunch is not included, the British Virgin Islands are unavailable on this boat, and a 15 to 20 percent crew tip is customary for exceptional service.

A private catamaran day built around your group

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise with a fixed schedule. The captain asks what your group wants from the day, then helps shape the route. You might focus on snorkeling and sea turtles, spend time on a quiet beach, stop for lunch, or simply cruise among the islands with drinks in hand.

The boat leaves from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the east side of St. Thomas. A pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking, which can save you a separate trip back to St. Thomas if you are staying on St. John.

The private setup matters most when your group has mixed interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others relax on deck. Young children can stay near the crew. A birthday group can linger at a beach. You do not have to vote on every stop with 20 or 30 strangers.

The boat carries up to 12 people, and the price is $1,595 per group. That is a high total for two or four people, but the math changes for a larger party. At the full 12-person capacity, the base cost works out to about $133 per person before gratuity. For a family or group of friends that would otherwise book several seats on a shared cruise, the private boat can offer fair value.

What the SY Sirena feels like underway

The 50-foot catamaran has a spacious salon that opens onto a broad back deck with seating and dining space. That gives you shade and shelter when you want it, plus an easy place to gather between swims.

The bow is the fun social area. Bean bag chairs and large trampolines give you room to stretch out, chat, tan, or watch for turtles and dolphins while the boat is moving. Several people specifically enjoyed the bean bags, which are a small but useful detail on a long day at sea.

There is also a restroom onboard. That sounds basic, but it makes a four to seven-hour charter much easier, especially with children or anyone who does not want to return to shore between stops.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and floats. Bring your own preferences if you have them, but the included equipment means you do not need to rent gear before departure. Bottled water comes from Virgin H2O, and the operator says it follows eco-friendly habits onboard.

Beer, soda, and the signature Seas the Day rum punch are included. Lunch is not. You can buy food at some locations, and past outings have included stops at Lovango and the well-known Pizza Pi boat. If lunch matters to your group, discuss it with the captain at the start rather than assuming it is part of the package.

How the half-day and full-day options differ

A half-day charter is listed as about four hours. It is enough time for a couple of stops, a solid snorkeling session, and a taste of the private-boat experience. It works well if you have young children, limited time, or other plans in St. Thomas.

A full-day charter runs about seven hours and gives the captain more room to work around weather, boat traffic, swimming time, and lunch. You can make the day less rushed and include several areas around St. Thomas and St. John.

The suggested stop time is at least 1.5 hours per location. That is sensible. A short stop can feel hurried once you account for anchoring, getting everyone into the water, snorkeling, drying off, and boarding again.

Do not expect to visit all 13 places listed as possible stops. That list is best treated as a menu of options, not a promised route. Even on a full day, the captain will need to choose a practical combination based on your interests, sea conditions, and current access rules.

Choosing the best stops around St. Thomas

Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour is a practical choice for a swim and snorkel stop. Its protected setting can be useful when wind makes other areas uncomfortable. It is also close to the Red Hook departure area compared with many St. John destinations, so it can work well on a shorter charter.

Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay gives you a quieter beach option on St. Thomas. It can suit a group that wants a slower stop rather than a busy beach scene. Ask the captain about water conditions before choosing it, since the most comfortable anchorage can change with wind.

Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beaches, with a broad curve of sand and classic island views. It is an appealing choice if some people in your group care more about beach time than snorkeling.

Its popularity can also be a drawback. If your idea of a perfect charter is a quiet cove, ask whether a less visited alternative would suit the day better.

Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach offers easy swimming and attractive views toward nearby islands. It is a good fit for a group that wants a beach stop without giving up time on the boat.

Coki Point Beach

Coki Point is closely associated with snorkeling and clear water. It can be a productive stop for people hoping to see tropical fish. Since conditions and crowd levels vary, let the captain advise you on whether it is the right choice that day.

Lindqvist Beach

Lindqvist, also known as Smith Bay Park, is appealing for its natural feel and less developed setting. It is a good place to request if your group wants a beach break that feels quieter than the island’s better-known resort beaches.

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach on St. John fits a relaxed half-day or full-day route. It is a natural choice for swimming, floating, and taking a break from the boat. The main issue is time: reaching St. John uses part of your charter, so it makes more sense on a full-day booking or when St. John is a priority.

The St. John route, from Francis Bay to Maho Bay

Francis Bay

Francis Bay is a calm St. John option with a more peaceful feel. It can work well for families and for swimmers who prefer sheltered water. The captain can help decide if it pairs well with another nearby stop.

Trunk Bay Beach

Trunk Bay is famous for its clear water and underwater snorkeling trail. It is also the stop you should discuss carefully before booking. Access for commercial charters has changed, and the captain may not be able to take you there even though it appears among the possible destinations.

That is not a minor detail if Trunk Bay is the main reason you are booking. Confirm the current access situation and ask for a comparable alternative.

Maho Bay Beach

Maho Bay is one of the stronger choices for sea turtle sightings. Several outings have included turtles, and this is the sort of place where a patient snorkel can pay off. It is also a pleasant choice for less confident swimmers because the goal can be simply enjoying the water and watching from the boat.

Waterlemon Cay

Waterlemon Cay is a favorite St. John snorkeling area, with clear water and good chances for fish and other sea life. It is better suited to a full-day route, since reaching St. John and allowing enough time in the water takes a large part of the charter.

Scott Bay Beach and Hansen Bay Beach

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay offer additional St. John possibilities for a quieter beach stop. These locations are useful when the captain needs to find shelter from wind or when your group wants to avoid the busiest beaches.

The exact choice will depend on conditions and access. A private boat gives you flexibility, but it does not remove weather, anchoring, or local restrictions.

Snorkeling, sea turtles, and family comfort

Snorkeling is the central activity, and the crew can help fit equipment, explain where to enter, and point out sea life. The most exciting sightings reported from these outings include sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship.

No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. Still, the private format improves your odds of having the right kind of day because you can spend longer at a promising site instead of following a clock shared by a large group.

Families have used the boat with babies, toddlers, and older children. Captains and first mates such as Maddy, Olivia, Alex, Coleman, JW, Ro, Dylan, Vic, Celina, and Kahlia have been singled out for being attentive with children and helping people in and out of the water. Crew assignments can change, so treat these names as examples rather than a promise of who will operate your trip.

One useful point came from a family whose child was not a strong swimmer. The crew watched the child aboard for a short period while the parents snorkeled. That kind of help can make a major difference, but you should still supervise your own children and tell the crew about any safety concerns before leaving the harbor.

One negative account described dissatisfaction with the crew, timing, and expectations around a late arrival. The operator responded that the charter time would not be extended for a late group. The practical lesson is simple: arrive on time and do not assume the boat can run late at the end of the day.

What the crew adds to the experience

The captain is more than the person steering the boat. You will rely on that person to read conditions, choose a comfortable anchorage, adjust the route, and explain what is realistic within your time.

Past crews have included Maddy, Alex, JW, Dave, Glen, Vic, and others. Names aside, the service pattern you should expect is a captain handling navigation and route choices, with a first mate helping with drinks, snorkel gear, floats, and water access.

Some captains also share island facts and local stories. If that interests you, say so early. If your priority is quiet time, make that clear too. The private format works best when you tell the crew what you want instead of waiting for them to guess.

For exceptional service, a 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew is customary. Build that into your budget, especially since the base price does not include gratuity.

St. Thomas catamaran value, timing, and limitations

At $1,595 for up to 12 people, this is not a budget excursion for a small party. Four people would pay nearly $399 each before the tip, while 10 or 12 people bring the per-person cost down sharply.

The strongest value comes from privacy, space, and flexibility. You are paying for the boat, crew, and the ability to shape the route, not simply for transportation to a beach. That makes the charter especially suitable for a birthday, reunion, family gathering, or group that wants a relaxed day without a fixed crowd.

The British Virgin Islands are not available on this boat. If visiting the BVI is important, this is the wrong charter and you should choose the separate BVI option offered by the same operator.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations and changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The meeting point is American Yacht Harbor, and the activity returns there. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but you should discuss mobility, swimming ability, or special needs in advance.

Should you book the SY Sirena charter?

I would book this for a group of six to 12 people that values private space, flexible snorkeling, and a captain-led day rather than a fixed cruise. It is particularly well suited to families, birthday groups, and friends who want a comfortable boat with drinks and gear already included.

I would hesitate if you have only two or three people, since the total price becomes hard to justify. I would also choose another option if Trunk Bay or the British Virgin Islands is non-negotiable.

For the best result, arrive early, bring lunch plans, tell the crew whether turtles, beaches, snorkeling, or sightseeing matter most, and treat the destination list as flexible. With those expectations, this is a strong way to turn a day around St. Thomas and St. John into your own island outing.

FAQ

Where does the private catamaran leave from?

The charter departs from American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Where does the activity end?

The charter returns to American Yacht Harbor, the same location where it begins.

How many people can join the charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

How long does the charter last?

You can choose a half-day or full-day outing lasting approximately four to seven hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What drinks are included?

The charter includes bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase food at some locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Can the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

Is a crew tip included?

No. For exceptional service, a 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew is customary.