Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You get the 47-foot S/Y Pisces for your own group, then shape the day with the captain instead of following a fixed boat schedule. You might spend the morning snorkeling with turtles, stop at Honeymoon Beach for lunch, and finish with music and a swim from the catamaran.

I like the roomy layout and the friendly crews, especially captains such as AnneMarie, Alex, Christian, and JP, who are often praised for matching the day to each group. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, floats, beer, rum punch, bottled water, soda, and a restroom are included.

The main catch is the price. At $1,495 per group of up to 12, this makes the most sense when you fill several seats. Lunch costs extra, the boat does not visit the British Virgin Islands, and cruise passengers must confirm they are docking at Havensight rather than Crown Bay.

Key Points

• Private 47-foot catamaran: S/Y Pisces gives your group the boat, crew, and schedule without strangers aboard.
• Custom route: Plan around St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, beaches, reefs, and possible quiet cays.
• Strong snorkeling setup: Equipment, floats, and crew assistance are included, with turtle and stingray sightings possible.
• Comfortable outdoor spaces: Use the back deck, bow seating, bean bags, and twin trampolines for sun, shade, conversation, and swimming.
• Drinks are covered: Beer, Seas the Day signature rum punch, soda, and eco-friendly Virgin H2O are provided.
• Best value for a group: The flat price works better for families and friend groups than for one or two people.

Starting at Havensight With Your Own Crew

You meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain escorts you to Pisces, so the meeting process is simple once you reach the marina.

This location matters if you arrive by cruise ship. Ships using Crown Bay Marina need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande, and you should allow about 15 minutes each way. If your ship docks at Havensight, the marina is much easier to reach.

All times use local island time. A full-day charter commonly begins at 9 a.m., but a private booking gives your group more say over the start time. Confirm the final departure time and cruise port before sailing, especially if you have a strict ship departure later in the day.

The boat returns to the same meeting point. That is useful for cruise passengers, but leave a generous buffer for the taxi if you are departing from Crown Bay. Island traffic and port activity can change your timing.

Why S/Y Pisces Works Well for a Private Day

Pisces is a 47-foot Leopard catamaran with a spacious salon opening onto a large back deck. You can sit at the stern, stretch out toward the bow, or move inside when you want a break from the sun.

The forward trampolines are a highlight. They offer a breezy place to sit close to the water, watch for turtles, or spread out with a drink. Bean bag chairs make the area more relaxed than a standard hard fiberglass bow, though you should still expect a boat environment rather than a hotel lounge.

The private format changes the mood. Your group can play its own music through the JBL Bluetooth sound system, choose how long to linger in the water, and ask for a quieter cove when the more popular spots feel crowded. The crew can also adjust the day for children, older family members, strong swimmers, and people who mainly want to relax.

The boat includes a restroom, which is a small but important advantage on a seven-hour outing. Snorkeling gear and floats are supplied, so you do not need to pack a full set of equipment. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and anything you need for the beach.

Planning a Route Around St. Thomas and Nearby Islands

There is no single fixed route. You and the captain decide what matters most, then build the day around conditions and your interests. That flexibility is the reason to book a private charter rather than a standard group cruise.

A typical plan might combine a reef stop, a beach visit, and time under sail or at anchor. Possible areas include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, and a quiet cay selected by the crew. The exact stops can change, so treat those places as options rather than promises.

Water Island is a natural choice for a shorter island outing or a beach-focused day. Buck Island can add a sense of getting away from the main harbor areas. A less-known cay may appeal to you if avoiding crowds matters more than checking off famous names.

The crew can also steer toward places suited to turtle watching and calmer snorkeling. Several outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, colorful fish, and coral. Marine life is never guaranteed, but the crew’s familiarity with the local waters helps you make better choices for the day.

Do not expect a British Virgin Islands sailing. This charter specifically does not visit the BVI. If crossing to those islands is your main goal, this is the wrong boat for you.

Snorkeling, Turtles, and Time in the Water

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to reserve Pisces. Equipment is included, and the crew can guide you toward more than one site on a full-day trip. You may see turtles in seagrass, rays near the bottom, reef fish, or small fish schooling beneath the boat.

The strongest accounts of the experience describe more than a quick swim off the stern. Groups have visited several snorkeling spots, watched turtles, and received help from crew members who entered the water or pointed out marine life. One first mate even swam down to capture video of a sea turtle feeding on grass.

That does not mean every outing will produce the same wildlife. Sea conditions, visibility, time of year, and the animals themselves all affect what you see. Still, a captain who can change locations gives you a better chance than a rigid route that stays at one site.

The boat also carries floats. These are useful if part of your group wants to remain in the water without snorkeling the entire time. Families can split up naturally, with confident swimmers using masks and fins while others float near the boat.

Parents should remember that this is an active water day, even though the catamaran is comfortable. Children need close supervision around the water and boat edges. The experience has worked for groups with young children and for families spanning ages 8 to 76, but every person should be comfortable with a boat, swimming, or staying aboard while others swim.

Beach Stops and Lunch Choices

Beach time can be part of the plan, and Honeymoon Beach has become a popular choice for groups wanting sand, swimming, or a more relaxed stop. Shipwreck Cove and other beach areas may also fit the captain’s recommendations and the day’s conditions.

Lunch is not included. You can buy it at several locations, and some groups have eaten at Honeymoon Beach or Dinghy’s during the charter. Plan for this expense separately, and ask the captain about the best lunch stop when you discuss your route.

That flexibility is useful because not everyone wants the same kind of meal. You can choose a restaurant stop, bring your own preferred snacks if permitted, or spend more time on the boat. The supplied details confirm that lunch can be purchased, but they do not promise a specific restaurant or menu.

If lunch is important to your group, settle that question before departure. A full day can feel long if you expect a meal and have not planned where it will come from. The crew can help with local options, but the cost remains yours.

Drinks, Music, and the Rhythm of the Day

Beer and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included, along with soda and bottled Virgin H2O. The eco-friendly water policy is a thoughtful touch, especially on a boat day where several people can quickly go through plastic bottles.

The rum punch receives frequent praise, but pace yourself. Sun, salt water, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Drink water throughout the day, and remember that the captain and crew handle the boat, not your group.

The JBL Bluetooth sound system lets you play your own music. That makes Pisces feel more personal than a standard excursion, especially if your group has a shared playlist. Keep the volume at a level that still allows you to hear safety instructions and enjoy conversation.

A good day often has a loose rhythm: cruise, swim, snorkel, dry off, eat, and repeat. You do not have to fill every minute with activity. The bow trampolines and back deck are made for the in-between moments, when you want to watch the coastline, talk with family, or simply let the boat move over the water.

Half-Day or Seven-Hour Charter?

The advertised experience offers either a half-day or full-day charter, while the listed duration is about seven hours. Confirm the exact length, departure time, and price for your selected option when booking, since the supplied information does not spell out separate half-day pricing.

A full day suits you if you want several snorkeling spots, a beach stop, lunch, and time to enjoy the catamaran itself. It also makes the flat group price easier to justify because you are receiving a full day of private use.

A half-day works better for cruise passengers with limited port time, families who do not want a long day in the sun, or groups that mainly want one good swim and a beach stop. One family from the Norwegian Aqua cruise ship used a shorter outing and still had time for the Skyride to Paradise Point before returning to the ship.

That example points to the central planning issue: a half-day can be excellent, but your port schedule must come first. Tell the captain if you need to return early. A crew has accommodated an earlier return by about 15 minutes, but do not depend on last-minute changes when your ship is waiting.

The $1,495 Question: Who Gets Good Value?

The price is $1,495 per group of up to 12 people. If 12 people share the cost evenly, that is about $125 per person before any separate lunch expense. With fewer people, the per-person cost rises quickly.

That comparison is not quite fair to a standard group cruise because this is a private yacht. You are paying for the vessel, captain, crew, flexible route, included water equipment, drinks, and privacy. For a large family reunion or group of friends, the cost can be sensible, particularly if everyone values time together more than the lowest possible fare.

For two people, the same price is a luxury splurge. You may prefer a shared sail if you mainly want to get on the water at the lowest cost. For six to 12 people, the private format becomes much more attractive.

I would also factor in what you avoid. You do not have to share snorkeling space with a large tour group, follow a preset schedule, or spend the day around strangers. Those benefits have real value when your group includes children, older relatives, different swimming abilities, or people with very different ideas about a perfect beach day.

The overall satisfaction record is exceptionally strong, with a 4.9 rating from 386 ratings and 98 percent recommending the experience. That does not remove the need to confirm your booking, but it supports the idea that the crew and boat usually deliver what private charter customers want.

Crew Style and What Makes the Day Work

The crew is central to this experience. Captains and first mates such as AnneMarie, Lindsey, Alex, JP, Christian, Megan, Darren, and Alicia have been praised for being attentive, flexible, humorous, and good at explaining local history and marine life.

AnneMarie appears often in successful outings, including trips with Lindsey, Darren, Liv, Ro, Selena, and others. The exact captain and first mate depend on the date, so you should not assume a particular person will be aboard unless the operator confirms it.

The best crew behavior is practical rather than showy. They ask what you want to see, suggest places that fit the conditions, help with snorkeling, keep drinks available, and watch the clock when a cruise ship departure matters. That gives you room to relax without leaving all decisions to chance.

There was also one serious booking problem in the supplied information, involving a reservation that was not properly submitted and left a group without a boat. The issue was attributed to the booking agent rather than the charter crew, but it is a useful warning: confirm your reservation directly with Seas the Day Charters and Tours, especially for a large group or cruise day.

Practical Details Before You Book

The activity is private, and only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. The boat is primarily outdoors, and masks are not required, though you may wear one if you prefer.

The operator states that vessels are sanitized after each trip and that captains and crew undergo regular COVID-19 testing. Policies and health practices can change, so confirm current details if they are important to you.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since the outing depends on good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

Pack lightly. Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sun protection if available, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. Lunch is not included, and the boat does not visit the BVI, so settle both points before you commit.

Should You Book S/Y Pisces?

Book this charter if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a day built around your own priorities. It is particularly well suited to families, wedding groups, birthday outings, cruise passengers at Havensight, and friends who want snorkeling and beach time without a crowded excursion boat.

I would choose the full-day option for several snorkeling stops, a beach visit, lunch, and enough time to enjoy the catamaran. I would choose half-day if your cruise schedule is tight or your group wants a shorter taste of the water.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the cheapest way to sail. Also skip it if visiting the British Virgin Islands is essential. For everyone else, a well-filled Pisces charter offers a rare mix of private space, local flexibility, water activities, and simple onboard comforts.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter depart?

You meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas. The captain escorts you to the boat.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Cruise passengers arriving at Crown Bay Marina should allow about 15 minutes each way for a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a group of up to 12 people, and only your group participates in the activity.

Are snorkeling gear and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included. A restroom is also available onboard.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but you can purchase it at several locations during the day.

Can I cancel if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, 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. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.