Private Fast Power Catamaran. Full or Half Day for Beach Hopping, Snorkel & Swim

The best part of this St. Thomas outing is control. You get the entire 36-foot MV Poseidon for your group, up to 12 people, then work with your captain to choose beaches, snorkel sites, turtle waters, and beach bars. The TwinVee catamaran is built for speed and a steady ride, with a low draft that lets it get close to shore.

I like the freedom to shape the day instead of following a fixed boat route. I also like the practical touches: new snorkel equipment, a transom ladder, water, soda, beer, ice, music, and U.S. park fees are included. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, and a full-day route cannot realistically cover every beach in the sample list.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12: You pay $895.50 per group, not per seat, making the math much better for larger families and friend groups.
• Choose four to seven hours: A half-day works well for snorkeling and a beach stop, while a full day gives you more time around St. Thomas and St. John.
• Captain-led planning: Captains such as Holly, Amanda, Wallens, Aaron, Bryan, and Mike help match the route to your group.
• Turtles are a real possibility: Snorkel stops may bring sea turtles, tropical fish, stingrays, starfish, octopuses, and other sea life, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Expect a fuel surcharge: Fuel is billed at $8 per gallon, with typical use of 15 to 25 gallons for a half day and 30 to 45 gallons for a full day.
• Red Hook departure: Meet at American Yacht Harbor in St. Thomas and return there at the end of the charter.

Why the MV Poseidon works well for a private day

A private boat changes the feel of a Caribbean outing. You are not waiting for a large group to board, gathering strangers around a guide, or stopping at places that do not interest your family. The captain gives a safety briefing, asks what your group wants to see, and then adjusts the day around your pace.

The boat is a 36-foot TwinVee Ocean Cat, described as a stable power catamaran with room for up to 12 people. Its twin-hull design matters when you are moving between islands or crossing open water. The ride can still be bumpy in rough conditions, but the boat is intended to keep you more comfortable and drier than a smaller open powerboat.

You also have room to spread out. A family with young children can balance swimming with quiet time on board. A group of adults can add beach bars, lunch, music, and longer swims. The Fusion stereo lets you bring your own sense of occasion, though the day remains a boat charter rather than a formal guided tour with a fixed script.

What your captain adds to the day

The captain is the key variable here. The boat is attractive, but the quality of your day depends heavily on how well your captain reads the group and the water.

Captains named in the available information include Holly, Glen, Wallens, Amanda, Hillary, Mike, Aaron, Kyle, Bryan, Brian, and Valley. The most praised qualities are practical ones: safety awareness, island knowledge, easy conversation, and the ability to change plans without making the day feel rushed.

Captain Holly is especially well suited to families who want a lively, informed host. Captain Amanda is described as strong on island geography, local history, and sea life, while Captain Wallens is often associated with good snorkeling choices and a relaxed manner. Captains Bryan, Brian, Aaron, Mike, and Glen are also noted for creating routes around the interests and ages in the group.

That flexibility matters. A family with children ages five to seven may want short snorkel sessions and a beach where a child can play. A group of adults may prefer more time in the water, a beach bar, or a stop at Lovango for lunch and drinks. Tell the captain what matters most before leaving the harbor.

From Red Hook to the first swim

The meeting point is American Yacht Harbor on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook. You should arrive early, with about 15 minutes recommended for paperwork and departure preparation. Starting on time matters, especially on a half-day charter, since losing even 20 minutes cuts into swimming or beach time.

The route is not fixed. The listed stops are examples of places the boat may visit, not a promise that you will see all eight in one day. One full-day outing reached three stops because rough water slowed the pace, and that is a useful reminder: boat time depends on weather, sea conditions, distance, and how long you stay in the water.

The captain may begin at Water Island, Little Buck Island, or another site that fits the conditions. You may spend about 30 minutes at a listed stop, but your actual time can change. If snorkeling is your priority, say so clearly. If your group wants more beach time, a drink ashore, or a slower day, make that part of the plan.

Water Island and Little Buck Island

Water Island is a sensible early stop for groups that want a gentle start. The point is not to collect destinations like stamps. It is to get comfortable with the boat, test the snorkel gear, and see how your group handles the water.

Little Buck Island is included among the possible stops and may bring more time for swimming and snorkeling. The island setting gives you the kind of clear-water outing people picture when they book a private Virgin Islands boat. Still, sea life changes from day to day, and even a promising site may not produce colorful fish every time.

You may see turtles, tropical fish, coral, stingrays, starfish, or other animals. One outing included an octopus and a lemon shark, while another reached several beaches with turtles and many fish. These are possible rewards, not guarantees. Fish can be shy, and heavy splashing around a popular site may affect what you see.

Secret Harbour and Honeymoon Beach

Secret Harbour can suit a group that wants to combine a swim with an easy beach stop. The appeal is simple: you are not limited to looking at the shore from the boat. The low draft and rear ladder allow the captain to get close to the beach when conditions permit.

Honeymoon Beach is another useful option, especially for families. One family with a toddler was able to get close enough for the child to play on the beach. That kind of access is a strong reason to choose a private charter over a snorkeling-only trip.

Beach access depends on weather, water depth, boat traffic, and local conditions. Do not assume every beach stop means a long shore visit. Ask the captain how much time is practical at each location, particularly if you are traveling with children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Trunk Bay, Scott Bay, and Maho Bay

Trunk Bay Beach is one of the possible St. John stops. It fits a full-day plan better than a short charter because reaching St. John takes time, and you want enough hours left for swimming or a beach break. The route may also include Scott Bay Beach, another place to slow down and enjoy the water rather than rush between several points.

Maho Bay is one of the strongest choices for sea turtle sightings. Several outings included turtles there, and even a hesitant older swimmer felt comfortable getting in to see them. Maho can work well for a mixed-age group because it offers both a beach setting and the possibility of close wildlife encounters.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed aquarium experience. One group saw turtles but fewer colorful fish than hoped. Another found varied fish, coral, and several other animals. The captain can choose a good site, but no captain can order wildlife to appear.

Magens Bay and the limits of the sample route

Magens Bay Beach is also listed as a possible stop. Its name makes it tempting to build a long wish list, but you should resist trying to cover everything. The Virgin Islands are spread out, and time spent moving between locations is time you are not swimming or sitting on a beach.

The eight-stop list is best treated as a menu. On a half-day charter, expect a compact route with perhaps two or three meaningful stops, depending on the starting point and your priorities. On a full day, you can reach farther and combine St. John, snorkel sites, and a beach or lunch stop, but rough seas can reduce the number of stops.

I would rather spend quality time at two or three good places than race through eight locations. Tell the captain your top two goals. For example, choose turtles and a beach bar, or snorkeling and St. John scenery. That makes the charter more useful than trying to fit every name into one day.

Snorkeling, beach bars, and time ashore

Snorkel equipment is included, and the tour provides water, ice, soda, and beer. The equipment is described as new, which removes one packing problem and helps keep the group moving between sites.

The charter can also include time at places such as Dinghy’s, Margaritaville, Lime Out, or Lovango. Lovango is especially useful for a lunch and drinks stop, although adding a meal affects how much time remains for snorkeling. The boat can get close to shore, but the captain will decide what is safe and practical.

This mix is the tour’s strength. You can have a morning of swimming, stop for lunch, then return to the water. Or you can keep the day focused on snorkeling. The right choice depends on your group. If everyone wants active water time, do not spend half the charter at a restaurant. If you have non-swimmers or young children, shore time can make the outing easier for everyone.

What the $895.50 price really means

The base price is $895.50 for the whole boat, for up to 12 people. For 12 people, that works out to about $75 per person before fuel and gratuity. For six people, it is about $149 per person before those added costs. For a group of four, the private format is much more expensive than a shared excursion, but you are buying privacy and control rather than a seat on a standard route.

Fuel is extra at $8 per gallon. The typical half-day use is 15 to 25 gallons, adding about $120 to $200. A full day uses roughly 30 to 45 gallons, adding about $240 to $360. Gratuity is not included, with 15 to 20 percent recommended.

The base price includes the captain, snorkel equipment, U.S. park fees, mooring permits, water, ice, soda, and beer. Visiting the British Virgin Islands is not included and must be booked separately under another product. For a large group that wants a private boat, included supplies and permits make the value stronger. For two or four people, compare the final total with a shared trip before booking.

Comfort, weather, and practical limits

The catamaran is described as comfortable and stable, but it is still a boat. Rough water can affect the ride and the schedule. One full-day outing managed only three stops because conditions made the route slower, so keep your plans flexible.

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can take another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not state that the boat or boarding area is designed for every mobility need. If someone in your group has specific access requirements, confirm those details before paying.

Who should book the MV Poseidon?

I would choose this charter for a family reunion, a group of friends, or a cruise-side outing where privacy matters. It is particularly good for groups with mixed interests because one person can snorkel while another prefers a beach, music, or a drink ashore.

It also suits families with children. The captain can shorten water sessions, choose a beach stop, and explain what the children are seeing. The boat’s size gives you more room than a small center-console boat, though you should still expect normal boat movement and sun exposure.

I would think twice if your group is very small and focused only on saving money. The private price works best when shared among many people. I would also think twice if you want a guaranteed list of beaches or a fixed sightseeing schedule. This is a flexible day on the water, not a checklist tour.

Should you book this St. Thomas boat charter?

Book it if you want a private, captain-guided day with real control over the route. The strongest reasons are the roomy MV Poseidon, the option to reach St. John, the included gear and drinks, and the chance to build a day around turtles, snorkeling, beaches, or lunch.

Before booking, budget for fuel and tip, arrive early, and choose your top priorities. For the best value, bring a group large enough to share the cost and reserve a full day if St. John is important. If your group wants a relaxed half-day with two strong snorkel stops and perhaps a beach bar, four hours can be enough.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The base price is $895.50 for the entire boat, for up to 12 people. Fuel and gratuity are extra.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately four to seven hours, depending on whether you choose a half-day or full-day option.

Where does the boat depart?

You meet at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

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

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with up to 12 people on the boat.

Is a captain included?

Yes. A captain is included, but gratuity is not.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Water, ice, soda, and beer are included. Other alcoholic drinks are not specifically listed.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is billed at $8 per gallon. Typical use is 15 to 25 gallons for a half day and 30 to 45 gallons for a full day.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

A visit to the British Virgin Islands is not included in this product. It can be booked separately under product code 111649P25.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.