Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

Seven hours can pass quickly at sea. This private catamaran charter combines reef snorkeling, beach views, paddle boarding, and hammock time aboard Second Chance, with the freedom to choose two or three stops around St. Thomas and St. John. I especially like the flexible route and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, and paddle boards are included. The main consideration is price: at $250 per person, it makes the most sense for a group that will use the boat for most of the day.

The friendly crew is a big part of the appeal. Ivy and TL have earned warm praise for making families and birthday groups feel at home, while Captain Justin has been singled out for creating a smooth, welcoming day on the water. The private format also means your group can set the pace, although the exact stops depend on weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know

• Choose your own stops: Plan for two or three snorkeling locations, with options such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.
• A real full-day outing: The charter runs about 7 hours and 30 minutes, starting at 8:30 a.m. and returning to the same marina.
• Food and drinks are covered: You get fruit, pastries, wraps, chips, water, soda, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.
• Several ways to enjoy the boat: Snorkel, paddle board, stretch out on the trampoline bean bags, or use the hammock swings at the stern.
• Best for private groups: Only your party joins the boat, making it a good fit for families, birthdays, couples traveling together, and small celebrations.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead are fully refundable.

Meeting Second Chance at Red Hook

Your day begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Beach Charters VI dock, B slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road. The experience ends back at this same meeting point, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point after seven hours at sea.

Red Hook is near public transportation, and all-day marina parking may be available for an additional $30 when booked through the operator. That parking detail matters if you have a rental car and want to avoid circling the marina at breakfast time.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and anything you need for a long day outdoors. The boat supplies the important water gear, but the supplied information does not specify towels, so I would confirm that before departure rather than assume one will be waiting.

The mobile ticket is convenient. You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation, and the charter is private, so the people stepping aboard should be the people you invited. That makes the early start more pleasant, especially for a family group that wants to get moving without waiting for a bus or a full boatload of strangers.

The Morning Cruise and First Snacks

Once aboard, the morning begins with a fruit and pastry tray. This is a small but useful touch. A boat day starts early, and having something light before the first swim means you do not need to arrive already hunting for breakfast.

The catamaran provides water and soda throughout the day. You also receive a gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, depending on your group’s choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer. Anyone drinking alcohol must be at least 18.

The drinks package works well for a private group because you can spread it across the day instead of rushing through a short sailing trip. Still, it is worth pacing yourself. Sun, salt water, and alcohol can catch up with you faster than expected, and there is plenty of time for a second round after snorkeling.

The sailing catamaran itself gives you several places to sit. You can settle on the bean bags over the forward trampolines, enjoy the ride from the main seating area, or use the original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs that hang off the back. The hammock swings are an unusual feature and a nice choice if you want to feel the motion of the water without getting wet.

Choosing Two or Three Snorkeling Stops

The route is not locked to one sightseeing script. A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops, but you choose the locations with the crew. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book a private charter.

Possible stops include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other options. The exact plan depends on the day, conditions, and what your group wants to see. If your party includes strong swimmers and first-time snorkelers, tell the crew early so the stops suit everyone.

Maho on St. John is known for its sea turtles, making it the obvious choice for anyone hoping to swim near them. The chance to see turtles is a major draw, but wildlife is never guaranteed. You should treat the turtles as a lucky part of the day, not a promise that every person will get a perfect encounter.

Christmas Cove gives you another chance to explore a reef area, while Lovango Cay offers the appeal of combining clear water with views of the surrounding islands. The supplied information does not promise a fixed reef, beach, or turtle location, so keep your expectations flexible. The advantage is that the crew can help shape the day rather than forcing every group through the same sequence.

Your snorkeling equipment is included. That removes one common nuisance from a boat outing, especially if your group includes children or people who do not want to buy or pack their own gear.

A Better Fit for Mixed Groups

The private format is especially useful when people in your party want different things. One person can snorkel while another stays aboard with a drink. Someone else can try a paddle board, and a child can watch from the trampoline or hammock chair.

Paddle boards are included, giving you a second way to spend time in the water. The available information does not state how many boards are aboard or whether instruction is provided, so ask the crew if your group has beginners or needs particular equipment.

The catamaran also gives you a comfortable place to do nothing. That sounds simple, but it is a real part of the value. A seven-and-a-half-hour outing does not need seven and a half hours of activity. The bean bags and hammock swings let you rest between swims, watch the islands slide by, and enjoy the boat itself.

Several celebrations have worked well on this charter. A group of nine booked the boat for a birthday and enjoyed the scenery and hospitality. Another group used the day as part of a wedding celebration, with the crew accommodating requests and creating a relaxed atmosphere. These details suggest the boat is suited to occasions where the shared time matters as much as the sightseeing.

Lunch Served Without Leaving the Boat

Lunch is included and arrives in a practical, easy-to-eat format. You receive freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and veggie wraps, along with chips. Water and soda remain available throughout the day.

This is not a formal meal, and that is a good thing on a boat. Wraps are easier to handle than a plated lunch, especially after swimming. They also give a group some choice without turning the day into a long meal stop.

The morning fruit and pastry tray, wraps, chips, and drinks mean you can spend the full day on the water without arranging a separate lunch. That saves time and makes the $250 price easier to assess, particularly for a group that would otherwise pay separately for a boat, food, drinks, snorkel gear, and water activities.

The supplied information does not spell out options for food allergies or special diets. If anyone in your party has a dietary need, ask before the day rather than relying on the veggie wrap as a complete substitute.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

A boat charter can be judged by its equipment, but the crew often determines how the day feels. Ivy and TL are repeatedly praised for their warm hospitality and for making the boat feel more like a shared home than a hard-sell excursion.

That personal approach is useful on a private trip. You can ask about the best stop for your group, adjust the pace, and get help deciding how to divide the day between swimming, paddle boarding, and relaxing.

Captain Justin has also received praise for being welcoming and attentive. The details provided do not identify every crew member on every departure, so you should not assume the same exact team will always be aboard. Still, the strong service pattern is worth noting: the highest praise centers on friendliness, flexibility, and care rather than on flashy extras.

One family described this as the best day of a 12-day island holiday, while another called it a highlight of the entire trip. Those reactions point to the charter’s main strength. It is not simply transportation between beaches. It is a day designed around your group’s mood.

Is $250 Per Person Good Value?

The listed price is $250 per person. That is a serious day-trip expense, but the comparison should include what comes with it.

You receive roughly 7 hours and 30 minutes aboard a private luxury catamaran, with a captain and crew, two or three possible snorkeling stops, snorkel equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, food, nonalcoholic drinks, rum punch or Painkiller, and beer. Gratuities are not included, so budget for that separately.

The private nature is the key value question. A couple paying for only two spots may find the cost harder to justify than a larger group sharing the experience. A birthday party, family gathering, or group of friends can spread the cost while keeping the entire boat private.

The flexibility also has financial value. You are not paying for a short sail with one quick swim and a rushed lunch. You have most of a day to use the boat as you like. If your group enjoys both active time and slow time, the package is more useful than a simple point-to-point boat ride.

I would not choose this charter solely for the included alcohol or lunch. Those are helpful extras, but the real purchase is privacy, time, and control over the route.

What Could Disappoint You

The first possible drawback is weather. This is an outdoor sailing day, and poor conditions can cancel the trip. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is fair, but it may leave a gap in your vacation plans if you have limited time on St. Thomas.

The second is that the route is flexible rather than guaranteed. Maho, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove are examples of possible stops, not a fixed promise that all three will appear on your schedule. If one particular beach or reef is your only goal, confirm the plan with Beach Charters VI.

The third is the length. Seven and a half hours is ideal for people who like the water, but it may feel long for anyone who gets restless on a boat. The hammock chairs, bean bags, lunch, and paddle boards help break up the day, but you are still committing to a full outing.

Finally, gratuities are extra. Include that in your budget from the start, along with the possible $30 marina parking charge.

Who Should Book This Charter?

I would recommend it most strongly for groups of four or more who want a private day and will make use of the boat’s different features. Families can split up naturally, couples can enjoy a quiet ride, and birthday or wedding groups get a setting that feels more personal than a standard shared cruise.

It is also a good choice for mixed-interest groups. You do not need everyone to be an eager snorkeler. Some people can swim, others can paddle board, and others can relax in a hammock chair with a drink.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, if you want a short excursion, or if you need a guaranteed specific stop. The charter’s strength is freedom and hospitality, not a rigid sightseeing checklist.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

The tour begins at the Beach Charters VI dock, B slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, a morning fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese and veggie wraps, chips, water, soda, snorkel equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, a gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.

Can children participate?

Most people can participate, and the activity is private for your group. Anyone consuming alcohol must be at least 18 years old.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience 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.

Should You Book It?

Book this charter if you want a full day on the water with your own group, not a quick ride between fixed stops. The combination of snorkeling, paddle boards, hammock swings, included food, and a flexible route gives you room to make the day active or lazy.

At $250 per person, it is best treated as a major vacation outing rather than a casual add-on. For a birthday, family day, wedding celebration, or group of friends, the private boat and attentive crew make the price easier to defend. If that sounds like your kind of island day, Second Chance offers a practical way to see more of St. Thomas and St. John without giving up control of your time.