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

Sea time, your way. This private catamaran charter gives your group a full or half day aboard S/Y Pisces, a 47-foot Leopard catamaran, with room for up to 12 people. You can sail near St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, or a quiet cay while your captain shapes the day around swimming, snorkeling, beach time, or simply relaxing aboard.

I like the freedom to choose your own route, and I like that the price includes snorkeling gear, floats, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and signature rum punch. The main catch is cost: at $1,495 per group, this makes the most sense for a larger party. Lunch is not included, and the boat does not visit the British Virgin Islands.

• A 47-foot Leopard catamaran: S/Y Pisces has a spacious salon, broad back deck, bow bean bags, and two trampolines.
• Your own route: Choose from St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, beach stops, snorkeling sites, and possibly a quiet cay.
• Turtles and rays are realistic highlights: Recent outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and plenty of tropical fish.
• Drinks are included: Virgin H2O water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch come with the charter.
• Strong crew service: Captains such as AnneMarie, Christian, Alex, JP, and first mates including Lindsey, Megan, Darren, and Alicia have earned repeated praise for friendly, attentive care.
• Easy cruise-port meeting point: Meet at the R Bar near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, 15 minutes before departure.

Why S/Y Pisces Works So Well for a Private Day

A private boat changes the feel of a day on the water. You are not following a fixed crowd schedule or waiting for a large group to finish snorkeling. You can tell the captain what matters most, then adjust as the day unfolds.

That flexibility is especially useful for mixed-age groups. One recent party ranged from age 8 to 76 and still found room for snorkeling, swimming, scenery, and quiet time. A family with young children can keep the pace gentle, while a group of strong swimmers can request more water time.

I also like the social layout of the boat. The salon opens onto a large back deck, so you can move between shade and open air without feeling boxed in. Up front, bean bag chairs and two trampolines give you a breezy place to stretch out, talk, watch for turtles, or enjoy the ride.

The boat carries a JBL sound system with Bluetooth. Bring your own playlist if music matters to your group. That small detail can make a seven-hour charter feel more personal, although you should still keep the volume sensible around other boats and quiet coves.

Meeting at Havensight and Getting Aboard

The meeting point is the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight. Look for the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at 5316 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain escorts you from the meeting point to the boat, so you do not need to search the marina on your own.

If your cruise ship uses Crown Bay Marina, allow about 15 minutes each way by taxi to reach Yacht Haven Grande. That transfer matters. Build in extra time on the return, especially if you have a ship departure deadline.

Cruise passengers docking at Havensight have a simpler setup because the charter meeting point uses the same general port area. Still, confirm your ship’s docking location before booking. One group on Norwegian Aqua found the location convenient and arranged an earlier return to leave enough time before sailing.

Full-day departures often begin around 9 a.m., but private groups can determine their starting time. All times use local island time. Confirm the exact length and departure time when you book, since the experience offers both half-day and full-day options.

The Route: St. Thomas, Buck Island, and Water Island

Your captain and crew help shape the route based on conditions and your priorities. The possible area includes St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and perhaps a less-visited cay. The exact stops are not fixed, which is one of the charter’s greatest advantages and one reason you should not expect a standard sightseeing checklist.

A typical day may mix open-water sailing, a reef stop, a beach visit, and relaxed time aboard. Some groups have visited two islands. Others have requested several snorkeling locations, turtle watching, or a beach lunch.

The scenery is a major part of the appeal. On clear days, you may see neighboring islands from the water. The boat gives you a different view of St. Thomas than you get from a road or lookout, with harbors, coves, hills, and shoreline passing at a slow pace.

The tradeoff is that the captain cannot promise every location or animal sighting. Conditions, timing, and local boat traffic affect the route. The captain’s ability to adjust is more valuable than a rigid promise of specific stops.

Snorkeling With Turtles, Rays, and Reef Fish

Snorkeling is the heart of this charter for many groups. Equipment is provided, along with floats for anyone who wants to rest between swims. You can expect the crew to help choose sites that fit the day and your group’s comfort level.

Several outings have included sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and tropical fish. One group saw turtles at several snorkeling spots, while another found rays near Honeymoon Beach. A family even received underwater video of a sea turtle feeding in a grassy area after a crew member swam down to capture it.

Those details show what makes a private charter useful. You can spend more time at a site that is working well instead of being pushed along by a fixed schedule. If the first stop is crowded or less interesting than hoped, the captain can suggest another option.

Keep expectations sensible. No responsible captain can guarantee turtles, rays, or perfect visibility. Snorkeling conditions vary. The experience is strongest when you value the chance to explore several sites, not just the promise of one animal encounter.

The water also works for people who are not serious snorkelers. Floats let you enjoy the sea without staying underwater, and the boat itself offers a comfortable place to relax. Families can divide their time instead of forcing everyone into the same activity.

Honeymoon Beach, Shipwreck Cove, and Lunch Stops

Honeymoon Beach has appeared as a favorite stop for swimming, snorkeling, and sandy beach time. Its appeal is simple: it offers a change from the boat and a pleasant place to stretch your legs, swim, or enjoy lunch nearby.

Shipwreck Cove has also been included on some custom routes. The name hints at a nautical point of interest, but the experience is still shaped by your captain’s plan and current conditions. Ask what stops are realistic for your chosen half-day or full-day schedule.

Lunch is not included in the charter price. You can purchase it at several locations, and previous groups have enjoyed meals at places such as Dinghy’s and Honeymoon Beach. If lunch matters to you, discuss the plan before leaving so the timing works with the route.

This is one area where the $1,495 price requires a little planning. Drinks and water are covered, but food is an extra expense. A group of 10 or 12 can split the charter cost effectively, while a couple or small family may find the price harder to justify.

What Comes With the $1,495 Group Price

The advertised rate covers the yacht for up to 12 people, not a per-person seat. At full capacity, the base cost works out to about $125 per person before lunch and any gratuity. For 8 people, it is about $187 per person. A smaller group pays much more per person.

That calculation helps explain the value. A large family or group of friends gets a private boat, a captain and first mate, equipment, drinks, a flexible route, and about seven hours on the water. Compared with several separate paid activities, the charter can be a sensible splurge.

Included items are:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Floats
• Bottled Virgin H2O water
• Soda
• Beer
• Seas the Day signature rum punch
• Restroom aboard the catamaran

The all-inclusive drink setup is convenient, particularly for a long day in the sun. The crew has been praised for keeping drinks available while still providing attentive service. Remember that crew gratuity is not listed as included, and one response from the operator notes that gratuities supplement crew income.

Lunch, personal purchases, and transport from Crown Bay are extra. The British Virgin Islands are also excluded. Do not book this expecting a BVI crossing.

The Crew Makes the Difference

The captains and first mates are a major part of the experience. AnneMarie appears repeatedly in the trip details, often paired with Lindsey, Darren, Alex, Ro, Alicia, Selena, or another mate. Christian, JP, Megan, and other crew members have also been singled out for warm service and useful island advice.

The best crew approach is practical rather than theatrical. They ask what you want from the day, suggest stops, explain local history, help with snorkeling, and keep an eye on the group. That matters when you have children, older family members, or people who are not confident swimmers.

Several outings were praised for avoiding large crowds. That is an important benefit of a private boat, but it depends on timing and sea conditions. Your captain can try for quieter places, yet popular beaches and coves may still have other boats.

A few small touches make the day more memorable. The crew may help look for turtles, guide you toward marine life, arrange a beach stop, or adjust the return time when possible. Do not assume every request can be granted, but clear communication at the start gives the crew a better chance to shape the day well.

Full Day or Half Day?

Choose the full day if snorkeling, island stops, beach time, and a relaxed lunch sound equally important. Seven hours gives you enough room to move between activities without treating every stop like a timed appointment.

A half-day charter suits a tighter cruise schedule or a group that wants one excellent stretch on the water without committing the entire day. It can still include snorkeling, swimming, drinks, and a custom stop, but you will have less room for several islands and long beach breaks.

For cruise passengers, the half-day option may be easier to fit around port hours. Leave a generous buffer before all-aboard time. The captain may be able to return early by arrangement, but you should not depend on last-minute changes.

If your group includes people who tire easily in the sun, half-day may be the better choice. A full day is rewarding, but seven hours of salt, wind, and heat can feel long for anyone who would rather alternate water time with shade and rest.

Who Will Get the Most From Pisces?

I would recommend this charter to:

• Families and friend groups that can share the cost
• Cruise passengers docking at Havensight
• Groups with mixed ages and different activity levels
• People who prefer a private plan to a large group excursion
• Snorkelers hoping to look for turtles, rays, fish, and coral
• Anyone who values time aboard the boat as much as time at the beach

I would think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and want a low-cost activity. The fixed group price is built for a party. I would also reconsider if your main goal is the British Virgin Islands, since this charter does not go there.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Otherwise, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.

Should You Book This St. Thomas Charter?

Book it if you have enough people to share the cost and want control over the day. The strongest reasons are the private setting, roomy catamaran, flexible route, included drinks and gear, and the real chance to see turtles and rays while snorkeling.

Before paying, confirm the half-day or full-day rate, meeting point, departure time, ship dock, lunch plan, and desired route. With those details settled, S/Y Pisces offers a relaxed way to see St. Thomas from the water without surrendering your day to a crowded excursion schedule.

FAQ

How many people can join the private catamaran charter?

The yacht accommodates up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What is included in the charter?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, Virgin H2O bottled water, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and use of the onboard restroom are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though you can purchase it at several locations during the day.

Where do I meet the captain?

Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at Havensight, St. Thomas. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The charter does not visit the BVI. Possible areas include St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and possibly a quiet cay.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before departure also qualify for a full refund.