Private St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip for Groups up to 24 Guest

Seven hours on Caribbean water can turn a good island day into the highlight of your trip. This private sailing charter uses two late-model Lagoon multi-deck catamarans, SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana, to carry groups around St. Thomas, nearby cays, harbors, and white-sand beaches. I like the spacious setup, with sunny bow seating and a shaded cockpit, and I like that a captain, first mate, snorkeling gear, drinks, and a private bathroom are included.

The main drawback is the price: $4,995 per group of up to 15 is a major expense for a small party. The boats can accommodate up to 24 people together, but the supplied rate specifically covers up to 15, so larger groups should confirm the current cost before booking. Lunch is not included, which means you need to plan that part of the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Lagoon catamarans: SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana provide a private sailing setup for groups of up to 24 people.
• Seven hours on the water: The long sailing window leaves time for scenic cruising, swimming, snorkeling, and beach stops.
• Captains who add personality: Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie receive especially warm praise for safety, island knowledge, humor, and good music.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, ice, soda, beer, Argo’s Signature Rum Punch, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Easy cruise-port access: Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight is within walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.
• Bring or arrange lunch: Food is not part of the package, so a meal plan matters on a full-day charter.

Leaving Yacht Haven Grande at 9:00 a.m.

The charter begins at 9:00 a.m. from 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight. That location is useful if you arrive by cruise ship, since it is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise dock. You will not need to arrange a separate taxi from the pier, though you should allow enough time to find the precise meeting spot.

Cruise ship passengers need to check their ship’s time zone before setting out. The charter operates on local St. Thomas time, and a time-zone mix-up is an avoidable way to spoil an expensive morning.

The seven-hour schedule gives you a full day afloat rather than a short harbor outing. I like that length for a private charter because the boat is not simply rushing from one photo stop to the next. You have time to settle in, listen to the crew, move between sun and shade, and spend a useful amount of time in the water.

The exact order of stops is not fixed in the supplied details. That is normal for a sailing day, since the captain may adjust the route for conditions and the group’s interests. You should expect a mix of open-water sailing, island views, snorkeling, and time near beaches or sheltered areas rather than a rigid sightseeing schedule.

Two catamarans and room to spread out

The main appeal is space. The tandem arrangement uses two luxury Lagoon multi-deck sailing yachts, with capacity for up to 24 people across both vessels. The stated price is for a group of up to 15, so a party larger than that should ask the operator exactly how the second boat and pricing work.

At the bow, you can sit in the breeze and sun. This is the place for people who want a clear view across the water and the feeling of moving under sail. It may be less appealing during the hottest part of the day, so bring sun protection and use the shaded cockpit when you need a break.

The cockpit has open-air seating beneath shade. That makes a big difference on a seven-hour outing, especially for children, older family members, and anyone who tires of direct sun. The design gives your group room to spread out instead of forcing everyone into one narrow seating area.

A private full bathroom is also available. It is a small detail, but on a long boat day it matters. You can stay on the water without treating the next beach stop as your only practical break.

The catamarans also have a Bluetooth sound system. You can bring your own music for the day, provided your group agrees on the soundtrack. The equipment helps give the outing a private-party feel, but remember that the crew still needs to communicate safety instructions and route information.

A sailing route shaped by St. Thomas

The charter is designed around the waters of the US Virgin Islands rather than a single named attraction. You may pass harbors, nearby cays, island shorelines, and white-sand beaches, with the captain selecting locations suited to the conditions.

That flexibility is useful. St. Thomas has many appealing coastal areas, but the best place to stop depends on wind, sea conditions, and what your group wants to do. You can ask the captain about the planned route at the start and explain whether your priority is snorkeling, swimming, quiet beach time, or simply sailing.

The boat’s elevated decks should give you broad views as you travel between stops. From the bow, you get the most direct sense of the breeze and sea. From the shaded cockpit, you can watch the islands pass while keeping out of the strongest sun.

Do not expect a standard land-based sightseeing tour with a long list of monuments. The reward here is the day itself: the changing views, the movement of the boat, and the ability to stop in several parts of the surrounding waters. If you want a tightly scheduled history tour, this is not the right format. If you want private time on the water with your own group, it makes much more sense.

Snorkeling with equipment already aboard

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one practical chore. You do not need to rent masks and fins separately or carry your own set to the marina. The crew can direct you toward suitable snorkeling locations during the day.

The strongest praise for the excursion centers on these water stops. Captain JW is credited with taking a group to excellent snorkeling locations, while Captain Anne Marie is praised for guiding several snorkeling stops and keeping the day safe and enjoyable. Another family group, including teenagers and a seven-year-old, had a good time at the snorkeling locations, so the activity can work for a mixed-age party.

Still, snorkeling conditions are never guaranteed. Water clarity, wind, and sea conditions can affect what you see. The supplied details do not promise a particular reef, animal, or fish encounter, so book this for the chance to snorkel in attractive island waters, not for a guaranteed wildlife show.

If snorkeling is your main goal, say so early. The captain can then help shape the day around suitable water time rather than treating snorkeling as a quick add-on between other stops. You should also make sure everyone in your party is comfortable in the water, since the charter does not say that instruction or lifeguard supervision is provided.

Captains, crew, and the tone of the day

The crew can make or break a private boat charter, and the named captains receive especially strong praise. Captain JW is described as informative, friendly, and good at choosing snorkeling locations. Captain Anne Marie is singled out for safety, direction, humor, island stories, and keeping the music going.

That mix is valuable because a seven-hour boat ride includes plenty of unstructured time. A captain who can explain where you are, answer questions, and keep the mood relaxed adds much more than someone who simply steers from one stop to another.

The first mate is part of the package as well. Captain Anne Marie’s mate, Kahlia, is specifically praised for helping create a fun and capable crew. The included captain and first-mate fees mean you do not have to calculate those charges separately while comparing the price.

The tone appears flexible enough for different groups. A private charter can be lively if you want music and rum punch, or quieter if your group prefers scenery and conversation. Your own party sets the mood, which is one of the clearest advantages over a large shared boat.

Drinks are included, but lunch is not

The package includes water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s Signature Rum Punch for those age 18 and older. That is a useful set of provisions for a hot day, and it helps explain why the operator describes the charter as all-inclusive.

The included beer and rum punch are for adults. Families should also note that soda and water are included, making the drink arrangement more practical for a mixed-age group. The details do not specify the exact brands, quantities, or food service, so do not assume that snacks or a full meal are provided.

Lunch is the important omission. A seven-hour outing crosses the middle of the day, and you should arrange food before departure or confirm with the operator what is allowed and practical to bring. The supplied details do not state that lunch can be purchased aboard, so do not rely on finding a meal during the charter.

This is one place where the $4,995 price needs careful thought. For 15 people, the base cost works out to about $333 per person before any additional expenses. That is still expensive, but it becomes easier to justify when you value a private boat, a full-day schedule, crew, drinks, snorkeling gear, and control over the atmosphere. For a smaller group, the per-person figure rises sharply.

Who gets the best value from this charter?

I would look first at this trip for a family reunion, birthday, wedding group, corporate outing, or cruise-party gathering that wants the boat to itself. Groups of around 10 to 15 people can spread the cost more reasonably while still enjoying plenty of room.

It also suits people who dislike crowded shared excursions. You can choose your music, talk with the crew, decide how much time to spend snorkeling, and use both sunny and shaded areas without negotiating with strangers.

Families can benefit from the private format, especially when ages and energy levels differ. One person can sit in the shade, another can listen to music, and others can use the bow or snorkel. The supplied information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

I would be more cautious if your party has only two or three people. The price is charged by group rather than by individual, so a small party may find a shared sailing or shorter boat trip better value. I would also reconsider it if your main interest is a specific meal, a guaranteed snorkeling site, or a tightly defined sightseeing route.

Practical details that matter

The experience ends back at the meeting point, so you return to Yacht Haven Grande after the seven-hour outing. That makes it convenient for a cruise-day schedule, but cruise passengers should leave enough time for the return to the ship and confirm all-aboard requirements with the cruise line.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That privacy is central to the value, not just a small extra.

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local St. Thomas time.

Bring the basics for a long day outside: sun protection, a swimsuit, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied details do not state that towels, lunch, or hotel transfers are included, so confirm those points before you arrive.

Should you book the SY Pau Hana or SY Kai Lana charter?

Book it if your group wants a private, spacious day on the water and can split a high group price among many people. The strong points are clear: comfortable Lagoon catamarans, a shaded cockpit, a private bathroom, included drinks and snorkeling gear, and captains such as JW and Anne Marie who add humor, safety, and local insight.

Think twice if you have a small party or need lunch included. The price is easier to defend when the boat is carrying a well-sized group, and you should treat the itinerary as flexible rather than a promise of one specific beach or reef.

For the right group, this is less about checking off attractions and more about having your own floating base in the US Virgin Islands. If that sounds like your ideal St. Thomas day, the charter is worth serious consideration.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip begin?

The trip begins at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, at 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m. All charters use local St. Thomas time.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The two catamarans can accommodate up to 24 people together. The stated price of $4,995 is for a group of up to 15, so larger groups should confirm pricing before booking.

Which boats are used?

The experience uses two late-model Lagoon multi-deck sailing yachts named SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana.

Is the charter private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s Signature Rum Punch are included. Beer and rum punch are for guests age 18 and older.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.