Want turtles and pizza, minus the crowd? On this private island-hopping charter from St. Thomas, I love the small-group flexibility to shape your stops around St. John, and the snorkel-and-Pizza Pi combo at Christmas Cove. One thing to plan for: fuel is billed separately, $7 per gallon, on top of the $795 group price.

You ride a 29′ or 32′ power catamaran with an experienced captain. From the guide names people rave about, you’ll likely be in good hands with captains like Bryan, Andrew, Steve, and Scott, who adjust the day to what your group wants.

The half-day format runs about 3 hours 30 minutes including travel. Most routes center on the North Shore snorkel highlights, then finish with beach time and a food stop on the water, with full-day options if you want to go farther.

Key things to know before you book Bonus Time Charters

• Private charter up to 8 people, so your day is built around your crew, not a schedule full of strangers
• A tight half-day flow from Waterlemon Cay snorkel (about 30 minutes) to Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove
• Sea turtle focused north-shore stops, especially around Maho Bay
• Two famous floating food stops depending on your day, Pizza Pi for pizza or Lime Out for tacos
• Onboard comfort basics included, like a cooler with ice, water, and snorkeling gear
• Fuel is not included, charged at $7 per gallon, so your final total depends on routing

Private charter from St. Thomas, why this format works

This is a true private boat day, not a shared excursion. You charter one power catamaran (29′ or 32′) with an experienced captain, for up to 8 people, which means less waiting, fewer tradeoffs, and more control over where you spend your time.

I especially like that the trip is designed to be customizable. The suggested routes lean heavily on St. John’s clear-water snorkel spots and classic beach breaks, but the captain can steer the plan so the day matches how your group wants to move, swim, lounge, or just enjoy views from the water.

Also, this works well for cruise-day timing because the half-day is built around about 3 hours 30 minutes total with travel. You get enough time to feel like you did something big, without turning the day into a full-day time sink.

Half-day itinerary in 3.5 hours: Waterlemon Cay to Christmas Cove

The suggested half-day route is tight and efficient, which is exactly what you want if your shore time is limited. You’ll typically start with a snorkel site, then move into a mix of calm-water swimming and a beach break, and finish with a stop at Christmas Cove.

Here’s the flow you can expect on the proposed schedule:

• Waterlemon Cay (about 30 minutes) for snorkeling, with a highlight around elkhorn coral
• Maho Bay Beach (about 1 hour), a calm-water bay on the North Shore where sea turtles are a big draw
• Scott Bay Beach (about 1 hour), a boat-access beach near the old Caneel Bay Resort area
• Christmas Cove (about 1 hour) for snorkeling around Fish Cay, plus time for a floating food finale at Pizza Pi

The timing matters. Short snorkel windows keep things moving, while still giving you real water time to see fish, coral, and whatever you’re lucky enough to spot that day.

One practical note: travel time is included in the overall duration. So when the listing says about 3 hours 30 minutes, that total isn’t just boat time sitting on the water.

Waterlemon Cay, Maho Bay, Scott Bay, Christmas Cove: what makes each stop worth it

Each stop on this half-day route has a job. Together, they create a day that feels balanced, snorkel heavy without turning into a sprint, and ends with a meal that’s actually part of the experience.

Waterlemon Cay: coral-focused snorkeling

Waterlemon Cay is built around the snorkel experience, and the itinerary calls out healthy populations of critically endangered elkhorn coral. That’s a reminder that the goal here isn’t just chasing fish, it’s swimming where the reef structure is doing well.

Because the stop is about 30 minutes, you’ll want to go in ready. You’ll get enough time for one solid swim and a chance to see how the coral looks up close without burning the day before Maho Bay.

Maho Bay Beach: the calm-water sea turtle moment

Maho Bay is known for calm water and sea turtle snorkeling. The itinerary frames it as a calm bay on the North Shore of St. John and inside Virgin Islands National Park territory.

In the real world, turtles show up when conditions line up, but Maho Bay is clearly picked for maximum odds. If your group wants the best chance to see turtles, this is one of the stops I’d prioritize.

Scott Bay Beach: a quiet break near Caneel Bay’s remnants

Scott Bay is another North Shore pick, reached by boat, near remnants of the old Caneel Bay Resort. You get about an hour here, which means more than just a quick dip.

This is where you can rotate between snorkeling and relaxing. If your group includes people who want a break from the water or from the sun, Scott Bay usually gives you that breathing room.

Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi: snorkeling plus a weird, wonderful finale

Christmas Cove is where the trip turns into a full experience, not just swimming. You’ll snorkel around Fish Cay and you may see a sunken sailboat, then you have time for a stop at Pizza Pi, the floating pizzeria.

The Pizza Pi part is what makes this route memorable. People love that it’s not just ordering food and leaving. You’re still on the water, and the meal feels like part of the day’s story, not a separate chore.

Full-day charter options: South Shore beaches and Coral Bay’s Lime Out

If you have the time, the full-day charter lets the captain spread out the stops and go farther. This is the option for a “more islands, more beaches, more snorkeling” style day.

The itinerary mentions South Shore exploration like:

• Salt Pond Bay
• Little Lameshur
• Pelican Rock

And it also includes the chance to go out to Coral Bay for Lime Out, a floating taco bar that many people treat like a vacation “event meal.” You’ll have time to snorkel again at Waterlemon Cay, plus time for quiet coves.

The big payoff with a full-day is variety. On a half-day, you’re choosing a few stars. On a full-day, you can hit multiple coasts and still have time to actually enjoy each spot.

What the captain actually does for you (beyond driving the boat)

The captain is the difference between a “nice boat ride” and a day that feels smooth, safe, and tailored. Bonus Time Charters centers around an experienced captain, and the guide names that come up often include Andrew, Bryan, Steve, and Scott.

From what I’ve learned, captains on this operation tend to:

• Adjust the route to what your group wants to do
• Pick snorkeling paths that make sense for each site
• Keep a close eye on people in the water and manage the timing

Some groups bring mixed needs, like kids plus older family members, or mobility limitations. There are examples of captains helping everyone feel comfortable and making it easier to get in and out of the water without turning the day into stress.

If your group cares about turtle viewing or has a specific wish, you’ll get the best results by saying that up front. Captains can then steer you toward the most fitting route and keep the day aligned with your goals.

Onboard inclusions and the costs you should budget for

Here’s what’s clearly included with your charter:

• Experienced captain
• Water, ice, and a cooler
• Private transportation
• Use of snorkeling equipment

The “private transportation” item matters because it reduces the amount of work you have to do on your own. You still need to get yourself to the meeting point, but the day on the water is handled.

What’s not included:

• Fuel is billed based on usage at $7 USD per gallon
• Gratuities, with a recommendation of 20% if service is excellent
• Alcoholic beverages, which are BYOB, with the rule of no glass bottles on board
• Lunch purchases at food stops like Lime Out or Pizza Pi

This is where value math gets real. The $795 price is for the whole group up to 8, which can be a strong deal if you fill the boat with your party. The fuel charge is the variable that changes the final number, but it’s the kind of cost you can plan for once you understand it’s part of private charter reality in the USVI.

Price and value: $795 per group up to 8 people

The headline price is $795 per group for up to 8 people. If you bring the full group, that can work out to about $99 per person, before any extras like fuel and gratuities.

What you’re paying for is not just “a boat.” You’re paying for:

• A captain and boat equipped for snorkeling
• A private format with customizable stops
• Included snorkel gear, plus a cooler setup for drinks

And the half-day duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes, so the time is meaningful. It isn’t a short, expensive hop. It’s long enough to swim, see multiple coastlines, and still enjoy the food stop.

One more value signal from the operation: this charter style is clearly popular, running frequently. That usually means people know what they’re booking, and that the experience is built to run smoothly.

Cruise day logistics: meeting at American Yacht Harbor

If you’re doing this during a cruise stop, you’ll need to plan the transfer. The key detail: cruise port pick-up isn’t included. You taxi to American Yacht Harbor to meet the charter.

One practical tip based on real timing experience: the taxi trip can take about 20 minutes and may cost around $15 per person. If you’re traveling with a full group, that adds up quickly.

So I’d treat this like part of the excursion plan, not an afterthought. Give yourself time, avoid tight “last-minute” boarding stress, and assume you might need a little buffer to line up the return plan to your ship.

What to bring, and how to handle sun and possible chop

This is a boat day in open water, so plan for sun and salt air. Since snorkeling equipment is included, your main job is being comfortable on the water and ready to swim when the captain calls it.

One specific comfort tip that came up in real use: plan for the ride back, seas can feel rough depending on chop, and a cover-up can help. If your group is prone to getting sunburned or chilled easily, that’s worth considering.

Also, BYOB is allowed, but no glass bottles on board. The cooler with ice is included, so bring drinks accordingly and use the cooler the way you’d use it at a beach day.

Finally, if you’re sensitive to motion, think about when you’ll be out on the water. The route is designed to hit the good stops efficiently, but conditions still vary. Pick calm-water choices when you can.

Who this private charter is perfect for

This is a great fit if you want:

• A private day with your own pace
• Snorkeling that focuses on specific St. John sites
• A “big moment” food stop like Pizza Pi or Lime Out
• A day that works for families, including kids and multi-age groups

It’s also a strong option if you like the idea of a captain who can tailor. People often mention that their route felt like a choose-your-own-adventure day, with stops selected for turtle viewing or uncrowded water.

It might be less ideal if your budget can’t handle add-ons. Fuel is billed separately, and gratuity is recommended. You’ll want a group size that fills the boat, otherwise the per-person math gets worse fast.

Should you book Bonus Time Charters?

Book this if you’re planning a St. Thomas or St. John trip and you care about getting real water time, not just standing around at a dock. The combination of a private small-group format, included snorkeling gear, and a finish at Pizza Pi (or lunch at Lime Out on a full-day) is exactly the kind of USVI experience that feels special for years.

Skip it or reconsider if:

• You’re trying to keep costs fixed, since fuel is extra
• Your schedule is too tight to handle a taxi to American Yacht Harbor
• Your group wants a strictly structured, “no decisions” tour with zero flexibility

If you can manage the add-ons and you want a day built around snorkeling and iconic floating food, this charter is a very solid choice.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

It costs $795 per group, up to 8 people.

How long is the half-day experience?

The duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes, and travel time is included in that total.

What’s included in the price?

The charter includes an experienced captain, water and ice with a cooler, snorkeling equipment, and private transportation.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is not included and is billed based on usage at $7 USD per gallon.

Where do cruise passengers meet the boat?

Cruise port pick-up is not included. You’ll taxi to American Yacht Harbor to meet the charter.

Do they offer full-day charters?

Yes. A full-day charter option lets you explore more of St. John and go farther out to Coral Bay for Lime Out, along with additional snorkeling time.

Should you book Bonus Time Charters?

Yes, if you want a private, small-group St. John and St. Thomas day that mixes snorkeling with real time at beaches and finishes with a food stop on the water. Just budget for the fuel charge and plan your taxi timing if you’re coming from a cruise ship, and you’ll be set up for a smooth, memorable outing.