A private boat day changes your whole trip. This full-day charter on the MV Aquarius is built for a group that wants to hop between St. Thomas, St. John, and the British Virgin Islands on your own schedule. You get a 31-foot Wellcraft with twin 300hp Yamaha engines, plus snorkeling gear, audio with Bluetooth, and plenty of room up front for conversation, tanning, and turtle watching.

Two things I like a lot are the captain-led flexibility and the fact that the boat is set up for real water time. With Captain Wallen, the day can be shaped around what you want most, including strong snorkeling picks like the Indians and a visit to Norman Island. One thing to plan for: the day has extra costs once you cross into the BVI, including a per-person customs fee paid direct, plus a fuel surcharge.

You’ll start at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook at 8:00 am, with the option (with advance notice) to meet at Yacht Haven Grande on St. Thomas or Cruz Bay on St. John. It ends back at the same spot you started.

Key things to know before you go

• Private group up to 12 on a 31-foot Wellcraft, so the day stays focused on you
• Captain Wallen builds the route, mixing harbors, islands, and your top snorkeling choices
• Snorkeling gear is on board, including equipment so you do not need to pack it
• Bluetooth sound system (Fusion) makes the boat ride part of the fun
• BVI customs fee per person is paid direct, so it is not baked into the main price
• Budget extra for fuel since there is a fuel surcharge per booking

MV Aquarius and what 31 feet feels like all day

This is a private powerboat charter, not a crowded day trip. The MV Aquarius is a 2019 31-foot Wellcraft with twin 300hp Yamaha engines. Translation: you get a ride that is fast enough to make a full day feel like a full day, without turning the trip into hours of slow, stop-and-start boating.

Comfort is practical. The bow has seating that works for chatting, sunbathing, and keeping an eye out for turtles. That matters on a boat day because you are not just sitting for transport. You are on the water for hours, so having a place to hang out makes the time feel less like travel and more like vacation.

For your senses, the boat has a Fusion sound system with Bluetooth. This is a small detail until you realize it is what keeps the day from feeling silent and “tour-bus like.” You can bring your own playlist and set the vibe, whether you want chill music or a party mood.

Snorkeling gear is included on board, which is a big value point. You are not trying to coordinate rentals during a busy day. You also do not have to build your packing list around snorkel equipment.

One more note worth your attention: the boat can be out of the water through the end of October 2023, and the operator flags a different SEA product code for August through October. If you are booking in those months, ask what vessel will be used and confirm the plan for your exact date.

How Captain Wallen shapes a BVI day around your priorities

The best part of this charter is how much control you get through the captain. Your captain designs an itinerary so you can visit islands and harbors around St. Thomas and St. John, plus the British Virgin Islands or the surrounding cays. That flexibility matters because the BVI is not one-size-fits-all. Weather, sea conditions, and what everyone in the group wants can change the best order for the day.

Captain Wallen is specifically named in the review feedback, and that is a good sign. The praise is clear: he knows the BVIs well and helps you decide where to spend your limited time. In other words, you are not just being taken to a checklist of stops. You are being guided toward the best match for your day.

You also get options that cover different travel styles:

• If your group wants iconic photos and a lively island feel, Jost Van Dyke is on the table, including time around Foxy’s and Soggy Dollar.
• If you want water time that feels like a highlight, snorkeling stops like Sandy Spit and the Indians are part of the plan.
• If you want scenery and shore time, the itinerary can include Norman Island and the Baths.

That captain flexibility is where private charters often justify their price. When you have only one day, it is worth paying for a route that fits your group.

Red Hook departure and the “private” rhythm of an early start

Your meeting point is American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook on St. Thomas, with a 8:00 am start. Ending back at the meeting point keeps the day simple.

What I like about the early start is that you gain options. In open-water destinations, the morning often gives you a better chance to enjoy multiple anchorages and still have energy for snorkeling and shore time. If your group is used to crowded tours, this feels calmer because you are not waiting for other people to show up.

One practical perk: with advance notice, you can pick up your group at Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie, or at Cruz Bay on St. John. That can save you transit time, especially if you are already staying on St. John.

A small reminder: this is an outdoor activity, and your day will be affected by weather. If seas are rough, plans might shift. That is not a surprise, but it is still something to keep in mind when you pick your date.

Jost Van Dyke, Foxy’s, and Soggy Dollar on your own schedule

One of the most recognizable parts of the BVI experience is Jost Van Dyke. This charter includes a day route that can explore Jost Van Dyke and time around Foxy’s and Soggy Dollar.

What you can expect is the freedom to make those stops feel like part of your day, not like a quick photo stop. Your captain can time your arrival and decide how long you want to linger based on conditions and your group’s energy level.

This is a good match for groups who want at least one famous island moment. The BVIs have a specific vibe, and Jost Van Dyke is a name people remember long after the trip.

The possible drawback is also simple. If your group wants more quiet, fewer social stops, and more snorkeling-only time, you may want to tell your captain early. Private charters work best when you give clear priorities, like do you want this to be mostly water time or mostly island wandering.

Snorkeling at Sandy Spit and the Indians

Snorkeling is a core part of this day. You have snorkeling equipment on board, and that removes one common headache: trying to find gear that fits and works when you arrive.

The itinerary includes the option to snorkel at Sandy Spit. You also can plan snorkeling at the Indians, and this is where one of the best review takeaways shows up. The feedback highlights that Captain Wallen helped the group choose the best places to experience on the trip, including Norman Island and the Indians for snorkeling. That is the kind of practical guidance you want on a private charter.

So what makes these snorkeling moments feel valuable on this itinerary?

• You are not stuck in one area all day.
• You can match snorkeling spots to what the water allows that day.
• You can spend time where your captain thinks the underwater experience will be strongest.

What to bring (simple stuff, but it matters): a towel, reef-safe sunscreen if you use it, and a change of clothes for after. Also consider water shoes if you are unsure how rocky a shore stop might be. The tour notes a moderate physical fitness level, so footing and getting in and out of the water are part of the reality of a full-day sea plan.

Norman Island and the Baths for a shore-and-scenery break

Another itinerary option is Norman Island and the Baths. This is one of those BVI stops that many people talk about because it feels different from the usual open-water experience.

On this charter, it is not just a quick stop. Your captain designs timing, so you get a real chunk of time for shore exploring and photos, rather than a rushed loop.

There are two practical considerations:

• Shore time adds walking, uneven ground, and getting in and out of water. The tour sets a moderate physical fitness level, so plan accordingly.
• Time at the Baths area depends on conditions. If winds or seas are challenging, your captain might adjust the order or time spent.

The upside is that this adds variety. A private boat charter can otherwise become all boat, all snorkeling, all the time. Norman Island gives you a different rhythm.

Crossing into the BVIs: customs fee and what costs extra

Crossing from St. Thomas waters into the British Virgin Islands adds a real-world cost. The tour information clearly warns that the BVI collects a customs fee per person upon entrance to the BVIs, and it must be paid direct by the guest.

Two specific amounts are shown in the details:

• A customs fee listed as $75 per person
• A BVI boat fee listed as $85 per person

Either way, treat it as per-person money you need to have ready, not something to forget and then argue about at check-in.

Then there is the fuel surcharge. It is listed as $250.00 per booking and it is not included in the base price. That is why the total cost depends on how many people you have with you.

Price, value, and whether $2,295 makes sense for your group

The price is $2,295.00 per group, up to 12 guests. It is not a per-person rate. That is the key math.

If you fill all 12 spots, that is about $191 per person for an 8-hour private boat day, before the BVI fees and the fuel surcharge. If you do not fill the boat, the per-person cost rises fast, and the charter becomes more of a splurge.

So when does this price feel like good value?

• When your group actually reaches capacity (or close to it)
• When snorkeling is a top priority and you want gear included
• When you want a captain to shape the route around your time, rather than following a fixed schedule
• When you care about comfort details like Bluetooth sound and a day that feels social and relaxed

Also note that this type of charter is commonly booked about 70 days in advance on average. If you have a specific date window, plan early.

On the dates matter front, the operator flags that there are weather needs for this experience. If weather is poor, you should expect a different date or a full refund.

The healthy-experience approach and what to expect on board

If you are thinking about hygiene and health standards, this operator lays out a specific routine. Seas the Day USVI partners with RayBiotech, and the captains and crew are tested for Covid 19 each month. You will see crew wearing Covid Free bracelets, and the vessels are sanitized after each trip using established CDC and WHO guidelines.

Because this is primarily outdoors, masks are not required but can be worn by guests if preferred. For many groups, this strikes a practical balance. You get the safety steps without making the day feel like an indoor clinic.

Who should book this private charter, and who might not love it

This charter is ideal for small groups that want a flexible, captain-led day across the St. Thomas area and the British Virgin Islands. You will enjoy it most if your group likes:

• Snorkeling and wants gear included
• A private boat atmosphere instead of a crowded tour
• Iconic stops like Jost Van Dyke, including time around Foxy’s and Soggy Dollar
• A captain who helps you choose what matters, especially for snorkeling spots like the Indians

I would think twice if your group wants a strictly fixed itinerary with zero decision-making. Since the captain designs the day based on conditions and preferences, you will have to communicate what you want.

Also, keep expectations realistic if anyone has motion sensitivity. This is a full day on the water, and while the engines are powerful, the ocean still sets the tone.

Should you book MV Aquarius for a full BVI day?

If you and your group can fill enough seats to make the per-person math work, I think this is a strong way to do the BVIs. The value comes from private access, the included snorkeling setup, and Captain Wallen’s ability to steer the day toward the best experiences, including the Indians for snorkeling and visits to Norman Island.

Book it if your group wants a mix of famous stops and real water time, and you are ready to budget for BVI entrance fees paid direct plus the fuel surcharge. Skip it if you want everything built into the base price with zero extras, or if your group cannot handle moderate physical activity during shore moments like the Baths.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

It starts at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook on St. Thomas at 8:00 am. With advance notice, pickup may be available at Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie or on St. John at Cruz Bay.

How many people can be on the private boat?

This is a private charter for up to 12 guests.

Is the $2,295 price per person?

No. The $2,295.00 is the price per group, up to 12 guests.

What is included in the charter?

Included items are soda, water, and beer on board, plus use of snorkeling equipment.

What extra fees should I expect for the British Virgin Islands?

You should budget for the BVI customs fee per person paid direct by the guest. The details also list a BVI boat fee per person, and fuel has a separate $250 surcharge per booking.

What about snorkeling, are gear rentals needed?

Snorkeling equipment is provided on board, so you do not need to bring rental gear for this charter.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.