Turtles and rum punch, on your own boat. A private charter on the 47-foot Leopard catamaran S/Y Pisces in St Thomas lets you set the pace, then spend the day sailing, snorkeling, and beaching without the loud, squeeze-everyone-in feeling. What I like most is the private yacht setup for up to 12 people, and how the day runs on all-inclusive drinks once you’re aboard.

One thing to plan for: lunch is not included, and your best beach and snorkel timing depends on weather and your captain’s itinerary choices. Also, it stays in the US Virgin Islands area, since the charter does not visit BVI.

Key Reasons to Book

• Private charter for up to 12 on a 47-foot Leopard catamaran, so your day feels like it has room to breathe
• Snorkeling equipment and floats included, plus beach games and water toys to keep the whole group moving
• S/Y Pisces deck life: spacious back deck seating, bean bag bow lounge, and two trampolines for downtime and laughs
• Bluetooth-ready tunes via a JBL sound system, so you can control the vibe
• Drinks included (beer and the Seas the Day signature rum punch), with bottled water provided on board
• Captain-led route around St Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and possibly a secret cay, based on what you want most

First Stop: Yacht Haven Grande, the R Bar, and Getting There Smoothly

If you’re flying in for a cruise day, this is the first detail that matters. The boat launches from WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight, and you meet near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the R Bar drink kiosk. The captain then escorts you to the yacht.

Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. That buffer is small, but it’s enough to park, find the archway, and get everyone settled before your crew gets you moving.

If you’re coming from a cruise ship that docks in Crown Bay Marina, expect a taxi ride to Yacht Haven Grande. The time estimate is about 15 minutes each way, so I suggest you build that into your day. It’s one of those “simple logistics, big stress saver” items.

Meet S/Y Pisces: 47 Feet of Deck Space and Real Group Comfort

This charter is built around comfort you can actually feel. S/Y Pisces is a 47-foot luxury Leopard catamaran with a spacious salon that opens onto an expansive back deck. Translation: you can sit inside when you want, then slide right into shade and breeze when you don’t.

On the water side, the bow has bean bag seating plus two large trampolines. That sounds like a party gimmick until you realize what it solves. When you’re with kids, multi-generational groups, or friends who want different tempos, the bow is where conversation happens without yelling. People spread out naturally.

A few smart comfort touches also show up:

• A restroom on board, which is huge when your day stretches toward full-day length
• Bottled water and pop provided, with water branded as Virgin H2O
• A JBL sound system with Bluetooth, so your playlist travels with you instead of fighting with random ship music

One more practical note: since you’ll be in and out of the water, having lots of open deck space helps keep gear from turning into a tangle. You’ll spend less time managing stuff and more time enjoying the day.

The Captain Makes It Yours: How the Itinerary Works in Real Life

This is a private charter, meaning your captain designs an itinerary around your group. That matters because St Thomas days can swing in two different directions:

1) snorkel heavy, with multiple reef stops and turtle spotting

2) beach time heavy, with more swimming and slower sailing

On this boat, that flexibility is part of the value. You can aim for island-hopping like St Thomas proper, Buck Island, and Water Island, with a possible stop at a secret cay depending on conditions and what your captain thinks will match your group best.

In practice, the captain’s job is to keep the day fun and workable, not just “follow a script.” If you want turtle sightings, you’ll want the kind of captain who knows where the best underwater encounters happen. If your group prefers a calmer vibe, the captain can steer toward quieter cove time and less crowd energy.

St Thomas, Buck Island, and Water Island: What Each Stop Tends to Offer

You’ll likely start with sailing out from Havensight, then move toward the areas that give you both scenery and water time. The exact order can change, but the stop set is consistent with what the charter is known for: St Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and sometimes a smaller mystery stop.

St Thomas harbors and coasts

This is where the day feels most “local.” You get the real sense of the island shape and how the coast opens into coves that are made for swimming breaks. It’s also often your easiest transition zone for a first swim stop if conditions are good.

Buck Island

This is a name you’ll hear for a reason. The appeal is reef snorkeling and the chance to see marine life up close. When the water’s clear, the experience feels like nature came closer than you expected. For many groups, Buck Island is the stop they remember most.

Water Island

Water Island tends to feel like a more relaxed shift away from busy motion. It’s a chance to mix swimming, snorkeling, and a more beachy mood. If you’re traveling with mixed ages, this kind of stop can keep everyone happy, including those who aren’t chasing “one more reef” every hour.

Secret cay potential

This is the fun wildcard. If conditions line up, it’s the sort of stop that turns a nice day into a “how did this feel this quiet?” day. If conditions don’t allow it, you’ll still have the core snorkeling and sailing time.

Snorkeling Gear, Turtles, Rays, and the Pisces Plunge Moment

You’re not renting equipment separately here. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included, and that keeps the day from starting with delays or last-minute shopping. The water toys also make it easier for non-swimmers or beginners to still feel involved.

What stands out is the chance to see turtles and rays. Multiple groups describe snorkel time focused on turtle sightings and sting rays gliding around reefs and seagrass. That’s exactly why I like this style of charter: it aims at the underwater moments, not just scenic sailing.

Two details make your time in the water more comfortable:

• Floats and gear provided, so you can get in without the usual “will I even manage this” stress
• Deck setup that supports quick breaks, so you can snorkel, hang out, then go back in

And yes, there’s also the Pisces Plunge mentioned by groups who did it. Even if you’re not the type to jump, it’s a reminder that this boat is set up for active fun, not just sitting in the sun.

Drinks and Bluetooth Tunes: The All-Inclusive Part That Actually Changes the Day

Let’s talk about what’s different once you’re on board. Alcoholic beverages are included, including beer and the signature Seas the Day rum punch. You also get soda/pop, bottled water, and you can play your own music through the JBL Bluetooth system.

This matters more than it sounds. When drinks are included, you don’t spend time figuring out cash, bar lines, or whether you can afford to keep the vibe going. The crew also tends to treat drink time as part of the day’s flow, not a separate “event.”

And Bluetooth audio does one simple thing really well: it lets you control the atmosphere. You can keep it calm with soft music while you cruise, then switch to something upbeat for snorkeling prep.

Eco-minded touches also show up. The charter mentions eco-friendly habits aboard and water provided by Virgin H2O, plus sanitation practices after each trip using established CDC and WHO guidelines. Crews are tested monthly via RayBiotech, and you may notice Covid-free bracelets.

Price and Value: $1,495 for a Group, Not a Crowd

The listed price is $1,495 per group, up to 12 people. That’s the key math. If you fill all seats, your per-person cost comes to roughly $125 each. If you’re only six people, it doubles. So this is best when you travel with a true group, not as a solo or couple hunting for the lowest per-person option.

Here’s why it still often feels like good value:

• You get a private boat for your group, not a shared excursion where you fight for shade and time
• Snorkeling gear, floats, and drinks are included, so you avoid add-on costs that quietly stack up on other tours
• The crew can design your day around what you want, which reduces the risk of paying for the “wrong” kind of itinerary

Also note what’s not included: lunch. That’s common on many charters, but it does change budgeting.

Lunch Timing: How to Handle It Without Losing Your Day

Lunch isn’t included, but you have options because the day includes multiple hours on the water plus beach time stops.

In real-world terms, you’ll want to decide early in the day:

• Eat on land near a beach stop if the timing works
• Or keep it light and pick up food once you’re off the boat

Some groups mention lunch at spots like Dinghy’s during the day. Others build in a separate lunch plan before boarding, like grabbing food after a trip up to Paradise Point and then meeting the boat.

My practical advice: if you want an easy lunch day, eat somewhere close to your beach time, not far across the island. That keeps your momentum. And bring any snacks you personally want, especially for kids, since only your captain can control where time lands.

BVI? Not Here. Where This Charter Focuses Instead

This charter stays in the US Virgin Islands region. It does not visit BVI. If your “bucket list” includes BVI islands, you’ll want a different itinerary. But if your goal is St Thomas sailing with serious snorkeling and beach time, this route keeps you focused where the water access and reef time are the point.

Who This Is For, and Who Should Think Twice

This charter is a strong match if you want:

• A private day on the water for a mixed group (kids, parents, grandparents, friends)
• A focus on snorkeling with strong odds for marine life sightings like turtles and rays
• Real comfort on a deck setup made for hanging out, not just sitting

It can be less ideal if you:

• Need guaranteed lunch included, because you’ll plan for food separately
• Want a cookie-cutter “we stop at exactly these places at exactly these times” tour, because your captain is designing the day
• Travel during weather-risk periods, since the experience requires good weather

Also, if you’re coming from a cruise dock farther away, build in taxi time so you don’t cut it close. Private charters punish sloppy timing.

Should You Book This Private Catamaran Charter?

Book it if you want a St Thomas day that feels like yours, not a group bus ride with a snorkel stop. The combination of private yacht space, included snorkeling gear and floats, and drinks included makes it a clean package when your group is big enough to justify the per-group price.

Skip or compare alternatives if lunch included is a must for your budget, or if you specifically want BVI. Also, if your group hates water time or won’t enjoy casual beach stops, you might find the value is less compelling.

If you do book, make it easy for the captain: tell them what you care about most, snorkeling intensity or beach lounging. Then show up 15 minutes early at the R Bar so your day starts relaxed.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the charter in St Thomas?

You’ll meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight. The captain will escort you to the boat, and you should meet about 15 minutes before departure.

How many people can be on the yacht?

The charter price is for a group of up to 12 people.

Is this a half-day or full-day option?

You can choose a half-day or full-day charter.

What is included with the price?

Included items are snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water (Virgin H2O), soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages including beer and the Seas the Day signature rum punch. There is also a restroom on board.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is excluded. Lunch can be purchased at many locations.

What islands does the charter visit?

The charter can include St Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and possibly a secret cay.

Can we play our own music on board?

Yes. The boat has a JBL sound system with Bluetooth capability.

Does the charter visit BVI?

No. The charter does not visit BVI.

What is the cancellation refund timeline?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

What happens if poor weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.