Half or Full-Day Private Boat Charter from St. John or St. Thomas

Trade roads for reef trails. This private charter gives you a flexible way to see St. John and St. Thomas, with time for sea turtles at Maho Bay, quiet beaches, and snorkeling sites that larger excursions cannot easily reach. I especially like the private, custom schedule and the chance to finish at Pizza Pi, a floating pizzeria in Christmas Cove. The main catch is that fuel, food, gratuity, and transportation from the cruise port cost extra.

You travel aboard a 29-foot or 32-foot power catamaran with a captain, cooler, ice, water, and snorkeling gear included. Captains Bryan, Andrew, Steve, and Scott have all received strong praise for adjusting the route to suit families, swimmers, beach lovers, and cruise passengers. If you want a quiet, personal day rather than a fixed group tour, this is a strong choice.

Key things to know before booking

• Maho Bay is the turtle stop: Calm water and regular sea turtle sightings make this one of the best parts of the half-day route.
• Your captain shapes the day: You can ask for more snorkeling, more beach time, floating restaurants, or quieter coves.
• Pizza Pi is a memorable finish: You may swim from the boat to the floating pizzeria in Christmas Cove and buy lunch on the water.
• The boat is private for up to eight people: The price is per group, so the value improves when you fill the boat.
• Cruise passengers need to plan transfers: The meeting point is at American Yacht Harbor, not the cruise dock.
• Fuel is extra: Budget for fuel at $7 per gallon, along with food and a suggested 20 percent tip.

Why this private charter works so well

A private boat changes the rhythm of a St. John day. You are not tied to a long passenger list or a fixed beach schedule. If everyone wants to snorkel longer, your captain can spend more time in the water. If the children have had enough swimming, you can move on to a beach or scenic cruise.

The charter costs $795 per group of up to eight people. That is not a bargain for one or two passengers, but it can be a sensible deal for a family or group. Split eight ways, the base cost is about $99 per person before fuel, tips, food, and transport. You are paying for the boat, captain, privacy, and flexibility rather than simply buying a seat on a standard excursion.

The boat choice also matters. A 29-foot or 32-foot power catamaran offers more room than a small runabout and should feel more comfortable for a mixed group. The boats are described as clean, well maintained, and capable. Water, ice, a cooler, and snorkeling equipment are supplied, so you can keep the packing list short.

The most praised part of the experience is the captains. Andrew is often singled out for explaining local sights, pointing out the best snorkeling routes, and tailoring the trip around what each group wants to see. Bryan has been praised for helping families, fitting snorkeling gear, watching swimmers, and making passengers with mobility limitations feel included. Steve is noted for his calm style, island stories, and clear reminder that the boat is yours for the day.

That personal attention is especially useful if your group includes children, older adults, or people who are unsure in the water. One family with children and older parents found the day easy to manage, while another group appreciated help getting a wheelchair user into the water. Still, this is a boat and beach outing, not a fully accessible shore-based tour. Ask Bonus Time about your group’s specific needs before booking.

A half-day route through St. John’s north shore

The suggested half-day pattern covers about three and a half hours, including travel between stops. That distinction is important. You do not receive three and a half hours at one beach. Your time is divided between cruising, snorkeling, beach stops, and a possible food stop.

A typical route can include Waterlemon Cay, Maho Bay, Scott Bay, and Christmas Cove. Your captain may alter the order or replace a stop according to sea conditions and your interests.

Waterlemon Cay: coral and clear water

Waterlemon Cay is a striking snorkeling site with healthy populations of elkhorn coral, a critically endangered coral species. The suggested visit lasts about 30 minutes, making it a quick but worthwhile opening stop.

This is the sort of place where you want to pay attention beneath the surface rather than simply swim around. Coral structure gives fish places to shelter, and the area offers a good introduction to the underwater side of St. John.

The tradeoff is time. Thirty minutes passes quickly once you receive your gear, enter the water, and get oriented. If coral is your top priority, tell the captain early. A private itinerary gives you a better chance of adjusting the schedule than a standard group outing.

Maho Bay: the best chance for sea turtles

Maho Bay is the star attraction for many families. The bay has calm water, and sea turtles are frequently seen here. The suggested stop lasts one hour, giving you enough time to swim, watch the turtles, and enjoy the setting without feeling rushed.

You should keep a respectful distance from the turtles and avoid touching them. The point is to watch them feeding or moving through the water, not to chase them for a photograph.

Maho Bay is also a practical stop for mixed swimming abilities. Calm water can make the experience less intimidating for children and cautious swimmers. Your captain can help fit the supplied masks and snorkels and point out where to look.

Scott Bay: quiet sand and breathing room

Scott Bay Beach offers a change of pace. Near the remains of the former Caneel Bay Resort, this beach can feel far quieter than the famous stretches of St. John’s north shore. You can snorkel, swim, relax on the sand, or simply enjoy having a beach stop without a large crowd around you.

The suggested visit is about one hour. That gives you time to dry off, float, explore the shoreline, or let non-snorkelers enjoy the day at their own speed.

This was one of the most useful features for families. A group with children and older parents enjoyed the chance to alternate between snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. If you want constant activity, Scott Bay may feel slow. If your idea of a good vacation includes a quiet hour by the water, it may be exactly right.

Christmas Cove: snorkeling and pizza on the water

Christmas Cove is the fun finale. You can snorkel around Fish Cay, look for a sunken sailboat, or order food from Pizza Pi, the floating pizzeria. Pizza purchases are not included, but the setting makes lunch part of the attraction.

Some groups swim from the charter boat to the Pizza Pi floating lounge. That can be a memorable end to the trip, especially with children and teenagers. You should be comfortable swimming before choosing that option, and remember that the restaurant bill is separate.

Christmas Cove also gives you a second chance to snorkel if earlier conditions were not ideal. The sunken sailboat adds an unusual feature to the underwater scenery. As with any snorkel stop, visibility and sea conditions can affect what you see.

What a full-day charter adds

A full-day trip gives you room to range farther around St. John instead of concentrating on the north shore. You can head toward Salt Pond Bay, Little Lameshur, Pelican Rock, Hansen Bay, and Coral Bay. A longer day may also allow time at Lime Out, the floating taco bar.

Waterlemon Cay can return as part of a full-day plan, followed by Maho Bay, Pelican Rock, Salt Pond Bay, Tektite, and Little Lameshur Bay. This is not a rigid route. The point of booking a full day is to give your captain enough time to combine several different types of stops.

Salt Pond Bay has been used for turtle snorkeling, while Little Lameshur offers another quieter setting. Pelican Rock at Hansen Bay is suited to groups looking for more underwater time. Tektite adds a distinctive snorkeling location to the mix.

Coral Bay and Lime Out make a good lunch plan. You buy the food yourself, but the floating taco bar gives the day a distinctly St. John flavor. If you want to cover more of the island, stop at several coves, and still eat lunch without returning to shore, the full-day option makes more sense than trying to cram everything into three and a half hours.

A full day is best for people who want the boat itself to be the main event. You get more time for scenic cruising, more chances to find good water conditions, and more flexibility if one stop is crowded or rough. For families with teenagers, a later half-day departure may be enough. One group found a 1:30 p.m. start especially useful for young people who do not want an early morning.

Sea conditions, comfort, and safety

The Virgin Islands can have choppy passages, even on a beautiful day. One practical tip is to bring a cover-up or light shirt for the return ride. Sun and wind can catch you after hours on the water, especially when you are wet.

The captain chooses stops with conditions in mind, but no private boat can remove the effects of wind and chop. If you are prone to seasickness, ask about the forecast and consider suitable precautions before departure.

The supplied snorkeling equipment simplifies the outing, though you should tell the captain about fit problems right away. Good equipment matters more than fancy equipment. A leaking mask can spoil a short stop, while a well-fitted mask lets you focus on turtles, rays, fish, coral, and the wreck.

Safety has been a strong part of the captain service. Andrew has been praised for keeping track of swimmers, explaining the safest route through a snorkeling site, and rounding up the group when it is time to move. That matters when a group spreads out in the water or includes children.

The charter is private, but it is not unlimited. The maximum group size is eight people. One supplied account refers to a group of 10 in the water, so confirm your actual boat capacity and booking arrangement if your party is larger than eight.

Cruise passengers need a careful plan

Cruise passengers can use this experience, but you must arrange your own taxi to American Yacht Harbor. Cruise port pickup is not included. The transfer takes about 20 minutes and has been estimated at roughly $15 per person each way, though your actual fare can vary.

For a full group, that transfer cost adds up quickly. Eight people traveling both ways could spend around $240 if the quoted per-person amount applies in both directions. Ask your taxi driver about the fare before leaving the port, and allow enough time to return to the ship.

The captains understand the pressure of ship schedules. Andrew has been praised for watching the clock and helping arrange a taxi at the dock. Still, you remain responsible for getting back to the ship on time. I would choose a departure with a generous return buffer rather than squeezing in the latest possible charter.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking. If you are coming from a cruise, save the meeting point and contact details before leaving the ship, since port Wi-Fi and phone service may not be dependable.

What you pay, and what you bring

The $795 base rate covers a private group of up to eight. Fuel is separate and billed at $7 per gallon. The supplied information also shows an additional $7 booking line, so I would confirm the final fuel and booking charges before departure.

You should also budget for:

• A suggested 20 percent tip for excellent captain service
• Taxi transportation if arriving from a cruise ship
• Pizza Pi, Lime Out, or other food purchases
• Your own alcoholic drinks, if desired

BYOB is allowed, but glass bottles are not permitted. The onboard cooler, ice, and water are included, so bring drinks that are easy to handle on a moving boat.

Pack swimwear, reef-safe sun protection, a towel, sunglasses, a hat that fits securely, and a dry cover-up. Keep valuables to a minimum. The supplied snorkel gear means you do not need to rent equipment elsewhere.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend Bonus Time Charters to families, couples traveling with friends, and cruise passengers who want a private outing rather than a large excursion. It is especially well suited to groups with different interests, since some people can snorkel while others relax at the beach or enjoy the ride.

It also suits people who care about local guidance. Captains have pointed out island landmarks, shared stories about St. Thomas and St. John, and helped groups choose routes based on prior visits. That kind of advice is useful when you have only one day in the area.

I would think twice if you want a cheap, fully packaged excursion with no extra costs. The fuel bill, taxi, tip, and lunch can push the total well above the advertised base price. I would also reconsider if anyone in your group dislikes open-water travel or struggles with stairs and boat transfers without advance planning.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but ask about accessibility before booking.

Should you book Bonus Time Charters?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight seats and want control over your day. The strongest reasons are the private boat, flexible route, sea turtle snorkeling at Maho Bay, quiet beach time at Scott Bay, and the chance to finish with Pizza Pi or visit Lime Out on a full-day trip.

Choose the half-day charter if you want a focused outing with snorkeling, a beach, and a floating meal. Choose the full day if you want to explore St. John’s south shore and Coral Bay without racing from one stop to the next.

My practical advice is to contact the company with three priorities before departure: your preferred snorkeling site, how much beach time you want, and whether Pizza Pi or Lime Out matters to your group. Add the fuel, taxi, food, and tip to your budget. If those numbers work, this is one of the better ways to turn a short St. Thomas visit into a personal day around St. John.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The listed duration is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Travel time between stops is included in the total duration.

How many people can join the charter?

The private charter is for groups of up to eight people.

What type of boat is used?

Bonus Time Charters uses a 29-foot or 32-foot power catamaran.

What is included in the price?

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

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is billed separately at $7 per gallon based on usage. Confirm any additional booking charge when you reserve.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

Yes. BYOB is allowed, but glass bottles are not permitted on board.

Can cruise passengers book this experience?

Yes, but cruise passengers must take a taxi to American Yacht Harbor. Cruise port pickup is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.