Private Full Day Boat Charter around St Thomas and St John

The best island day starts with a boat. This private charter lets you shape the day around St. Thomas and St. John, rather than follow a fixed route. I like the freedom to choose beaches, snorkeling spots, or a floating restaurant, and I like that the boat carries up to 12 people without adding strangers. The main consideration is simple: the $1,500 price works best for a full group, since a smaller party pays much more per person.

You meet at Compass Point Marina at 9:00 a.m. and return there about seven hours later. Captain RJ earned especially warm praise for finding good snorkeling spots and helping guests see turtles, but your captain will discuss the choices with you on the morning of the trip. Bring your preferences, though keep some flexibility because weather and sea conditions can affect the plan.

Key points to know before you book

• Your group controls the route: Choose among beaches, snorkeling areas, and lunch stops around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby islands.
• Up to 12 people share the boat: The flat $1,500 rate can be strong value for a family or group of friends.
• Turtle snorkeling is possible: Captain RJ helped one group find turtles, along with other good places to swim.
• Lunch can happen on the water: Add Lime Out or Pizza Pi if you want a meal at a floating restaurant.
• Seven hours gives you a full day: The 9:00 a.m. start leaves plenty of time for more than one type of stop.
• The essentials are supplied: Fuel, bottled water, ice, a cooler, floats, snorkeling gear, and a Bluetooth stereo are included.

Why a private boat changes the day

A scheduled boat trip gives you a set program. This one gives you a conversation at the start of the morning, then lets your group decide what sounds best. You might want a quiet beach, a long swim, several snorkeling stops, or a lunch break. You are not tied to someone else’s idea of a perfect island day.

That freedom matters in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the best plan can change once you see the water and hear the weather report. If your group includes strong swimmers, cautious swimmers, children, and people who mainly want to relax, a private charter makes it easier to balance those needs.

I also like the social side of the arrangement. With only your own group aboard, you can use the Bluetooth stereo, keep the pace relaxed, and spend more time at the places that suit you. You do not have to make small talk with strangers or rush because another group is ready to leave.

There is a practical limit, of course. A private boat does not guarantee that every requested stop will be possible. Your captain will advise you on the route, and conditions may affect where you go. The value comes from flexibility, not from a promise that you can reach every beach or snorkeling site in one day.

Leaving Compass Point Marina at 9:00 a.m.

The day begins at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas. Since the trip starts and ends at the same marina, you have one clear meeting point rather than a separate pickup and drop-off arrangement.

The provided details do not specify parking, transportation to the marina, or the exact boat model. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and settle in before the 9:00 a.m. departure. It is worth confirming the final meeting instructions when your booking is confirmed, since confirmation arrives within 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

From the start, talk with the captain about your priorities. Tell the crew if your group cares most about snorkeling, beach time, lunch, or seeing several islands. If you have children or people who are less comfortable in the water, say so early. The captain can then help shape a sensible day.

Captain RJ is the only captain named in the available details. One group singled him out for a calm manner, strong local guidance, and a memorable turtle-snorkeling stop. Your assigned captain may be different, but that account gives you a useful idea of the service this charter aims to provide.

Beaches around St. Thomas and St. John

The main sightseeing choice is between beaches around St. Thomas and St. John, with the islands in between available as part of the day’s route. Instead of treating a beach as a quick photo stop, you can ask to spend meaningful time swimming or relaxing.

St. Thomas gives you a convenient starting point and a broad range of coastal views. St. John adds another set of beaches and snorkeling possibilities. The appeal is not simply checking both island names off a list. It is seeing how the shoreline changes as you move by water, with the captain choosing stops that fit your group and current conditions.

I would ask about the day’s pacing before you leave. A seven-hour charter sounds generous, but boat travel, anchoring, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch all use part of that time. If you want several stops, your time at each beach may be shorter. If your group wants one long swim and a relaxed meal, the route will need to be tighter.

The supplied information does not name specific beaches, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed visit to a particular shore. The strength is the ability to discuss your options and make the plan with the captain. That suits people who care more about a good day on the water than a rigid checklist.

Snorkeling where boats can reach

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter. The boat can reach spots that are accessible only by water, and snorkeling gear is included. Floats are also supplied, which gives you another way to enjoy the water between swims.

One especially appealing detail is the report of turtle snorkeling with Captain RJ. Seeing turtles is never something you should treat as guaranteed, but the experience clearly has the right format for searching beyond the easiest beach areas. You can ask the captain where conditions look best and how much time to give the water.

The included equipment keeps the planning simple. You do not need to arrange a separate snorkel rental for the group, and the cooler with ice helps keep drinks close at hand. Bottled water is provided as well.

The details do not say what sizes or styles of masks and fins are available. If you have your own well-fitting mask or snorkel, bringing it may still be worthwhile. You should also be honest about your swimming comfort. A private charter can adjust the day for your group, but no boat trip removes the need to respect sea conditions and your own limits.

Snorkeling also takes more energy than many people expect. If your group includes children or anyone who prefers not to swim for long, mix water time with a beach stop and a ride along the coast. That is where the private format earns its keep.

Lunch at Lime Out or Pizza Pi

A boat day does not have to mean packing a full meal on land. You can add a stop at Lime Out or Pizza Pi, two floating restaurants named as options for this charter.

That is a useful choice for groups with different appetites. Some people can grab lunch and enjoy the novelty of eating on the water, while others can spend the break swimming or relaxing nearby, depending on the restaurant’s setup and current conditions.

Do not assume a restaurant stop is automatically included in the $1,500 price. The charter includes fuel, water, ice, a cooler, and equipment, but the meal itself is not listed among the included items. You should budget separately for food and confirm the restaurant plan with the captain.

A floating restaurant also uses valuable time. If your main goal is snorkeling, lunch may shorten the time at the best water stops. If your group wants a social day with food and music, it may be exactly the right addition. Decide what matters most before departure, then let the captain help fit it into the seven-hour window.

What the $1,500 price really means

The charter costs $1,500 per group of up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to $125 per person before any separate meal costs. For 10 people, it is $150 each. For six people, it is $250 each, and for two people, the private format becomes a very expensive day.

That makes the group size the key value question. A large family, birthday group, wedding party, or circle of friends can split the cost and gain a private boat, captain, fuel, gear, drinks, ice, and floats. A small party should compare the price with shared boat tours before committing.

The flat rate also gives you control that a cheaper shared trip may not provide. You are paying for privacy and the ability to shape the route, not just transportation between islands. If your group has a clear wish list and values time together, that control can justify the cost.

Fuel is included, which removes one common worry with private boating. The listing also includes a USCG certified captain, so you are not expected to operate the boat yourself. The Bluetooth stereo is a pleasant extra, but I would treat it as background to the water rather than the main reason to book.

The five-star rating from six posted reviews is encouraging, though it is still a small sample. The strongest praise focuses on the day itself, especially the captain’s relaxed approach, local guidance, and turtle snorkeling. That matches the charter’s main promise: a personal day shaped around your group.

A practical seven-hour plan

The exact route is not fixed, but a sensible day could follow this general pattern:

• Begin with a route discussion at Compass Point Marina.
• Ride toward a beach or snorkeling area around St. Thomas or St. John.
• Spend time swimming, snorkeling, or using the floats.
• Continue to another coastal stop if time and conditions allow.
• Take lunch at Lime Out or Pizza Pi if your group chooses that option.
• Return to the marina after roughly seven hours.

This is not a guaranteed schedule. It is a way to understand the tradeoffs. More stops mean less time at each place. A long snorkeling session may mean skipping lunch. A weather change may require a different route.

I would name your top two priorities rather than trying to do everything. For example, ask for turtle snorkeling and a floating-restaurant lunch, or choose a beach-focused day with one strong swim stop. A short, clear wish list gives the captain something useful to work with.

The charter ends back at the starting marina. Since the duration is approximately seven hours, the return time should be expected in the late afternoon, though the supplied information does not give an exact end time.

Who will enjoy this boat charter most

This trip suits a group that wants privacy, flexibility, and a full day outside. It is especially practical for:

• Families who want to adjust the pace for different ages
• Friends splitting the flat group price
• Couples who want a private boat but can accept the high per-person cost
• Snorkelers hoping to reach sites away from ordinary beach access
• Groups that want to combine swimming, beaches, and lunch
• People who dislike fixed sightseeing schedules

It may not suit you if you prefer a low-cost shared excursion, a guaranteed list of named beaches, or a tightly scheduled tour with every stop arranged in advance. The open itinerary is the attraction, but it also means you need to participate in the planning.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The available information does not spell out boat accessibility features, so anyone with specific mobility needs should confirm those details before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and small planning details

This charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy matters in the Virgin Islands, where the day’s comfort and safety depend heavily on sea conditions.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Because the charter is often reserved about 47 days ahead, I would not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed, especially if you need a private boat for a larger group.

Pack a swimsuit, sun protection, and anything you personally need for comfort on the water. Bottled water, a cooler with ice, floats, and snorkeling equipment are supplied, but the details do not mention towels, meals, or personal medication. Confirm any item that matters to you before the boat leaves.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you have a group large enough to share the $1,500 cost and you want the day to belong to your own people. The combination of St. Thomas, St. John, flexible beach stops, boat-only snorkeling areas, and optional floating-restaurant lunch gives you a useful range of choices.

I would be most enthusiastic for groups of eight to 12, where the per-person price becomes easier to accept. If you are a small party, compare other boat options first. For the right group, the private format, included equipment, and chance to find turtles with a captain such as RJ make this a strong way to spend seven hours in the Virgin Islands.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The charter costs $1,500 per group, with up to 12 people allowed.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the charter start and finish?

You meet at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Are snorkeling equipment and floats included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included, along with bottled water, fuel, and a cooler with ice.

Can the itinerary include lunch?

Yes. You can ask to add a stop at a floating restaurant such as Lime Out or Pizza Pi. Food is not listed as an included item.

Is the charter private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the charter is canceled because of poor weather.