Private Power Catamaran. Secluded Beaches, Snorkeling, Turtles for Full/Half Day

A boat day can shape your whole St. Thomas trip. This private charter gives you a stable 32-foot power catamaran, warm Caribbean water, snorkeling, beach stops, and a captain who can adjust the day around your group. I especially like the private format, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the captain-guided freedom to choose between reefs, beaches, turtles, swimming, and a relaxed cruise.

I also like the boat’s practical design: nearly two-thirds of the deck is shaded, with extra seats in the sun when you want them. The main consideration is cost. At $1,050 per group of up to 10, this makes the most sense when you fill much of the boat, and fuel, lunch, and alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your family or friend group has the catamaran to itself, along with the captain and, for larger groups, a mate.
• Captain-led but flexible: You can choose your priorities, or ask the captain to build the day around the best conditions.
• Strong snorkeling focus: Equipment, bottled water, and ice are included, with chances to see coral, turtles, rays, starfish, and other sea life.
• Comfortable 32-foot power catamaran: The wide hull should feel steadier than a narrow boat, and much of the deck is shaded.
• Full-day lunch option: A full-day charter can include a lunch stop, but the meal is not included in the price.
• Good choice for mixed-age groups: Families with children, teenagers, and older adults can set a slower or more active pace.

What your six-and-a-half-hour day looks like

The charter begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, at 6720 Smith Bay Road in St. Thomas. The boat returns there at the end, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

Once aboard, the captain can help shape your route. That matters because conditions in the Virgin Islands can affect which reef or beach makes the most sense on a given day. You might spend much of the time snorkeling, or you might create a more relaxed plan with only a few water stops and longer stretches at anchor.

The supplied duration is approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. The company also offers a half-day version, though the exact timing depends on the option you choose when booking. If you want several snorkeling stops, beach time, a meal, and a scenic cruise, the longer charter gives you room to do it without rushing.

The ride itself is part of the experience. The captain points out landmarks and shares local context as you move between stops. You are not simply dropped at one beach and left there. You get a moving view of St. Thomas and the nearby islands, with the flexibility to pause wherever the day’s plan takes you.

Why the private format matters

A private charter changes the rhythm of a boat day. You can stop for a swim when your group is ready, stay longer at a beach, or skip a location that does not appeal to everyone. You do not have to match the pace of a large group or listen to a fixed announcement schedule.

That freedom is especially useful for families. A group with strong swimmers and cautious swimmers can split its time between snorkeling and relaxing on board. Teenagers can play music through the boat’s 2,000-watt stereo system, while adults settle into the shaded seating with a cold drink.

The captain remains the key to making this work. Captains Mike, Aaron, Kirk, and Tim have all led charters for the company, and the supplied feedback repeatedly praises their friendly manner, flexibility, and ability to keep different ages entertained. Captain Aaron was singled out for being especially good with a seven-year-old, while Captain Kirk was praised for sharing good stories and making the most of a shortened three-hour outing.

You should still tell the company what kind of day you want before departure. A group focused on turtles should say so. The same goes for beach hopping, a birthday, a quiet afternoon, or a day aimed at active teenagers.

Snorkeling among coral, turtles, rays, and starfish

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to book this boat. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring masks, fins, or other basic gear unless you prefer using your own. The charter also includes bottled water and ice in built-in coolers.

The snorkeling stops are chosen by the captain, with the day’s weather and water conditions in mind. That flexibility is useful. On one outing, a change in conditions led the crew to switch snorkeling locations, and the group ended up seeing two nurse sharks. That is a good reminder that a flexible plan can work better than chasing one fixed spot.

Turtles are another major draw. Groups have seen large sea turtles, along with coral, rays, and starfish. The clear, warm water is described as having many shades of blue, and the chance to swim near turtles gives the day a memorable focus without requiring a long open-water trip.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness for this experience. The supplied information does not provide details about ladders, transfer assistance, or specific accessibility features, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility concerns.

Snorkeling is not guaranteed at a specific reef or with a specific animal. Sea life is wild, and conditions can change. The best approach is to view turtles and sharks as possible highlights rather than promised sightings.

Beach hopping and secluded coves

The charter can take you between several beaches, including quieter stretches that are harder to reach by land. Beach hopping gives you a chance to see more of the Virgin Islands National Park without spending the day driving from one crowded parking area to another.

A beach stop can be as active or lazy as you like. You might swim in clear water, float on a noodle, walk along the sand, or stay aboard with music and a drink while others go ashore. The boat’s shaded deck is helpful here, especially during a long day in strong Caribbean sun.

The exact beach list is not fixed. That is a strength, since the captain can guide you toward good conditions, but it also means you should not book expecting one named beach unless the operator confirms it. Ask about your preferred stops when you make the reservation.

The wider Virgin Islands National Park setting adds value to the cruise. You get more than a beach transfer. The captain points out landmarks and gives historical context as you travel, making the spaces you see easier to understand.

A full-day lunch stop adds breathing room

A full-day charter has enough time for a lunch stop. The captain can help you choose among the available options, but lunch is not included in the $1,050 price.

That extra stop is useful for groups that do not want to pack a meal or eat quickly between swims. One outing included lunch at Lovongo, while another included a floating pizza stop. These examples show the range of possibilities, but you should confirm the current restaurant or floating-food options before departure.

Budget for lunch separately. Alcohol is also not included, though the company can obtain it for an additional charge. Bottled water and ice are included, so you have a basic supply on board, but bring any other drinks or snacks you want to enjoy if the operator allows them.

A half-day charter may suit you better if your group wants a simple snorkeling trip without a meal stop. Choose the full day if you want several beaches, more time in the water, and a slower pace.

The boat: stable, shaded, and built for island water

The 32-foot power catamaran is a practical choice for a day on the water. Its wide design should feel steadier than a narrow monohull, which can matter when you have children, older adults, or people who are not regular boaters.

Nearly two-thirds of the deck is shaded. That is one of the most useful details in the whole description. You can enjoy the scenery without sitting in direct sun for six hours, while sun lovers still have open seating available.

The boat also has built-in coolers and a powerful stereo system. Music can make the long cruising sections feel more like a private party, though you should be ready to lower the volume when the captain is giving instructions or pointing out sights.

There is a small naming inconsistency in the supplied details: the boat is called Shady Lady in one section and Island Girl in another. I would confirm the boat name when you receive your booking information. The important practical facts are the same: this is a private power catamaran with shaded seating, snorkeling gear, water, ice, and a captain.

What the $1,050 price really buys you

The listed price is $1,050 per group of up to 10 people. That is not a per-person fare. With 10 people, the base cost works out to $105 each before fuel, lunch, or optional alcoholic drinks. With six people, it is $175 each, and with four, it is $262.50 each.

This is strong value for a full boat when your group is large. You are paying for privacy, an experienced captain, a flexible route, snorkeling equipment, water, ice, and a spacious catamaran. A group of four can still find the experience worthwhile, but the per-person price becomes much harder to justify.

The captain and mate are included. A mate may be provided for larger groups, which can make boarding, snorkeling preparation, and general service easier when the boat is near capacity.

Fuel is not included, so ask how it is calculated before you finalize your budget. The supplied information lists fuel as an additional cost but does not give a fixed amount. This is one of the few details I would want clarified in writing.

The value is highest for people who care about control. If you only want a short ride to one beach, a shared excursion may cost less. If you want your own route, your own music, and enough time for several stops, the private rate is easier to defend.

Captains who shape the day

A good private boat day depends on the captain more than the brochure language. Here, the strongest pattern is personal attention. Captain Mike helped one group of eight choose a route and was praised for making the day memorable. Captain Aaron handled groups with children, teenagers, and adults, while Captain Kirk adjusted plans when weather disrupted an earlier booking.

That flexibility is not just friendly service. It has practical value in the islands. Weather can close off one plan, make one snorkeling site less comfortable, or encourage the captain to use a different beach. A captain who can adapt gives you a better chance of having a good day even when the original plan changes.

The captains also seem comfortable with special occasions. One birthday outing included snorkeling with turtles, rays, starfish, and a birthday lunch. Another group arranged a charter after a different operator canceled a planned trip to the British Virgin Islands because of mechanical trouble.

You should not assume every charter includes a BVI trip. The advertised focus is St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands National Park, and the provided information does not promise a BVI route. Ask directly if that is your goal.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local time in St. Thomas, so do not wait until the last minute while still on mainland time.

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking. The marina is near public transportation, which may help if you are staying elsewhere on St. Thomas, though the supplied details do not promise hotel pickup.

Plan on a moderate level of physical fitness. You will be spending much of the day on a boat and may be getting in and out of the water. Bring sun protection and swim clothing, and confirm any special equipment needs before you go.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this for a family reunion, a group of friends, a birthday, or anyone who wants a private day instead of a fixed group cruise. It also suits families with teenagers, since the music, swimming, beach stops, and freedom to set the pace help prevent the day from feeling too structured.

It is a good match for mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another floats, reads, or sits in the shade. You can also ask the captain for more sightseeing if your group is not eager to spend every hour in the water.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, have serious mobility concerns, or want a guaranteed specific beach, reef, or animal encounter. I would also compare the total price carefully if your group has only two or three people.

Should you book the Shades of Blue charter?

Book it if you can fill most of the boat and want a flexible, personal day on the water. The strongest reasons are the shaded catamaran, private setting, captain-led route, snorkeling opportunities, and real chance to see turtles and other sea life.

Before paying, confirm the fuel charge, the exact full-day or half-day schedule, the boat name, lunch choices, and any accessibility needs. If those details fit your group, Shades of Blue Charters offers the sort of St. Thomas day that can become the center of the vacation, not just another activity squeezed between beach visits.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

It begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, 6720 Smith Bay Road, Smith Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the charter end?

The activity ends back at Sapphire Beach Marina, the same place where it begins.

How long is the charter?

The listed duration is approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. Full-day and half-day options are available.

How many people can join?

The private charter accommodates up to 10 people per group.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity for your group, the captain, and possibly a mate for larger groups.

What is included?

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, ice in the built-in coolers, and the captain are included. A mate may be provided for larger groups.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is an additional cost.

Is lunch included?

No. A full-day charter can include a lunch stop, but you pay for lunch separately. The captain can help with available options.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included, although the company can obtain them for an additional charge.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

How late can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.