50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You have a 50-foot private catamaran for your own group, not a set boatload of strangers, and your captain can shape the day around snorkeling, quiet beaches, sea turtles, lunch, or simply time on the water. Captains such as Maddy, JW, Alex, Dave, and Vic are frequently praised for friendly service and smart local suggestions, though your crew will depend on the date.

I like the roomy layout, especially the aft seating, open salon, and bow trampolines with bean bags. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: snorkeling gear, floats, water, soft drinks, beer, and rum punch are included. The main caution is that the long list of beaches does not mean you can visit them all, and Trunk Bay may not be available to commercial charters. A private boat gives you flexibility, not unlimited time or access.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12: The price covers the yacht and your group, making the math far better for a full family or friend group than for two people.
• Flexible four to seven hour outing: Choose a half-day or full-day charter, then work with the captain on a route that fits your priorities.
• Snorkeling supplies are included: Equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch come with the charter.
• Comfortable 50-foot catamaran: The salon, back deck, bow seating, and trampolines give you several places to sit, stretch out, or watch for turtles.
• St. Thomas and St. John access: The boat can visit surrounding cays and beaches, but the British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel.
• Plan for lunch and a tip: Lunch is extra, and a 15 to 20 percent tip for the captain and crew is customary for excellent service.

A private catamaran day from Red Hook

You meet at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the eastern side of St. Thomas. The boat returns there at the end of the outing. If you are staying on St. John, pickup from Cruz Bay may be possible with advance arrangements after booking, so ask before you count on it.

The advertised duration is roughly four to seven hours. That range matters. A half-day works well for one or two swim and snorkel stops, while a full day gives you time to reach St. John, linger in a cove, and stop for lunch without turning the outing into a race.

Your group can include as many as 12 people. That is the sweet spot for value. At the listed group price of $1,595, the base cost works out to about $133 per person if the boat is full. For a family of four, the same price feels much steeper, though the privacy and captain-led planning may still be worth it for a special occasion.

The crew typically starts by asking what your group wants from the day. Some groups want sea turtles and reef fish. Others prefer beach time, sightseeing, or a lunch stop. The best use of the charter is to arrive with two or three priorities rather than a rigid list of every possible beach.

What the SY Sirena feels like on the water

The SY Sirena is a 50-foot luxury catamaran with a spacious salon opening onto a large back deck. That layout gives you shade, open-air seating, and room to move around while the boat is underway.

The bow is the playful part of the boat. Bean bag chairs and broad trampolines make a good perch for sunbathing, conversation, and watching the water. If someone in your group prefers a quiet ride, the aft deck and salon offer a calmer place to sit.

The catamaran design also gives you more room than a small center-console boat. That matters when you have children, older family members, or a group with different ideas about how to spend the afternoon. Several families describe the crew helping young children, swimmers who were less confident in the water, and relatives who needed extra attention getting in and out.

A restroom is on board, which is an important comfort on a four to seven hour trip. Water is supplied in an eco-conscious way through Virgin H2O. You also get floats and snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack a full set of water gear.

How the snorkeling usually fits into the day

The captain chooses snorkeling sites based on weather, sea conditions, and your interests. That flexibility is useful because a windy day may make one side of St. Thomas less pleasant, while a cove on the opposite side or near St. John may be calm.

The strongest reports describe sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, a sunken ship, and plenty of tropical fish. That does not guarantee a particular animal, but it tells you what the local waters can offer. If turtles are your top goal, say so at the start. One family with teenagers made that request and the captain shaped the day around it.

The crew supplies masks, snorkels, and other equipment, then helps people get set up. First mates such as Olivia, Coleman, Celina, Ro, and Kahlia have been praised for keeping drinks filled, fitting equipment, and helping less confident swimmers. Your crew will vary, but the first mate is a key part of the experience, especially when your group includes children.

Do not assume every person needs to snorkel at every stop. The boat works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can explore the reef, while others can use floats, sit on the boat, or swim close to the crew. One family appreciated the crew watching a child on board while the parents had a short snorkel together.

Reading the beach and cove options correctly

The route list includes many possible stops around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays. It is best treated as a menu, not a promise to visit every place. A half-day can reasonably include one main water stop and perhaps another short stop. A full day allows more room, but even then you will spend time getting between islands.

Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour is a practical choice for a protected swim and snorkel stop. Its appeal is less about checking off a famous beach and more about having time in a sheltered setting. If your group includes young children or mixed swimming abilities, ask the captain if conditions make it a good fit that day.

Brewer’s Bay

Brewer’s Bay gives you another option for calm water and a quieter beach setting. It can be useful when the eastern side of St. Thomas is windy or busy. The exact stop depends on weather and the captain’s judgment.

Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beaches, with the broad postcard setting many people expect from the island. From a private boat, you can enjoy the view from the water and decide whether the beach itself fits your schedule. A stop here may be less appealing if your priority is snorkeling over scenery.

Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach is convenient for a swim and a classic St. Thomas shoreline view. It can suit a group that wants a recognizable beach without giving up time for other stops. Ask about conditions before committing, since the captain may know of a calmer spot nearby.

Coki Point Beach

Coki Point is associated with clear water and easy access to marine life. It can be a good choice for a group focused on snorkeling. It may also feel busier than a smaller cove, so tell the captain if privacy matters more than a famous name.

Lindqvist Beach

Lindqvist Beach offers a more natural beach setting and can be a pleasant place to slow down. It is a better match for a group that wants sand, scenery, and a less structured stop rather than a long list of activities.

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach on St. John is a natural choice for a relaxed swim and beach break. The St. John setting makes it especially useful on a full-day charter, when you have enough time to enjoy the crossing and still linger.

Francis Bay

Francis Bay is another St. John option for a peaceful water stop. It can pair well with Maho Bay or Waterlemon Cay if your group wants to focus on the north shore, though your captain will need to balance distance, conditions, and time.

Trunk Bay Beach

Trunk Bay is an important planning warning. It appears among the possible destinations, but commercial charter access has changed, and a captain may not be able to stop there. Confirm current access before building your entire day around it.

Maho Bay Beach

Maho Bay is well known for sea turtle sightings, making it one of the strongest choices for a group hoping to see turtles. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but this is the kind of request worth making clearly at the start of the trip.

Waterlemon Cay

Waterlemon Cay offers a more remote-feeling setting and can be appealing for snorkeling and scenery. It takes planning, so it is better suited to a full-day trip than a rushed half-day outing.

Scott Bay Beach

Scott Bay is a quieter option for groups that want to get away from the most familiar beach names. The captain can judge whether the conditions and travel time make it worthwhile on your chosen day.

Hansen Bay Beach

Hansen Bay gives you another St. John possibility, especially if your group values a quiet cove over a busy beach. As with all the listed stops, time and sea conditions determine whether it makes sense.

You are not paying for a fixed checklist. You are paying for a captain who can look at the day and make sensible choices. That is the real value of the route flexibility.

Drinks, lunch, and the real cost

Ice, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are included. Bottled water is also provided. The setup is easy: you can settle into the boat without bringing a cooler full of drinks.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at some locations, and several outings have included stops such as Lovango for lunch or the floating pizza boat. Ask the captain about current lunch choices when planning your route, and remember that a lunch stop uses part of your charter time.

The base price is $1,595 per group of up to 12. For a large family reunion, birthday, or group of friends, that can be a strong deal compared with booking several seats on separate excursions. You also get privacy, route input, a restroom, water equipment, and crew attention.

For a small party, the calculation is different. Four people would pay nearly $400 each before gratuity if the group price remains the same. In that case, compare this charter with shared boat trips and ask yourself how much privacy, timing control, and space are worth to you.

A 15 to 20 percent tip is customary for exceptional service. On $1,595, that is roughly $239 to $319. Include it in your budget, especially if your captain and first mate spend the day helping children, setting up equipment, finding wildlife, and arranging a lunch stop.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest part of this experience is the human service. Captains Maddy, JW, Alex, Dave, Vic, Glen, and others are praised for explaining the islands, suggesting snorkel sites, and adjusting plans to suit the group. First mates such as Olivia, Coleman, Celina, Ro, and Kahlia are often singled out for practical help and a friendly manner.

That said, service is not automatic. One sharply negative account describes a late departure, disagreement over extending the charter, and dissatisfaction with the crew’s attitude. The operator’s response emphasized that the boat has proper safety equipment and that the crew is not expected to extend the day when a group arrives late.

The practical lesson is simple: arrive on time, communicate clearly, and do not expect extra minutes at the end. If you have a special request, state it before departure. That includes turtle sightings, lunch, child supervision, beach access, and how much time you want in the water.

Families, birthdays, and mixed groups

This boat is a strong fit for families. Children as young as infants have been accommodated, and the open layout lets adults keep an eye on young ones. The crew can help with floats and equipment, but parents remain responsible for children, especially around the water.

It also works well for a birthday or anniversary. One group used the charter for a 50th birthday and enjoyed a private beach stop and rum punch. The private setting gives your group room to celebrate without imposing on strangers.

A group of 11 or 12 gets the best financial value. A group of four gets the most personal space, but at a higher per-person cost. If one person gets seasick, tell the crew early. The captain may be able to adjust the route or find calmer water, though no boat can remove the possibility of motion sickness.

Weather, timing, and cancellation

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded.

The boat leaves from American Yacht Harbor and returns there. The location is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but you should discuss mobility or swimming concerns with the operator before booking because the outing involves boarding a boat and getting in and out of the water.

The operator also describes regular sanitation practices and monthly COVID testing for captains and crew. Masks are not required because the activity is mainly outdoors, though you may wear one if you prefer.

Should you book the SY Sirena charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day with control over the route. It is especially useful for families, birthday groups, and friends who want snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and a comfortable boat without following a fixed schedule.

I would choose the full day if St. John, several snorkel stops, or a relaxed lunch matter to you. Choose the half day if you mainly want one excellent swim and snorkel session with some time on a luxury catamaran.

I would pause if your group is small and price is your main concern, or if you expect to visit every beach named in the route options. Confirm Trunk Bay access, discuss lunch, state your top wildlife goal, and arrive promptly. With those expectations in place, this is a flexible and comfortable way to spend a day between St. Thomas and St. John.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. The price covers the yacht and your private group.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately four to seven hours. You can select a half-day or full-day charter.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat departs from American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Where does the activity end?

The charter returns to American Yacht Harbor, the same meeting point where it begins.

Can the boat pick up in Cruz Bay?

Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with an advance request after booking. You should arrange this before the day of the charter.

Are snorkeling equipment and floats included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included in the charter price.

What drinks are included?

The charter includes bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. Ice is also included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is extra, but food can be purchased at some locations.

Can the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel. A separate booking is required for a BVI visit.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

How far in advance can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.

Is a tip included?

No. Tips for the captain and crew are not included. A 15 to 20 percent tip is customary for exceptional service.