The best part of a day on the water is choice. This private charter lets you shape the day around St. Thomas and St. John—snorkel spots by boat, plus optional stops like floating restaurants. I like the flexibility of a captain-led plan and the practical inclusions that keep the day easy. One thing to weigh: this trip needs good weather, and the schedule can shift if conditions aren’t right.

You also get a genuinely personal feel because it’s only your group onboard. The experience runs about 7 hours with a USCG-certified captain, snorkeling equipment, floats, and even a Bluetooth stereo so the vibe stays relaxed. The main consideration is that you’re responsible for making the most of the timing—9:00am start means an earlier morning if you’re staying off-property.

If you want a boat day where you’re not stuck with a fixed route or crowded departures, this is built for that.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About On a St Thomas–St John Charter

• Private group up to 12: your day runs to your preferences, not a shared schedule.
• Captain-guided itinerary: you choose what you want to see during the trip.
• Snorkeling focused: includes snorkeling gear and access to spots you can reach by boat.
• Floating meal option: you can add stops at floating restaurants like Lime Out or Pizza Pi.
• Comfort extras included: bottled water, a cooler with ice, floats, and Bluetooth stereo.
• Captain RJ’s reputation: a recent highlight was snorkeling with turtles and a calm, knowledgeable style.

Why a Private Full Day Charter Around St Thomas Makes Sense

St Thomas and St John look close on a map, but by boat the whole feel changes. You’re not limited to what you can reach by road or from shore. Instead, you’re free to hop between coastlines, quiet coves, and snorkeling areas at the pace your group wants.

I like that this charter is designed around control. The captain talks through options, and you make the call on what to do. That matters because “best day” isn’t the same for every group. Some people want more time in the water. Others want a longer pass along the shoreline. If you’re traveling with mixed ages or mixed interests, private time is what keeps it from turning into everyone waiting around.

It’s also a smart way to avoid the typical crowded compromises. When you’re paying for a private boat day, you’re paying for time with less friction—less negotiating for space and less rushing to match other schedules. The captain being USCG certified is also a simple confidence boost.

The 7-Hour Flow: Flexible Time Beats a Rushed Route

This is a full-day experience set for about 7 hours, starting at 9:00am from Compass Point Marina in St Thomas. “Approx.” is important here: the captain may adjust timing based on sea conditions and what’s working best that day.

What makes the 7-hour format work is that it’s long enough for a real rhythm. You can snorkel, relocate to another area, and still have room for a meal stop if you want one. Most importantly, the day isn’t fixed like a checklist. The captain discusses options, then you decide where the day goes.

The recent feedback gives you a good sense of how that flexibility plays out. Captain RJ was described as chill and super knowledgeable, taking people to standout spots around St Thomas, including snorkeling with turtles. That’s exactly what you want from private guiding: relaxed confidence, not pressure.

Getting Started at Compass Point Marina (and What It Means for Your Day)

The meeting point is Compass Point Marina, Estate Bovoni, St Thomas 00801, USVI. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not dealing with a one-way boat drop-off or complicated logistics.

Why I think that matters: it reduces stress for your day. You can focus on the schedule you care about—snorkeling time, beach time, and whether you want a floating meal stop—without worrying about where the boat docks at the end.

Also, the charter is offered as a mobile ticket experience. That’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing that saves time when you’re juggling travel days and parking.

Snorkeling Around St Thomas and St John: The Boat-Access Advantage

The core of the day is snorkeling around St Thomas and St John, including places that are hard to reach any other way. The big idea is simple: some of the best water time is tucked away behind coastlines, and a boat is the key to getting there without turning it into a hiking project.

You’ll get use of snorkeling equipment and floats, plus bottled water and a cooler with ice. That combination matters because the goal is to keep the day smooth once you’re on the water. You’re not hunting for gear or improvising a setup while the best conditions slip away.

The snorkeling highlight from Captain RJ’s day sticks out: people went snorkeling with turtles. Even if you can’t predict wildlife every time, the point is that the captain’s approach was effective—he’s taking you to serious snorkeling areas, not just stopping near the first convenient beach.

A practical tip for your planning: if snorkeling is your top priority, think about how you want to split your time across stops. With a private charter, you can lean toward more swim time rather than more sightseeing. That’s one of the main advantages here.

Beach Time by Boat: When Shore Stops Are Worth It

This charter is centered on beaches around St Thomas and St John, with the ability to add snorkeling time alongside those beach stops. The benefit of boat-based beach time is that you can choose quieter areas and spend more time where you actually want to be.

One drawback to be aware of: beach time depends on how the captain structures the day and what’s safe and comfortable at sea that day. You might find some shore areas are better for quick visits than for long hangs, depending on winds and swell. That’s not a complaint—it’s reality on islands.

Still, if your group likes to alternate between swim and sand, this style of day usually delivers. You can keep it active without making every hour about snorkeling.

Floating Restaurants: Lime Out and Pizza Pi as an Optional Detour

If you get hungry, you can add a stop at a floating restaurant such as Lime Out or Pizza Pi. That option changes the vibe of a boat day from purely activity-based to something more like a slow holiday.

Why it’s a smart add-on: it turns the middle of the trip into a social moment rather than a logistics moment. Having food integrated into the day means less stress about leaving the boat at the wrong time or trying to organize a meal after.

Here’s the tradeoff: adding a meal stop can eat into snorkeling or beach time. If your group is obsessed with water time, you may want to keep it simple and skip the restaurant. If your group cares more about hanging out, eating well, and enjoying the ride, it’s an easy upgrade.

What’s Included (and What That Actually Saves You)

This charter includes several items that remove the usual day-on-the-water headaches:

• USCG Certified Captain: safety and competence you can anchor on.
• Bluetooth Stereo System: for the soundtrack, without extra planning.
• Snorkeling equipment: you’re not bringing your own setup.
• Floats: helpful for comfort and convenience in the water.
• Cooler with ice + bottled water: you stay hydrated and comfortable.
• Fuel: your main transport cost is covered.

It’s not flashy, but it’s practical. When you add up what these extras would cost if you had to rent or buy them separately, the charter starts to look like a full-service day rather than “you pay a boat fee and figure out the rest.”

Also, fuel included matters more than people think. Boat days can add surprise costs when fuel isn’t included. Here, you get a clearer, more straightforward value picture.

Price and Value: $1,500 for Up to 12 People

The price is $1,500.00 per group (up to 12), and it’s commonly booked about 47 days in advance. The “per group” part is the key to value.

If your group fills the boat, you’re effectively looking at around $125 per person for a full day, depending on how many of the 12 spaces you actually use. That can be excellent value for a private charter, especially when snorkeling gear, floats, water, and fuel are included.

If you only have a small group, it still can be worth it, but your math changes. Private travel prices are all about sharing. If you’re 4 or 5 people, you’re paying more per person for the same boat day.

One more value angle: flexibility. Because the captain discusses options and you choose your route, you’re not paying for a predetermined route that might not match your day. Private flexibility is often what turns a “pretty good” excursion into a “we should do this again” memory.

Weather and Timing: The One Real Variable You Can’t Control

This experience requires good weather. If weather causes cancellation, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.

That’s a big part of the planning reality in the US Virgin Islands. You’re booking a day on open water, so sea conditions matter. The best way to handle this is to build in flexibility. If your schedule is locked down with no wiggle room, you’ll want to understand that a weather-related reschedule is possible.

Timing-wise, it starts at 9:00am and runs about 7 hours. For a boat charter, that’s a solid chunk of daylight time. It also helps you avoid the late-day scramble some trips face.

Who This Private Boat Charter Fits Best

This charter is private, so it’s naturally a fit for groups that want control and comfort. Here are the types of travelers who tend to benefit most:

If you’re traveling as a family or a mixed group, the ability to choose what you want to see is a lifesaver. If some people want more snorkeling, and others want more relaxed time, a private setup makes it possible to balance the day.

If you’re a couple who wants a calmer, less crowded day, private is also a strong choice. You’ll likely enjoy the pacing and the chance to customize stops around your interests.

If you’re trying to travel with a service animal, this experience allows service animals, which is worth noting for planning.

And for most people, participation is straightforward: the experience says most travelers can participate.

The Main Drawback to Consider Before You Book

The biggest consideration is that the day depends on weather. Even if you’re fully ready, if conditions aren’t safe or comfortable, the trip can be canceled and rescheduled.

The second consideration is group math. Private charters are priced for the group, so if your headcount is low, the per-person cost climbs. If you can fill more of the 12-person capacity, value tends to improve fast.

Should You Book Drift Charters for a St Thomas and St John Boat Day?

I’d book this if your travel style is “we want our own pace.” It’s built for people who want boat-access snorkeling, flexibility on stops, and a relaxed captain-led plan. The strongest signal from the experience highlights is Captain RJ delivering memorable snorkeling, including turtle sightings, while keeping the day chill.

I’d pass or reconsider if you’re very weather-sensitive, have a rigid schedule, or you can’t share the cost with enough people to make the per-person price feel right.

If you want a straightforward way to experience St Thomas and St John without the crowds and without a fixed route controlling your day, this is the kind of private charter that usually hits the mark.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

It runs for about 7 hours.

Where do we meet for the charter?

You start at Compass Point Marina in St Thomas, Estate Bovoni (00801). The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What’s the price and how many people fit?

It costs $1,500 per group, up to 12 people.

What’s included during the boat day?

The charter includes a USCG certified captain, snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, a cooler with ice, fuel, and a Bluetooth stereo system.

What should we do if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is it possible to cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and changes within 24 hours aren’t accepted.

You Might Also Enjoy

Full-Day Sailing Tour in Virgin Islands National Park50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach ExperienceThe Baths and White BayExclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way