Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

The best part is choosing your own day. This private sailing trip on Second Chance gives you the freedom to shape the route, with two or three snorkeling stops, quiet time on the trampolines, and easy access to paddle boards and hammock chairs. I especially like the private-boat setting and the fact that lunch, gear, drinks, and water are already included.

The crew also earns strong praise for its warm service. Ivy, TL, Captain Justin, John, and Michelle are among the names associated with different outings, and the personal attention is a recurring strength. My main consideration is the price: at $250 per person, it makes the most sense for a group that will spend most of the seven-and-a-half-hour day on the water.

• Choose your own route: Select from places such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, depending on conditions and your group’s wishes.
• Private catamaran comfort: Your group has the boat to itself, with bean bags on the trampolines and hammock chairs hanging off the stern.
• Two or three snorkeling stops: Snorkel gear is provided, and sea turtles may be seen at suitable locations.
• Food and drinks included: Start with fruit and pastries, then have turkey, cheese, and veggie wraps with chips, soda, and water.
• More than snorkeling: Paddle boards, sun time, swimming, and a gallon of rum punch or Painkiller are part of the day.
• Convenient Red Hook departure: Meet at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 8:30 a.m., then return to the same spot.

A Private Sailing Day From Red Hook

Beach Charters VI departs from Dock B, Slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road. The scheduled start is 8:30 a.m., and the trip lasts about seven hours and 30 minutes, so you return in the late afternoon.

That timing matters. You get a full day on the sea rather than a short harbor outing with one quick swim. The early start also gives you plenty of daylight for several stops, a proper lunch, and unhurried time aboard.

Because this is a private activity, only your group participates. That changes the feel of the day. You do not have to match the pace of a large boatload of strangers, and you can discuss preferred stops with the crew. A birthday group, family gathering, or small celebration can make good use of that flexibility.

The boat is Second Chance, a sailing catamaran built for a relaxed day outside. A catamaran usually gives you broad deck space, and this one adds trampolines at the front, bean bags for sunning, hammock chairs at the back, and paddle boards for time in the water.

You should still remember that a sailing boat is an outdoor setting. Shade and sun are both part of the experience. If you like a day split between activity and rest, the layout works well. If you want a highly structured sightseeing tour with constant narration, this is a different kind of outing.

How the Custom Route Works

A typical trip includes two or three snorkeling stops, but the exact route is not fixed. Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other nearby areas.

That flexibility is useful because conditions can affect the best place to stop. Your group can share its priorities with the crew, such as seeing sea turtles, finding a good reef, paddle boarding, or spending more time at a beach. The crew then helps shape a practical route for the day.

Maho on St. John is a natural choice if sea turtles are high on your list. The turtle sightings are a possibility, not a promise, since wildlife follows its own schedule. Still, the chance to swim and snorkel in a place known for turtles adds a clear purpose to the day.

Lovango Cay offers another possible setting for a stop, with open-water scenery and the feeling of being away from the main St. Thomas waterfront. Christmas Cove is also named as a possible destination. Since the trip is not locked to one route, you should ask about current conditions and the best available sites when you arrive.

The key benefit is not simply visiting a long list of locations. It is having enough time to enjoy each stop without rushing straight back to a large group boat. You can spend a little longer in the water, return to the catamaran for a rest, or change the balance between snorkeling and lounging.

Snorkeling With Sea Turtles and Reef Time

The trip is designed around swimming and snorkeling, with gear included. That is helpful if you are packing light or do not want to rent equipment separately at the marina.

You may see sea turtles at suitable sites, especially around places such as Maho, but you should treat that as a hoped-for sighting rather than a guarantee. The stronger promise is access to several possible snorkeling areas and enough time to enjoy them.

The two or three stops also create variety. One location may appeal to you for reef viewing, another for swimming, and another simply for a scenic break. If one person in your group is a strong snorkeler while another prefers floating or sunning, the private format makes it easier to keep everyone happy.

The supplied information does not specify the type or size range of the equipment. You can expect snorkeling equipment to be available, but bring any personal mask, prescription goggles, or specialized gear you strongly prefer.

You should also plan for standard sun and water needs. The charter provides water, soda, ice, and food, but sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up are sensible additions for a full day outdoors. The bean bags and trampolines are appealing, though they are exposed to the sun for much of the day.

Second Chance Is More Than a Snorkel Boat

A full day at sea can become tiring if every minute is treated like an activity. Second Chance avoids that problem by giving you several ways to enjoy the boat itself.

The forward trampolines have bean bags where you can stretch out and watch the islands pass. The original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang off the back of the catamaran, offering a softer place to sit close to the water.

You can also use the paddle boards. That gives you something active to do between snorkeling stops without turning the whole trip into a race. Or you can simply sit in a hammock chair and watch your group play in the water.

This mix is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter. You can make the day energetic, lazy, or somewhere in between. A family might split up between paddle boards, snorkeling, and the deck. A birthday group might spend more time socializing and taking in the island views.

The sailing itself is part of the appeal. The smooth ride of a catamaran lets you see St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby islands from the water rather than from a road or crowded overlook. The scenery changes slowly, which suits a day built around being outside.

What You Will Eat and Drink

Food is included, and the setup covers the basic needs of a long outing. In the morning, you receive a fruit and pastry tray. Lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and veggie wraps with chips.

Soda and water are available throughout the day, and ice is provided. That matters more than it may sound. A seven-and-a-half-hour boat trip leaves little reason to worry about buying food during the route, and you can focus on swimming and relaxing.

The drinks also include one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, based on the group’s choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer. You must be at least 18 to consume alcohol.

The menu is practical rather than elaborate. If you have dietary restrictions, you should ask Beach Charters VI about them before the trip instead of assuming the wraps will meet your needs. The supplied information confirms a veggie wrap option, but it does not list other special meals.

The alcohol allowance is generous for a small private group, but it should not become the center of the day. You still have swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and a boat ride ahead. Drink carefully and follow the crew’s instructions around the water.

The Crew and the Personal Feel

The human side of this charter receives some of its strongest praise. Ivy and TL are repeatedly associated with friendly hosting, while Captain Justin is described as helping create a welcoming and relaxed departure. John and Michelle have also greeted groups at the catamaran.

That personal touch matters on a private boat. You are not just being transported from one stop to another. The crew helps set the rhythm of the day, answers questions, and works with your group’s requests.

This seems especially well suited to celebrations. A group of nine used the boat for a birthday, and another outing included a wedding celebration. The setup also works for families, since children can choose between swimming, paddle boards, and time on the deck.

The service style is warm rather than formal. If you prefer a quiet day, tell the crew. If you want suggestions for the route, ask. You will get the most from the charter if you communicate what your group wants before the boat leaves the dock.

Gratuity is not included. Bring this cost into your planning, especially because the charter already includes food, drinks, gear, and water.

Is $250 Per Person a Good Value?

The listed cost is $250 per person. That is not a bargain-priced boat excursion, but price per person does not tell the whole story because this is a private charter.

You are paying for about seven and a half hours, a sailing catamaran, a private group setting, multiple possible snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and hammock swings. On a shared boat, you may pay less but give up control over the route and spend the day following another group’s schedule.

The value improves as your group fills the available space. A couple may find the total cost harder to justify, while a family or group celebrating together may see more value in having the boat to itself. The supplied information does not state the boat’s maximum capacity, so ask Beach Charters VI for the exact group limit before booking.

One guest also reported all-day marina parking for an additional $30 when booked through the company. Treat that as a possible extra rather than an included feature, and confirm the current parking arrangement before you arrive.

The 98-day average advance booking period suggests that many dates are selected well ahead of time. You may occasionally find a late opening, but a popular travel week or celebration date deserves early planning.

Practical Details Before You Go

You receive confirmation when booking, and a mobile ticket is accepted. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying around Red Hook or using local transport.

The activity ends back at Dock B, Slip 19, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another island. That makes the afternoon simpler, especially if you have dinner plans or other activities in St. Thomas.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The activity says most people can participate, but it does involve a boat, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boards, and movement around an open deck. If someone in your group has mobility or water concerns, ask the operator for specific guidance before reserving.

Arrive ready for a full day outside. A swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes are sensible choices. The provided details do not state whether towels are included, so confirm that point or bring your own.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want your day on the water to feel personal rather than scheduled minute by minute. It is particularly well suited to families, birthday groups, wedding celebrations, and friends who want a shared day with room to make their own choices.

It also fits a mixed-interest group. A dedicated snorkeler can enjoy the reef stops, while someone else can relax in a hammock chair or use the paddle board. The catamaran offers enough variety that not everyone has to do the same thing at the same time.

You may want to choose another outing if your main goal is a low-cost boat ride, a short activity, or a highly fixed sightseeing itinerary. The $250 price, plus gratuity and possible parking, requires a real commitment to spending most of your day on the sea.

You should also be comfortable with the possibility that the exact stops can change. The freedom to choose locations is a benefit, but it means your final route depends on weather, conditions, and the group’s preferences.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter depart?

The trip starts at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, Slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m. The total duration is approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

Which snorkeling locations might I visit?

Possible stops include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, along with other locations. Because this is a private trip, your group can choose locations with the crew.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The charter includes a morning fruit and pastry tray, turkey, cheese and veggie wraps, chips, soda, water, and ice. It also includes one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller and a 12-pack of light beer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with paddle boards and hammock swings.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Should You Book Second Chance?

Book this charter if you want a full, private day on the water with the freedom to choose your stops. The combination of snorkeling, possible sea turtles, paddle boards, hammock chairs, lunch, and drinks gives you plenty to do without forcing everyone into the same routine.

For a group of friends or family, $250 per person can be fair value because the boat, food, gear, and drinks are bundled together. I would reserve early for a special date, confirm the group capacity and any food needs, and remember that gratuity and possible parking cost extra.

If that sounds like your ideal St. Thomas day, Beach Charters VI offers the right mix of comfort, activity, and personal service. If you mainly want the cheapest way to reach a beach, save your money for a shared excursion instead.