Private Full Day Boat Charter around St Thomas and St John

Your boat, your day, your choice of coves. This private charter lets you shape seven hours around St. Thomas, St. John, and the islands between them. I like the freedom to choose beaches and snorkeling spots instead of following a fixed route, and I like that the boat carries up to 12 people, making the $1,500 price more sensible for a full group.

The main consideration is that the itinerary is flexible rather than set. That is a strength if you want to make choices as the day unfolds, but you will need to discuss your priorities with the captain. The trip also depends on good weather, and the meeting point at Compass Point Marina requires you to arrange your own way there.

Key points at a glance

• Captain-led route planning: Discuss beaches, snorkeling locations, and food stops with your USCG-certified captain before setting out.
• Snorkeling with turtles is possible: Captain RJ took one group to excellent spots around St. Thomas, including a turtle encounter.
• Floating restaurants are part of the plan: You can request Lime Out or Pizza Pi if lunch on the water sounds better than packing your own.
• Private space for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with no strangers shaping the day.
• Seven hours on the water: The 9:00 am departure gives you a full day without turning the outing into an all-day marathon.
• Useful equipment included: Snorkeling gear, floats, bottled water, fuel, ice, and a Bluetooth stereo system are provided.

A private boat day around two islands

This is less a sightseeing cruise and more a custom day on the water. You meet at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, at 9:00 am, then talk through your options with the captain. From there, your group can focus on beaches around St. Thomas and St. John, stop for snorkeling, or add a floating restaurant to the route.

That flexibility matters in the US Virgin Islands. A fixed boat trip can take you to attractive places, but it may not match your group’s mood. On this charter, you can give more time to swimming, keep moving if a beach is crowded, or ask to look for a snorkeling spot that is reached only by boat.

I would arrive ready with a short wish list rather than a rigid schedule. You might care most about turtles, calm water, a particular beach, or a lunch stop. The captain can help turn those priorities into a workable route within the seven-hour window.

The boat returns to Compass Point Marina at the end of the day. Since the trip starts and finishes at the same place, the arrangement is simple, but the marina is not a central hotel pickup point. You will need to plan your own arrival and departure from the meeting point.

What seven hours really gives you

A seven-hour charter is long enough to create a proper boat day, not just a quick ride with one swim stop. You have room for several different kinds of stops, though the exact mix depends on the route you choose and how long your group lingers.

The 9:00 am start is useful. It gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water, with time for beaches, snorkeling, and food if you add a restaurant. It also means you should not treat this as a casual late-morning outing. Build the marina arrival into your plans, since the boat leaves at the stated start time.

The captain will discuss the route with you, so think of the morning conversation as part of the tour. If everyone in your group wants something different, agree on your top priorities before boarding. A group that wants long swims, several beaches, and lunch will need to accept fewer stops than a group that prefers quick visits.

Because the boat is private, you do not have to match the pace of another group. That is one of the best reasons to pay for a charter. You can make the day social and relaxed, or keep it active with several changes of scenery.

St. Thomas beaches and boat-access-only snorkeling

The central draw is the chance to reach beaches and snorkeling areas around St. Thomas and St. John by boat. The supplied snorkeling equipment means you do not need to bring your own mask and fins, and floats are available for time spent in the water.

The wording matters here: the captain can take you to snorkeling spots accessible only by boat. That does not guarantee a particular fish, turtle, or water condition on every outing, but it does give your group access to places you would not reach from a normal beach visit.

One especially useful detail comes from the experience with Captain RJ. He took a group to several excellent locations around St. Thomas, including a place where they snorkeled with turtles. That makes Captain RJ worth requesting by name if he is available, though the supplied information does not promise that he will captain every departure.

I like this part of the charter because it combines choice with local route knowledge. You are not simply being dropped at one popular beach for a fixed amount of time. You can talk about what you want to see and let the captain shape the route around the day.

Still, keep expectations sensible. The tour information does not name specific beaches, promise turtle sightings, or guarantee calm water. Snorkeling depends on weather and sea conditions. The best approach is to treat turtles as a welcome possibility, not the sole reason to book.

St. John adds a different side of the day

The charter also covers beaches around St. John, along with the waters between the two main islands. That gives you a broader outing than a trip limited to the St. Thomas shoreline.

The value of including St. John is choice. If your group has already spent time on St. Thomas, the boat provides a way to see more of the surrounding islands without arranging separate transport. You can ask the captain how much of the day should be given to St. John, then balance that against snorkeling or lunch.

The trip is not presented as a land tour of St. John. Its focus is the water, beaches, and boat-accessible snorkeling areas. You should book it for time on and around the islands, not for a detailed visit to inland sights.

That distinction helps set the right expectations. You get changing views from the boat and the freedom to stop, swim, and explore by water. You do not get a structured walking route or a formal program of cultural attractions.

Add Lime Out or Pizza Pi for lunch

A floating restaurant can make this feel like a proper island day rather than a boat ride with snacks. You can ask to include Lime Out or Pizza Pi in your itinerary, giving your group the option of eating on the water.

This is a particularly good feature for groups with different appetites. You can plan a restaurant stop instead of carrying a full lunch, while still using the cooler and ice for drinks or food you bring yourself. Bottled water is included, but the information does not say that meals are included, so budget separately for anything purchased at a restaurant.

The tradeoff is time. A meal stop uses part of your seven hours, and a popular food stop may affect how many beaches or snorkeling areas you can visit. Decide what matters most before the boat leaves. If lunch is a major part of your plan, say so early. If snorkeling is the priority, you may prefer a quicker stop or food carried in the cooler.

I would also treat the restaurant options as choices, not guarantees. They are named as possible additions to the itinerary, but the final route depends on your discussion with the captain and the conditions on the day.

The value of a $1,500 private charter

The price is $1,500 per group of up to 12 people. At a full group of 12, that works out to $125 per person before any separate food costs. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

For a family or friend group that wants privacy, the math can work well. You are paying for a private boat, captain, fuel, equipment, water, ice, and the ability to shape the route. A full group can spread that cost while avoiding the fixed schedule of a shared trip.

For two or three people, this is a much larger splurge. The private setting may still be worthwhile if complete control of the day matters more than the lowest possible price, but the charter is clearly easier to justify with a larger party.

Fuel is included, which removes one common source of surprise on a boat outing. Snorkeling equipment and floats are also included, so you do not need to rent those separately. The Bluetooth stereo system adds a little fun for a private group, though music should support the day rather than drown out conversation or the captain’s instructions.

The captain is USCG certified, another practical part of the price. You are not simply hiring a boat and left to figure out the route yourself. The captain handles the operation while helping you choose how to use the day.

What to bring and how to plan

The charter provides bottled water, a cooler with ice, snorkeling equipment, and floats. That covers the basics, but you should still plan for a day outdoors around salt water.

Bring any food or drinks you want beyond the bottled water, unless you intend to eat at Lime Out or Pizza Pi. Since the cooler and ice are supplied, you have a place to keep those items. The details do not specify towels, sunscreen, or personal bags, so pack only what you need and confirm any questions with Drift Charters before departure.

A short, practical plan works best:

• Decide if snorkeling, beaches, or a floating restaurant is your first priority.
• Tell the captain about any must-see preference at the start.
• Use the supplied equipment, or bring personal snorkeling gear if you prefer your own fit.
• Keep some flexibility for weather and water conditions.
• Remember that the boat returns to Compass Point Marina after the seven-hour outing.

The service allows service animals, and most people can participate. The information does not provide detailed boat-access or mobility specifications, so anyone with particular access needs should contact the provider before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and comfort

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That policy is fair for a boat trip, since conditions affect both comfort and safety.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, so watch the local time carefully.

The weather policy is also a reminder not to build an important flight connection or tightly timed event around the end of the boat day. The scheduled return is at the meeting point, but conditions can affect how pleasant the outing feels and how the captain uses the route.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this for a group that values control. Families can choose a gentler pace, friends can focus on swimming and music, and mixed-age groups can avoid being locked into a demanding shared schedule.

It is also a good fit if you want to combine several interests: beach time, snorkeling, island views, and a meal on the water. The private format lets you make tradeoffs as a group instead of accepting someone else’s plan.

The charter is less suitable for anyone seeking a low-cost excursion for one or two people. It is also not the right choice if you want a detailed land-based tour of St. John or a guaranteed encounter with turtles. The route is flexible, and that means the final day depends on your choices, the captain’s guidance, and the weather.

The small review sample gives the experience a five-star rating, with particular praise for Captain RJ, the snorkeling locations, the relaxed approach, and the turtle sighting. Those are meaningful strengths, but I would still judge the trip on what it promises reliably: a private captain-led boat day with flexible stops and included gear.

Should you book the St. Thomas private boat charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want the freedom to build your own day around St. Thomas and St. John. The best value comes when your group actually uses the flexibility, rather than paying for a private boat and then following a fixed wish list without discussion.

I especially like it for people who want snorkeling, beach stops, and the option of Lime Out or Pizza Pi in one outing. Captain RJ received strong praise for finding good spots and taking a group to turtles, but sightings and captain assignment are not guaranteed.

Skip it if your main goal is the cheapest boat ride or a detailed sightseeing tour on land. For everyone else, this is a practical way to spend seven hours on the water, with enough room to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter begin?

The tour begins at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the boat charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour end?

The charter ends back at Compass Point Marina, the same place where it begins.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Can I request a floating restaurant stop?

Yes. You can ask to include Lime Out or Pizza Pi in your itinerary, depending on the plan for the day.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.