Sail and Snorkel Private Charter – Mid-Day Sail 1230pm to Sunset

Trade traffic for open water. This five-hour private sail from St. Thomas gives your group a vintage sailing vessel, a captain and crew, and room to shape the afternoon around swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and quiet bays. You can cruise toward St. John and the Virgin Islands National Park waters, with the route adjusted to your interests and the day’s conditions.

I especially like the small group size, limited to three to six people, and the way the crew keeps the day personal rather than running a fixed schedule. I also like the all-inclusive drinks and water gear, including beer or seltzers, island cocktails, fruit, snacks, noodles, and snorkeling equipment. The main drawback is timing: a 12:30 p.m. start gives you only about five hours, so you cannot expect a full tour of every possible bay and beach.

Key Details Before You Book

• Private sailing for three to six people: Your party reserves the entire boat, which makes this a good choice for families, couples traveling together, or a small group of friends.
• A flexible route around St. John: Possible stops include St. John beaches, cays near St. Thomas, Lovango, and other spots selected for clear water, reefs, white sand, and sea life.
• Snorkeling with crew support: Equipment is included, and Kim has snorkeled alongside people in the water while pointing out turtles.
• Drinks and snacks are covered: Expect bottled water, sodas, chilled beer or seltzers, island alcoholic drinks, sliced fruit, and light snacks.
• Lunch is separate: You can arrange a stop at Pizza Pi or the Lovango Resort Cafe, but food from those local venues is not included.
• Afternoon into sunset: The 12:30 p.m. departure is suited to a relaxed half-day on the water, ending back at Sapphire Beach Marina around sunset.

Starting at Sapphire Beach Marina at 12:30 p.m.

The charter begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, at 6720 Smith Bay Road in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. The boat returns to this same meeting point, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end.

The start time matters. This is not an early-morning snorkeling trip, so you have the morning free before heading to the marina. The tradeoff is that the afternoon passes quickly. With roughly five hours on the water, you will have time for several activities, but the crew will need to choose stops rather than visit every place named in the route description.

The marina is near public transportation, which may help if you are staying nearby and do not have a rental car. The supplied details do not promise hotel pickup, so you should plan to reach Sapphire Beach Marina on your own.

Once aboard, the setup is designed for comfort. The vessel has shade, open-air breezes, plenty of space for a small group, and a swim platform referred to as the Solstice Swim Deck. Swim noodles are also available, useful if you want to float without spending the whole stop actively swimming.

A Vintage Boat and a Private Crew

The boat is described as a vintage sailing vessel, giving the trip a more classic feel than a large motorized excursion. You are not simply being transported from one snorkeling site to another. The pace is part of the experience, with time to sit in the shade, feel the breeze, and watch the islands pass by.

The private format is the biggest reason to consider this charter. With a maximum of six people, you can talk with the crew, request a slower or more active pace, and make choices that suit your own group. A family may want short swims and plenty of time on board. Friends may prefer several water stops. The crew builds the day with your input.

That flexibility has limits. The exact route is not fixed, and the crew decides the final stops based on conditions and the best available water for the day. If you want a guaranteed visit to one particular beach or cay, ask about that before departure rather than assuming every named location will be included.

The crew members highlighted in the supplied information are Kim and Brodie, along with captain Alan in one account. Kim prepared rum drinks, served food, and snorkeled beside people in the water. That combination of service and water activity helps explain why the charter has earned a five-star average from six ratings.

Snorkeling Near St. John and the Cays

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to book this outing. The crew looks for clear water, coral reefs, white sandy bottoms, and places where sea life is active. You may visit bays around St. John, cays near St. Thomas, Lovango, or another nearby location that offers better conditions that day.

The trip is especially appealing if you want help getting comfortable in the water. Kim has joined people while snorkeling and pointed out turtles, which can make a difference when sea life is easy to miss. You receive the needed snorkeling equipment, so you do not have to pack a full set of gear for the boat.

You should still think about your own swimming comfort. The description says most people can participate, but it does not promise a specific water depth, current, or beach landing at every stop. If someone in your party is a weak swimmer, mention that to the crew so the afternoon can be paced sensibly. The noodles offer another way to enjoy a swim stop without treating it like a workout.

Snorkeling conditions can also change with weather and water movement. The crew’s ability to shift the route is useful here. A fixed itinerary might send you to a famous site even when visibility is poor. This charter can instead favor a calmer bay or a clearer reef.

St. John Beaches, Lovango, and Other Possible Stops

The route may include several beaches around St. John. A beach stop gives you a change from the boat, with a chance to wade, swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the sand. Because the itinerary is flexible, the amount of time at each beach depends on what your group wants and what the crew considers suitable that afternoon.

Cays near St. Thomas may provide a shorter ride and more time in the water. These smaller islands can be useful when you want several activities in one outing rather than one long cruise to a distant beach. Lovango offers another possible stop, with the option of eating at the Lovango Resort Cafe.

The important point is that these are possible destinations, not guaranteed stops in a fixed order. The crew sets the final plan with your input. If your priority is turtles, snorkeling, a beach, or a meal ashore, make that clear before the boat gets underway.

The scenery is a major part of the appeal, but this is not a sightseeing cruise with a narrated list of landmarks. The focus is on the water, the breeze, swimming, and time in attractive bays. You will get more from the trip if you enjoy choosing how to spend the afternoon rather than checking off a long list of sights.

Drinks, Snacks, and the Lunch Question

The charter includes a useful range of refreshments. You receive bottled water stored with ice, sodas, sliced fruit, and light snacks. The package also includes a 12-pack of beer or seltzers and crew-served alcoholic island drinks.

The drinks are not a minor detail on a warm afternoon at sea. Having water and cold beverages already aboard means you can settle into the day instead of organizing a cooler. Kim also prepared rum drinks during one afternoon charter, adding a local touch to the service.

Lunch is the one important exception to the all-inclusive wording. Meals from local venues cost extra. The crew can stop for pizza from Pizza Pi, a well-known pizza boat, or lunch at the Lovango Resort Cafe. One afternoon included pizza from Pizza Pi, while another included a wonderful lunch and an open bar. You should confirm the current meal arrangement and budget separately for the food.

Pizza Pi is a fun choice if you want an informal meal connected to the water. Lovango may suit you better if you prefer a resort cafe setting. Neither option should be treated as included in the $219 price.

What the $219 Price Really Covers

The listed price is $219 per person. Because the charter requires at least three people, the practical minimum comes to $657 before gratuity and any meal purchased from Pizza Pi or Lovango. At the maximum of six people, the price comes to $1,314 for the group before those extras.

That is more than a shared boat excursion, but the comparison is not quite like for like. You are paying for a private vessel, captain, crew, snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, water, taxes, and the ability to shape the route. For a group of friends or family that would otherwise book several separate activities, the private format can offer solid value.

The cost makes less sense for one or two people traveling alone, since you still need to meet the three-person minimum. It becomes easier to justify when six people split the price and care about privacy, flexibility, and personal service.

Gratuity is not included. The listed industry standard is 18 to 20 percent. Since the crew handles sailing, drinks, snorkeling support, and itinerary changes, you should include that extra amount when setting your budget.

Who Will Enjoy This Afternoon Sail Most

I would choose this charter for a small group that wants an unhurried day on the water without sharing a boat with a large crowd. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want the freedom to change the pace.

It is also a good match if your priorities include:

• Snorkeling in more than one location
• Looking for turtles and other sea life
• A private boat with shade and open-air space
• Drinks and snacks served during the cruise
• A flexible route around St. Thomas and St. John
• A sunset finish rather than an early return

I would think twice if you want a highly structured sightseeing tour, a guaranteed list of beaches, or a full restaurant lunch included in the price. The charter is built around choice and conditions, not a rigid timetable.

The five-hour length is another practical point. You will get a full afternoon, but not a full day. If you want to maximize your time, arrive ready to board and decide in advance whether snorkeling, a beach stop, or lunch matters most.

Weather, Cancellation, and Practical Planning

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the 12:30 p.m. start time to receive a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the cut-off uses local time in St. Thomas.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. The activity is private, and only your own group takes part.

Most people can participate, but the available information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications for the vessel or swim platform. If anyone in your party has mobility concerns, ask Adventure Awaits Charters USVI LLC about boarding and movement on the boat before paying.

Should You Book This Private St. Thomas Charter?

Book it if you have three to six people and want your afternoon to feel personal, flexible, and easy. The strongest reasons are the private boat, Kim and the crew’s attentive service, snorkeling support, turtle spotting, and the generous selection of included drinks and snacks.

Before you commit, settle two details: which type of stop matters most to you, and how you will handle lunch. Pizza Pi and Lovango meals are extra, and the five-hour schedule cannot cover every bay and cay.

For a small group that values time in the water more than a packed sightseeing schedule, this is a strong St. Thomas choice. You get a calm sail, a chance to snorkel in changing locations, and a sunset return without giving up control of the day.

FAQ

Where does the private charter begin?

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

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 12:30 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The sail lasts approximately five hours and ends back at Sapphire Beach Marina, around sunset.

How many people can join the private charter?

The reservation requires a minimum of three people and allows up to six people.

Is this a shared boat trip?

No. This is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, sodas, beer or seltzers, and crew-served alcoholic island drinks.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Light snacks and sliced fruit are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food purchased from local venues, including Pizza Pi or the Lovango Resort Cafe, is separate.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The crew builds the route with your input. Possible areas include St. John beaches, cays near St. Thomas, Lovango, and other snorkeling locations.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can select another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund.