SPECIAL – (Up to 4 Passengers) All Inclusive Day Sail

A quiet day at sea beats a crowded boat. This private five-hour sail from Cruz Bay gives your group up to four people a 40-foot sailboat, protected waters, snorkeling, lunch, and an unusually generous open bar. I especially like the chance to learn basic sailing from Captain Mike and the daily possibility of seeing sea turtles. The main drawback is the price: at $1,346.67 per group, it is a serious splurge unless you can fill all four spaces.

I also like the relaxed two-stop plan. You get time to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and enjoy a beach without racing from one stop to the next. Just confirm the current price and route before booking, since the supplied details also quote an all-inclusive price of $755, and one account describes a longer outing to the British Virgin Islands that does not match the standard local-USVI description.

Key points at a glance

• Captain Mike can teach you to sail: You may take the helm and learn the basics instead of simply sitting on a boat.
• Sea turtles are a daily possibility: Snorkeling is arranged for different skill levels, with turtle sightings a central part of the experience.
• The boat is private for up to four people: You avoid the noise and schedule of a large shared cruise.
• Two protected-water stops shape the day: The first focuses on snorkeling, while the second adds more swimming, beach time, and sea life.
• Lunch and a full open bar are included: Cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, juices, water, snacks, and a deli lunch are covered.
• You remain in USVI waters on the stated route: No customs, immigration, captain, or fuel fees are added for this local itinerary.

Setting out from Cruz Bay on a 40-foot sailboat

Your day begins at the Saint John Ferry Terminal in Cruz Bay, St. John. That is a practical meeting point if you are already on the island, and the boat returns to the same place after roughly five hours. Pickup is offered, but the listed start and end point is the ferry terminal, so confirm the exact pickup plan when you book.

Cruz Bay is a good launch point because St. John’s western shoreline is protected. The water here is described as calm, making it easier to enjoy a sailing day without the pounding ride that can come with open-water routes. The boat is a 40-foot sailboat, large enough to feel substantial but still suited to a small private party.

This is not a party boat built around loud music and a packed deck. The appeal is the opposite. Your group can settle into the pace of the sea, take the helm if you wish, stretch out in the sun, or simply watch the shoreline slide past.

The private format matters most if you value quiet. With only your own group participating, you can ask questions, choose how much time to spend in the water, and tell the crew if one person wants to snorkel while another prefers to stay aboard. The trip is still guided by the captain’s judgment and the day’s conditions, but you are not working around a boatload of strangers.

Captain Mike brings sailing into the day

Captain Mike is one of the clearest strengths of this experience. He is not presented only as someone who steers the boat and serves drinks. He also teaches sailing fundamentals and may let you take the helm of the 40-foot boat.

That small detail can change the feel of the trip. If you have always wanted to understand how a sailboat moves, this is a chance to learn in a relaxed setting. You might get a simple explanation of steering, wind, or sail handling, then try it yourself under supervision. The supplied information does not promise that every participant will spend a set amount of time at the helm, so treat this as an available feature rather than a formal sailing lesson.

Captain Mike’s local knowledge also adds value. A captain who knows the bays and nearby cays can make better choices when conditions or group interests shift. Bridget is also part of the crew, and the personal service is repeatedly praised in the available accounts. The emphasis is on making the day comfortable and enjoyable for everyone in the group, not pushing you through a fixed checklist.

The crew’s family feel may appeal to some people and not others. One account describes Captain Mike and Bridget traveling with their young son on an outing. If you are looking for a polished resort-style crew with a large professional staff, this is a smaller, more personal operation. If you prefer a warm, informal boat day, that character may be exactly what you want.

First stop: snorkeling in a protected bay

After leaving Cruz Bay, the boat heads toward a protected bay near one of the surrounding cays. The exact bay is not fixed in the supplied details, which is sensible for a sailing trip. A good captain needs room to choose a sheltered anchorage suited to the weather and the group.

At the first stop, the crew fits you with snorkeling equipment. Gear is included, and snorkeling is intended for different skill levels. That makes this a better choice for a mixed group than a trip designed only for strong swimmers, although you should still be comfortable in the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

The underwater time is a major reason to book. The area is known here for sea life, and the experience specifically highlights swimming with sea turtles. A turtle sighting is never something any responsible operator can guarantee, but it is a regular possibility and one of the most memorable parts of the day when it happens.

You can also swim and sunbathe at this stop. That balance is useful because not everyone wants to snorkel for an hour. One person can explore the water, another can relax on deck, and someone else can simply enjoy the view. Since the boat is private, you have a better chance of making the stop work for your group instead of following a rigid schedule.

Bring your own towel. Towels are the one obvious comfort item not included, and a wet swimsuit becomes less pleasant when you have no way to dry off between stops. The supplied details do not specify whether flotation aids or special snorkel instruction are available, so ask about those needs ahead of time if they matter to your group.

Second stop: more sea life, sand, and lunch

The second stop gives the day a change of scene. You can swim again, look for more sea life, and walk or comb the white sandy shoreline of a nearby bay or cay. The description points to some of the most striking shorelines in the area, but it does not name a guaranteed beach, so do not book this expecting one fixed island stop.

This flexible routing is part of the attraction. Rather than spending the full trip at one crowded beach, you get two chances to enter the water and two settings to enjoy. The tradeoff is that the exact destination depends on the captain’s route and conditions. If you have your heart set on a particular beach, ask before departure.

Lunch is available during the day, with a full gourmet deli menu selected before sailing. That is more useful than a basic bag of chips and fruit, especially when you are spending hours in the sun. Snacks are also included, along with bottled water, soda, juices, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

The food arrangement requires a little planning. You select your deli lunch before the sail, so think about dietary needs and preferences during the booking process. The available details do not list specific menu items or dietary guarantees, so ask what choices are offered rather than assuming a particular sandwich or specialty meal will be available.

The open bar is a real part of the value

The included drinks package is unusually broad. It covers alcoholic beverages, island cocktails, mocktails, a full bar, soda, juices, water, and more. Snacks are included too.

That matters because many boat trips advertise an all-inclusive feel but add drink charges once you are aboard. Here, fuel, captain’s fees, taxes, and the listed beverages are included in the package. You are not left keeping track of every rum drink or bottle of water.

Still, an open bar is only valuable if your group will use it. If you do not drink alcohol, the mocktails, juices, soda, and water still help, but the price may feel harder to justify. If your group of four enjoys cocktails and a proper lunch, the package can make more financial sense than paying separately on a smaller cruise.

Drink sensibly in the sun. The boat offers water, but alcohol, heat, swimming, and sailing are not a great mix if you overdo any one of them. The crew’s job is to host the day, but your group remains responsible for making safe choices in and around the water.

How the price works for a group of four

The supplied tour price is $1,346.67 per group of up to four people. Filled to capacity, that works out to about $336.67 per person. A separate description gives an all-inclusive price of $755, or about $188.75 each for four people, so you should verify the live rate before paying.

At the higher listed price, this is not a cheap way to see St. John. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated captain and crew, a 40-foot sailboat, fuel, lunch, snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, and a five-hour outing. The private format is the key value. For four people who want their own boat and will make use of the food and bar, it may feel fair. For one or two people, the per-person cost becomes much harder to defend.

You also avoid some common extra charges. The local-USVI route includes fuel, captain’s fees, all fees and taxes, and no customs or immigration charges. That makes the final bill easier to understand, provided the price shown at checkout matches the rate you were quoted.

One important point deserves clarification. A separate account describes Captain Mike and Bridget taking a group to the British Virgin Islands, including Foxy’s and Soggy Dollar, with lunch along the way. That sounds like a different route or charter option, since the standard description here says the trip stays in USVI waters. Do not assume a BVI visit is included. Ask specifically about the route, passport needs, customs, and additional time if that is what you want.

Who will enjoy this private sail most

I would recommend this trip for a family or group of friends who want a private day on the water without managing a bareboat charter. It suits people who like a calm pace, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and casual sailing instruction.

It is also a good fit for a group with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel, beginners can try the water at their own pace, and non-swimmers can remain aboard with lunch and drinks. The two-stop schedule gives everyone more than one way to enjoy the day.

Couples can book it too, but the price is easier to justify with four people sharing it. If you are seeking a low-cost snorkeling excursion, a shared boat will likely be better value. If you want a fast, high-energy party cruise, this relaxed sailing format may feel too gentle.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and pickup is offered. Because the day involves swimming, snorkeling, sun, and boat movement, discuss any mobility or medical concerns with the operator before booking. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications.

Timing, weather, and the fine print

The sail lasts about five hours and returns to Cruz Bay, leaving time for an afternoon drink or more island exploring. That is a useful schedule if you want a full water experience without giving up the rest of the day.

Weather controls the day more than any brochure can. Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, but the standard cancellation terms are strict: the experience is nonrefundable and cannot be changed for any reason at your request. Check your plans carefully before booking.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, even though it is private for your own group. If that minimum is not met, you can accept another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

The most important practical step is to confirm three things before payment: the current price, the exact route, and the lunch choices. Those details affect the value more than the marketing language does.

Should you book Morningstar Sailing and Power Charters?

Book it if you want a private, personal sailing day with snorkeling, possible sea turtles, a real lunch, and a full drink package. Captain Mike’s willingness to teach sailing and the crew’s warm service add something beyond a basic boat transfer.

Think twice if price is your main concern, if you want a guaranteed named beach, or if you expect a BVI excursion. The standard plan is a calm USVI day with flexible stops, not a guaranteed international route.

For four people who will use the boat, food, snorkeling gear, and open bar, this can be a memorable splurge. Before committing, confirm the live price because the supplied figures conflict, and ask exactly where the boat will go. If those answers suit your group, this is the sort of day that lets you enjoy St. John at the right speed: on the water, with room to breathe.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

It starts at the Saint John Ferry Terminal in Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the sailing experience last?

The sail lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private sail?

The listed private tour is for a group of up to four passengers. Only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full gourmet deli lunch menu is available, and you select your meal before sailing. Snacks are also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic drinks, island cocktails, mocktails, a full bar, soda, juices, bottled water, and other beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the experience offers snorkeling options for different skill levels.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.