Private Fast Power Catamaran. Full or Half Day for Beach Hopping, Snorkel & Swim

The best part of this St Thomas boat trip is control. You book the entire 36-foot MV Poseidon for your group, then work with your captain to choose beaches, snorkel sites, and lunch stops. The twin-hull boat is fast, stable, and roomy enough for 12 people, so you are not tied to a large group schedule.

I like the private format and the easy beach access. A transom ladder and low draft let the boat get close to shore, while the captain can adjust the day for children, cautious swimmers, or serious snorkelers. The main catch is cost: the $895.50 starting price covers the boat, but fuel and gratuity are extra.

Key points at a glance

• MV Poseidon carries up to 12 people: The price is for the whole boat, not each passenger.
• Your captain shapes the day: Captains such as Holly, Amanda, Bryan, Wallens, Glen, and Aaron are praised for safety, local facts, and flexible planning.
• Snorkeling is a major strength: Sea turtles, tropical fish, coral, stingrays, starfish, an octopus, and even a lemon shark have been spotted.
• The sample stops are not one-day promises: The eight listed beaches and bays cover a wide area. Rough water or limited time may mean only two or three stops.
• Fuel changes the final cost: Expect an added charge of $8 per gallon, with typical use of 15 to 25 gallons for a half day or 30 to 45 gallons for a full day.
• Come early: Arrive about 15 minutes before departure at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook to complete paperwork and get your full time on the water.

A private boat day built around your group

MV Poseidon is a 36-foot TwinVee Ocean Cat, a power catamaran designed to move quickly while staying steady. That matters in the Virgin Islands, where your day may include open-water crossings, quiet bays, and beach landings.

The boat holds up to 12 people. A group of four will have plenty of room, while a larger family or reunion group can share one boat without splitting up. The price is $895.50 per group, so the value improves as your party gets larger. For 12 people, the base price works out to about $75 per person before fuel and tip. For four people, it is a much bigger spend.

You get a captain, snorkel equipment, bottled water, soda, beer, ice, U.S. park fees, and mooring permits. The Fusion stereo lets you play music during the ride, adding a relaxed feel between stops. Gratuity is not included, and 15 to 20 percent is recommended.

The half-day option lasts about four hours. A full day runs about seven hours. I would choose the longer outing if you want both snorkeling and beach time, since swimming, getting settled, and traveling between islands take more time than you might expect.

What your captain adds to the day

This is not a boat rental where you are left to sort out the islands on your own. Your captain drives, handles the route, gives a safety briefing, and helps turn a general wish list into a workable plan.

Captains named in the available information include Holly, Glen, Wallens, Amanda, Mike, Hillary, Aaron, Bryan, Kyle, Brian, and Valley. The strongest praise centers on captains who combine local facts with a friendly manner. Holly is noted for explaining island geography, history, and sea life. Amanda is praised for clear safety habits and a warm approach. Bryan is especially well suited to families, helping young children feel at ease in the water.

Wallens appears often in accounts of turtle sightings, fish, stingrays, starfish, coral beds, and a sunken sailboat. He is also described as good at matching the pace to a family group. Glen adjusted a full day around what his party wanted and added stories about the islands.

Your captain matters because conditions can change. Wind, waves, boat traffic, and water clarity affect where you can stop. A good captain will not treat the printed list of places as a checklist. Instead, expect a shorter route with better conditions when needed.

Water Island and Little Buck Island

Water Island is one of the shorter, easier options from St Thomas. A stop here can work well at the start of a half-day trip, giving you time to swim, settle into the boat, and enjoy the views without spending the entire outing on the move.

Little Buck Island is included among the possible stops and carries a park fee. It is best understood as a snorkeling and swimming option rather than a guaranteed beach visit. The protected island setting can provide a good place to look for fish and coral, but the exact conditions will depend on the day.

You should not expect to visit every listed location. The sample route includes eight stops scattered around St Thomas and St John. Even a full seven-hour charter cannot realistically give you meaningful time at all of them. One full-day outing reached three stops because the water was rough, which is a useful reminder to favor quality over quantity.

Secret Harbour and Honeymoon Beach

Secret Harbour gives the captain another sheltered-looking option for swimming or snorkeling. It can suit a group that wants time in the water without committing to a long beach stay. The stop may also be useful if your group includes mixed abilities, since not everyone needs to spend the whole day in open water.

Honeymoon Beach is especially handy for families with young children. The boat’s low draft and rear ladder make it possible to get close to shore, and one family with a toddler appreciated being able to reach the beach without a long transfer.

This is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You can combine an active snorkel stop with a beach break, rather than forcing everyone to snorkel for hours. The captain can also adjust the balance if one person is nervous about deep water or simply wants time on the sand.

Trunk Bay, Scott Bay, and Maho Bay

The St John stops are where the trip can become especially rewarding. Trunk Bay is a famous beach setting, and Little Buck Island, Scott Bay, and Maho Bay give your captain several choices for swimming and sea life.

Maho Bay is strongly associated with turtle sightings. Families have reported seeing turtles there while children as young as five and seven learned to snorkel. Another group saw turtles, fish, an octopus, and a lemon shark around St John. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the captain can choose areas known for regular sightings.

Scott Bay may appeal to snorkelers who want fish and coral more than a long beach visit. One half-day group saw healthy coral beds and a wide range of fish. Another described the water as feeling like an aquarium. Keep your expectations sensible, though. Fish may be less visible when swimmers are splashing, and water clarity changes with weather.

Trunk Bay is included as a possible stop, but do not assume you will get a long stay there. If your top priority is one specific beach, tell the captain at the start. If your priority is wildlife, give the captain room to choose the best water conditions.

Magens Bay and the final stretch

Magens Bay is one of the best-known beaches on St Thomas and makes a natural choice for a scenic swim or beach stop. The bay can be a good fit for a group that wants a classic Caribbean setting, though the amount of time available depends on your route and the sea conditions.

The boat’s speed helps here. A power catamaran can cover more ground than a slower vessel, giving you more choices across a half or full day. Still, speed does not erase travel time. If you ask to cross a large part of the US Virgin Islands, every extra stop reduces time for swimming and relaxing.

I would plan around two or three main goals. For example: turtles at Maho Bay, a fish-and-coral snorkel stop, and a beach or lunch break. That plan is more realistic than trying to collect all eight locations.

Snorkeling, swimming, and beach bars

The included snorkel equipment makes this simple. You do not need to bring your own mask and fins, though you may prefer your personal gear if you have it. The boat also carries water, soda, beer, and ice, so you can stay refreshed without arranging your own cooler.

The underwater sights can be excellent. Reported sightings include sea turtles, tropical fish, healthy coral, stingrays, starfish, an octopus, and a lemon shark. That list shows the range of possible encounters, not a promise. The captain can take you to productive areas, but no one can order wildlife to appear.

Beach access adds another layer. The boat can approach close to shore at places where its draft and conditions allow. You might stop for a drink or meal at Dinghy’s, Margaritaville, Lime Out, Lovango, or another beach bar. Food and drinks at those venues are not included, so bring a payment method and allow for the extra time.

A stop at Lovango was especially popular with groups seeking lunch and clean bathrooms. This kind of break can be a welcome change from constant swimming, but it also uses part of your charter. Tell the captain if your priority is water time rather than a restaurant visit.

How the four-hour and seven-hour options compare

The four-hour charter works well for families with young children, cruise visitors with a tight schedule, or anyone who wants a taste of snorkeling without giving up the whole day. You can usually fit in a few worthwhile stops if you focus your route.

It is also a good choice for a group that wants a mix of boat time, one or two swims, and a beach break. The risk is feeling rushed. One group packed plenty into four hours but still wished for more time, while another lost part of its outing by arriving late.

The seven-hour option gives you room to travel farther, snorkel at more than one site, and stop for lunch. It is the better pick for a group with different interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel, children can play at the beach, and others can stay aboard with music and drinks.

Longer is not always better in rough water. If the sea becomes uncomfortable, fewer stops may make for a more pleasant day. Your captain will have the best sense of what is practical.

Price, fuel, and the real value

The $895.50 group price is attractive for a full group of 10 to 12. At that size, you receive a private boat, captain, drinks, equipment, and route flexibility at a reasonable per-person cost.

For a small party, the price needs closer thought. A group of four pays more per person than a large family, even though the boat has much more space than needed. The benefit is privacy, a custom route, and no sharing with 30 or more people.

Fuel is an important extra. It is billed at $8 per gallon, with typical use of 15 to 25 gallons for a half day and 30 to 45 gallons for a full day. That puts the estimated fuel charge around $120 to $200 for a half day, or $240 to $360 for a full day. Add the recommended 15 to 20 percent tip to your planning.

The final cost can still be fair if you value time, comfort, and control. It is less compelling if you mainly want a short swim at one nearby beach. In that case, a shared boat may cost less, though it will not give you the same freedom.

Meeting point, timing, and small practical details

You meet at American Yacht Harbor on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St Thomas, and return there at the end. The location is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not include hotel pickup.

Arrive about 15 minutes early. You need time for paperwork, and arriving late cuts into your paid charter. One party specifically wished it had reached the marina earlier and lost time from its four-hour outing.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. Since this is a private activity, only your group rides on the boat.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who will get the most from MV Poseidon

I would recommend this charter for families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone who wants a private day on the water. It is particularly useful when your group has mixed interests, since the captain can combine snorkeling, beach time, sightseeing, and a restaurant stop.

It also suits nervous swimmers. Captains such as Amanda, Bryan, Holly, and Wallens are praised for safety and reassurance, and the boat can support a gentler pace. Young children can enjoy the beach while stronger swimmers look for turtles and fish.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, your group has only two or three people, or you want a guaranteed list of eight stops. The route is flexible by design, and that means the day may not match every place shown in the sample plan.

Should you book this St Thomas private charter?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want a personal day shaped around your interests. The combination of a stable power catamaran, strong local captains, snorkel gear, drinks, and close beach access makes this a useful choice for seeing more than one corner of the US Virgin Islands.

Choose the half day for a focused outing with children or limited time. Choose the full day if snorkeling is your main goal or you want to add lunch and several stops.

Before booking, set aside money for fuel and tip, arrive early, and tell the captain your top two priorities. If you do that, MV Poseidon offers a good balance of comfort, freedom, and Caribbean scenery without tying you to a large shared boat.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran charter last?

The experience lasts approximately four to seven hours. The half-day option is about four hours, while the full-day option is about seven hours.

How many people can ride on MV Poseidon?

The boat accommodates up to 12 people. The price of $895.50 is for the entire group, not for each passenger.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The charter begins and ends at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St Thomas, USVI.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, beer, ice, U.S. park fees, and mooring permits are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is billed separately at $8 per gallon. Typical use is 15 to 25 gallons for a half day and 30 to 45 gallons for a full day.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

Not as part of this experience by default. A visit to the BVI can be booked separately under product code 111649P25.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.