A private powerboat day off St Thomas is the kind of freedom that feels rare. Your boat, MV Aquarius, is a newer 31′ Wellcraft with twin 300hp Yamaha engines, and a captain designs your route around beaches, harbors, and the right places to snorkel. It is a calm, no-rush way to see St. Thomas and St. John from the water, with easy time to watch turtles from the bow and hop in when conditions look good.

What I really like is the pairing of convenience and personalization: you are not sharing a schedule with strangers, and captains like Bryan and Aron are known for tailoring the day and picking solid snorkeling spots for mixed skill levels. The second big win is the onboard setup, including snorkeling equipment and a Fusion Bluetooth sound system, so you can go from cruising to swimming without a lot of hassle. One consideration: the price is per group, but you will still pay a fuel surcharge at the end plus a tip for the captain, and this charter does not include the British Virgin Islands.

Key takeaways before you book

• Private-by-default route planning: your captain builds the day around your group and sea conditions, not a fixed script
• Snorkeling gear onboard: you get equipment on the boat so you can focus on the water
• Real powerboat comfort: a 31′ Wellcraft with twin 300hp Yamaha engines makes hopping between islands feel easier
• Tasty, flexible food option: lunch can be worked into the day, including stops like Lovango when it fits
• Onboard drinks are included: beer, soda, and bottled water are part of the experience

The MV Aquarius powerboat makes the U.S. Virgin Islands feel small

If you picture the U.S. Virgin Islands as a string of views from a ferry window, this tour changes the picture. You get a 31-foot Wellcraft, MV Aquarius, with twin 300hp Yamaha engines—big enough to feel stable and comfortable, small enough to take you where larger boats might not. That combination matters in the real world. It means less time waiting around and more time actually doing the fun part: cruising, swimming, and hanging out on beaches you can reach from the water.

I also like the day-to-day flexibility. This is a private group charter for up to 12 guests, and your captain creates an itinerary that can emphasize St. Thomas harbors, St. John beaches, and surrounding cays. In other words, you can steer the experience toward scenic cruising, snorkeling, or simply relaxing with good light and clear water.

From the boat itself, there are small details that make a difference. The bow has seating for conversation, tanning, and turtle watching. That is the kind of thing that sounds casual until you are actually there and see turtles surface while everyone else is still packing up.

Getting to the boat: Red Hook, pickup options, and a clean 9:00 am start

The charter starts at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, with a typical start time of 9:00 am. That early start helps you get your best water visibility and a calmer ride for getting out into the islands.

Good news: pickup can be arranged in advance, not just at Red Hook. You can start from Cruz Bay on St. John, or from WICO/Havensight or Lovango on St. Thomas, if you coordinate ahead of time. If you are staying on the north side of St. Thomas or over on St. John, this can save you time and headaches.

It is also a private charter, so you keep your group together the whole day. That makes timing simpler: instead of everyone trying to find each other in a port terminal, you just move as one group to the boat and go.

Designing your St John and St Thomas day: beaches, harbors, and a captain who adapts

This is not a fixed route tour. It is a private charter where the captain lays out an itinerary that can include St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays. That matters because the best place to be depends on wind, sea conditions, and the mood of your group.

From what you can expect on the water, your captain may build in:

• harbors and viewpoints for that big-picture U.S. Virgin Islands feel
• time to relax at beaches, including quieter spots
• snorkeling opportunities when conditions are right
• optional stops for people who want beach-bar energy, like Maho Crossroads or Dinghy’s Beach Bar

One review highlight that is useful for you: captains Bryan and Aron are described as giving lots of information about islands and great snorkel spots, and they adjust to different snorkeling comfort levels. Translation: if you have one strong swimmer and one person who needs a slower pace, you are more likely to have a good day than on a one-size-fits-all excursion.

You might also have a day that includes Lovango for lunch. That is not just about food. It is a practical way to break up the day with a real resting point, rather than spending all your time in transit.

Snorkeling gear, sea turtles, and how to handle mixed comfort levels

One of the biggest reasons to book a private boat charter like this is that snorkeling can become a group activity instead of a scramble. MV Aquarius includes snorkeling equipment onboard, so you are not stuck renting gear at the last minute or sharing limited equipment.

The day works especially well if your group has mixed snorkeling experience. One of the standout things you will want to look for in a captain is the ability to match pace. Based on the experiences shared, captains like Bryan were accommodating to different skill levels, and the day can include sightings like sea turtles. Even if you are not a confident swimmer, a good captain can help you find a spot where you can stay comfortable and still see marine life.

Practical tip: bring your own reef-safe sunscreen and consider a lightweight rash guard if you burn easily. You can use the boat’s setup to snorkel, but you still need to protect your skin while you are waiting for the boat to settle at the right spot.

Also, think about how you want the day to feel. If you want more snorkeling, ask the captain to prioritize those stops. If your group is more beach-and-tan focused, keep snorkeling time shorter and use the bow seating for turtle watching and downtime.

Onboard comfort: bow seating, Bluetooth tunes, and included drinks

The experience is not only about where you go—it is also about how you spend the time between stops. Aquarius has a Fusion sound system with Bluetooth, so you can play your own playlist. That sounds small until you realize how much of the day is travel and waiting for sea conditions.

Then there is the bow seating. This is one of those “simple but smart” setups that makes the boat feel more social and less like a ride. You can talk, sunbathe, and scan the water for turtles without needing everyone to crowd in one spot.

Drink-wise, this charter is generous in a straightforward way. Beer is included, along with soda/pop and bottled water. You can keep things easy without coordinating a bar run. It also helps keep the day feeling like a real outing rather than a just-get-me-there trip.

What is not included is fuel and tipping. That means you should mentally separate two parts of the cost: the trip price for the boat and crew, and the variable part that depends on how much fuel the boat burns that day.

Price and value: $1,395 per group for up to 12

The headline price is $1,395.00 per group, with a maximum group size of up to 12 guests. It is not priced per person, and that is where the value calculation really changes.

Here is the simple math way to think about it:

• If you fill the boat with 12 people, you are roughly around $116 per person for the charter time (before fuel and tip).
• If you have 6 people, the charter cost doubles to roughly $233 per person (again, before fuel and tip).

That is why this tour often makes the most sense for small groups who want privacy, or groups where you can actually reach the upper end of the capacity. If you are traveling as a couple and want this level of personalization, it can still be worth it—just expect you are paying for your own schedule.

Also, the boat is a 31′ Wellcraft with twin 300hp Yamaha engines. You are not booking a tiny skiff. You are paying for powerboat comfort and the ability to bounce between islands and harbors with less waiting.

A useful budgeting note: the fuel surcharge is billed at $8 per gallon, with an average of 30–45 gallons for a full day. That can add up, so I recommend you treat fuel as a likely extra line item, not a surprise.

The not-so-fun add-ons: fuel surcharge and captain gratuity

Two extra costs are worth planning for so you do not get stuck thinking about money while you are out enjoying the day.

1) Fuel surcharge: $8 per gallon. For a full day, expect about 30–45 gallons on average.

2) Gratuity for captain: not included.

If you tend to tip based on the level of service, you will already be thinking along those lines. Since the itinerary is personalized, it is especially important to reward good guiding. If your captain helps everyone snorkel comfortably and keeps the day moving at a good pace, that is the kind of service that earns a tip.

Also note: if you are hoping to visit the BVI, this exact activity does not include it. The itinerary is for St Thomas, St John, and surrounding areas, while BVI is handled as a separate booking option.

Timing, weather, and why your day can change gently

This is a charter that depends on conditions. The experience requires good weather, and if the trip is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

That is how it should be for boat days. When seas are rough, the best itinerary in the world stops mattering. Your captain will focus on what is safe and workable, and your schedule may flex a bit to match sea conditions and visibility for snorkeling.

Because the charter is private and your captain controls the plan, you will likely feel that flexibility as a series of smart adjustments rather than a dramatic re-route. In practice, that is a big part of why people like private charters: you get responsive decision-making instead of forcing a fixed plan.

Who should book this MV Aquarius charter?

This is an excellent fit if you want:

• a private day with your group, not a shared boat with random strangers
• a mix of cruising, beach time, and snorkeling equipment all handled onboard
• flexibility in where you go between St. Thomas and St. John
• an easy day plan where the captain adapts to your group’s comfort level in the water

It is also well suited for groups up to 12 who can split the charter cost in a way that feels fair. Reviews highlight that it is a great fit for groups of 6 or less too, especially if your main goal is a personalized experience and good snorkeling.

Practical considerations:

• Service animals are allowed.
• Most travelers can participate, since it is a boat day focused on outdoor time rather than technical activities.
• Masks are not required because it is primarily outdoors, but you can wear one if you want.

And there is a health and sanitation angle you should know about. The provider states that captains and crew are tested monthly and they wear Covid Free bracelets. Vessels are sanitized after each trip using CDC and WHO guidelines. If you care about that kind of detail, it is worth factoring in.

Should you book? My take on the decision

Book this private MV Aquarius charter if your dream day looks like: your own boat, a captain who can shape the route, snorkeling gear without extra stops, and a real chance at sea turtle sightings.

Skip or rethink it if:

• you are aiming to visit the British Virgin Islands specifically, since this activity does not include it
• you are budget-sensitive and do not want to consider the fuel surcharge and captain gratuity as part of the total cost
• you prefer fully fixed itineraries with no adaptation based on sea conditions

For most groups who want a memorable U.S. Virgin Islands day with less logistics and more water time, this is a strong value play—especially when you can fill most of the 12-person capacity.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the duration of the private powerboat day?

It runs about 7 hours.

Is the price per person or per group?

It is priced per private group, up to 12 guests.

Where do we meet the boat, and what time does it start?

The start is at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, with a start time of 9:00 am.

Are pickup locations available besides Red Hook?

Yes, with advance notice you can arrange pickup at Cruz Bay on St. John, or at WICO/Havensight or Lovango on St. Thomas.

What is included on board?

Included items are beer, bottled water, soda/pop, and use of snorkeling equipment.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. There is a fuel surcharge billed at $8 per gallon (average 30–45 gallons for a full day).

Can this tour visit the BVI?

Not with this activity. BVI visiting is not available on this charter option.

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