Snorkeling in St Thomas: Private Boat Charter

The boat stays dry and stable even when the water doesn't.

A private boat charter in St Thomas lets you snorkel, swim and explore at your own pace on a Cape Horn 31 XS with a local captain. You choose the half-day or full-day option, set the stops and itinerary, and the boat carries snorkel gear, a large cooler with ice, fresh water rinse, floats and shade. Maximum 12 people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private custom boat tour

• Board private boat
• Enjoy sightseeing and boating
• Swim and snorkel
• Visit beaches and bars
• Dine and shop
• Experience water sports and hiking
• Return to pickup location

The experience

You arrive in St Thomas with a free afternoon or a full day, and instead of joining a group boat, you rent one. Local Legend Charters is a third-generation family operation that builds the itinerary around what you want to do: snorkel a specific reef, beach-hop, stop at a bar, hike, or mix it all. The boat is a Cape Horn 31 XS (an award-winning model known for a smooth, dry ride even in choppy water) powered by twin 250/300 horsepower Yamaha engines. It seats up to 12 and carries everything you need: snorkel gear, noodles, a large cooler with ice, fresh water to rinse off salt, a swim ladder, cushioned seating with shade, and a 13-speaker stereo system with Bluetooth so you can play your own music.

The captain is a local who knows the reefs, the best anchorages and which beaches are worth the stop. Pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport to the dock. You choose between a half-day and a full-day charter. The operator can suggest a route or you can plan one yourself. The boat has USB and 12-volt charging, so phones and cameras stay powered. All US Coast Guard safety gear is on board (life jackets, flares, first aid, VHF radio), and the boat is wheelchair accessible if anyone in your group needs it.

Cruise ship passengers can book this, but you'll need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at checkout so the captain times the return. Fuel surcharge and gratuities are not included in the price.

What’s included

• Snorkel gear.
• large marine cooler with ice.
• bottled water.
• floats and noodles.
• fresh water rinse station.
• swim ladder.
• cushioned seating with extendable shade.
• 13-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and USB charging.
• all US Coast Guard safety equipment.
• local captain and pickup included.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-day tour of the US Virgin IslandsGuide in English · 08:30 and 13:00Lasts 4 hours; pickup is included

Full-day tour of the US Virgin IslandsGuide in English · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Lasts 7 hours; pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Legend Charters

Is this one for you?Book the half-day if you're fitting snorkeling into a cruise port stop or a busy afternoon. The full-day works when you want to explore multiple reefs and beaches without rushing back. Either way, a private charter means you set the pace and the stops instead of following a group schedule.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel at multiple reefs in one charter?

Yes. The itinerary is yours to set. The captain knows the reefs around St Thomas and can suggest stops based on conditions and how much time you want at each one, whether that's a half-day or full-day charter.

Is there shade on the boat?

Yes. The boat has extendable shade and cushioned seating, so you can stay out of direct sun between swims and snorkeling.

What happens if I'm on a cruise ship and the boat runs late?

That's why you provide your re-boarding time at booking. The captain times the return to get you back to the ship on schedule. If conditions or your chosen itinerary risk a delay, the operator will flag it when you book.