St Thomas: Private Catamaran Sailing & St John Snorkel

Sail to St John's Least Crowded Beaches on a Private Catamaran

You sail on a private catamaran to St John National Park, snorkel at uncrowded reefs, and eat charcuterie while anchored offshore. The boat holds 4 to 12 people, so your group stays together. Snorkel gear, drinks, and snacks are included. You choose how much time to spend sailing versus on the beach, and you're back by mid-afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private sailing and snorkeling trip

• Board dinghy to catamaran
• Receive safety instructions and snacks
• Sail to St John National Park
• Snorkel and swim at beaches
• Enjoy gourmet snacks and drinks
• Sail back to pier

The experience

You've just landed in St Thomas, and the afternoon is yours. The catamaran is moored at the pier, and within an hour you're climbing aboard a spacious sailboat with your group: maybe four people, maybe twelve. Captain Ryan and Mumfy have been sailing these waters for over seventeen years, and it shows in how they move, how they read the wind, how they know exactly which St John beaches stay empty while the cruise ships anchor elsewhere. The boat cuts through the water under real sail, not an engine, and the Caribbean spreads out in every direction.

You stop first at one of the National Park's best snorkeling sites: the kind of reef where you can see parrotfish working the coral and sergeant majors darting in schools. The water is clear enough that you don't have to wonder what's below. You just see it. Snorkel gear is included, and there's time to swim, to float, to sit on the beach if you want. No rushing. After that, the boat anchors and a charcuterie board comes out (real food, not the sad sandwich kind), along with sodas, water, and whatever alcohol you've brought or they have on hand. The speakers play music you choose or theirs, and the afternoon stretches out. If your group wants more sailing, you sail. If you want to stay on the beach longer, you stay. That's the private part: you're not on a schedule that belongs to thirty other people.

Getting on and off means climbing a short ladder from the dinghy to the boat. Nothing technical, but you need to be comfortable with it and have at least moderate fitness. Kids can come, even infants in a carrier. The trip is half a day, so you're back on St Thomas with evening still ahead of you. The reviews say people book again the next time they're in the islands, which tells you something about how the day actually goes.

What’s included

Your half-day includes snorkel equipment, a charcuterie board, sodas and bottled water, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and dinghy transport to and from the pier. The catamaran is private to your group of 4 to 12 people, and you can adjust time between sailing and beach stops to suit your group.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sail with Liberty

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel St John's best reefs without the cruise-ship crowds and without arranging your own boat: the private catamaran and experienced captains handle the navigation and timing, leaving you free to swim, eat, and sail at your own pace.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

132 verified traveler reviews

5 ★131

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included?

Snorkel equipment, charcuterie board, sodas, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and snacks. Dinghy transport to and from the pier is included.

How many people can go?

Groups of 4 to 12 people. It's a private charter, so you're not mixed with strangers.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. The captains provide snorkel gear and know beginner-friendly reefs. Safety instructions are given before you enter the water.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Infants can ride in a carrier or pram, and specialized infant seats are available. Children need to be comfortable with the ladder climb to board.

What if I'm not a strong swimmer?

You can stay on the boat or in shallow water near the beach. The captains know the sites well and can position stops where you're comfortable.

Can I bring my own music?

Yes. The boat has Bluetooth speakers, so you can play your own playlist or use theirs.

Is this recommended for people with health concerns?

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. The ladder climb and boat motion require at least moderate fitness.