St. John & St. Thomas: Private Boat Charter, Snorkel & Floating Bars

Summary

Island-hopping by boat with sea turtles pizza stops and hidden coves

You’ll hop between St. John and St. Thomas on your own private boat charter with an experienced captain—snorkeling with sea turtles at Maho Bay, grabbing pizza from a floating pizzeria at Christmas Cove, and relaxing on quiet beaches only reachable by water. Expect salty hair, spontaneous laughter, and those rare moments when everything slows down.

What’s the experience like?

We left Cruz Bay a little later than planned because I forgot my sunglasses—our captain, Mark, just grinned and said the water’s bright enough to wake anyone up anyway. The first thing that hit me was the salt air, sharp and clean, then the engine’s low hum as we cut across to Maho Bay. I’d heard you could see sea turtles here but didn’t really believe it until one popped up right in front of us, all slow and ancient-looking. We slid into the water (mask slightly foggy, of course) and there they were—just gliding around like we weren’t even there.

Mark seemed to know everyone out on the water—he waved at another boat and yelled something about Pizza Pi being open early today. The idea of a floating pizzeria made me laugh; I still think about that slice, warm and cheesy with a bit of basil, eaten on the deck while my hair dripped saltwater everywhere. At Waterlemon Cay, the coral felt almost soft under my fins (don’t touch it though—Mark gave me “the look” when I got too close). There was this moment where everything went quiet except for our own breathing through snorkels and some distant music drifting over from another boat.

I didn’t expect how different each cove would feel—Scott Beach was so calm you could hear pelicans splash down for fish, while Trunk Bay had this almost turquoise glow in the late morning sun. If you’ve got more time for a full-day charter, Mark will take you further out to Lime Out in Coral Bay—a floating taco bar where someone handed me a cold drink before I’d even found a seat. Honestly, I lost track of time somewhere between snorkeling at Fish Cay and just lying back watching clouds drift over St. Thomas in the distance. It’s not fancy or anything—just feels like you’re borrowing someone else’s perfect day for a while.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private boat charter around St. John

• Depart on private power catamaran
• Explore Virgin Islands National Park waters
• Snorkel at Waterlemon Cay
• Snorkel with sea turtles at Maho Bay
• Visit beach near Caneel Bay Resort
• Snorkel around Fish Cay and see sunken sailboat
• Enjoy pizza at floating pizzeria Pizza Pi

Top questions

Is pickup included for this private boat charter?

The tour includes private transportation with pickup from St. John or St. Thomas ports.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No, snorkelling equipment is provided as part of your charter.

Can infants join this boat tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during the trip.

Are food or drinks included?

Water and ice are included; food is available for purchase at floating bars like Pizza Pi or Lime Out.

How customizable is the itinerary?

The itinerary is fully customizable based on your group’s preferences and timing.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The operator strives to accommodate all groups; contact them directly for specific accessibility questions.

What are some main stops during the trip?

Main stops often include Maho Bay (for sea turtles), Waterlemon Cay (snorkeling), Scott Beach, Trunk Bay, Honeymoon Beach, Christmas Cove (Pizza Pi), and sometimes Lime Out in Coral Bay.

How long does the private boat charter last?

You can choose between half-day or full-day options; travel time is included in total duration.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation aboard a power catamaran from either St. John or St. Thomas, use of snorkeling equipment for exploring bays like Maho or Waterlemon Cay, plenty of cold water and ice in the cooler, plus an experienced local captain who knows every cove—and yes, there’s always time for a stop at one of those famous floating bars before heading back.