Sea turtles and a whole lot of floating comfort. This full-day private charter on the luxury catamaran Second Chance is all about choosing where you sail and when you get in the water, with smooth sailing plus plenty of relax time onboard.

I especially like the way you pick your locations, often lining up 2–3 snorkeling stops such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove. And I like the onboard setup: hammocks and bean bags up on the trampoline area, plus paddle boards ready when you want a change of pace.

One thing to keep in mind is that the trip depends on good weather, and you’ll also want to plan for gratuities since they’re not included.

Quick Hits You’ll Care About

• You choose the snorkel stops. The day is private, so your group isn’t stuck with one set route.
• 2–3 snorkeling sessions. Common options include Maho (St. John), Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.
• Onboard comfort is real. You can use hammock chairs off the back and sit on bean bags on the trampolines.
• Water toys are included. Snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and hammock swings are part of the package.
• Food and drinks run all day. Lunch, soda, water, rum punch/painkiller, and a light beer pack are included.
• The crew sets the tone. Ivy, TL, and Captain Justin are repeatedly praised for making the day feel relaxed and personal.

Second Chance: What a 7.5-Hour Private Sail Feels Like

A full USVI day on the water can easily feel rushed, loud, and crowded. This one is built to feel different. You’re on a private luxury catamaran charter out of St Thomas (Red Hook), starting at 8:30 am and running about 7 hours 30 minutes, then ending back at the same meeting point.

The biggest reason this works is control. You’re not just buying a seat. You’re choosing the day’s rhythm—when you snorkel, which areas you visit, and how much time you spend simply watching the islands slide by. That matters on an island vacation, because the trade-off in USVI is usually either convenience or comfort. Here you get both.

On top of that, you get a sailing experience that’s smoother than a motor ride, plus a boat layout that encourages hanging out. There are the hammock chairs that hang off the back (from Beach Charters VI), hammock swings, and that “sit up top” trampoline area with bean bags for sun time. If your group includes both active people and people who just want to relax, this setup makes it easier to keep everyone happy.

Lastly, the crew leadership shows up in the reviews. Ivy and TL are often mentioned for hosting, with Captain Justin stepping in as the steady hand behind the smooth ride. For you, that translates to a day that’s guided without feeling scripted.

Picking Your Snorkel Stops Around St Thomas and St John

In a typical day trip, you’ll have 2–3 snorkeling stops. The charter commonly uses options like Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, but the key point is that it’s private—so your crew helps match the route to what your group wants.

Here’s how to think about those stops. Snorkeling days usually fall into one of two modes: either you spend the whole time chasing the next location, or you slow down and let the water time land. With 2–3 stops, you’re getting enough variety to feel like you truly explored, without turning the day into a checklist. It’s also a good pace if you have a mixed group—say, people who love being in the water and people who prefer short swims and then back to the boat.

What makes this flexibility especially valuable is that you can adjust your own priorities. If you want calmer time with gear on and off, you can lean into the snorkeling blocks and then spend the rest of the ride soaking up the sun. If you’re more focused on views, you can treat the water as a highlight instead of the main event.

Possible drawback: snorkeling depends on conditions. The experience is listed as requiring good weather, and if conditions aren’t right, the day may be changed or refunded. That doesn’t mean the day is fragile—it means you should plan with a little flexibility built in, especially if this is your only day in port.

Inside the Boat: Hammocks, Bean Bags, Paddle Boards, and Sea Time

This charter doesn’t just include snorkeling equipment. It’s designed as an all-day hang. That sounds small, but it makes a difference when you’re on a boat for most of the day.

When you want comfort, you’ve got multiple choices. You can sit in the original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs that hang off the back, or switch to the onboard hammock swings when you’re in the mood to sway and relax. Then there’s the top-of-trampoline seating with bean bags if you want sun while still feeling connected to the action behind the scenes.

When you want to move, paddle boards are included. You can take a ride off the catamaran when you feel like it, and it gives everyone a chance to participate without needing advanced water skills. It’s also a great “between moments” option. After a snorkeling stop, some people want to cool down without going fully to stillness—paddle boards fill that gap.

If you’re bringing kids or teens, the onboard layout matters. One group highlighted that children enjoyed the day so much it became a vacation highlight. That kind of feedback usually comes from having activities beyond just swimming.

One practical note: because it’s a private charter, your group sets the pace. That’s fantastic if everyone wants the same vibe. If your group includes people with very different energy levels, you’ll still manage, but you might find yourselves splitting time between boat lounging and water play.

Lunch That Actually Feeds a Boat Day, Plus Alcohol Options

Boat food can be a joke. Not here. Lunch is included, and the setup is built for a day with no kitchen and no quick stops.

You start with a morning fruit and pastry tray, then lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese and veggie wrap, plus chips. Soda and water are available throughout the day, which matters because hydration on a sail day isn’t optional.

Then there’s the drinks part. Alcohol is included too: the charter provides one gallon of rum punch or painkiller, guest choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer. The big detail for you is the rules: you must be 18 to consume alcohol.

What you should budget for: gratuities are not included. That’s the one “extra” people forget when they see an all-inclusive day package. If you’re trying to decide whether this is good value, treat it like a premium day service: much is included, and the remaining cost is usually about tipping for the service level.

The Cruise Between Stops: Views, Sun, and a Smooth Ride

The sailing time is part of the experience, not wasted time. Even if you don’t snorkel as much as someone else in your group, you still get a full day of water views, island silhouettes, and long stretches to sit back.

The catamaran ride is known for feeling stable. That’s important because it makes the onboard hang easier—especially for people who get seasick on faster boats. A smoother ride can also help when you’re transitioning between snorkeling and relaxing, because you’re not fighting the motion just to enjoy the day.

Also, the itinerary pace (7.5 hours) is long enough to feel like you did something memorable, but not so long that it becomes exhausting. In a day trip, there’s a sweet spot where you get sun time, water time, and food time, all without your day being reduced to check-in and check-out.

On a practical level, you’re also taken care of in the small ways. The boat is described as clean and ready at departure in at least one group experience, and the communication is praised as strong. That matters because on a vacation day, logistics stress is the enemy.

Getting There: Red Hook Meeting Point and Timing That Helps

You meet at Beach Charters VI Dock B, Slip 19, at 6501, St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Rd, VI, St Thomas 00802, USVI. The start time is 8:30 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Two practical advantages from the info you have: it’s near public transportation, and you start early enough to get real water time. Early departures also tend to reduce the “late-day scramble” feeling. Your day is structured, and you’re back in Red Hook when it’s done.

Parking is a common question for Red Hook, and there’s a helpful detail in the provided experiences: all-day parking is available at the marina if you book with them, with an additional fee of $30. If you’re driving, that’s a big stress reducer because you can plan around one place instead of hunting.

If you’re coming from another area on the island, build a little buffer for getting everyone together. The day starts at 8:30 am, and since it’s a private charter, you don’t want any late scramble.

Who This Private Charter Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This charter fits best if you want a premium, no-crowd feel and you like having choices. Since it’s private, it works for friend groups, families, and celebrations—one group booked for a birthday and described the day as like being welcomed into someone’s home.

It’s also a great option if you care about both activities and relaxation. You can snorkel 2–3 times, paddle board, and also spend time in the hammock chairs and on the trampolines without feeling like you’re missing out.

If your group is mostly adults who want a more active day, you’ll still enjoy the sailing and water gear. But if your group expects a lot of guided history or walking tours, this isn’t that. This is a boat day—focused on sea time, snorkeling stops, and comfort onboard.

Possible mismatch: if you’re traveling on a schedule where weather-related changes would be a big problem, understand that the trip requires good weather. If conditions lead to cancellation, you’ll either be offered a different date or a full refund.

Price and Value: Is $250 Per Person Worth It?

At $250 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. But it also isn’t just “a boat ride.” You’re paying for a private luxury setup plus the things that normally add up fast on USVI trips.

Here’s the value math that’s actually relevant to your wallet:

• Snorkeling gear is included, so you’re not paying for rentals or waiting around.
• Paddle boards and hammock swings are included, which adds a second activity layer without extra fees.
• Lunch and drinks are included, including fruit and pastries, a turkey/cheese veggie wrap lunch with chips, and soda/water all day.
• Rum punch or painkiller and light beer are included, which is a big line item on many charters.

Then remember the remaining cost: gratuities. So yes, you’ll still tip. But you won’t be hit with constant surprise add-ons during the day.

One more value point: private flexibility. When you can choose the route and snorkeling timing, you’re not forced into a one-size-fits-all experience. In practice, that tends to make the day feel more personal, especially for groups celebrating something or for families trying to keep everyone engaged.

Should You Book This Charter on Second Chance?

If you want a USVI day that feels like your own, not a crowded tour, this is an easy yes. You get a luxury catamaran, a smooth sailing day, included water gear and paddle boards, and time to relax in hammocks and bean bags. The “2–3 snorkeling stops” plan gives you real variety without turning the day into constant transitions.

I’d especially recommend it if your group includes different comfort levels—some people want sea time and snorkeling, others want views and lounging—and you don’t want to compromise.

Skip it only if you have no flexibility for weather and you can’t handle the possibility of a date change. Also, if your group wants a low-cost day, this charter is priced as a premium experience.

FAQ

How long is the private charter on Second Chance?

The charter runs about 7 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start, and where does it meet?

It starts at 8:30 am and meets at Beach Charters VI Dock B, Slip 19, 6501 Red Hook Rd, St. Thomas, VI 00802. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private tour for only our group?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

How many snorkeling stops should we expect, and can we choose them?

You can expect 2–3 snorkeling stops during the day. You can choose your locations, and common examples include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove.

What’s included in the price besides the boat ride?

Lunch is included, along with snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, ice, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages (rum punch or painkiller by guest choice and a 12-pack of light beer). Gratuities are the only thing not included.

Are there age rules for alcohol?

Yes. You must be 18 to consume alcohol.

What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.