Book your private charter as soon as your flights and lodging are fixed, and for Christmas week and the weeks after, don’t wait. Peak season at Poseidon runs from Christmas through mid-February. A private charter reserves a whole vessel for its time window, and our fleet is four vessels. If you’re reading this in October or November, you’re inside the right window for Christmas dates.
The reason is arithmetic, not pressure. When a boat is reserved for your group, nobody else can book it for that window. The fewer boats that fit your group, the sooner those dates matter.
Your group size decides how early
| Your group | Vessels that fit | What it means for timing |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 guests | Calypso, Iris, Salacia, VENUS | Four boats to choose from. Book once dates are set. |
| 13–22 guests | Salacia, VENUS | Two boats. Book as early as you can. |
| 23–25 guests | VENUS only | One boat. Book first, then plan the rest of the trip around it. |
Guest limits: Calypso and Iris up to 12 each, Salacia up to 22, VENUS up to 25 (guests, not crew).
VENUS, our 51-foot power catamaran, is open for reservations now through Book Now. If your group is large, you can reserve her today.
What peak season looks like on the island
Visit TCI, the islands’ tourism guide, calls December to April the high season. Accommodation and some activity rates are often at least 30% to 50% higher than the rest of the year, and availability tends to be limited, so it recommends booking accommodation and tours and excursions well in advance. December is the busiest month of the year, and December and January are when rates peak.
Winter also changes the water. Visit TCI notes that in the winter months, wind speeds and ocean swells run a bit higher and the sea is generally choppier than in spring, summer and autumn. That is a reason to hold a second date in reserve. It is not a reason to avoid winter, which is also when the weather is at its most settled.
A booking timeline that works
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Flights and lodging confirmed | Pick your preferred day and a backup day, and check availability. |
| 8–10 weeks before you arrive | This is the window to settle the boat and trip length. For a Dec 20 arrival, that is roughly mid-October. |
| At booking | Share your adult and child headcount, any occasion, and any add-ons (SEABOB, Jet Ski, charcuterie boards). |
| Day before | Check the forecast and confirm timing with the crew. |
Pick a day, and a back-up day
Holiday weeks fill with people who all have the same few days free. If you can take a weekday, or a day just before or after Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, you have more boats and more times to choose from. If your dates can’t move, book earlier.
Trip length is the other choice:
- Half Day, 4 hours: a morning or afternoon on the water.
- Full Day, 8 hours: time for the farther cays and a long lunch.
- Sunset, 2.5 hours: timed around sunset, which in winter falls between about 5:05 and 5:55 p.m., and about 5:11 p.m. around December 20. See the sunset table
What to settle when you book
- Date and trip length (and a backup date).
- Vessel, based on your group size above.
- Headcount. The base rate covers up to six guests, and children under 10 count toward those six. Beyond six, additional adults are added per person and children under 10 are $100 each.
- Boarding. Guests board at Turtle Cove Marina. We don’t offer beach or villa pickups, because larger yachts can’t pull onto beaches the way smaller boats can.
- Add-ons. SEABOB at $350 each per charter and Jet Ski at $350 each per hour.
- Occasion. If it’s a birthday, anniversary or proposal, say so when you book.
What it costs
2026–27 season rates, effective November 1, 2026, exclude the 12% government tax. Each rate covers up to 6 guests.
| Vessel | Half Day (4 hrs) | Full Day (8 hrs) | Sunset (2.5 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calypso or Iris | $3,500 | $6,500 | $2,800 |
| Salacia | $4,500 | $8,500 | $3,800 |
| VENUS | $5,500 | $9,800 | $4,800 |
Four examples, before the 12% tax and with it:
| Group and boat | Before tax | With 12% tax |
|---|---|---|
| 6 guests, Calypso or Iris, Half Day | $3,500 | $3,920 |
| 10 guests, Salacia, Full Day | $9,900 | $11,088 |
| 14 guests, Salacia, Half Day | $6,500 | $7,280 |
| 25 guests, VENUS, Half Day | $10,250 | $11,480 |
Rate math: base rate covers up to 6 guests, then each additional adult is added (Salacia and VENUS Half Day $250, Salacia Full Day $350). Children under 10 count toward the six included in the base rate; beyond six, they are $100 each.
Three mistakes to avoid
- Booking the charter last. Flights and lodging come first for most travelers, and the boat gets whatever dates are left. For a large group that fits only one or two boats, hold the boat first and plan the rest around it.
- Forgetting to count the children. Children under 10 count toward the six guests in the base rate. Tell us the full headcount when you book.
- Holding only one date. Winter seas can be choppier on a given day, so hold a second date if your schedule allows.
If you need to cancel
- 72 hours or more before the charter: full refund
- Between 24 and 72 hours before: 50% refund
- 24 hours or less before: no refund
If weather prevents a charter from operating, we first offer to reschedule, subject to availability. If rescheduling isn’t possible, we offer a refund.
Quick answers
Can I book VENUS? Yes. VENUS is open for reservations now through Book Now.
Does the price cover meals? Yes. Full meals served onboard and premium drinks are included. Taxes are extra.
When you have your dates and your headcount, check availability and book your charter. If you’re still choosing, start with the nine questions to ask before you book.