Big Group? One Big Boat or Two smaller ones?

The Best Charter Options for Groups of 13–22 Guests

Planning a boat day in the Virgin Islands with a big group? Whether it’s a family reunion, wedding party, birthday, bachelor or bachelorette trip, corporate outing, or a big group of friends, Stormy Pirates has options.

And when your group gets bigger than 12 guests, you have an important decision to make:

Do you put everyone on one big boat—or charter two boats and travel together?

At Stormy Pirates Charters, we can do both!

Our 55′ power catamaran, Gorda Pirate, can accommodate larger groups all together on one vessel. But if your group has between 13 and 22 guests, a tandem charter can often make more financial sense—and it comes with some pretty great perks.

Option 1: Everyone Together on Gorda Pirate

If your priority is having absolutely everyone on the same boat, Gorda Pirate is the answer.

Our 55′ power catamaran was designed for larger groups and gives everyone the opportunity to cruise the Virgin Islands together on one vessel.

This is a great option for groups who don’t want to split up at all, especially larger wedding parties, corporate groups, family reunions, and other special events.

There’s something pretty amazing about having your entire crew together on one big boat as you cruise through the USVI or head over to the BVI.

But depending on the size of your group, bigger isn’t always the most economical option.

Option 2: A Tandem Charter for 13–22 Guests

For groups of 13 to 22 guests, we often recommend looking at a tandem charter.

A tandem charter means your group privately charters two Stormy Pirates boats that travel together throughout the day.

You get two boats, two captains and crews, and one shared itinerary.

Most importantly, for groups in the 13–22 guest range, chartering two of our smaller private boats can make more financial sense than chartering Gorda Pirate.

That means you can have the private charter experience, plenty of room to spread out, and still enjoy the day as one large group.

Two Boats Doesn’t Mean Two Separate Trips

This is probably the biggest misconception about tandem charters.

Your group isn’t going in two different directions.

Our captains coordinate the itinerary so both boats travel together, stop at the same destinations, snorkel together, meet for lunch together, and spend the day as one big group.

Think of it as:

Two boats. One charter. One adventure.

And once everyone experiences it, having two boats can actually become one of the most fun parts of the day.

Spread Out While You’re Cruising—Then Meet Up at Every Stop

With a tandem charter, your group has extra space while you’re underway.

You might put one family on each boat, divide up the adults and kids, split up the guys and girls, or simply spread everyone evenly between the two vessels.

And you’re not stuck with those groups all day.

At lunch or one of your stops, switch boats!

Spend the morning cruising with one group and the afternoon with another. By the end of the day, everyone has had a chance to hang out together.

It can make a large-group charter feel much more social and interactive.

Twice the Boats Makes for Some Incredible Photos

There’s another bonus we can’t overlook.

Tandem charters look pretty awesome cruising through the Virgin Islands.

One boat can cruise alongside the other, giving your group opportunities for amazing photos and videos that simply aren’t possible when everyone is on the same vessel.

Picture your friends cruising beside you with St. John in the background—or two Stormy Pirates boats heading across that gorgeous turquoise Caribbean water toward the BVI.

Those are vacation photos worth keeping.

Choose the Right Adventure for Your Group

Whether you’re aboard Gorda Pirate or doing a tandem charter, your private trip can be customized around your group’s interests.

Want a BVI adventure?

Head to destinations like Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Cooper Island, Saba Rock, or Bitter End Yacht Club.

Prefer to stay in the USVI?

Spend your day exploring St. John, Christmas Cove, Lovango Cay, Lime Out, Pizza Pi, beautiful snorkeling spots, beaches, and some of our crews’ favorite island stops.

The itinerary is built around your group, the conditions, and what kind of day you want to have.

Which Option Is Right for Your Group?

Here’s the easy way to think about it:

Want everyone together on one boat?
Choose Gorda Pirate.

Have 13–22 guests and want to maximize value?
Ask us about a tandem charter.

Have a really large group?
That’s exactly why we have Gorda Pirate that can accommodate up to 45 guests.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why our team can help you compare the options and determine which combination of boats makes the most sense for your group, itinerary, and budget.

Why Stormy Pirates for Your Large Group?

Coordinating a large group on the water takes more than simply finding enough seats.

It takes experienced captains, reliable vessels, great communication, and a team that knows the USVI and BVI.

Stormy Pirates is family owned and operated, with experienced crews who have been exploring these waters for years. Because we operate a diverse fleet, we don’t have to force every large group into the same charter option.

We can help you choose what actually works best for your group.

Sometimes that’s one big boat.

Sometimes it’s two boats traveling together.

Either way, you’re getting the same Stormy Pirates service, experience, and island adventure.

Have 13–22 Guests? Ask Us to Compare Your Options

If you’re traveling with a large group, don’t automatically assume you need to book the biggest boat.

Give Stormy Pirates your group size, preferred date, and where you’d like to go, and we’ll help you compare your options.

For groups of 13–22 guests, a tandem charter may be the more economical choice, while Gorda Pirate gives you the option of keeping everyone together aboard one vessel.

Either way, your group doesn’t have to miss out on an incredible private day exploring the Virgin Islands.

One big boat or two Stormy Pirates boats—your entire crew gets one unforgettable adventure. 🏴‍☠️🌊