Midnight Sun Charters – 37ft OBSIDIAN

The best part of Midnight Sun Charters’ 37-foot Obsidian is control. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule, so your captain can shape the day around The Baths, snorkeling, lunch, or a cold drink at Soggy Dollar Bar. That freedom matters in the British Virgin Islands, where travel time between islands can quickly eat up a short outing.

I like the private setting for up to six people, and I like the way captains such as Adam, Sam, Colin, and Justin have made the day flexible and personal. The main catch is cost: $2,000 per group before fuel and BVI customs fees, so the value is much better with six people than with two.

Key points to know before booking

• The 37-foot Obsidian is private: Only your party takes part, with room for up to six people.
• Your captain helps set the route: You can focus on beaches, snorkeling, lunch, or a mix of all three.
• The Baths is the headline stop: Plan about two hours to explore Virgin Gorda and swim at Devil’s Bay.
• The full stop list is longer than the tour: Eight listed stops add up to about 12 hours, while the charter lasts roughly five to eight hours, so you will need to choose.
• BVI entry costs extra: Fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees are not part of the $2,000 price.
• Cruise ship timing needs care: You must provide ship details when booking, and a late or missed ship does not qualify for a refund.

A private boat day from St. Thomas

Midnight Sun Charters gives you a private boat rather than a seat on a shared sightseeing cruise. The 37-foot Obsidian carries only your party, up to six people, with a captain and bottled water packed in ice.

That setup changes the feel of the day. You can spend longer at a favorite snorkeling site, skip a beach that does not appeal, or cut lunch short if the water is calling. You are not waiting for strangers to finish eating or trying to hear a guide over a full boat.

The listed duration is approximately five to eight hours. That is enough time for a few strong stops, but not every location on the proposed route. The eight stops together represent about 12 hours of planned stop time, before counting the boat rides between islands. Treat the list as a menu, not a promise to visit every place.

The captain is central to the experience. Adam has provided pool noodles and snorkeling gear on one outing and even dropped passengers near their cruise ship to help them make the most of their time. Sam has been praised for adjusting the day around what the group wanted to see and do. Colin connected well with a family that included teenagers, while Justin’s suggested route included Virgin Gorda, The Baths, Norman Island, and a stop at Pizza Pi on the way back.

Snorkeling equipment is not clearly listed among the standard inclusions, even though one captain provided it. If gear matters to you, ask Midnight Sun Charters what will be aboard on your date. Bottled water with ice and the captain are included.

Choosing between eight stops and one good route

You will get more from this charter if you decide what kind of day you want before boarding. A beach-heavy route might include Magens Bay and Sandy Cay. A snorkeling day could focus on Francis Bay, Norman Island, and The Indians. A sightseeing route might center on The Baths, followed by lunch and a drink stop.

You can also combine several styles, but time is limited. The route crosses between islands and national destinations, so every extra stop means less time in the water or at lunch. Tell your captain your top two priorities, then keep the rest flexible.

The listed places also span both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. That adds variety, but it brings border formalities and extra charges. BVI customs or entrance fees are not included, and fuel is also extra. Ask how those costs will be handled before you finalize your plans.

Magens Bay, a gentle opening at St. Thomas

Magens Bay Beach is listed as the first stop, with about an hour set aside. It is a useful choice if you want a classic St. Thomas beach before heading toward the BVI.

An hour gives you time to swim, stretch out, and enjoy the setting without allowing the beach to take over the day. Admission to Magens Bay is listed as free for this experience.

The drawback is simple: if The Baths or snorkeling is your main reason for booking, a full hour here may feel like time taken from your priority. Tell the captain if Magens Bay is a must-see or simply a pleasant option.

The Baths and Devil’s Bay on Virgin Gorda

The Baths is the most distinctive stop on the route. On Virgin Gorda, huge granite formations create rock passages and sheltered pools near Devil’s Bay. The planned two hours gives you a reasonable window to explore the formations and swim.

This is the stop to protect when building your schedule. It offers more than a quick photo pause, and rushing through it would undercut the point of making the trip to Virgin Gorda.

You should also understand the tradeoff. The Baths takes time, both at the site and on the boat ride to Virgin Gorda. If you choose it, you may need to drop Sandy Cay, Cooper Island, or one of the Norman Island stops. The captain can help balance the route, but the day cannot include every option at a relaxed pace.

Sandy Cay for a small-island pause

Sandy Cay is planned as a one-hour stop. This small BVI island suits a simple break: snorkel, swim, or lie in the sun.

I would choose Sandy Cay if you want a quieter island stop and do not need a long lunch. One hour is enough for a taste of the place, but not for a drawn-out beach day. It also competes directly with the more substantial time offered at The Baths and Norman Island.

Francis Bay for turtles and rays

Francis Bay is set aside for an hour of snorkeling. The site is noted for turtles and sea rays, giving it a clear purpose in the route.

This is a good choice for a group that wants to spend its time in the water rather than moving from beach to beach. An hour can work well for a focused snorkel, though conditions and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. If you have young swimmers or mixed interests in your group, you may want to pair this with a beach stop instead of stacking several snorkel sites.

Norman Island Caves and a two-hour lunch window

Norman Island Caves offers another strong snorkeling stop, with two hours planned. The site is linked with the Treasure Island story of Crusoe’s Treasure Island and also works as a lunch location.

That two-hour block is useful because it gives you room for both water time and a meal. You do not have to treat lunch as a rushed fuel stop. Ask your captain what lunch choices are available and how the timing works, since the supplied information identifies Norman Island as a good lunch spot but does not include a meal.

For many groups, this may be the most practical middle point of the day. You get a memorable setting, snorkeling, and time to eat without adding a separate restaurant stop. The limitation is that a long Norman Island visit makes it harder to fit The Baths, Cooper Island, and Jost Van Dyke into the same charter.

The Indians, a short snorkel near Norman Island

The Indians is another snorkeling location near Norman Island, with about an hour planned. It makes sense as an add-on if your group is already visiting Norman Island and wants more time in the water.

If you are less interested in snorkeling, this is an easy stop to cut. The route has several water-focused locations, and choosing all of them may leave little time for the beaches and lunch stops that make the BVI feel varied.

Cooper Island for lunch

Cooper Island is planned as a two-hour stop and is described as a strong lunch choice. This gives you a second food-focused option after Norman Island.

Pick Cooper Island if sitting down for a proper break matters to your group. It can also balance a morning filled with swimming and snorkeling. Since lunch is not included in the charter price, plan to pay separately for food and drinks.

The practical question is time. Cooper Island plus Norman Island plus The Baths is already a demanding schedule. If lunch is a priority, consider choosing Cooper Island and one major water stop rather than trying to collect every location.

Soggy Dollar Bar and the famous Painkiller

Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke is the route’s most playful finish. The stop allows about two hours for an island-hop and a Painkiller, the bar’s famous rum drink.

This is a fun choice for adults who want a social stop and a well-known BVI experience. It is less useful if your group is focused on quiet beaches, swimming, or snorkeling. The drink is not included, and anyone drinking should keep the return boat ride and the rest of the schedule in mind.

The stop also makes the route more ambitious. Jost Van Dyke is one more island crossing, so adding Soggy Dollar Bar may mean giving up The Baths or one of the snorkeling locations. Decide if the drink stop is a main goal or just a bonus.

What the captains add to the day

The captain can make or break a private charter, because your schedule depends on that person’s judgment and communication. Midnight Sun Charters uses several captains, and the names that come up in the supplied information include Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin.

Adam has been especially useful for cruise ship passengers, providing pool noodles and snorkel equipment on one trip and helping passengers get back near their ship. Sam has been flexible about the route and has explained the surrounding USVI sights during the day. Colin has worked well with families, including teenagers, while Justin has helped shape a route around Virgin Gorda, The Baths, Norman Island, and drinks at Pizza Pi.

Those details point to the right expectation. This is not a scripted lecture with every minute fixed. You should tell the captain what your group values, then listen when timing, weather, or sea conditions call for a change.

Price, group size, and the real value

The charter costs $2,000 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $333 per person before fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees. For six people who want a private boat, that can be fair value, especially compared with paying for several separate activities and transfers.

For two people, the calculation is much less favorable. You are paying the full boat rate, not a per-seat price. The strongest value comes when your group fills most or all of the six available places and genuinely wants a private route.

The price also buys flexibility, not just transport. You can build the day around your own priorities, avoid a shared group schedule, and ask the captain to adjust the plan. That is valuable for families, couples traveling with friends, or a group with mixed interests.

Remember the extras. Fuel is not included. BVI customs or entrance fees are not included. Lunch, bar drinks, and other purchases are also not listed as included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either, so you need to arrange your own way to the departure point.

Cruise ship passengers need a careful schedule

Cruise passengers can book the charter, but the timing needs honest planning. At booking, you must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time.

Do not treat this as a casual detail. The operator will not issue a refund if the tour is missed because your ship arrives late or you fail to return in time. One captain has helped maximize cruise passengers’ time by dropping them near their ship, but you should confirm the plan for your own sailing.

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. At booking, every participant must provide a passport name, number, expiry date, and country. That requirement applies to all people in the group, not only the person who pays.

Booking, weather, and cancellation

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is offered with mobile ticketing, which is convenient if you are moving between a hotel, cruise ship, and marina.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Most people can participate, and the departure area is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Who will enjoy the Obsidian most

I would recommend this charter to a group of six that wants a private day and can agree on its priorities. It is particularly well suited to people who want to mix swimming, snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and one memorable island stop instead of committing to a single activity.

Families can benefit from the flexible pace, especially if younger or teenage passengers need a change of activity. The private setting also helps when one person wants to snorkel and another wants to sunbathe.

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost boat trip, an all-inclusive price, or a guaranteed visit to every listed destination. The route needs choices, and the extra fuel and BVI fees raise the final cost.

Should you book Midnight Sun Charters?

Book it if you can fill the boat, want a captain-led private route, and have a clear top priority such as The Baths, snorkeling, or lunch on an island. The 37-foot Obsidian gives you a comfortable base for a full day on the water, and the captain can adjust the plan instead of forcing you through a fixed checklist.

Before paying, ask about the expected fuel charge, BVI customs fees, snorkeling equipment, departure point, and the most realistic route for your chosen duration. If six people share the cost and you value control, this is a strong St. Thomas boat charter. If you are traveling as a pair or want predictable pricing, compare it with a shared excursion first.

FAQ

How long does the Midnight Sun Charters experience last?

The charter lasts approximately five to eight hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat can accommodate one private group of up to six people.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private tour, a captain, and bottled water with ice.

Are fuel costs included?

No. Fuel is not included in the listed price.

Are BVI customs and entrance fees included?

No. BVI customs or entrance fees are additional.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. All participants need a current valid passport on the day of travel.

What passport details are needed when booking?

You must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.