Caribbean Blue Charters – Full Day Boat Charter – 35′ Marlin Power Boat

The best part of this charter is that you are not tied to a fixed route. Your captain can steer you toward St. John, Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, quiet beaches, or favorite snorkel sites, then adjust the day as your group’s interests become clear. I like the private boat and the freedom to build a day around swimming, snorkeling, beach time, or lunch at Lime Out.

I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, floats, music, and an iced cooler are provided, and hotel pickup is listed as included. The main catch is cost clarity. The $875 group price does not include the captain’s fee, fuel, or captain’s gratuity, so ask for the full expected total before you go.

Key points at a glance

• A private 35-foot Marlin powerboat: The boat is reserved for your group, with the listed capacity set at up to six people.
• A flexible St. Thomas and St. John route: You can request beaches, snorkel sites, secluded coves, Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, and other stops.
• Strong captain feedback: Nate is especially often named, with Kyle, Spence, Brendan, and Anthony also singled out for friendly service and smart routing.
• Sea turtles are a real possibility: Several outings included turtle sightings, along with barracuda, nurse sharks, and reef fish.
• Lime Out can add a memorable lunch stop: This floating taco bar is accessible by boat and makes a fun break from swimming.
• Extra charges matter: Fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity are not included in the advertised $875 price.

Why a private boat changes the St. Thomas day

A full day on a private powerboat gives you something standard beach tours cannot: control. You are not waiting for a large group to finish snorkeling, and you are not locked into a list of stops that may not suit the weather, the sea, or your family’s energy.

The day lasts about seven and a half hours, from roughly 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That is enough time for several water stops, a beach visit, and a lunch break, though the clock moves quickly once you start hopping between islands. One person who enjoyed the trip still wished the day had been longer, which is a useful warning for anyone hoping to see everything around St. Thomas and St. John.

You meet at Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, in St. Thomas. Hotel pickup is listed as included, but I would confirm the pickup time and location when booking, especially if you are staying away from the marina.

Choosing the day you want

Your captain will ask what you hope to see and do. You can request a snorkeling-heavy outing, a relaxed beach day, or a mix of swimming, scenery, food, and island stops.

That flexibility is valuable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time at sites such as Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, or the Ledges of Little St. James, while less confident swimmers can favor calmer beach stops and shorter sessions in the water. One group also praised a captain for helping calm a nervous member of the party, so this is not a setup that requires everyone to be an experienced snorkeler.

The itinerary can include St. Thomas and St. John, along with nearby cays. The operator specifically lists Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, The Baths, Lime Out, and other premier swimming and snorkeling locations. The precise route will depend on your requests and the day’s conditions, so think of these as possible targets rather than guaranteed stops.

Snorkeling around Lovango, Whistling Cay, and Booby Rock

The snorkeling is the heart of this outing. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack masks, snorkels, or fins unless you prefer using your own. Floats are also listed, which helps make the water time easier for people who want to alternate between swimming and resting.

Lovango Cay is one possible stop, and the surrounding waters can give you a taste of the small-island setting that makes this area special. Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James have also been used as snorkeling sites on past outings.

The wildlife can be a highlight, but it should not be treated as guaranteed. Snorkelers have seen sea turtles, barracuda, a nurse shark, and plenty of fish. One family’s favorite stop was Booby Rock, where they snorkeled around the island and saw a nurse shark. Another outing included three barracuda and a sea turtle at the Ledges of Little St. James.

That variety is one reason I would choose a private charter over a generic boat excursion if snorkeling is your main goal. Your captain can spend more time at a site that suits your group instead of moving on simply because the printed schedule says so.

Still, conditions can change. The charter requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Even on a usable day, water visibility and wildlife sightings are never fully within the captain’s control.

St. John beaches and quiet coves

The charter is also a fine way to see St. John from the water. You may stop at a broad beach in Maho Bay, a less crowded stretch of sand, or a cove that is difficult to reach from land.

The advantage is not only the scenery. Approaching a beach by boat lets you avoid the work of arranging separate transport and gives you access to places that do not fit easily into a land-based sightseeing day. Several outings included secluded beaches that the group would not have reached by road.

Beach time is best handled with a little discipline. Seven and a half hours sounds generous, but a long lunch, several snorkel stops, and a few beach visits can quickly fill the day. Tell the captain early if your top priority is a particular beach, a turtle sighting, or a long swim. Otherwise, you may end up with a pleasant mix of stops but less time at your first choice.

The mention of The Baths deserves a careful note. It appears among the possible locations, but the supplied details do not explain exactly how long you would spend there or what access arrangements apply. If The Baths is important to you, ask the operator whether it is part of your planned route and what the stop involves.

Lime Out adds a different kind of island break

A stop at Lime Out can break up a day that might otherwise be all sun and salt water. This floating taco bar is accessible by boat, and one group called its tacos the best of their vacation.

You should treat lunch as an optional part of the plan, not a fixed promise. The itinerary is customizable, and the available stops can vary. Ask whether Lime Out is open and whether your captain recommends it for your date.

The cooler with ice is useful here, even if you decide to bring your own food and drinks. Music is also listed on board, giving your group a simple way to set the mood between stops. These are small details, but they matter on a long day in the sun.

Captains who shape the experience

The captain is the most important part of a private charter because the boat itself is only half the experience. Nate receives the most repeated praise in the supplied feedback. He is described as easygoing, flexible, attentive, and good at finding the right stops for each group.

Past routes with Nate included five snorkeling locations around St. John and St. Thomas, including Lovango, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James. Other outings with him focused on sea turtles, quiet beaches, and family-friendly pacing.

Kyle is also singled out for taking photos and videos during a private outing for two people. Spence is praised for finding sea life and secluded beaches, while Brendan is associated with island-hopping, snorkeling, and sea turtles. Anthony handled a group with four adults and five children, according to the supplied details, and found beaches, fish, and turtles for them.

Do not assume you will receive a particular captain unless the company confirms it. You can, however, tell the operator what kind of day you want. If your group includes children, first-time snorkelers, strong swimmers, or someone who gets nervous on the water, say so before departure.

What the $875 price really means

The listed price is $875 per group, for up to six people. That works out to about $146 per person for six people before the extra charges, or $219 per person for four. For a full seven-and-a-half-hour private boat, that can be good value if your group will use the flexibility and fill most of the boat.

The price is less attractive for a couple or a small group unless privacy and control are your main priorities. A private charter gives you a day built around your own plans, but you pay for the boat even when only two people are aboard.

The critical detail is that the advertised amount excludes the captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity. One party specifically found the extra costs unclear at first and advised calculating the tip from the total trip price, not just the captain’s fee. I would ask for a written estimate covering all three additions before committing.

The boat is listed for up to six people. Some supplied comments describe parties larger than six, including eight and nine people, but those accounts conflict with the stated capacity. For safety and comfort, use the official limit of six unless Caribbean Blue confirms a different arrangement directly.

Comfort, equipment, and the practical side

The 35-foot Marlin powerboat gives your group room to move around, though the supplied information does not provide a detailed seating plan or cabin layout. You should expect a boat-centered day, not a land tour with extensive facilities at every stop.

Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and any personal snacks or drinks you want. The operator lists a full-size cooler with ice, snorkel equipment, floats, and music, but the provided details do not specify food, bottled water, or towels.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. It is a private activity, so only your group joins the charter. That makes it a better fit for families and friends who want to set their own pace than for solo visitors seeking a social group outing.

The captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity are not minor footnotes. Build them into your vacation budget. Also remember that the trip depends on good weather. If the operator cancels for poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while later cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Who should book this charter

I would choose Caribbean Blue Boat Charters if you want a private day with real freedom to change plans. It suits families, couples, and friend groups who care more about swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and time on the water than about a strict sightseeing schedule.

It is especially appealing if sea turtles are high on your wish list, though no captain can promise wildlife. It also suits active snorkelers who want several sites, as well as families who need a captain willing to adjust the pace.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, if you dislike boating, or if you want every cost included in one simple price. The extra fuel, captain’s fee, and gratuity require advance planning. I would also be cautious about booking if you expect a guaranteed visit to every named location, since the route is flexible and weather-sensitive.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you can fill the boat with up to six people and value a private, adjustable day more than a low headline price. The combination of St. John beaches, varied snorkeling sites, possible sea turtles, and a Lime Out lunch can make this the centerpiece of a St. Thomas vacation.

Before paying, confirm the total cost, pickup details, group capacity, captain assignment if that matters to you, and whether your preferred stops are realistic for the date. If those details fit your plans, this is a strong choice for seeing the Virgin Islands by water rather than from the shore.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start?

The charter starts at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Oasis Cove Marina.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How many people can join?

The experience is listed for a private group of up to six people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is listed as included, but you should confirm the pickup details with the operator.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and floats are also listed as available on board.

Is there a cooler on the boat?

Yes. A full-size cooler with ice is listed as included.

Are the captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity included?

No. The captain’s fee, fuel charges, and captain’s gratuity are additional costs.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.