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

The best beach days happen offshore. Caribbean Blue Charters gives your group a private 35-foot Marlin powerboat for about seven and a half hours, with a captain who can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, beaches, lunch stops, or simple time on the water. You might visit Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, Lime Out, The Baths, and other spots around St. Thomas and St. John.

I like the private boat and the freedom to change plans as the day unfolds. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, floats, music, and a cooler with ice are provided. The main catch is cost clarity. The $875 group price does not include the captain’s fee, fuel, or gratuity, so your final bill will be higher.

Key Things To Know Before You Book

• A private 35-foot Marlin powerboat gives your group its own captain, space, music, and a flexible day on the water.
• The itinerary is built around your interests, so you can favor snorkeling, quiet beaches, swimming, sightseeing, or a lunch stop.
• Snorkeling gear, floats, and a full-size cooler with ice are included, which cuts down on what you need to pack.
• The advertised capacity is up to six people, although some past parties reported larger groups, so confirm the allowed number before booking.
• Fuel, captain’s fee, and gratuity are extra, and these charges should be part of your budget from the start.
• Hotel pickup is offered, while the listed departure point is Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas.

What This Charter Does Better Than a Fixed Boat Tour

A fixed sightseeing cruise gives you a set route and a set pace. This charter works differently. You tell the captain what sort of day you want, and the captain uses local experience to fit the conditions and available time.

That matters in the US Virgin Islands, where a good day on the water is not just about checking off beaches. You may want to spend longer at one snorkeling site, skip a crowded stop, find a quiet place for a swim, or pause for food. A private boat makes those changes possible.

The strongest part of the experience is the captain. Captains Nate, Spence, Kyle, Brendan, and Anthony are named in the feedback, with Nate receiving especially strong praise for his friendly manner, local knowledge, and ability to adjust the route. Several groups simply let him choose the stops, while others arrived with clear goals such as finding sea turtles or reaching secluded beaches.

That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another prefers to stay on the boat. Children can enjoy a swim stop without being rushed. A birthday group can focus on scenic beaches and music. A family with serious snorkelers can ask for several sites rather than spending most of the day at one beach.

Starting at Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas

The listed meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina, at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St. Thomas. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and hotel pickup is also offered.

The operating window shown for this experience is 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which matches the advertised duration of about seven hours and 30 minutes. That is a useful amount of time for several stops, but it is not an endless day. Boat travel between islands and beaches takes time, so you should tell the captain early what matters most.

If your group wants many snorkeling sites, you will need to keep beach lounging and lunch stops in balance. If your priority is a slow day with long swims, ask for fewer stops. A private charter is most valuable when you make those choices instead of trying to do everything.

The boat is skippered, so you do not need boating experience. You can settle in, use the cooler, listen to music, and let the captain handle the route. The boat’s size also gives the group a more comfortable base than a small open skiff, though the advertised group limit is six people.

Lovango Cay and the St. John Side of the Day

Lovango Cay is one of the places commonly used as a snorkeling or swimming stop. Its appeal is the feeling of reaching a place that is difficult to include in a land-based beach day. You get to arrive by boat, step into the water, and continue on when your group is ready.

The captain may also point you toward bays and small islands around St. John. Past outings included Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the ledges around Little St. James. These names show the range of the charter: the day can be built around several short water stops rather than one long visit to a single beach.

Booby Rock and Little St. James were especially memorable for groups looking for sea life. Sightings included a nurse shark, barracuda, sea turtles, and schools of fish. Wildlife is never guaranteed, of course, but the captain can use local familiarity to suggest places where snorkeling conditions may be promising.

If your group has strong snorkelers, say so before leaving the marina. One family visited five snorkeling spots in a single day, including Lovango, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and Little St. James. That is a fast-moving schedule, but it shows what the boat can do when snorkeling is the main goal.

Maho Bay and Sea Turtle Encounters

Maho Bay is another featured area, and it is well suited to a group that wants a scenic swim with a chance to see marine life. Sea turtles were a major highlight for several parties, including families who made turtle sightings their main goal.

Again, the important point is not to treat a wildlife sighting as a promise. The captain can search likely areas, but nature sets the schedule. You should also remember that snorkeling conditions can change with wind, current, and weather.

The supplied gear makes this stop easier for mixed groups. You do not need to arrange masks and snorkels separately, and floats are available for people who prefer to relax in the water. The cooler with ice is useful here too, since a full day in the sun calls for drinks and simple snacks.

The charter does not state that food is included. Bring what you need, or ask about stopping for lunch. Keep the captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity in mind when calculating the real price of the day.

Lime Out, The Baths, and Lunch Choices

Lime Out, the floating taco bar near St. John, can be included as a lunch stop. It is reached by boat, which makes it a natural fit for this type of charter. One group called its tacos the best of their trip, but you should treat Lime Out as an optional stop rather than a guaranteed part of every route.

A floating restaurant adds variety to a boat day. You can get out of the water, eat lunch, and enjoy a setting that is part of the island experience rather than simply returning to a hotel or marina. The tradeoff is time. A meal stop means less time for snorkeling or quiet beaches.

The Baths are also listed among the possible destinations. Since the charter is described as USVI-only, confirm the exact route and access arrangements when booking. The boat can take you toward the area, but the details of any shore visit are not specified.

This is one of the few points where you should avoid assuming too much from the sample destinations. The charter is customizable, not a guaranteed checklist. Ask which stops are realistic for your date and how much time the captain recommends at each one.

The Boat, Gear, and Comfort Level

The 35-foot Marlin powerboat is designed for a full day rather than a quick transfer. You have a private space for your group, a full-size cooler with ice, music, floats, and snorkeling equipment.

Those inclusions have real value. A cooler keeps drinks cold without requiring you to carry a large bag between beaches. Provided gear saves the trouble of renting equipment elsewhere. Music helps fill the quiet stretches between stops, though your group should still expect the day to be centered on the sea, sun, and views.

The boat is not described in enough detail to promise specific seating, shade, a restroom, or a particular cabin setup. If any of those features matter to you, ask before booking. The best planning questions are simple: How much shade is available? What should we bring for lunch? How many people are permitted on our departure? Where will the boat stop for swimming?

The advertised capacity is up to six people per group. A few accounts refer to parties of eight or nine, but those comments do not change the stated capacity for this product. Confirm your group size directly rather than relying on an old account.

The Real Cost of a $875 Private Charter

The listed price is $875 per group, up to six people. For six people, that works out to about $146 per person before the extra charges. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but you also receive a fully private boat rather than purchasing separate seats on a shared cruise.

The value comes from control and time. You are paying for a private skipper, a large boat, multiple possible stops, and the ability to shape the day. If your group would otherwise book several activities or spend money on taxis and separate boat trips, the charter can make sense.

You should not treat $875 as the final total. The captain’s fee, fuel charges, and captain’s gratuity are additional. The amount of each charge is not provided here, so ask for a full price breakdown before you commit.

One important tip comes from the feedback: calculate your gratuity based on the total cost of the experience, not only the captain’s separate fee. The extra charges were not clear to one group at first, so it is smart to clarify them in advance.

Who Will Get the Most From This Day

I would choose this charter for a family or group of friends that wants a private, flexible day and does not want to follow a fixed schedule. It works especially well when everyone agrees on a general goal but wants room to adjust once on the water.

It is a good fit for:

• Families with different swimming and snorkeling abilities
• Groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Strong snorkelers who want several sites
• Couples who want a private boat rather than a shared excursion
• Anyone eager to reach beaches or swimming areas not easy to access by land

It may be less suitable if you want a low-cost activity, a guaranteed route, or a fully inclusive price. It may also disappoint someone expecting a formal sightseeing tour with a detailed narration at every stop. The emphasis here is freedom, not a scripted program.

Captains have been praised for helping nervous passengers, keeping children engaged, taking photos and videos, and finding stops suited to the group. Captain Kyle was singled out for taking excellent photos and videos, while Nate was repeatedly praised for making the day feel personal and relaxed.

Weather, Timing, and Cancellation Details

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The boat leaves and returns to the meeting point, so plan your day around the full 7.5-hour block. The charter is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Confirmation is received at booking, and the activity is private for your group only.

Should You Book Caribbean Blue Charters?

I would book it if your priority is a private day with choices. The best parts are the flexible route, the chance to visit several islands and snorkeling areas, and the captains’ record of adapting the day to families, couples, and serious snorkelers.

Before paying, confirm three things: your group’s permitted size, the exact captain and boat details, and the full price including fuel, captain’s fee, and gratuity. Then tell the captain your top two priorities, such as turtles and quiet beaches, rather than presenting a long wish list.

Choose this charter for freedom, personal attention, and a full day on the water. Skip it if your budget is tight or you prefer a fixed, all-inclusive tour. For the right group, it can be the day that gives St. Thomas and St. John their proper sense of scale: best seen from the sea, one swim stop at a time.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

The listed departure point is Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St. Thomas 00802, USVI. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the boat charter last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed capacity is up to six people per group. If your party is larger, confirm the permitted number directly before booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is listed as an included feature, although the stated meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina.

What equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, music, and a full-size cooler with ice are included.

Are fuel and the captain’s fee included in the price?

No. The $875 group price does not include the captain’s fee, fuel charges, or the captain’s gratuity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.