Full Day Snorkeling and Beach Hopping- 37′ Intrepid

The best part of this charter is that your day is not locked to one beach or one snorkel site. You can start over a reef near St Thomas or St John, then move with the conditions and your interests. If Gus is at the helm, you can expect a captain who makes clear recommendations, knows the good snorkel spots, and handles rough wind with a steady hand.

I like the private boat format, which gives your group room to set the pace, and I like the broad menu of stops, from Maho Bay and Waterlemon Cay to a floating pizza or lunch in Cruz Bay. The main catch is the price: $1,600 per group before fuel, so it makes the most sense when you can fill much of the 12-person capacity.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven hours on a 37-foot Intrepid: A full day gives you time for both snorkeling and beach stops, rather than forcing you to choose one.
• A custom route around two islands: Your captain can work between St Thomas and St John, with choices shaped by conditions and your group.
• Private space for up to 12 people: The $1,600 rate is per group, not per seat, which improves the value for a larger party.
• Snorkeling with sea turtles and rays: The planned water time may bring you over coral reefs where you can look for turtles, sea rays, and reef life.
• Lunch can be part of the outing: Options include Pizza Pi, Lime Out VI, Lovango Resort, Cruz Bay, and downtown Charlotte Amalie.
• Fuel costs extra: The advertised price does not include fuel, so ask for the current fuel charge before you commit.

A private day instead of a fixed boat schedule

This trip works best if you want a day on the water shaped around your group. You are not simply taken from Point A to Point B on a set loop. The plan can combine reef snorkeling, beach time, and lunch, with the captain choosing among St Thomas and St John locations.

That flexibility matters in the Virgin Islands. A place that looks ideal on a map may not be the best stop for the day’s wind or sea conditions. A private captain can adjust the route instead of treating the printed plan as law. The experience is still built around the same core: snorkel first, visit a beach, stop for lunch, and return to the marina.

The boat is a 37-foot Intrepid called Maxed Out. That is a useful size for a private charter. It is large enough for a group of up to 12, but the trip remains a single-party outing rather than a shared excursion. You can book it for family, friends, or a mixed group without spending the day with strangers.

The full rate is $1,600 per group. At the maximum of 12 people, that works out to about $133 per person before fuel. With six people, it is about $267 per person, again before fuel. For a couple or small family, the price is difficult to justify unless private use and a custom route are your top priorities.

Starting at Oasis Cove Marina at 9 a.m.

The day begins at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St Thomas, at 9 a.m. The charter ends back at the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

Pickup is offered, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Since the experience begins at a specific marina, confirm the pickup details when booking rather than assuming transportation from your accommodation is included in the base price. The listed inclusion is private transportation, while fuel is specifically excluded.

A 9 a.m. departure gives you a full daytime outing and leaves enough room for several parts of the plan. You should expect the exact order of stops to depend on the captain’s choices and the conditions. The schedule allows for more than a quick snorkel followed by a rushed beach visit.

Snorkeling near St Thomas or St John

The first main stop is planned as a snorkeling site near St Thomas or St John. The area can include coral reefs, sea turtles, sea rays, and other reef life. Those details give you a useful sense of the outing, but they are not a wildlife guarantee. The animals are wild, and conditions can affect visibility and access.

This is also where the private format has its clearest value. Your group can spend more time at a site that suits you, within the captain’s judgment, instead of being tied to a large boat’s departure clock. If some people want a longer look at the reef while others prefer a shorter swim, a private arrangement can make the day easier to manage.

The water portion is not limited to one named location. St Thomas and St John offer several possible bays and reef areas, and the route may change to fit the day. A captain who knows the local water can point you toward a site that makes sense for the current conditions.

The captain matters here. Gus received especially strong praise for choosing good snorkeling spots and making useful recommendations. The same account described tough winds and a comfortable ride under his handling. That is important context: this is not just about finding pretty water. It is also about having someone at the wheel who can make sensible calls when the sea is less calm.

You should still ask what snorkeling equipment is supplied, since the included items listed for this charter do not specify masks, snorkels, fins, or flotation gear. Do not assume that every piece of equipment you need is included.

Beach time at Magen’s Bay, Maho Bay, or Waterlemon Cay

After snorkeling, the captain can take you to one of the many beaches around St Thomas or St John. Magen’s Bay Beach is the named St Thomas option. On St John, possibilities include Peter Bay, Maho Bay, Waterlemon Cay, and Leinster.

Each choice gives the day a different feel. Magen’s Bay is the straightforward choice if you want a famous St Thomas beach without crossing to another island. Maho Bay and Peter Bay let you spend more of the day around St John. Waterlemon Cay and Leinster add a more specific bay or cay setting to the route.

The important point is not to treat these as guaranteed stops. The charter is custom, so the captain can decide which location is best for the day. Your group can also express a preference, but safe and practical routing comes first.

Beach time gives the outing a needed change of pace. Seven hours of continuous snorkeling would be tiring for most groups. A beach stop lets you swim, stretch, relax, and enjoy the coast without turning the whole day into a race between water sites.

You should also consider your group’s mix of interests. If everyone wants a packed schedule, tell the captain early. If one person wants to linger on a beach while another wants more water time, the private setup gives you a better chance of finding a workable balance than a shared boat tour.

Lunch on the water or in town

Lunch is another choice rather than a single fixed restaurant. The possible stops include Pizza Pi, Lime Out VI, and the Beach Club at Lovango Resort. You can also eat at restaurants in Cruz Bay or downtown Charlotte Amalie.

That range is useful because lunch can shape the middle of the day. A meal at Pizza Pi or Lime Out VI keeps the boat outing central. Lovango Resort offers a resort setting. Cruz Bay and Charlotte Amalie give you a town-based meal instead.

The fare is not included in the stated price, so plan to pay for lunch separately. The same applies to fuel, which is explicitly excluded from the $1,600 group rate. Ask about both costs before departure so the final bill does not surprise you.

A lunch stop also takes time away from snorkeling or beach sitting. That is not a flaw, but it is worth discussing with the captain. If your group has strong priorities, say so at the start. A long meal and a long beach stop may leave less time at the reefs.

What the $1,600 group price really buys

The price buys privacy, flexibility, and a large private boat for up to 12 people. It does not buy a set number of beaches, guaranteed wildlife, lunch, or fuel. Those distinctions matter when you compare this charter with a cheaper shared excursion.

For a full group, the math is more appealing. Twelve people at $1,600 brings the base cost to roughly $133 each. That can be reasonable for seven hours of private use, especially if the group values choosing its own route and avoiding a crowded boat.

For fewer people, the cost rises quickly. A group of four pays $400 each before fuel. That may still be worthwhile for a special occasion, but it is no longer an obvious bargain. If your group mainly wants a single snorkel stop and a beach, a shorter or shared trip may offer better value.

The boat’s capacity also affects comfort. Twelve is the maximum group size, not necessarily the ideal size for every party. If you want more personal space, a smaller group will feel less full, but you will pay more per person.

The charter has a perfect five-star rating from 56 reviews and is recommended by all recorded respondents. That does not remove the need to ask practical questions, but it supports the strongest parts of the offering: the captains, the route choices, and the handling of the boat in difficult wind.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this for a group that wants a single private day and has different ideas about what makes a good outing. One person can favor snorkeling, another can prefer beach time, and the group can still share the same boat and route.

It is also a good fit for people who want to visit both St Thomas and St John in one outing. The charter can include bays on either island, so you are not locked into staying near the departure marina.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the ability to adjust the day. The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information or promise a specific level of assistance. Ask the provider about your group’s needs before booking.

This is less suitable if you want a fixed timetable, a guaranteed beach, or a low-cost ticket for one or two people. It is also not the right choice if you want every expense included in advance, since fuel and lunch are separate.

Weather, wind, and the value of a good captain

This is a weather-dependent water trip. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time.

Wind is worth considering even on a sunny day. One account describes tough winds but also a comfortable ride with Gus handling the boat. That detail gives you a useful question to ask: how will the route change if conditions make one reef or beach less suitable?

A private charter does not mean the sea will be calm. It means the captain can make decisions for your group instead of following a large operator’s fixed sequence. Listen to those decisions. A change of bay may be the sensible way to protect both comfort and snorkeling conditions.

The practical booking decision

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience is private, with only your group participating. It is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 38 days, so I would not leave it to the last minute if your dates are fixed.

Before paying, confirm three points: the fuel charge, what snorkeling equipment is included, and how pickup from your accommodation will work. The published information confirms pickup is offered and private transportation is included, but it does not spell out every transfer detail.

I would book this charter if you have enough people to spread the cost and want a flexible day that combines snorkeling, beaches, and lunch. The strongest reason to choose it is not one particular beach. It is the chance to let a captain such as Gus shape the day around conditions and your group.

I would skip it if you have only one or two people, need a firm all-inclusive price, or want a simple, inexpensive snorkel outing. For a full party seeking a private seven-hour day, the value is much easier to see.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling and beach-hopping charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the charter start?

It starts at 9 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St Thomas, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the starting meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The $1,600 group booking covers up to 12 people.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands can the charter visit?

The snorkeling and beach stops can be around St Thomas or St John.

What beaches might be included?

Possible beach areas include Magen’s Bay Beach, Peter Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Maho Bay, and Leinster.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed as included. Possible meal stops include Pizza Pi, Lime Out VI, the Beach Club at Lovango Resort, Cruz Bay, and downtown Charlotte Amalie.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is not included in the $1,600 group price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.