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

A private boat lets you turn St. Thomas into a string of coves, reefs, and beaches rather than a single sightseeing stop. Your skipper can take you toward Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, St. John, and other USVI spots, then adjust the route around your group’s wishes, sea conditions, and energy level.

I like two things right away: the day is genuinely private, and the boat comes ready with snorkel gear, floats, music, and a large cooler with ice. The main catch is the final cost. The advertised $875 covers the group charter, but fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity are extra.

Key points at a glance

• Captain-led route: Captains including Nate, Kyle, Brendan, Anthony, and Spence have shaped days around snorkeling, beaches, sea turtles, and family needs.
• Private 35-foot boat: You share the boat only with your own party, with room for up to six according to the stated capacity.
• Seven and a half hours: The long outing gives you time for several swim stops instead of one rushed beach visit.
• Useful equipment included: Snorkel gear, floats, music, and an ice-filled cooler are provided.
• Boat-only places: Stops can include secluded beaches, Lovango Cay, Whistling Cay, Booby Rock, Flanagan Island, and the Ledges of Little St. James.
• Budget carefully: Fuel, the captain’s fee, and the captain’s gratuity are not included in the $875 price.

Why this private St. Thomas charter works so well

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. You step onto a 35-foot Marlin powerboat, meet your skipper, and help decide what kind of day you want.

That matters in the US Virgin Islands. One group may want several serious snorkeling stops. Another may prefer a calm swim, a quiet beach, lunch at Lime Out, and plenty of time sitting in the sun. A family with children may need shorter water stops and less time in open water. A private charter gives the captain room to adjust.

The boat leaves from Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, in St. Thomas. Hotel pickup is listed as included, which removes one of the more annoying parts of a boat day. The activity returns to the meeting point, and the operating hours given are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The listed price is $875 per group of up to six. Split six ways, that is about $146 per person before fuel, captain charges, and gratuity. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing per head, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than a seat on a shared boat.

One important point needs clearing up before you pay. Some trip comments describe groups of eight and nine aboard, while the stated capacity here is six. Do not rely on those older examples. Ask the operator to confirm the legal and practical capacity for your date, boat, and party size.

Meet your skipper at Oasis Cove Marina

The first useful conversation happens before the boat leaves. Tell the captain what matters most: snorkeling, sea turtles, quiet beaches, lunch, sightseeing, or a little of everything.

Nate appears often in the feedback and is described as easygoing, flexible, and good at finding stops that fit the group. Several outings with him included St. John, Lovango, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James. Kyle is also singled out for taking photos and videos during the day, while Brendan and Anthony are praised for handling families and building a route without much advance planning.

You should still treat the captain’s name as subject to change. The useful point is that the company works with several skippers, and the experience can vary a little with the person at the helm.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. A 35-foot powerboat gives you more space than a small runabout and enough range for a full day moving between St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays. It is also a powerboat, so you can cover more ground than you would under sail.

Bring the basics that are not listed as supplied: sun protection, a towel, a swimsuit, and any personal snacks or drinks you want beyond the cooler and ice. The description confirms music, floats, and snorkeling equipment, but it does not spell out every item on board. If you need a particular mask size, flotation aid, or dietary setup, ask in advance.

Your route is built around water time

The charter is scheduled for about seven hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough for a proper day on the water, though one comment makes a fair point: the day can still feel short once you add travel between islands, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time.

A typical route is not presented as a fixed list, and that is a strength. The captain may suggest a chain of stops, but you can state your priorities. The most useful plan is to choose two or three must-haves and leave room for the skipper to adjust.

If you want a broad taste of the islands, ask for a mix of:

• A snorkeling stop
• A beach or quiet cove
• A lunch stop
• A second snorkeling area
• Time for photos and a relaxed swim

Trying to cram in every named location can work against you. Five stops may sound exciting, but each one includes cruising, anchoring, getting in and out of the water, and settling back aboard. I would rather have three good stops than six hurried ones.

Lovango Cay and the quieter side of the islands

Lovango Cay is among the named destinations and fits the charter’s main promise: getting you to places best approached from the water. The attraction here is not simply checking off another island. It is the sense of moving through the USVI by boat, with the captain choosing coves and swim areas that match the conditions.

The company also lists Maho Bay as a possible stop. Maho is particularly appealing if sea turtles are high on your wish list. Several outings included turtle sightings, and one group specifically asked to snorkel with turtles before setting out. No captain can guarantee wildlife, but stating that goal early gives the skipper a clear target.

The practical drawback is that wildlife and water clarity can change. A turtle sighting is possible, not promised. Likewise, the best snorkeling location for one day may not be the best choice on another because of wind, current, or visibility. A good skipper will adjust rather than force a particular stop.

St. John, hidden beaches, and boat-only access

A major reason to book a private charter is reaching beaches and snorkel sites that are awkward or impossible to visit from land. Several routes centered on St. John, with stops in multiple bays and at secluded beaches.

You may also see places such as Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James. These are not presented as guaranteed stops. Think of them as a menu of possibilities for a captain-led day.

The detailed accounts of these areas give you a useful sense of what the route can offer. One group saw a nurse shark around Booby Rock, barracuda near the Ledges of Little St. James, and sea turtles during the same outing. Those sightings are luck, not a contract, but the range of sea life shows why moving among several snorkeling areas makes sense.

If your group includes confident swimmers who want a more active day, say so. One family described itself as especially keen on snorkeling and visited five sites. If your party has mixed comfort levels in the water, say that too. The captain can then avoid making the whole day a test of endurance.

Snorkeling equipment, floats, and the cooler

Snorkel equipment is included, along with floats and a full-size cooler packed with ice. That is a real convenience. You do not need to rent gear on shore or carry a bulky cooler to the marina.

The included equipment also makes the charter easier for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can use a float and stay close to the boat. The description says most people can participate, but it does not promise specialized accessibility equipment or a calm-water route for every departure.

The cooler matters more than it sounds. A seven-and-a-half-hour boat outing is a long time to be in the sun, and you will want cold drinks close at hand. The supplied information does not state that meals are included, so plan around your own food or a restaurant stop.

Keep drinks and personal items secured while the boat is moving. Salt spray, wind, and a wet deck are normal parts of a powerboat day. A small waterproof pouch for phones and room keys is a sensible addition, even though it is not part of the charter package.

Lunch at Lime Out

Lime Out is a floating taco bar and one of the most memorable possible stops. It is reached by boat, so it fits neatly into a day built around access from the water. One group called the tacos a highlight of the trip.

This stop changes the rhythm of the day. After snorkeling and swimming, you can pause for a meal without returning to shore. It also gives you a social, casual break between quieter coves.

Lime Out is an option, not a guaranteed part of every route. If lunch there matters to you, make it clear when you board. You should also understand that a restaurant stop uses time that could otherwise go toward another beach or snorkel area.

For a group with children or different appetites, the captain can help shape the day around a lunch stop, but the food itself is not included in the $875 charter price.

What the price really covers

At first glance, $875 sounds steep. The fair comparison is not with a public ferry or a basic beach transfer. You are buying a private boat, a captain, a full day on the water, the ability to change the route, snorkeling equipment, floats, music, an ice-filled cooler, and listed hotel pickup.

For six people, the base cost is reasonable for a private outing, especially if you value time and privacy. You do not have to wait for a large group, follow a rigid schedule, or compromise on every beach stop.

But the advertised price is not the final price. Fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity are separate. One comment specifically notes that the added charges were not clear at first and advises budgeting a tip based on the total trip price, not only the captain’s fee.

Ask for the full expected total before departure. Confirm:

• The captain’s fee
• Estimated fuel charges
• Recommended gratuity
• The maximum number of people allowed on your boat
• Whether hotel pickup applies to your accommodation

That short conversation can prevent an unpleasant surprise at the end of an otherwise excellent day.

Who should book this boat day

I would choose this charter for a family or friend group that wants control over the day and is happy to spend most of it around the water. It is especially well suited to people who want to combine snorkeling, beach time, wildlife spotting, and lunch in one outing.

It also makes sense for a birthday or other special occasion. One birthday group credited Captain Nate with making the day feel personal, and several groups called the boat outing the best part of their St. Thomas holiday.

Families can do well here because the captain can adjust the route to suit children. One family said the skipper shaped the day around both adults and kids. Still, you should be comfortable with a full day on a boat and changing conditions at sea.

I would think twice if you dislike boating, want a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or prefer a low-cost, fixed itinerary. The private format costs more than a shared cruise, and the route depends on weather, sea conditions, and your group’s choices.

The cancellation terms are friendly: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a weather cancellation brings either another date or a full refund. The activity is weather dependent, so keep a little flexibility in your holiday plan.

Should you book Caribbean Blue Charters?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day rather than a standard excursion. The strongest part of the experience is the combination of a capable skipper, a long route window, and access to beaches and snorkel sites you cannot reach easily from land.

Before confirming, get the complete price in writing and verify the group-size limit. Then tell the captain your top priorities, whether that means turtles at Maho Bay, quiet beaches near St. John, a serious snorkeling route, or lunch at Lime Out.

For a group of six that splits the base cost and wants a full day outside, this is a strong value. For two people, it is a splurge. Either way, the charter gives you something a shared boat rarely can: the freedom to make the day your own.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

The charter starts at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St. Thomas, USVI. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the boat charter?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes. Listed operating hours are Monday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How many people can join?

The stated capacity is up to six people per group. Some older trip descriptions refer to larger parties, so confirm the approved capacity for your specific booking before paying.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup is listed among the included features. Confirm the pickup details and location with the operator before the day of departure.

Are fuel and captain charges included in the $875 price?

No. The captain’s fee, fuel charges, and captain’s gratuity are additional. Ask for the expected total cost before the trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.