Midnight Sun Charters – 37ft OBSIDIAN

The real appeal here is control. On Midnight Sun Charters’ 37-foot Obsidian, you are not following a fixed bus route or squeezing into a large excursion boat. You and up to five companions work with your captain to choose the bays, beaches, and snorkel spots that fit your day.

I like the chance to reach The Baths on Virgin Gorda and still spend time around Norman Island or Jost Van Dyke. I also like the practical touches: bottled water on ice, snorkel equipment and pool noodles supplied by the crew, and captains such as Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin who are praised for being flexible with plans. The main catch is cost. At $2,000 per group, plus fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees, this makes the most sense when six people share it.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: Your group gets the vessel and captain to itself, with no unrelated passengers.
• The itinerary is yours to shape: You can focus on beaches, snorkeling, island stops, lunch, or a mix of all four.
• The Baths needs time: Allow about two hours if Virgin Gorda is a priority, since the stop combines a shore visit with swimming at Devil’s Bay.
• Fuel and BVI fees cost extra: The advertised $2,000 is not the full final cost.
• Cruise passengers need careful timing: You must provide ship and port details, and a late or missed ship arrival is not covered by a refund.
• The boat is popular: It averages about 45 days booked in advance, so leave room in your plans.

Why a private 37-foot boat changes the day

A private charter gives you something a standard island cruise cannot: the freedom to adjust the pace. If your group wants a long snorkel at Norman Island, you can spend more time there. If the morning is already hot and everyone wants a swim, the captain can shape the day around the water instead of pushing you toward the next scheduled stop.

The boat is listed for groups of up to six. That limit matters. Six people can share the $2,000 base price, bringing the starting cost to about $333 per person before fuel and BVI fees. Four people would pay about $500 each before those extras. For a couple, the price is hard to justify unless a private boat is the central event of your St. Thomas stay.

The duration is roughly five to eight hours. That is enough for a focused day, but it is not enough to treat every listed stop as a full visit. The sample route includes eight possible stops, adding up to about 12 hours before travel time. Think of those stops as a menu, not a promise to visit them all.

Your captain is the key to making the day work. Adam has been praised for using time well around cruise schedules and for providing snorkel gear and pool noodles. Sam has been singled out for a flexible approach around the US Virgin Islands. Colin has been noted for connecting well with a group that included teenagers. Justin is associated with a strong Virgin Gorda and Norman Island combination. Captains may vary, so treat those names as examples of the crew rather than a guaranteed assignment.

Magens Bay gives you an easy first swim

Magens Bay Beach is listed as the first stop, with about an hour set aside. It is one of the best-known beaches around St. Thomas and is described here as a top-ten beach in the world.

This is a sensible way to begin if your group wants a relaxed beach stop before the longer run toward the British Virgin Islands. You can swim, sunbathe, and get comfortable on the water without committing the whole morning to one activity.

The tradeoff is time. A one-hour visit is enough to enjoy the setting, but not enough for a slow beach day. If your main goal is The Baths, Norman Island caves, and several snorkel sites, I would ask the captain if Magens Bay is worth keeping in the plan. A custom charter works best when you are willing to drop a stop that does not fit the rest of your day.

The Baths is the headline stop on Virgin Gorda

The Baths on Virgin Gorda is the most distinctive stop on the route. You get about two hours to explore the granite formations and swim at Devil’s Bay, with admission included in the listed itinerary.

This is the stop I would protect first. The Baths is not just a beach landing. It combines a shore walk through unusual rock formations with time in the water, so it needs more than a quick photo stop. Two hours gives you a useful visit, though you will still need to keep an eye on the clock.

The Baths can also shape the rest of your day. Once you add the boat ride from St. Thomas and the return, there may be room for only one or two other major stops. If you want Virgin Gorda, tell the captain that clearly at the start. You may prefer The Baths plus one snorkel location rather than trying to chase every island on the list.

Sandy Cay and Francis Bay suit different swimmers

Sandy Cay is a small island in the British Virgin Islands, with about an hour planned for snorkeling or sunbathing. It is the sort of stop that works well when your group wants a simple beach break and a chance to get back in the water.

Francis Bay is aimed more directly at snorkeling. The stop is described as a place to look for turtles and sea rays, with about an hour available. That makes it a good choice for a group that wants wildlife viewing without spending two hours at a lunch stop or shore attraction.

The choice between the two depends on your group. Sandy Cay offers a small-island pause and sun time. Francis Bay offers a stronger reason to bring your mask and snorkel. If some people in your group do not like snorkeling, Sandy Cay may be the easier compromise.

Snorkel gear is available, and one captain has also provided pool noodles. That helps if you want to float without constant swimming. Still, ask what equipment is supplied when you confirm your booking, especially if fit and comfort matter to you.

Norman Island combines caves, snorkeling, and lunch

Norman Island Caves is given up to two hours, making it one of the more substantial stops. The area is tied to the Crusoe’s Treasure Island story and is described as a strong snorkeling location. It also works as a lunch stop.

This is a useful middle ground in the itinerary. You can snorkel, take a break, and eat without moving the boat every few minutes. If your group wants a day that feels active but not rushed, Norman Island may be a better use of time than adding several short stops.

The listing does not include lunch, so plan to pay for food separately. It does mention other lunch options, including Cooper Island and the possibility of stopping at Pizza Boat on the way back. That Pizza Boat reference comes from a past outing, so treat it as a possible routing idea rather than a guaranteed part of every trip.

The Indians is a short, focused snorkel stop

The Indians, near Norman Island, is another favored snorkeling location, with about an hour planned. Its position near Norman Island makes it a natural pairing with the caves if conditions and timing suit the route.

This stop is best for people who want more time in the water rather than another beach. It may not be the right choice if your group has already spent a long time snorkeling or if you are trying to fit in The Baths and Jost Van Dyke on the same day.

A private charter gives you room to make that call on the day. Your captain can help decide how much time to spend at each location, but the more stops you request, the shorter each visit becomes. I would choose either a concentrated Norman Island snorkeling visit or a broader island-hopping plan, not both at full length.

Cooper Island leaves room for lunch

Cooper Island is listed as a two-hour lunch stop. That longer pause is useful because meals on an island day can otherwise feel squeezed between swimming and boat travel.

You should see Cooper Island as a chance to slow down. After a morning of snorkeling or a visit to The Baths, a proper meal and a break can make the second half of the charter more enjoyable. It also gives your group a clear choice: spend the time eating and relaxing, or use those two hours for another water stop.

Lunch is not included in the charter price. Keep that in your budget, along with fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees. The $2,000 covers the private tour, captain, and bottled water with ice, but it is not an all-inclusive day.

Soggy Dollar Bar adds a classic Jost Van Dyke stop

The final listed option is Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, where you can island hop for the famous Painkiller cocktail. About two hours are planned here.

This is a good fit for adults who want a social beach-bar stop at the end of the day. It gives the charter a relaxed finish after the more active snorkeling and shore visits. If you do not drink, the stop may have less appeal than another beach or snorkel location, so say so when discussing the plan.

The Painkiller is a signature attraction, but it is not included. You will need to pay for drinks and any food separately. Since Jost Van Dyke adds another island to the route, it also competes for time with Virgin Gorda and Norman Island.

What the $2,000 price really buys

The price is $2,000 per group of up to six, not per person. That makes the math much better for a full group. At six people, the base price is about $333 each. At five, it is $400 each. At four, it is $500 each, all before fuel and BVI fees.

You are paying for privacy, a larger boat, a captain, and control over the day. That can be good value if your group would otherwise book several separate activities or if you care more about choosing your stops than finding the lowest-cost boat trip.

The value drops if your group is small or if you only want a short ride to one beach. In that case, a standard shared excursion may cost less. The charter is strongest when six people share the bill and want a full day built around several islands.

Fuel is not included, and neither are BVI customs or entrance fees. Ask for the expected extra charges before you commit, since they affect the real price. Bottled water with ice is included, but lunch, drinks, and the Painkiller at Soggy Dollar Bar are your responsibility.

Timing matters for cruise passengers

Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when booking. This is important because the route crosses between the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, and a private charter cannot erase the need to plan around port timing.

Do not book this with a tight return window. A late arrival or failure to make it back because your ship schedule changed does not qualify for a refund. The captain can help plan the day, but you still need to give the tour enough time to return before the ship’s required boarding time.

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel for all participants. Passport name, number, expiration date, and country are required at booking. Build that paperwork into your planning rather than leaving it to the morning of the trip.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel, you can receive a full refund when you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Inside that 24-hour window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. That rule matters for a private charter because the boat and captain are being held for your group.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the tour is often booked about 45 days ahead, I would not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed, particularly during a cruise visit or a short stay in St. Thomas.

The departure point does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. The experience is near public transportation, but you should arrange your own way to the boat and allow enough time to arrive before departure.

Who will get the most from this charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can fill the boat and agree on a shared plan. It is also a good match for families with teenagers, since the day can mix swimming, snorkeling, beaches, food, and island stops rather than forcing everyone into one activity.

It suits confident swimmers and casual snorkelers, but the itinerary can be adjusted around your group’s interests. Pool noodles and snorkel gear make the water stops easier to enjoy, though the charter is still built around spending time in the sea.

It is less suitable for anyone seeking a cheap, tightly scheduled sightseeing trip. The price is high for a small group, and the flexible format requires you to make choices. You are paying for the freedom to shape the day, not for a guarantee that every named stop will fit.

Should you book Midnight Sun Charters?

Book it if you have up to six people, want a private boat, and care about choosing between The Baths, Norman Island, Francis Bay, Jost Van Dyke, and other stops. I especially like the option of pairing The Baths with Norman Island, or choosing Francis Bay and Sandy Cay for a water-focused day.

Before booking, confirm the fuel charge, BVI customs or entrance fees, expected departure details, and which captain is available. If you are arriving by cruise ship, give yourself a generous return margin.

I would skip it if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you want to visit every stop listed. For the right group, though, the private 37-foot Obsidian offers a flexible way to turn a day around St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands into your own plan.

FAQ

How much does the private charter cost?

The charter costs $2,000 per group, with up to six people included.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately five to eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the boat is private for your party.

What is included in the price?

The private tour, captain, and bottled water with ice are included.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is not included in the listed price.

Are BVI customs and entrance fees included?

No. BVI customs and entrance fees are additional.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Cooper Island and Norman Island are listed as possible lunch stops.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Every participant needs a current valid passport on the day of travel. Passport name, number, expiration date, and country are required when booking.

What information do cruise ship passengers need to provide?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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