A private boat day makes island hopping easy. I love how this charter lets you shape the day, and I also love that snorkel gear and a cooler with ice are ready before you even step on board. It is a good fit when you want more beach time and less time stuck in transit.

The one thing to plan around is the add-on costs. The listing price is for the group, but captain fee, fuel, and gratuity are extra, and the boat day depends on good weather.

Key Points Before You Go

• Private, skippered charter for up to 6 keeps things relaxed and flexible.
• Hotel pickup and onboard gear (snorkel equipment, floats, cooler, music) mean fewer logistics for you.
• Custom itinerary can work for snorkel-focused days or beach-hopping with breaks.
• Real access to sea stops you cannot easily reach from shore, like Lovango Cay and other St John and St Thomas waters.
• Limeout is an option for lunch if your captain builds that stop into the route.
• Bring extra budget for captain fee, fuel, and gratuity so there are no surprises.

A 35-Foot Private Charter Changes the Pace in St Thomas

If you picture St Thomas as a bunch of short drives, a ferry ride, and a lot of hurry, a private boat day fixes that. You start on the water, move between swim spots directly, and spend your energy in the sea instead of in traffic. The boat itself is a 35-foot Marlin powerboat, sized for a small group, and that size matters.

I like that this feels like your day, not a fixed package. The experience is customizable, and the captains can build the route around what your group wants, from more snorkeling to more beach time. And the reviews back up what you hope for in a charter, flexible captains who actually tailor stops to the people on board.

The other big plus is gear and comfort. You are not scrambling for snorkels, and you are not limited to whatever you pack in a day bag. You get snorkel equipment, floats, music, and a full-size cooler with ice, which makes it easier to stay out longer between stops. For a day that is about 7.5 hours, that little convenience adds up.

Price and the Real Cost: What You Pay Versus What You Budget

The published price is $875 per group for up to 6 people. That is the part you can plan on, and it is a strong value if you split it across your group and compare it to paying for multiple tickets, taxis, and boat tours.

But here is the math you should do up front: captain fee, fuel charges, and gratuity are not included. In other words, the $875 is the base charter price, and you should expect extra costs to land on top for the captain and operating fuel. One review also pointed out that tip expectations can be a little unclear, so I recommend budgeting for gratuity based on the total charter cost, not just the captain portion.

Also, because this is a private charter, the cost benefit swings depending on how full your group is. With 2 people it can feel pricier per person. With 6 people, it starts to look much more like a shared cost and less like an occasional splurge.

Where You Start: Oasis Cove Marina and the Setup for a Smooth Day

Your day begins at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St Thomas 00802, USVI. The trip ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, so you might not need to worry about driving or parking, depending on where you are staying.

This kind of meeting point is the practical part of the day. You want an easy start because once you are on the water, you are on island time. The good news is the marina is listed as near public transportation, which can help if you are not using pickup or if you are coordinating with friends who are staying somewhere different.

I also like that the hours are defined, with operations running daily. That makes it simpler to line up a boat day with your trip schedule, instead of hunting for a narrow window.

How the Captain Builds Your Day in St John and St Thomas

This charter is designed as a skippered, worry-free beach-hopping day. The captain steers, you relax, and you get to choose the vibe: snorkel-heavy, beach breaks, or a mix.

The biggest advantage is that the captain is not locked into one rigid order. You can ask for specific stops and the route can shift based on conditions and what your group is feeling. In reviews, I saw repeated praise for captains like Nate and Kyle, who were described as easygoing and flexible, letting guests guide the day while still steering you toward great locations.

That is how you get a day that feels tailored rather than rushed.

Timing reality check

A “full day” here is about 7 hours 30 minutes. That sounds like plenty until you are enjoying the water and every stop feels worth it. One of the most common drawbacks in the reviews was that the day can feel short, even when it is packed with stops. So go in knowing you are trading extra time for access, convenience, and a private route.

The Water Stops You Can Aim For: Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, and More

The listing names prime snorkel and swim locations like Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, and The Baths, with an option to include Limeout. Reviews also add a bunch of additional possible stops, especially around St John. This matters because the more flexibility your captain has, the more likely you are to hit good snorkeling, calm bays, and the kind of scenery that makes the day feel special.

Here is how to think about those named stops, and what to watch for.

Lovango Cay and turtle-friendly snorkeling

Lovango Cay comes up again and again for sea life. In reviews, guests highlighted seeing sea turtles while snorkeling during the charter. That is the kind of payoff you cannot reliably engineer from land, especially if the water conditions and crowds are not ideal.

The practical side: if you care about wildlife, Lovango is a good target. If you are traveling with non-swimmers, you can still enjoy the scenery from the boat while the snorkelers do their rounds.

Maho Bay as a classic swim option

Maho Bay is another named area, and it makes sense as a stop in a beach-hopping route because it is the kind of place where you can rotate between swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the water. The catch with any bay stop is simple: if winds and sea state are rough, your captain may adjust timing or swap stops for what is comfortable that day.

So keep an open mind. A good captain would rather give you a great swim than force the plan.

The Baths for a more shore-and-walk kind of stop

The Baths is listed as an option. The tradeoff is usually that it is not just a float-and-snorkel stop. Famous for its boulder-strewn passages, it is typically more about walking, climbing over rock formations, and soaking in dramatic shoreline scenery than doing a pure swim circuit.

If your group loves variety and does not mind some footwork, this is a smart add. If your group wants only minimal walking, ask your captain how the stop fits your comfort level.

Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges

Reviews also mention a string of St John style snorkeling stops, including Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St James. These are not random names, they are the kind of spots that make a private charter feel worth it.

From the reviews:

• Booby Rock is where at least one group reported seeing a nurse shark. That is a big wildlife moment, and it also explains why snorkelers get excited about certain areas that stay productive.
• Ledges of Little St James is described with sightings including baracuda and a sea turtle. If your group likes the “real ocean” feeling rather than just reef spotting, this is the direction you likely want your captain to lean.

If you are the kind of traveler who plans around wildlife, tell your captain you want high chance snorkeling and they will likely map the day accordingly.

Limeout Lunch: The Floating Taco Bar Stop Worth Planning For

Limeout is mentioned as a stop option, and in reviews it gets singled out as a highlight. Think of it as lunch built into the sea day, not a separate meal you have to coordinate later.

Why it works: you keep your day momentum, and the meal becomes part of the experience. You also get another reason to look forward to the next stop instead of only counting hours.

The only drawback is timing. Lunch stops can stretch or shorten based on water conditions and how your captain manages the day. If you are on a tight schedule for the rest of your vacation, tell the captain your must-have timing and ask how they will fit lunch in.

What’s Actually Included On Board (So You Can Pack Light)

Included items are straightforward, and that is refreshing. You get:

• Snorkel equipment (and the listing also repeats use of snorkeling equipment)
• Floats
• Music
• A full-size cooler with ice
• Hotel pickup (when offered)

This matters because you can travel lighter and spend the day focusing on the water. If you usually end up paying extra for snorkel gear rental, this charter avoids that hassle.

One more practical point: having a cooler with ice means you can bring drinks or snacks for the day. You do not have to rely on buying everything once you are out on the water.

Comfort and Captain Style: What the Reviews Reveal Without Needing a Script

Most of the positive feedback centers on captain performance, and it is not just a generic compliment. Captains are described as easy going, flexible, and tuned into what the group wants. In particular, Nate and Kyle get named in reviews, and Spence and Brendan show up too.

What this means for you:

• If you want to steer the day, captains appear comfortable letting you pick your own priorities.
• If you want a guided plan, captains appear willing to suggest stops and build a route that hits multiple snorkeling locations.
• Families are mentioned in reviews, including days that work for mixed ages, which suggests the captains know how to handle group energy levels.

One caution from a review: some people felt the day was too short. That is not a complaint about the captain. It is a reminder that multiple snorkel stops plus beach time adds up fast.

Accessibility, Who It Suits, and Who Might Want a Different Option

The listing says most travelers can participate, and it is private to your group. That means you are not doing a crowded, high-traffic tour with strangers. Instead, your day is shaped by your own group size, comfort level, and interests.

Who it suits best:

• Couples and small groups who want privacy and direct access to sea stops
• Families who want a captain who can adapt the route on the fly
• Snorkelers who care about seeing sea life and not just swimming in one shallow cove

Who might hesitate:

• If your group hates any walking or uneven ground, be careful with stops like The Baths, since those are generally more land-oriented.
• If you are the type who needs a guaranteed long timeline for every planned stop, build buffer time into your expectations because weather and conditions can affect the route.

Planning Tips That Make This Charter Go Smoother

You cannot control the sea, but you can control your prep. Here are the smart moves based on the way this charter runs.

1) Budget the extras. Put captain fee, fuel, and gratuity into your planning from day one so the final total does not surprise you.

2) Tell the captain your priority order before you set out. If sea turtles are the goal, say so. If your group also wants beach breaks, mention that too. The best days happen when you align early.

3) Plan for a day that moves. Even with a full day, multiple snorkel stops and beach hops can make 7.5 hours feel quick. If you have other dinner plans that require a hard return time, pick something flexible.

4) Bring what helps you in the sun. The listing covers gear for snorkeling, but it does not tell you what you will have on hand for sun protection or comfort on deck. Your captain can help you run the day, but you still have to protect yourself from Caribbean sun.

Should You Book Caribbean Blue Charters?

If your goal is a true private boat day with skippered flexibility, Caribbean Blue Charters is a strong pick. The value improves when you fill the group up to 6 people, and the included snorkel gear plus cooler with ice make the experience easier than many add-on tours. The consistent praise for captains like Nate and others is a real signal that the day is managed well and adapted to guests.

I would book it if:

• You want snorkeling plus beach hopping in one outing
• You are excited by specific sea life possibilities, like turtles
• You want the freedom to decide what kind of day you are having instead of following a fixed schedule

I would think twice if:

• Your budget cannot absorb captain fee, fuel, and gratuity on top of the $875
• Your group needs a stop that is 100 percent predictable with no adjustments if conditions change
• You plan on zero walking at all, because some named stops like The Baths tend to be more active

If you want an efficient, small-group way to see St John and St Thomas from the water, this is the kind of day you will remember.

FAQ

How much does the charter cost, and how many people is it for?

It costs $875 per group (up to 6 people). The trip runs about 7 hours 30 minutes.

What is included with the boat charter?

The charter includes snorkel gear, floats, music, a cooler with ice, and hotel pickup (if offered). It also lists use of snorkeling equipment.

What is not included in the price?

Captains fee, captains gratuity, and fuel charges are not included and will be an additional charge.

What places might the captain take you?

The itinerary can be customized. Named examples include Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, The Baths, and Limeout. Reviews also mention spots like Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St James.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St Thomas 00802, USVI.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.