A private boat day in the BVI feels like cheating. I like that you control the route with your captain, and I also love the hands-on extras like snorkel gear and pool noodles that make it easier for everyone to get in the water. One consideration, though, is that you are planning a day around timing and weather, so a cloudy or rough day can shift the plan.

What you get is a private charter for up to 6 people (5 to 8 hours) on Midnight Sun Charters’ 37ft OBSIDIAN, sailing out of St Thomas and visiting a mix of beaches and snorkel stops across the British Virgin Islands. You’ll also get bottled water with ice, plus admission is handled for most of the major swim stops on the route, so you are not constantly digging for fees while you are trying to enjoy the day.

Key Things I’d Plan Around Before You Go

• Captain-led flexibility keeps the day feeling personal instead of scheduled in stone
• Snorkel-focused route includes multiple named water stops across the BVI
• Beach and lunch breaks are built into the timing, not an afterthought
• Admission is included on most stops, which helps reduce day-of budgeting
• BVI customs and entrance fees are not included, so you should expect extra charges
• Weather matters, and the operator notes the experience requires good conditions

Private 37ft Charter From St Thomas to the BVI

This is the kind of day trip that turns a checklist vacation into a real plan you can steer. Instead of being slotted onto a big group boat, you’re booking the 37ft OBSIDIAN for just your party, up to six people. That alone changes how the day feels. You can spend more time where your group is actually having fun, and you can skip what you’re not feeling.

Midnight Sun Charters frames it as an around-the-BVI charter, with your captain guiding the sailing and helping you shape the order of stops. That matters, because the British Virgin Islands are spread out, and a big chunk of “success” in a day like this is getting to the right places with enough daylight and energy left.

If you care about snorkeling and swimming, this boat day is structured for that. If your group is split between people who want to snorkel and people who just want beach time, the itinerary makes that easy too, with stops that include both water activities and breaks.

Value: What $2,000 Per Group Really Buys

The price is $2,000 per group up to six people. If you divide it out, it can look pricey compared with per-person tours. But private boat days rarely work out like group tours, because you’re paying for the whole boat and captain time, not just seat space.

Here’s what helps the value make sense for a group:

• You get a private day with a captain, not shared time.
• Bottled water with ice is included.
• Admission is included for many of the listed swim and island stops.
• The route includes multiple named snorkeling areas plus breaks like a lunch stop.

What is not included is also important. Fuel is not included, and the BVI customs or entrance fees are not included. So you should budget for some extra charges depending on what applies to your day and timing.

Also, hotel pickup and drop-off is not included. That is common for charters, but it does mean you should plan your own way to the meeting point near public transportation.

The OBSIDIAN Experience: How the Day Actually Runs

This charter runs about 5 to 8 hours, and you’re given the flexibility to customize your itinerary with your captain. In practice, that means you are not just “visiting” places. You are making choices about where to linger, where to snorkel, and how to pace the day.

A big quality signal from the reviews is captain style. Multiple captains were praised for being fun, knowledgeable, and flexible with stop choices. Captains like Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin came up repeatedly, and the pattern was consistent: they help everyone have a good day, including teenagers, and they work to maximize time once you are near your departure or cruise schedule.

There’s also a practical detail that matters once you are on the water. Snorkel gear and pool noodles were provided in at least one instance, and having that on hand can save you from worrying about fitting, cleaning, or whether someone in your group is comfortable in the water.

Your Stop-by-Stop Route, and How to Get the Most From Each One

Magens Bay Beach: An Easy Start at a World-Rated Beach

You’ll start with Magens Bay Beach, with about 1 hour on the schedule. The beach is listed as a top 10 rated beach in the world, and admission is free for this stop.

This is a solid first stop because it’s a straightforward way to get into island time. Think of it as a warm-up: swim, relax, and regroup before the day becomes more snorkel and island hopping.

The main drawback is that 1 hour can feel short if your group is slow to get going, or if you want to spend more time in the water than just one swim break. If you’re booking for a group that likes long beach stretches, you might ask your captain whether the timing can be adjusted after you see how everyone feels.

The Baths and Devil’s Bay: Swim Time on Virgin Gorda

Next up is The Baths, with around 2 hours. The plan includes exploring the baths and swimming at Devil’s Bay on Virgin Gorda. Admission is included here.

This is the first “signature” stop on the route, and the value is in the combination of exploring and getting into the water. Two hours is enough to do both without the day feeling rushed, especially if you keep moving at a steady pace.

One consideration: if your group is very snorkeling-first and wants immediate water time, the exploration portion could feel like a pace shift. On the other hand, if your group likes a mix of walking around and swimming, this stop is balanced.

Sandy Cay: Quick Island Time for Snorkeling or Sun

Sandy Cay gets about 1 hour, and it’s a good place to snorkel or sunbathe. Admission is included.

This stop is ideal if your group wants something that feels airy and less structured. One hour is short enough to keep momentum, but long enough for a snorkel session for whoever wants it and some chair time for the rest.

If your group includes people who need extra reassurance in the water, the presence of gear like pool noodles (when available) can help you make this stop more comfortable for everyone.

Francis Bay: The Spot for Turtles and Sea Rays

Francis Bay is another 1-hour stop, and it’s noted for great snorkeling with turtles and sea rays. Admission is included.

This is where the itinerary starts paying off for snorkel lovers, because the listing calls out the types of sea life you might encounter. The practical takeaway is simple: give yourself enough time to settle into snorkeling before you rush back to the boat.

The main drawback is also the most common snorkeling reality: not every snorkel trip produces the same sightings. Your best move is to show up ready to snorkel, take it slow in the water, and keep your expectations friendly rather than binary.

Norman Island Caves: Snorkel Plus a Lunch Moment

Then you head to Norman Island Caves for about 2 hours. This is listed as a great snorkeling spot and also a good spot for lunch. Admission is included.

Two hours is a gift here. It gives you time for a proper snorkeling window and still leaves room for eating without making lunch feel like a rushed chore. If your group tends to get cranky when hungry, this timing helps.

One thing to watch: lunch usually slows the day for a bit, so if you have a tight schedule, it’s smart to plan your food break early in the window rather than at the end.

The Indians: Another Strong Snorkeling Stop

The Indians is a 1-hour stop. It’s listed as another great snorkel spot near Norman Island, and admission is included.

This is likely one of those “in and out” snorkeling blocks. The best way to enjoy it is to treat it like a focused session, not a full-on all-afternoon water party. A lot of people do better when they know the time is short, because it reduces second-guessing and keeps the group moving smoothly.

If you have non-snorkelers, this is a good place for them to stay relaxed and let the snorkelers get a clean shot at the water.

Cooper Island: A Lunch-Focused Island Break

Cooper Island follows, with about 2 hours. It’s listed as a great lunch spot, and admission is included.

This stop works well if your group wants a longer break away from the boat rhythm. Two hours gives people room to eat, hang out, and reset before your last island hop.

If you are trying to maximize snorkeling across the day, you might treat this as a “fuel stop” rather than a full extended beach day. Either way, it’s a helpful chunk of downtime.

Soggy Dollar Bar and Jost: The Classic Painkiller Moment

Finally, you island hop to Jost, with Soggy Dollar Bar in the plan for about 2 hours. The listing notes it as world famous for a Painkiller.

This is the fun social ending you can build around. Two hours means you are not only grabbing a drink and running. You can take a breather, order what you came for, and enjoy the vibe before heading back.

One practical note: keep it realistic for your group. If some people are snorkeled out, you can still have a great time here. If others want water time, you might want to confirm with your captain how the final timing will feel.

Why the Captain Really Changes the Day

The captain is the difference between a good trip and a great trip. And this operation gets praised for captain energy and flexibility. Captains like Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin were specifically mentioned, with themes like providing fun stops, staying knowledgeable, and adjusting based on what the group wants to do.

You can see how that plays out with this itinerary. There are fixed anchor points (like The Baths and the big snorkeling areas), but the captain’s flexibility helps you respond to real conditions. Maybe your group is bouncing off the boat more than expected, maybe someone wants extra time in the water, or maybe you need to tighten up the day to match cruise timing.

Also, having gear available and being willing to manage the small details is huge. One review highlighted that the captain dropped guests right by their cruise to maximize time. That kind of small logistics awareness can save you from feeling rushed at the end of the day.

What to Budget For (Besides the Charter)

The big included piece is bottled water with ice and the captain. Admission tickets are included for many of the listed stops, which reduces the “surprise fee” factor once you’re out there.

But plan for these items:

• BVI customs or entrance fees are not included.
• Fuel is not included.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.
• You need to bring a current valid passport.

Also, your passport details are required at booking time, including name, number, expiry, and country. For cruise ship passengers, the ship name and docking and re-boarding times are also needed. If any of that is a hassle, it’s worth handling early so your day stays smooth.

Weather, Timing, and How to Choose the Right Day

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

That matters because the British Virgin Islands are water-based, and a rough day can affect comfort and safety. You should pick the day you want most, but don’t treat this like a guaranteed “always happens” experience. If you have only one day in the area, you might feel some pressure. If you have flexibility in your itinerary, you’ll have an easier time aligning the charter with stable conditions.

The good news is that the trip is private, which usually means less friction when plans need to shift. A captain can help adjust within reason, especially if your group is flexible.

Who This Charter Fits Best

I think this charter is a strong match if:

• Your group wants a private day and you’d rather not share the boat.
• You care about snorkeling and want multiple named stops rather than one.
• You have a group dynamic where people want different things, and you want the captain to help you balance it.
• You like the idea of a classic island ending at Soggy Dollar Bar for a Painkiller moment.

It may not be ideal if:

• Your group hates planning around passports and customs.
• You need hotel pickup or a fully door-to-door setup.
• You’re traveling with a very tight schedule and are uncomfortable with weather-related shifts.

Should You Book Midnight Sun Charters 37ft OBSIDIAN?

I’d book it if your top priority is a private, captain-led BVI day with a mix of snorkeling and beach time, without spending the day negotiating schedules with strangers. The value improves when you book for a full party of up to six, because the charter cost is for the boat, not per person.

If you are the type who likes certainty and minimal paperwork, you’ll want to plan your passport details early and understand that BVI customs fees are not included. But if you do that upfront, this kind of day can be one of the most memorable parts of a St Thomas and BVI trip.

In short, if you want control of the day, multiple water stops, and a fun ending at Jost, this is an easy yes. Just pick your day wisely and go in ready to enjoy the water.

FAQ

How many people can the 37ft OBSIDIAN private charter accommodate?

The tour is priced per group and supports up to 6 travelers.

How long is the charter?

The experience runs for about 5 to 8 hours.

What is included in the price?

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

Are admission fees included for the stops?

Admission tickets are listed as included for stops like The Baths, Sandy Cay, Francis Bay, Norman Island Caves, The Indians, Cooper Island, and Soggy Dollar Bar. Magens Bay Beach is listed as free. BVI customs or entrance fees are not included.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel, and passport details are required at the time of booking.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.