A private boat day beats island hopping on land. You’ll get a custom itinerary with snorkeling gear and a skippers’ route to top spots, plus a cooler with ice for an easy day on the water. The main catch: captain fee, fuel, and gratuity are not included, so you’ll want to budget for those before you set sail.

This is built for groups who want flexibility, not a rigid schedule—one day, several swim stops, and the freedom to go where the conditions and your interests make sense. In past charters, captains like Nate, Kyle, Spence, Brendan, and Anthony are repeatedly praised for being easy to work with and tailoring the plan. One more consideration: at about 7 hours 30 minutes, it’s genuinely a full day—but it can feel short once you’re out there.

Key things to know before you go

• Private boat for your group: You’re booking a 35′ Marlin power boat experience just for your party.
• Snorkeling gear, floats, and a cooler included: You don’t have to pack the basics, and you get chilled drinks/food storage onboard.
• Custom beach-hopping route: The day can be shaped around what you want most—swim time, snorkeling time, quieter beaches, or quick hops.
• Classic USVI swim stops are on the menu: Think Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, The Baths, and Limeout as potential highlights.
• Extra costs are common: Captain fee, captain gratuity, and fuel charges are separate, so the sticker price isn’t the full story.
• Good weather matters: The charter requires workable conditions, and the operator will reschedule or refund if it’s canceled for weather.

Your day on a 35′ Marlin power boat: what it really feels like

This charter is simple in concept: you pay for a full day of skippers’ service and boat time, and you spend it swimming, snorkeling, and bouncing between beaches that are hard to reach by land.

The “private” part matters more than you might think. With a boat like this, you’re not stuck waiting on other groups. If someone wants a longer snorkel window, the plan can usually bend. If your group’s energy level changes mid-day, you can shift the pace rather than follow a script.

Also, the boat is the right size for this style of outing. A 35-foot power boat isn’t a tiny dinghy, and it’s not a huge party vessel either. That usually translates to a more personal feel—more room to spread out, and less chaos than you’d expect from crowded tours.

Price and value: $875 per group, plus what you’ll likely add

The base price is $875 per group (up to 6) for roughly 7 hours 30 minutes. That’s a meaningful chunk of money, but it buys something you can’t easily recreate on your own: a skippers’ plan, boat access to multiple swim locations, and the included snorkeling setup.

A quick value check:

• If you’re the full 6-person group, you’re looking at about $145 per person for the charter portion.
• If you’re fewer than 6, the cost per person rises fast, so it becomes a “split the charter with friends/family” kind of deal.

Then you hit the costs that aren’t included: captain fee, captain gratuity, and fuel charges. Those are normal for this type of charter, but they do affect the final number you should plan around. One review note that’s worth taking seriously: when gratuity is separate, people often regret not budgeting for it early—so I’d add a cushion to your vacation spending plan.

My practical advice: treat the $875 as the booking anchor, then confirm the likely total with the operator once you know how many people are in your group and when you’re going. It keeps expectations clean and avoids last-minute sticker shock.

Meeting point and timing: Oasis Cove Marina and a clean start

Your start point is Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St Thomas, USVI 00802. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so there’s no mystery about how you’ll get home at the end of the day.

Pickup is offered, which is a big deal in St Thomas. It cuts down on the “where’s the car, who has the keys, who’s got the sunscreen” scramble. If you don’t get pickup (or if your group prefers to handle its own logistics), plan to be at the marina with time to spare.

The marina’s stated hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, so it’s wise to schedule the rest of your day around that window rather than locking in tight plans immediately before or after your charter.

What’s included on board (and why that matters)

This charter keeps the essentials covered so your day feels light and easy.

Included:

• Cooler with ice
• Use of snorkeling equipment (and floats)
• Music onboard
• Hotel pickup (if you choose it)
• Mobile ticket

Here’s why these details matter in real life. Snorkeling gear and floats being included means you’re not dealing with rentals, missing fins, or buying last-minute masks that don’t fit right. The cooler with ice is the difference between “we’ll snack later” and actually having cold drinks and a place to stash food during beach-hops.

And the music—small thing, but it sets the tone. It makes the boat ride feel like part of the day, not just a way to get to the stops.

How the skipper plans the day: flexibility is the whole point

The itinerary is customizable. That’s not just marketing language. On a private charter, it changes how your day plays out:

• If your group’s priority is snorkeling, you’ll likely get more time in the water and more stops designed for viewing.
• If your priority is beach time, the skipper can lean toward calmer waters or quicker access to shore.
• If someone in your party wants a quieter rhythm, you can usually skip the “everyone line up now” pacing.

In the feedback for this operation, a few captains come up again and again—Nate is highlighted for being flexible and personable, Kyle is praised for a smooth, perfect private-day feel, and Anthony/Spence/Brendan show up for customization and good sea-life spotting.

One practical tip: when you board, tell the captain your must-dos (snorkel, turtles, secluded beach time, lunch stop) and your hard no’s (rough water, long rides, too many stops). You’ll get a better plan that matches your group’s comfort.

Snorkeling and sea life: what you can actually hope to see

This is a snorkeling-forward charter, and the gear is provided. Beyond that, what makes it exciting is the chance to see sea life up close in multiple locations.

Specific sea-life sightings that have been described on past days include:

• Sea turtles
• A nurse shark
• Baracuda
• Plenty of colorful fish activity at snorkel stops

Now, a reality check: wildlife isn’t guaranteed at any snorkeling location. What you can count on is that the skipper is there to find good windows and take you to prime spots when conditions cooperate.

If sea turtles are your big goal, you’ll be happier if you keep your expectations flexible. Sometimes you’ll get exactly what you want; sometimes it’s better to focus on the full snorkeling experience rather than one species.

Beach-hopping stops: the USVI highlights you might hit

The charter is built around boat-only access and prime swim/snorkel locations. The specific mix depends on your preferences and the day’s conditions, but you can expect the skipper to work from a menu like this:

Lovango Cay and the classic sandbar swim vibe

Lovango Cay is listed among the premier swim/snorkel locations. Places like this usually deliver the “boat-access makes it better” effect: you spend more time in the water and less time fighting land logistics.

If your group loves a mix of snorkeling and relaxed floating, this kind of stop tends to be a crowd-pleaser.

Maho Bay as another prime swim/snorkel option

Maho Bay also comes up as a key location. It’s part of the plan because it’s considered a strong choice for swimming and snorkeling.

If you want variety in your day—different waters, different views—multiple stops like this help prevent the outing from feeling repetitive.

The Baths as a go-to beach-hopping anchor

The Baths is mentioned as one of the places the charter can include. Since your day is flexible, the skipper can decide how it fits based on timing and how your group is doing in the water.

If your group likes a bit of land-and-water mix, it’s a good candidate. If you’re strictly “in-water only,” tell the skipper so they don’t spend the day balancing shore time with snorkel time.

Limeout as a lunch option (floating taco bar)

Limeout appears in the highlights, and at least one past group built their lunch around Limeout, the floating taco bar. If that’s your kind of vacation move—food plus a unique setting—mention it early so it can be considered in the day plan.

This is also a good example of why private charters are worth it. A land tour might pass by something like this without giving you the time to enjoy it.

Other snorkel stops your skipper may add

Captains have taken groups to multiple additional snorkel spots such as Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St James. Some of these stops have been associated with sightings like turtles and more dramatic fish activity.

Don’t treat these as guarantees. Treat them as examples of the kinds of places a flexible skipper can weave into your day.

On-board comfort: cooler life, photos, and keeping the day easy

Beyond the obvious fun, the small comforts help the whole trip run smoother.

• Cooler with ice: You can bring food and drinks for the day and keep it from turning into lukewarm regret.
• Floats and snorkeling gear included: People can jump in faster and spend more time actually snorkeling.
• Music onboard: It keeps the boat ride from feeling like a transit phase.
• Skipper-led navigation: You don’t have to manage routes or worry about finding access points.

From the captain style that’s been praised, the best days seem to be the ones where the skipper takes photos/videos when possible and keeps the vibe relaxed—so your group doesn’t feel rushed between stops.

Who this charter is best for

This is a great match for:

• Couples and small families who want a private boat day with real snorkeling time
• Groups who hate rigid schedules and want to steer the day
• Anyone who wants boat access to multiple swim spots you can’t easily “just do” on your own

It’s not the best match if:

• You want a huge organized group experience with lots of structure
• You’re uncomfortable with the idea that your final cost includes captain fee, gratuity, and fuel
• You need a schedule with no flexibility at all

Also, since the base price is per group up to 6, it fits best when you can spread the cost across a full party. If you’re a smaller group, it can still be worth it, but it’s less “cheap,” more “premium convenience.”

Should you book Caribbean Blue’s 35′ full-day charter?

If you want one of those days that feels like you’re getting away from the cruise-bus version of the islands, I’d book this—especially if snorkeling is a priority and you like the idea of swapping stops based on what you and your group want that day.

I’d pass or at least think hard if you’re trying to keep the budget tight. The base rate is only part of the final math because captain fee, gratuity, and fuel are separate. But if you’re good with that, you’re buying real time on the water, practical included gear, and a private skipper who can adjust the route.

One last move before you commit: when you confirm, ask the operator for a clear total estimate with your group size so you can enjoy the day without doing vacation math in your head.

FAQ

What boat is used for this charter?

It’s a 35′ Marlin power boat with a skippers’ route and a private experience for your group.

How long is the full day charter?

The duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

How much does it cost?

The price is $875.00 per group (up to 6).

What’s included in the price?

Included are snorkeling equipment, floats, music, a full-size cooler with ice, and hotel pickup (as offered). The summary also lists accommodations as per the itinerary.

What’s not included?

Not included are the captain’s fee, captain’s gratuity, and fuel charges.

Where do we meet?

Meet at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St Thomas 00802, USVI.

Are snorkeling essentials provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided, and floats are included as well.

Does the schedule depend on weather?

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

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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