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

Catch the best islands from the water. Caribbean Blue Charters gives you a private 35-foot Marlin powerboat, a flexible day around St. Thomas and St. John, and plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, and beach stops. I like the custom itinerary, since you can focus on sea turtles, quiet beaches, lunch, or several snorkel spots. I also like that gear, floats, music, ice, and a cooler are supplied. The catch is important: the $875 price covers the boat for up to six people, but the captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity cost extra.

At about seven and a half hours, this is a full day, not a quick harbor ride. Captains such as Nate, Kyle, Spence, Brendan, and Anthony have earned especially strong praise for friendly service and good judgment about where to stop. You should also know that the charter is for the US Virgin Islands only, so confirm every requested stop and the final extra charges before setting out.

Key points to know before you book

• Five or more water stops are possible: Past outings have included Lovango Cay, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James.
• The day belongs to your group: You can ask for snorkeling, quiet beaches, lunch at Lime Out, island views, or a mix of all four.
• Sea turtles are a realistic highlight: Several outings found turtles, along with barracuda, nurse sharks, and reef fish.
• The boat fits up to six under the stated booking terms: The private setup gives your group space and avoids sharing the captain with strangers.
• Bring money for three extra charges: Fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity are not included in the advertised $875.
• Pickup may be available: The listed meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas, while the tour information also includes hotel pickup.

Why a private boat day works so well here

St. Thomas is a good base for exploring the US Virgin Islands by boat. Roads can get you to many beaches, but they cannot reach the small coves, offshore rocks, and boat-access-only shores that make a day on the water special.

I like this charter because it does not lock you into a rigid sightseeing script. You can spend more time snorkeling if the water is lively, move on if a beach feels crowded, or ask for a slower day with swimming and lunch. That flexibility matters with a mixed group, especially when some people want sea life and others mainly want sun and a quiet swim.

The private format also changes the mood. You are not trying to match the pace of a large group, and you can talk directly with the captain about what matters most to you. The charter is priced at $875 per group of up to six, which works out to about $146 per person before fuel, captain’s fee, and gratuity if you fill every place.

That is not a cheap beach transfer. It can be good value if you want seven and a half hours, several stops, a private boat, and an itinerary built around your group. For one or two people, the cost per person rises quickly. For a family or group of friends, the price becomes easier to justify, but ask for a full estimate with all extras before booking.

Starting at Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas

The listed departure point is Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St. Thomas. The activity runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., matching the approximate seven-hour-thirty-minute duration.

Hotel pickup is included in the tour description, although the formal meeting point is the marina. I would confirm the pickup arrangement, time, and exact location before the day of departure. That small check avoids the sort of morning confusion that can sour an otherwise easy outing.

The boat is a 35-foot Marlin powerboat. You have a full-size cooler with ice, snorkeling equipment, floats, and music on board. Those supplies reduce the amount of beach-day gear you need to carry, though you still need the basics for a day in strong sun and salt water.

The company describes this as a skippered charter. You are not renting the boat to operate yourself. A captain handles the boat and helps shape the route.

Choosing between snorkeling, beaches, and lunch

Your opening conversation with the captain is one of the most useful parts of the day. Tell the captain what you want clearly. If sea turtles are your main goal, say so at the start. If your group includes children or weaker swimmers, mention that too. If you prefer several short swims rather than one long stop, make that clear.

Past outings have been built around different combinations of stops:

• Lovango Cay
• Maho Bay
• Whistling Cay
• Flanagan Island
• Booby Rock
• The Ledges of Little St. James
• Lime Out for lunch
• Secluded beaches around St. John and St. Thomas

These locations are not a guaranteed route. Weather, water conditions, timing, and your captain’s judgment can affect the plan. The listed examples also include The Baths, but the charter is specifically described as a USVI-only experience. If that name is important to you, confirm the route before paying, since you should not assume every advertised example fits every departure.

Lime Out is a particularly appealing lunch option. It is a floating taco bar accessible by boat, giving you a meal break that feels tied to the setting rather than a return to town. Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately.

What snorkeling can look like on the day

The strongest accounts of this charter focus on the variety of water stops. One outing visited five snorkel areas around St. John and St. Thomas, including Lovango, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James.

The wildlife can be a real bonus. Sea turtles appeared on several outings. Other reported sightings included three barracuda, a nurse shark, and plenty of fish. None of that should be treated as a promise. Wild animals keep their own schedules, and the captain cannot guarantee a particular sighting.

The supplied snorkeling equipment is convenient, especially if you do not want to pack masks and fins. You should still check the fit before leaving the marina. A mask that leaks or fins that pinch can waste precious water time, and a private charter gives you a chance to address that before the first stop.

Booby Rock sounds best suited to confident swimmers and active snorkelers. One family enjoyed swimming around the entire island there, while another stop near Little St. James produced barracuda and a turtle. Those examples suggest that the captain can tailor the day toward more adventurous water time, but you should explain your comfort level rather than simply accepting the most ambitious plan.

The captain may make or break the experience

A private charter gives you a boat, but the captain shapes the day. The strongest praise goes to captains who listened, adjusted the route, and knew how to balance several interests.

Nate is repeatedly singled out for being friendly, flexible, considerate, and good at finding the right stops. He has taken groups around St. John and St. Thomas, found turtle sightings, and helped families build a day around several bays and quiet beaches. One family used him twice, which is a good sign for consistency.

Kyle also received strong praise. On one private outing for a couple, he helped make the day feel personal and took photos and videos. Brendan was praised for taking a group around several islands and finding sea turtles. Spence was credited with locating sea life and secluded beaches, while Anthony handled a family group with adults and children and found turtles, fish, and attractive beaches.

You cannot pick a specific captain from the information provided, so do not book on the assumption that one named skipper is guaranteed. You can, however, tell the company what kind of day you want and ask which captain is scheduled.

The captain’s fee is separate from the advertised price. Gratuity is separate too, and one useful cost tip is to base the tip on the total trip price, not only on the captain’s fee. The company also charges fuel separately. Ask how each amount is calculated.

A closer look at the private-boat advantage

A shared excursion can be cheaper, but it usually asks you to accept somebody else’s timing. This charter lets your group decide how much time to spend in the water, how many beaches to visit, and where to pause for lunch.

That is valuable for families. One outing had children on board, and the captain adjusted the plan to fit the whole group. It also works for a birthday or reunion. A 40th birthday outing was shaped around the guest of honor, with the captain choosing good stops and sharing background about the islands.

The boat is advertised for up to six people. That limit matters. Some supplied comments describe larger parties, including eight and nine people, but those accounts do not match the stated capacity in the booking details. I would follow the official limit and ask the operator directly if your party is larger.

The private format is also helpful if your group has different energy levels. Strong swimmers can ask for more active snorkeling, while others can spend more time floating, swimming near the boat, or visiting a beach. The captain can guide the schedule, but you should not expect a fully private experience to remove every practical limit imposed by weather or sea conditions.

What the seven-and-a-half-hour schedule really gives you

A full day sounds generous, but boat travel takes time. Moving between St. Thomas, St. John, offshore rocks, and beach stops uses part of the clock. This is why the itinerary should be treated as a set of priorities, not a promise to see every place named in the description.

A sensible rhythm might include a few snorkel stops, one beach break, and lunch. Trying to collect every possible location could leave you rushing in and out of the water. If your group has one main goal, such as turtles or a secluded beach, tell the captain so the day does not become a race between stops.

One highly praised outing visited five snorkel locations, while other days focused on beaches and lunch. That range shows the benefit of the open plan, but it also means you need to take part in planning. The more specific you are, the better the captain can use the available time.

The day ends back at the meeting point. Since the listed operating hours finish at 4:30 p.m., leave room for the boat’s return and any onward plans. I would not schedule a tight late-afternoon flight or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Price, extras, and what to budget

The listed price is $875 per group of up to six. That covers the private boat experience, but not every cost connected with operating it.

You must pay extra for:

• Captain’s fee
• Fuel charges
• Captain’s gratuity

The cooler with ice and snorkeling equipment are included. Floats and music are also described as included in the experience, and hotel pickup is offered in the tour details.

The price makes the most sense for a full group. At six people, the basic cost is about $146 per person before extras. You are paying for privacy, a large powerboat, a captain, a full day, and the ability to shape the route. If your group values boat-only beaches and several snorkel stops, that can compare well with booking multiple smaller activities.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short swim near St. Thomas. In that case, a shorter shared excursion may fit better. Here, the value comes from the length and control, not simply from getting from one harbor to another.

Who should book this charter

I would choose this outing for a group that wants a full day on the water and has enough people to share the fixed boat cost. It is a strong match for families, birthday groups, couples who want a private day, and confident snorkelers who would rather visit several spots than sit at one beach.

It is also a good choice if you dislike fixed group schedules. You can tell the captain to slow down, look for turtles, visit a floating lunch spot, or focus on secluded shores.

I would be more cautious if your budget is tight, your group has only one or two people, or you want a guaranteed list of exact stops. The extra fees can change the final price, and the weather may require a different route or date.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

My verdict on Caribbean Blue Charters

Book it if your ideal St. Thomas day means warm water, several beaches, flexible snorkeling, and your own captain. The best part is the freedom to shape the day, backed by captains such as Nate and Kyle, who have been praised for listening and finding memorable stops.

Before you commit, confirm the pickup plan, the final cost of fuel and captain charges, the group-size limit, and the route you want. If you do that homework and fill most of the six seats, this charter offers a much more personal day than a standard boat trip. If you want a low-cost, simple beach transfer, save your money. If you want a full island-hopping day where the captain can adjust the plan around your group, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join?

The booking information states that the $875 group price covers up to six people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is included in the tour description, but you should confirm the pickup details before the day of departure because the formal meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included. Floats, music, and a cooler with ice are also described as available on board.

Are fuel and captain costs included?

No. The captain’s fee, fuel charges, and captain’s gratuity are additional costs.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.