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

A private boat lets you turn a full day in the US Virgin Islands into your own floating schedule. You can ask Captain Nate, Kyle, Anthony, Brendan, or Spence to focus on sea turtles and snorkeling, quiet beaches, lunch stops, or a mix of all three.

I like the small private group and the roomy 35-foot Marlin powerboat. I also like that the day is not locked to one route, and that snorkeling gear, floats, music, a full-size cooler with ice, and hotel pickup are included.

The main catch is cost clarity. The $875 group price covers up to six people, but fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity are extra. Also, the description names The Baths while stating this is a USVI-only charter, so confirm the exact route before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Five or more water stops are possible: Past routes have included Lovango Cay, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, the Ledges of Little St. James, and bays around St. John and St. Thomas.
• The captain shapes the day: You can arrive with a wish list, or let your skipper select the best mix of beaches and snorkel sites.
• Sea turtles are a real possibility: Several outings included turtles, along with nurse sharks, barracuda, and reef fish.
• The boat is private: Only your group takes part, with space for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and music between stops.
• Bring a budget for extras: The $875 price does not include fuel, the captain’s fee, or the captain’s gratuity.
• It runs about 7 hours and 30 minutes: Pickup is offered, and the boat returns to Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas.

A full day that feels more like your day

The appeal here is simple: you are not herded from one fixed stop to another. You hire a private 35-foot Marlin powerboat, meet a skipper at Oasis Cove Marina, and help decide how to use roughly seven and a half hours on the water.

That freedom matters in the Virgin Islands. One group may want to snorkel hard all day. Another may prefer one good swim, a secluded beach, lunch at Lime Out, and plenty of time to sit in the sun. A family with children may need shorter water stops and more relaxed cruising. The charter can adjust to those needs.

You can name your priorities when you board. Ask for turtles, quiet beaches, several snorkel sites, a floating lunch stop, or views from the water. If you do not know the area well, you can also let the captain take the lead.

Past routes have included spots around St. Thomas and St. John, such as Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James. The exact route depends on your interests, conditions, and the captain’s judgment on the day.

Setting out from Oasis Cove Marina

The listed meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St. Thomas. The activity ends back at the same marina, and hotel pickup is advertised as part of the service.

That pickup can make the morning easier, especially if you are staying away from the marina or do not want to arrange a separate taxi. Confirm the pickup details and timing when you book. The listed operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which lines up with a long daytime outing.

The marina is near public transportation, but this is still a boat day, not a walk-up beach excursion. Bring what you need before leaving shore. The boat provides a cooler with ice, snorkeling equipment, floats, and music, but you should confirm what food and drinks you want to bring or purchase.

The boat is private, so you do not have to share the space with strangers. That makes a difference on a seven-and-a-half-hour trip. Your group can settle into its own rhythm, change plans, and take breaks without negotiating with a boatload of other people.

What a 35-foot Marlin gives you

A 35-foot powerboat is a useful size for a day of island hopping. It is large enough to carry a private group comfortably while still allowing the captain to move between bays and islands without the slow pace of a sailboat.

The listing price is for up to six people. That works out to about $146 per person before the captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity if six people share the base cost. For a couple, the same charter is a major splurge. For a full group, it can be a fair way to get a private boat, a dedicated skipper, and a custom route for the day.

One important caution: a supplied review describes eight adults aboard and says the boat handled the group well, while the tour details state a maximum of six. Treat six as the confirmed capacity and ask the operator about any larger party before booking. Do not assume a past arrangement applies to your reservation.

The boat includes a full-size cooler with ice, which is more useful than it sounds. You can keep drinks cold between swims and avoid rushing back to shore. Snorkel gear is also provided, so you do not need to pack a full set unless you prefer using your own mask and fins.

Snorkeling around St. John and St. Thomas

Snorkeling is the strongest reason to choose this charter. Instead of spending the whole day at one beach, you can ask to visit several sites and compare them.

Maho Bay is known in the tour description as a prime swim and snorkel location. It is one of the named places to request if you want a classic St. John stop. Lovango Cay is another suggested area, and the route can include smaller spots that are difficult or impossible to reach from land.

The past routes give you a sense of how varied the day can be. Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James have all been used as snorkel stops. One family visited five sites in a single day and saw a nurse shark, barracuda, and a sea turtle. Other outings included several sea turtles and plenty of reef fish.

That does not guarantee wildlife sightings. Sea turtles and larger marine life are wild, not scheduled performers. Still, a captain who knows the local water can help you spend your time in places suited to your goals and conditions.

Tell the captain how serious your group is about snorkeling. One past party wanted an active day with several challenging sites, while another needed a calmer outing for children. The better you explain your comfort level, the more useful the customization becomes.

Remember that snorkeling still depends on weather, water conditions, and your own ability in the water. The trip requires good weather, and a rough day can affect which bays are practical. If your group includes weak swimmers, say so before setting out.

Beaches, quiet coves, and places reached only by water

The boat opens up beaches and coves you cannot reach by road. That is the heart of the value here. A land-based day around St. Thomas or St. John can show you beautiful shorelines, but it cannot give you the same access to small beaches and offshore swimming spots.

Your captain may take you to a quiet beach for a swim, then move on before the next stop feels repetitive. You might spend time on a sandy shore, swim from the boat, or stay aboard with the cooler and music while the captain handles the next leg.

The pace is yours, within reason. A long lunch or beach stop means less time at other sites. A serious snorkeling itinerary means less time sitting on shore. I would decide before departure which matters most: more places, longer stops, or a slower day.

The route can also include striking views of St. Thomas and St. John from the water. You see the islands from a different angle, with bays and shorelines opening up as you pass them. The boat ride itself becomes part of the day rather than just transportation between attractions.

The description also mentions The Baths, but it says the charter is for the US Virgin Islands only. The Baths are associated with Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, so this is a point to settle before booking. Ask exactly where the boat may go and whether any border or route limits apply. Do not build your day around The Baths until the operator confirms it.

Lunch at Lime Out

Lime Out, a floating taco bar, is one of the most appealing possible stops. It is accessible by boat, and several outings have included lunch there.

This gives your day a welcome break from swimming. You can eat on the water, then return to the boat or continue to another bay. It also gives your captain a natural way to shape the day around your group rather than making every stop a beach stop.

Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately. Ask the captain about timing and availability on your date. A floating restaurant stop can be popular, and it may affect how many snorkel sites fit into the day.

If Lime Out is a priority, say so at the start. If you would rather maximize water time, skip lunch there and bring food for the cooler, subject to the operator’s guidance.

The captains make or break the day

The captain is the most important part of a private charter. A good skipper does more than drive the boat. The captain listens, reads the group, knows when to move on, and helps you use the day well.

Nate receives the most repeated praise in the supplied feedback. He is described as flexible, friendly, considerate, and good at finding turtles and strong snorkel sites. Several outings with him included St. John, secluded beaches, multiple bays, and wildlife stops.

Kyle is also praised for making a private couple’s outing feel personal, including taking photos and videos. Anthony handled a family group with adults and children and chose stops that included turtles, fish, and attractive beaches. Brendan took a group around several islands for snorkeling, while Spence led a day with sea life and less crowded beaches.

Captain names can change, so request a particular skipper only if the operator confirms availability. The most useful approach is to explain what you want clearly, then give the captain room to make sensible adjustments. Local conditions can make one bay better than another on a given morning.

A captain can also help nervous swimmers. One group specifically appreciated the way its skipper calmed a member of the party. That sort of care is worth more than a rigid list of stops.

What the $875 price really buys

The base cost is $875 per group of up to six. That is not a cheap beach transfer, but it covers something more substantial: a private boat, a dedicated captain, a long day on the water, snorkeling equipment, floats, music, a cooler with ice, and advertised hotel pickup.

For six people, the base price is easier to justify. You get privacy and flexibility without paying six separate excursion fares. For two people, it is best viewed as a special splurge, particularly if a private boat is the main event of your vacation.

Do not compare the price only with a public sightseeing cruise. A shared boat may cost less, but it will usually give you less control over stops and timing. Compare this charter with other private boat options after adding the extra charges.

The final bill includes the captain’s fee, fuel, and gratuity. These are not minor details. Ask for the expected total before the trip, and ask how gratuity should be calculated. One party found the extra charges were not clear at first and advised budgeting the tip based on the full price, not only the captain’s fee.

That simple conversation can prevent a sour ending to an otherwise excellent day.

Practical planning for your group

This charter suits you best if your group wants control. It is a good fit for families, couples celebrating a special occasion, active snorkelers, and friends who would rather spend a day at sea than follow a fixed island tour.

It may not suit you if you want a low-cost outing, dislike being on a powerboat for several hours, or prefer a guaranteed sightseeing route. It is also not the best choice if your group cannot agree on how to use the day. A private boat gives you freedom, but your group still needs to choose between snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and cruising.

Pack sun protection, swimwear, towels, and any personal snacks or drinks you want. The cooler and ice are included, but the supplied details do not say that meals are included. Bring only what your group needs, since space is shared among up to six people and the boat’s gear.

Because the tour depends on good weather, keep some flexibility in your vacation schedule if possible. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Should you book Caribbean Blue Charters?

Book it if you want the freedom to shape one big day around your own group. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the captain’s ability to adjust the route, the chance to visit several snorkel sites, and access to beaches you cannot reach from land.

I would especially consider it for six people who want an active day around St. Thomas and St. John. Ask for a clear estimate of fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity, and confirm the maximum group size. Also settle the The Baths versus USVI-only issue before booking.

If you want sea turtles, secluded beaches, and several chances to get in the water, this is a strong choice. If your main goal is simply to reach one beach at the lowest price, take a less expensive transfer instead.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. It starts and ends at Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas.

How many people can join the charter?

The listed capacity is up to six people per group. One supplied account describes eight adults aboard, but you should treat six as the confirmed limit and ask the operator before booking a larger party.

What is included in the $875 price?

The price includes the private boat experience, a cooler with ice, snorkeling equipment, floats, music, and advertised hotel pickup. The details also list accommodations as provided according to the itinerary, but no lodging is specified.

Are fuel and the captain’s fee included?

No. Fuel, the captain’s fee, and the captain’s gratuity are additional charges. Ask for the expected total before your trip.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St. Thomas 00802, USVI. The activity returns to this marina.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.