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

The best beach may be the one without a road. Caribbean Blue Charters gives you a private seven-and-a-half-hour outing on a 35-foot Marlin powerboat, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach-hopping, and lunch stops around St. Thomas and St. John. I like the freedom to shape the day around your group, and I like that snorkel gear, floats, music, ice, and a full-size cooler are included. The catch is important: fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity cost extra, and the charter is for the US Virgin Islands only.

I also like the personal service. Captains Nate, Kyle, Brendan, Anthony, and Spence have all received strong praise for adjusting the route to suit families, birthday groups, and serious snorkelers. Captain Nate is especially often named for finding sea turtles, secluded beaches, and several good swim spots in one day.

The listed price is $875 per group of up to six, which is fair for a private boat but not the final bill. Split six ways, the base cost is about $146 per person before fuel, captain charges, and tip. If you want a fixed-price excursion with no add-ons, this may not be the right fit.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 35-foot Marlin powerboat keeps the day limited to your own party, with room to change plans as you go.
• Captain Nate is a frequent favorite, praised for his calm manner, local knowledge, flexibility, and talent for finding turtles and good snorkel water.
• Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, Lime Out, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James are among the possible stops.
• Snorkel equipment, floats, music, and an ice-filled cooler are provided, so you can pack less.
• The $875 rate is not all-inclusive, since fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity are added separately.
• Hotel pickup may be available, while the listed marina meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina on Route 32 in St. Thomas.

A full day from Oasis Cove Marina

The advertised trip runs about seven hours and 30 minutes, within the operating window of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You meet at Oasis Cove Marina, at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St. Thomas, unless your pickup arrangement is confirmed elsewhere.

That timing matters. A full day gives your captain room to string together several swim and snorkel stops rather than rushing you through one crowded bay. One person’s only complaint was that the day felt too short, which tells you something useful: if you enjoy being on the water, the hours can pass quickly.

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise. You board, explain what your group wants, and work with the captain on the route. You might ask for quiet beaches, more snorkeling, a lunch stop, or a broad tour around St. John and St. Thomas. The captain then shapes the day around those priorities and the conditions on the water.

That flexibility is the main reason to choose a private charter. A family with children may want shorter swims and an easy lunch stop. A group of strong snorkelers may prefer several sites with less time on shore. A birthday group may care more about scenic cruising and secluded beaches. The same boat can serve all three.

Why the 35-foot boat changes the day

A 35-foot Marlin powerboat offers a more substantial platform than a small runabout. The size matters when your party wants to carry towels, snorkel gear, food, drinks, and personal items without feeling tightly packed.

The charter is advertised for up to six people, so use that number when planning and pricing your trip. A few comments describe parties larger than six, but those accounts do not match the stated capacity. If your group is bigger, confirm directly before booking rather than assuming the same arrangement will apply.

You are not simply being ferried from one beach to another. The boat is your base for the day. You can return aboard after snorkeling, cool off near the cooler, listen to music, and move on when your group is ready. Floats add another easy option for people who want to enjoy the water without snorkeling the whole time.

The boat also lets you reach places that are not practical from land. Several praised stops were described as beaches or swim areas that would be difficult or impossible to reach by road. That is the real value here: less time dealing with roads and parking, more time at water-level places around the islands.

Snorkeling at Lovango Cay and nearby sites

Lovango Cay is one of the named stops and a natural choice for a day centered on swimming and snorkeling. The attraction is not just getting into the water. It is having a captain who can adjust the stop to your group’s comfort and interest, then move on if conditions or energy levels change.

Other possible snorkeling areas include Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James. One particularly ambitious itinerary included five snorkel locations around St. John and St. Thomas. That sort of route suits a group that wants variety rather than a long stay at one beach.

The details from those outings give you a useful sense of what may be seen. Guests reported sea turtles, a nurse shark, barracuda, and schools of fish. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so you should treat those sightings as fortunate possibilities, not promises. Still, the captain’s ability to seek out suitable spots is a strong part of the experience.

Booby Rock and the Ledges of Little St. James were especially memorable for one family, with a nurse shark at the first and barracuda and a sea turtle at the second. If your group wants active snorkeling, tell the captain early. The itinerary can then give more time to sites that fit your pace.

You should also be honest about swimming ability. The information says most people can participate, but this remains a boat-and-water activity. A captain helped calm one nervous group member, which suggests a reassuring guide can make a difference, but you should still be comfortable with the basic demands of getting in and out of the water.

Maho Bay, beaches, and quieter stops

Maho Bay is listed among the possible destinations and is well suited to a day that mixes beach time with snorkeling. The point of visiting by private boat is that you can spend as long as your group wants in the water, then continue to another cove or beach instead of following a bus timetable.

The route may also include secluded beaches and lesser-known swimming spots. I like this part of the plan because you are not limited to the most obvious shore access. Your captain can look for a quieter stop, giving your group time to swim, stretch out, and enjoy the setting without turning the day into a checklist.

Do not expect every named location in the description to appear on every trip. The itinerary is custom, and the final route depends on your interests and the day’s conditions. Tell the captain if your priority is a quiet beach, sea life, lunch, island views, or a certain number of snorkel stops.

The description also names The Baths, but the charter is specifically described as a USVI-only boat charter. Because The Baths are associated with Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, you should confirm this point before booking if that stop is important to you. Do not assume an advertised example automatically means a cross-border trip.

Lime Out makes a memorable lunch stop

Lime Out, a floating taco bar, is another possible stop. One group called the tacos a highlight of the day, and the appeal is easy to understand: you can pause for food without giving up the feeling of being out on the water.

A floating restaurant stop also adds variety. After swimming and snorkeling, you can trade fins for lunch, then return to the boat or continue sightseeing. It helps break up a long day of water activity, especially for families.

Keep in mind that the charter information includes the boat, cooler with ice, snorkel gear, and floats, but it does not list meals as included. Plan to pay separately for lunch and bring any additional food or drinks your group wants. The cooler gives you a practical place to keep supplies cold.

Captains Nate, Kyle, Brendan, Anthony, and Spence

The captain can make or break a private boat day. Here, the most consistent praise goes to Nate, who is described as friendly, flexible, considerate, and easygoing. He is repeatedly credited with finding sea turtles, choosing good snorkel locations, and shaping the day around what each group wanted.

Kyle is also praised for making a private outing feel special, including taking photos and videos for one couple. Brendan is credited with taking a family around several islands and finding sea turtles. Anthony handled a mixed group of four adults and five children by choosing stops that worked for different ages and interests.

Spence is praised for showing a group sea life, beautiful places, and secluded beaches. The pattern is clear: you are not buying a rigid route. You are buying the captain’s judgment about where to go and how to pace the day.

If you have a strong preference, say so at the start. Ask for more snorkeling, fewer stops, a beach break, a floating lunch, or time for photos. The captains appear to welcome that conversation, and it gives them a better chance to shape the day well.

What the $875 price really gets you

The base cost is $875 for the group, up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $146 per person before the added charges. For a private 35-foot boat lasting roughly seven and a half hours, that can be good value, particularly if you would otherwise book several separate activities.

The price covers the private experience and listed equipment. You get a cooler with ice, snorkeling equipment, floats, music, and the boat itself. Hotel pickup is offered in the description, though Oasis Cove Marina is the stated meeting point, so confirm the pickup details before the day.

The extra charges need careful attention. The captain’s fee, fuel, and captain’s gratuity are not included. One family specifically noted that the fuel cost and captain’s fee were extra and that the tip should be based on the total price, not just the captain’s fee. Ask for the full expected cost before you commit.

That extra-cost structure does not make the trip poor value, but it changes how you compare it with other outings. A shared boat may look cheaper at first, yet offer less space and no control over the route. A private charter costs more, but your party gets the entire boat and can spend the day according to its own interests.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this for a family, couple, or small group that values privacy and flexibility more than a fixed schedule. It is especially appealing if you want to snorkel in several places, search for turtles, reach beaches away from roads, or stop for lunch at Lime Out.

Families can benefit from the custom pacing. Children may enjoy floats, short swims, music, and a cooler full of familiar snacks. Adults can ask for stronger snorkeling or a quieter beach. The boat lets you adjust the day instead of forcing everyone into one pace.

It also suits milestone trips. A 40th birthday group described the captain as helping make the day feel special, and a couple found a private charter ideal for their own outing. For a celebration, the ability to control the route is worth more than a standard group excursion.

This is less suitable if you dislike variable costs or want to cross into the British Virgin Islands. It is also not ideal if your party wants a formal narrated sightseeing tour with a guaranteed list of stops. The charm here is the loose plan and the captain’s choices.

Practical details before you go

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. The marina is near public transportation, but pickup is also offered according to the tour information. Confirm your exact meeting arrangement so you know whether to go directly to Oasis Cove Marina.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, towels, and any food or drinks you want beyond what you buy during the day. Snorkel gear, floats, music, and ice are supplied, so there is no need to rent those separately.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The activity is private, and only your own group participates. Most people can take part, but you should discuss any concerns about swimming, snorkeling, or boarding with the operator before the trip.

Should you book Caribbean Blue Charters?

I would book it if you want a private day where the route remains open to your group. The strongest reasons are the spacious 35-foot boat, the included snorkel equipment and cooler, and captains such as Nate and Kyle who are praised for personal service and sharp choices on the water.

Before booking, get the complete cost in writing, including fuel, the captain’s fee, and gratuity. Also confirm the maximum group size, hotel pickup, and whether any location you especially want is within the USVI-only route.

If those details work for you, this is a strong choice for making a single day on St. Thomas feel like several trips in one: snorkel bays, secluded beaches, island views, wildlife, and a floating lunch stop. Just remember that the best part is not a fixed checklist. It is the freedom to tell your captain what kind of day you want.

FAQ

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes. Operating hours are listed as 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

What is the price for the private boat?

The listed price is $875 per group, for up to six people.

Are fuel and the captain’s fee included?

No. Fuel charges and the captain’s fee are additional costs. Captain gratuity is also not included.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No. Captain gratuity is an additional charge. One note advises calculating the tip from the total price, not only the captain’s fee.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment, a cooler with ice, and floats are provided. Music is also available on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered according to the tour details. The stated marina meeting point is Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St. Thomas.

Where does the charter start and finish?

It starts at Oasis Cove Marina in St. Thomas and ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the charter.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. The captain can customize the itinerary around your group’s interests, including snorkeling, swimming, beaches, island stops, and possible lunch locations.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.