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

A private powerboat is one of the best ways to see the US Virgin Islands from the water. This 7.5-hour charter lets you set the pace, from turtle searches around St John to a quiet beach stop or lunch at Lime Out. Captains such as Nate, Kyle, Brendan, Spence, and Anthony are used to shaping the day around each group.

I like the freedom to choose your own route, and I like the practical touches: snorkeling gear, floats, music, and an iced cooler are provided. The main drawback is the price structure. The $875 booking rate does not include fuel, the captain fee, or gratuity, so ask for the full cost before you commit.

Key points to know before you book

• Your own private boat: Only your party takes part, with no fixed group of strangers.
• A flexible route: You can ask for snorkeling, beaches, island views, lunch, or a mix of all four.
• Strong captain feedback: Nate receives repeated praise, while Kyle, Brendan, Spence, and Anthony are also singled out for friendly service and good route choices.
• Useful equipment included: Snorkel gear, floats, music, and a full-size cooler with ice are provided.
• Extra charges matter: The $875 base rate excludes fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity.
• The advertised capacity is six: Some published comments describe larger groups, so confirm the boat size and permitted passenger count for your date.

A full day on the water, shaped around you

Caribbean Blue Charters offers a private 35-foot Marlin powerboat for a day around St Thomas and St John. The basic plan is simple: board at Oasis Cove Marina, tell the captain what your group wants, and spend the next several hours moving between swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and food stops.

That flexibility is the chief reason to choose this outing instead of a standard island cruise. If your group wants sea turtles, the captain can focus on bays and reefs where turtles may be seen. If one person wants a quiet beach while another wants several snorkel stops, the route can be adjusted as the day goes on.

You are not locked into a rigid list of stops. That is useful in the Caribbean, where wind, waves, crowds, and the interests of your own group can change the best plan. The captain decides what is practical on the day, but your wishes help set the direction.

The boat departs and returns to Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St Thomas. The listed operating window is 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which matches the advertised length of about seven hours and thirty minutes. Hotel pickup is offered, but confirm the pickup point and timing when you book, since the marina remains the stated start and end point.

What the 35-foot Marlin gives you

A 35-foot powerboat is large enough to make a full day on the water comfortable for a private group, while still giving you the feel of a personal charter rather than a large sightseeing vessel. You have room to move around, keep drinks cold, listen to music, and get in and out for swims and snorkel stops.

The boat is not simply transportation between beaches. It is your base for the day. The cooler with ice saves you from carrying every drink by hand, and the provided snorkel equipment means you do not have to rent masks and fins separately. Floats add another easy option for anyone who wants to relax in the water rather than spend every stop swimming.

The listed price is $875 per group of up to six. Split six ways, that is about $146 per person before fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity. That can be fair for a full private day, especially if your group values control over the schedule and would otherwise book several separate outings.

The arithmetic changes for a smaller party. Two people pay a much higher effective rate, although a private boat and a custom route may still be worth it for a birthday, anniversary, or special family day. Get the extra charges in writing before booking. One particularly useful tip is to calculate gratuity on the overall cost of the charter, not only on the captain fee.

There is a capacity point to clarify. The tour details list up to six people, while some published comments describe parties of eight or nine. Do not assume those larger numbers apply to every booking. Ask Caribbean Blue for the legal and practical passenger limit for your date and boat.

How the day can unfold around St John

The route is not fixed, but the advertised choices give you a good sense of the experience. Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, Lime Out, and other locations around St Thomas and St John may form part of the plan.

Maho Bay is associated with calm-water swimming and the possibility of seeing sea turtles. Several outings focused on turtle sightings, and one family made that its first request. If sea life is your priority, say so at the start rather than hoping the captain will guess.

Lovango Cay can work well as part of a mixed day of swimming, snorkeling, and scenic cruising. The trip is not designed only for serious snorkelers. You can balance an active water stop with time on a beach or a slower ride past the islands.

The captain may also take you to smaller coves and boat-access beaches that are difficult to reach from land. That is one of the charter’s clearest advantages. You avoid spending the day driving between beaches, finding parking, and carrying gear down to the shore.

Some routes include Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St James. These names came up in a particularly ambitious snorkeling itinerary that included five separate stops around St Thomas and St John. At Booby Rock, the group saw a nurse shark, while the Ledges produced barracuda and a sea turtle.

Those sightings are never guaranteed. Sea life is wild, and the captain cannot promise a particular animal. Still, a private boat lets you spend more time in the places that fit your interests instead of leaving a favorite snorkel area because a larger group has a fixed schedule.

The description also names The Baths among possible locations, but it clearly says this is a USVI-only charter. Because route details and island access can vary, confirm the exact itinerary if The Baths is important to you. That one question can prevent confusion about what is included.

Snorkeling, beaches, and lunch stops

Bring a clear wish list, but keep it short. The best opening request might be: we want sea turtles, two good snorkel stops, a quiet beach, and lunch. That gives the captain useful guidance without turning the day into a race between too many locations.

Snorkeling gear is included, which makes spontaneous stops easy. You can get in when conditions look good and return to the boat when you have had enough. The captain can point you toward the day’s better options, but water conditions and visibility will affect what you see.

Families may appreciate the ability to change the pace. One report described children enjoying the captain while the route was adjusted for the whole family. A private boat also means you do not have to worry about holding up a large group if someone needs a break.

Lime Out is another possible stop. It is a floating taco bar, and the boat can make lunch part of the day. That is a fun contrast to the usual packed lunch routine, but it uses time that could otherwise go toward one more beach or snorkel stop. Decide early if a meal stop matters more than extra time in the water.

The biggest practical risk is trying to do too much. Several islands, five snorkel sites, a beach, lunch, and long swims can fill seven and a half hours quickly. I would choose two or three priorities and let the captain fit in extras if the timing and conditions allow.

Captains who shape the experience

The captain is the key part of this charter. Nate receives the most repeated praise for his easygoing manner, route choices, attention to families, and ability to find turtle and snorkeling stops. Several outings with him became the highlight of the trip for the group involved.

Kyle is also singled out for making a private outing feel personal, including taking photos and videos during the day. Brendan is praised for visiting several islands and finding sea turtles. Spence is described as a captain who helped a group see sea life, scenic places, and quiet beaches.

Anthony handled a mixed group of four adults and five children by finding beaches, snorkeling areas, and turtle sightings without a preplanned route. These examples show why the open format matters: a good captain can turn a vague request into a workable day.

You should still speak up. Tell the captain if you want more swimming, less boat time, a beach with a longer stay, a lunch stop, or a stronger focus on marine life. The boat crew can offer suggestions, but the day works best when you explain what your group actually enjoys.

The captain fee is extra, and gratuity is extra. Those charges are not minor details, so ask how they are calculated before departure. The fuel charge is also added separately. A clear total makes it much easier to judge the value of the charter.

The private format is the real luxury

A shared cruise can be cheaper, but it cannot give you the same control. On this charter, your group can linger at a favorite bay, change the order of stops, or skip a place that does not suit you.

That matters for families with children, groups with different swimming abilities, and people marking a special occasion. One birthday outing was built around the guest of honor, while another couple used the boat for a private day with photos, videos, and several scenic stops.

The private format also helps if your group is serious about snorkeling. One family described visiting five sites in a single day and making nurse sharks, barracuda, and turtles part of the goal. You can ask for that kind of active route, or you can plan a slower day with fewer stops.

The tradeoff is that the boat does not remove the basic demands of a day at sea. You will need to be comfortable getting in and out of the water, managing sun exposure, and accepting changes caused by weather. The activity states that most people can participate, but it requires good weather.

What to bring and what to clarify

The operator supplies the cooler with ice, snorkel equipment, and floats. I would still confirm whether you need to bring your own drinks, food, towels, sunscreen, and any special-size equipment, since those details are not specified.

Ask these questions before you go:

• Is hotel pickup available from your exact accommodation?
• What will the captain fee and fuel charge be?
• What is the total recommended gratuity?
• Is the boat limited to six people for your booking?
• Which USVI stops are realistic for your date?
• Can lunch at Lime Out fit the route you want?

Keep your plan flexible. A seven-and-a-half-hour day sounds long, but boat travel between islands, loading and unloading, lunch, and several swims use the clock quickly. I would rather enjoy three well-chosen stops than spend the day checking off a long list.

The charter requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Is Caribbean Blue Charters worth booking?

I would choose this charter if you want a private day, care about snorkeling and sea life, and prefer to set the route yourself. It is especially well suited to families, couples celebrating something, and groups that want boat-access beaches instead of a standard shore tour.

The strongest case is the combination of a roomy private boat, flexible planning, provided gear, and captains such as Nate who have repeatedly adapted the day to different groups. The weak point is the unclear final price until fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity are added.

Book it if you are comfortable with that extra-cost structure and will use the private format. Before paying, confirm the passenger limit, total price, pickup plan, and exact USVI route. If those details suit you, this can be one of the most memorable ways to spend a day around St Thomas and St John.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start?

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

Does the boat return to the marina?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the charter last?

The advertised duration is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. The listed operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How many people can join?

The tour price is listed for a private group of up to six people. Some published comments describe larger parties, so confirm the permitted passenger count with the operator before booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup is advertised as included, but you should confirm pickup details for your specific accommodation.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are provided.

Is food or drink included?

A full-size cooler with ice is provided. Food and drinks are not listed as included. Lime Out may be available as a lunch stop, depending on the route.

What costs extra?

The captain fee, fuel charges, and captain gratuity are not included in the $875 booking price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can select another date or receive a full refund.