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

The best part of Caribbean Blue Charters is the freedom to make the day your own. Instead of following a fixed route, you can ask Captain Nate, Kyle, Brendan, or Anthony to build a boat day around snorkeling, secluded beaches, sea turtles, and swimming.

I like the private setup and the useful gear already on board. You get a 35-foot Marlin powerboat, snorkel equipment, floats, music, ice, and a full-size cooler, plus hotel pickup. The main catch is the price: $875 covers up to six people, but fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity are additional.

• Five or more hours on the water: The listed duration is about 7 hours and 30 minutes, enough time for several swim stops and a relaxed lunch break.
• A captain-led custom route: You can choose your priorities, or let the captain select beaches and snorkel spots around St Thomas and St John.
• Regular sea turtle sightings: The route can include bays and reefs where guests have seen turtles, barracuda, nurse sharks, and tropical fish.
• Lime Out by boat: A stop at the floating taco bar can add an easy lunch to the day, though food is not listed as included.
• A private boat for your party: You are not sharing the vessel with a busload of strangers, but the official capacity is up to six people.
• Extra charges matter: Fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity are separate, so ask for the full expected cost before you commit.

A Private Boat Day Instead of a Fixed Tour

This is a good choice if you want your day in the Virgin Islands to feel flexible. You can tell the captain that snorkeling matters most, ask for quiet beaches, plan a lunch stop, or combine a little of everything.

The listed route examples include Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, and The Baths. Since the charter is described as a USVI-only outing, I would confirm the exact route before booking, especially if The Baths is important to you. The wording may refer to a general example rather than a guaranteed stop.

The private format makes a real difference. You do not have to follow another group’s timetable or leave a beach when your own group is still enjoying it. You can also adjust the pace if the children tire, someone wants more time in the water, or the sea conditions make one stop less appealing.

The boat leaves from Oasis Cove Marina at 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St Thomas. Hotel pickup is offered, which removes one annoying part of a boat day. Confirm the pickup details when you book, since the published meeting point remains the marina.

What Seven and a Half Hours Gives You

A full day on a powerboat sounds generous, but the clock moves quickly once you add travel between islands, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. The scheduled window is approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., giving you a useful stretch of daylight without turning the outing into an exhausting marathon.

You can expect the captain to ask what you want from the day. If your group is set on sea turtles, say so at the start. If you prefer several shorter snorkel stops, mention that too. The best use of a private charter is to make your priorities clear before the boat gets moving.

Past routes have included several stops in one day. A determined snorkeling group visited Lovango, Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the ledges near Little St James. That kind of itinerary suits an active group that wants to spend much of the day in the water.

For a slower outing, you can build in longer beach time and a floating lunch stop. You will not get every possible island and beach in one day, so it helps to choose between a sightseeing-heavy route and a water-heavy route.

Lovango Cay, Maho Bay, and the Best Swim Stops

Lovango Cay is one of the named examples and can fit well into a day focused on clear water, swimming, and a change of scenery. Maho Bay is another attractive option, especially for people hoping to spot sea turtles. The exact conditions and wildlife sightings can never be promised, but several outings have included turtles.

You can also ask about quieter coves and small beaches that are hard to reach from land. That is one of the strongest reasons to pay for a boat charter rather than simply visit a beach by taxi or ferry. The boat gives you access to places where the main challenge is getting there.

Some routes have included Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the ledges near Little St James. These stops appeal to confident swimmers and snorkelers who want variety. One outing included a nurse shark at Booby Rock, barracuda near Little St James, and sea turtles. Those are memorable possibilities, not promises, so keep your expectations sensible.

The snorkel equipment is included, as are floats. That saves you from packing or renting basic gear separately. Still, bring whatever personal items you need for comfort, and use the cooler for drinks and food that suit your group. The supplied information confirms ice and a cooler, but it does not say that meals or drinks are included.

Snorkeling With Sea Turtles and Reef Life

I would book this charter mainly for the chance to spend a full day moving between swim and snorkel locations. The captain can shift the plan around your interests instead of treating snorkeling as a brief add-on.

Sea turtles are a common goal for people booking this trip, and several outings have found them. You may also see tropical fish, barracuda, or a nurse shark. The sightings depend on the day, the water, and the captain’s choice of stops, so no one can guarantee a particular animal.

The trip can work for mixed groups. Strong swimmers may want several reef stops, while less confident swimmers can use floats or stay close to the boat. One account describes a captain helping calm a nervous member of the group, which suggests that a private setting can feel less pressured than a large shared excursion.

Tell the captain about comfort levels early. That small conversation helps shape a better day. A group that wants nonstop snorkeling should not be sent to a long beach lunch, and a family with young children may need more time between water stops.

Captain Nate and the Other Skippers

Captain Nate receives especially strong praise for his friendly manner, flexibility, and ability to shape the route around the group. He has taken people around St John and St Thomas, found turtle spots, and guided active snorkeling days with several stops.

Captain Kyle has also led highly praised outings, including a private trip for two people. Guests have appreciated his attention to photos and videos as well as his ability to show several scenic locations.

Brendan and Anthony are also named as captains who created enjoyable days for their groups. Brendan took one family around several islands for snorkeling and turtle sightings. Anthony handled a large family group and selected beaches, fish-viewing spots, and turtle areas when the group had no fixed plan.

You should not book based on a specific captain unless the company confirms that person for your date. Captains can make or break a boat day, and the repeated praise for several skippers is reassuring. The smart move is to tell the company what kind of captain and itinerary you want, then confirm who is scheduled.

Lime Out and Lunch on the Water

Lime Out, the floating taco bar, is one of the most appealing optional stops. It gives you a simple lunch break without ending the boat portion of the day. You can eat, enjoy the unusual setting, and get back on the water.

Food is not included in the $875 price. Plan for that expense separately, along with any drinks or snacks you want to keep in the cooler. The boat has ice and a full-size cooler, which makes it easy to carry supplies for a group.

A lunch stop also changes the rhythm of the day. If you want maximum snorkeling time, keep lunch short. If your group includes children or people who prefer a slower pace, Lime Out can be a welcome pause between water activities.

Ask the captain whether Lime Out fits the route and schedule for your date. A floating restaurant stop depends on where the boat goes, and the charter is meant to be customized rather than delivered as a guaranteed checklist.

The Real Cost: $875 Plus Three Additions

The advertised group price is $875 for up to six people. Split evenly, that works out to about $146 per person before the additional charges, assuming six people travel together. For a private 35-foot boat and roughly seven and a half hours on the water, that can be good value for a full group.

The number to watch is not $875 alone. Fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity are not included. The amount of each extra charge is not provided here, so ask for a complete estimate before booking.

Gratuity deserves particular attention. One published experience found the tipping arrangement less clear than expected and advised calculating the tip from the total cost rather than only the captain fee. That is practical advice. Ask exactly what is due before and after the trip, so the final bill does not surprise you at the marina.

The value improves when six people share the boat. For two people, the same base price becomes much more expensive per person, though a couple may appreciate the privacy and control. For a birthday, family celebration, or group that wants a full day away from crowded beaches, the private format may justify the cost.

Who Will Get the Most From This Charter

I would recommend this outing to people who care more about access and flexibility than about a fixed sightseeing script. It suits you if you want to:

• Spend several hours swimming and snorkeling
• Search for sea turtles and other sea life
• Visit beaches that are difficult to reach from land
• Set the pace for your own group
• Combine snorkeling with lunch at Lime Out
• Avoid sharing a boat with unrelated groups

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost activity with no add-on fees. It may also disappoint anyone expecting every named location to be guaranteed. The route depends on your group’s wishes, sea conditions, time, and the captain’s judgment.

The official limit is up to six people. A few individual accounts describe parties of eight or nine, but you should not use those examples to plan your booking. Confirm the permitted group size directly before paying, especially if your party is larger than six.

Practical Details Before You Go

You can expect confirmation at the time of booking. The charter starts and ends at Oasis Cove Marina, and hotel pickup is offered. The meeting point is near public transportation, though pickup may be simpler if you are staying at a hotel.

The activity is listed for Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its duration is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. Since this is a boat trip, good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Most people can take part, but this is still a boat and water activity. Tell the company about any concern that could affect swimming or boarding before the day arrives. The private format gives the captain more room to adapt, but it does not remove the basic demands of being on the water.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book Caribbean Blue Charters?

I would book it if your ideal St Thomas day includes a private boat, several swim stops, flexible timing, and a real chance to see sea turtles or other sea life. The strongest feature is the freedom to shape the day with a captain such as Nate, Kyle, Brendan, or Anthony, rather than simply ticking off a standard route.

Before booking, confirm three things: the full price after fuel and captain charges, the maximum number of people allowed, and which stops are possible on a USVI-only charter. If those details fit your plans, this is a strong choice for a group that wants to see more of St Thomas and St John from the water.

FAQ

How much does the charter cost?

The base price is $875 per group of up to six people. Fuel, the captain fee, and gratuity are not included.

How long does the boat charter last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj, Route 32, St Thomas, USVI.

Does the charter return to the marina?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is listed as an included feature, though you should confirm the pickup details when booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many people can join?

The listed capacity is up to six people. If your group is larger, confirm the permitted capacity directly before booking.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is listed as included. You may be able to stop at Lime Out, a floating taco bar, as part of the customized route.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.