The best beaches start at the waterline. This full-day charter on a 35′ Marlin powerboat lets you and your group hop from swim spot to swim spot around St. Thomas and St. John, with a captain-driven, customizable itinerary and snorkeling setup plus a cooler included. In real terms, that means less time planning and more time in the water at places you cannot reach easily by foot.

My favorite part is the mix of flexibility and payoff: you can ask for what you want to see, and your captain handles the driving to prime bays. Only heads-up: the listed price does not include captain fee, fuel, and gratuity, so your final total will be higher than the sticker price.

Key Things I’d Prioritize on This Charter

• A 35-foot private powerboat means you’re not squeezing in with strangers while you bounce between snorkel stops
• Snorkel gear, floats, music, and a cooler with ice are on board, so you can travel lighter
• St. Thomas and St. John access by water saves time and gets you into quieter coves
• Captains like Nate, Kyle, Anthony, Spence, and Brendan are specifically praised for flexibility and good vibes
• Marine sightings are a real goal here, with reviews mentioning sea turtles and even a nurse shark
• Optional food stops like Limeout add a fun, boat-only lunch moment

Caribbean Blue Charters 35′ Marlin Power Boat: What This Day Feels Like

This is the kind of day that starts with a simple thought: we’re done with ferry lines, parking hunts, and walking the same scenic road again. Instead, you’re picked up and brought to the marina, you step onto a private 35′ Marlin powerboat, and you spend the next hours bouncing between beaches and snorkeling locations around the US Virgin Islands.

The experience is built around two things you’ll care about immediately: control and access. Control because the captain can customize the stops to match what your group wants (snorkel first, beaches first, more sea life time, photo time, or a balance). Access because many of the best water-friendly spots are simply easier by boat than by land.

The duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes, which sounds long until you’re actually hauling snorkel gear on and off and hunting for sea turtles. Several reviews also point out that the day can feel short, and I get that. It’s a full day, but it’s not a whole-week vacation on the water.

Where You Start: Oasis Cove Marina and Pickup Timing

You meet at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St Thomas 00802. The activity runs daily 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and the charter ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not trying to solve transportation at the end of your day.

Pickup is listed as included, so plan on being routed to the marina rather than handling every minute yourself. Because the marina address matters for timing, you’ll want to be ready before your pickup window rather than treating it like a late suggestion.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who hates chaos, this “one stop and done” setup is a big value. You don’t need to coordinate multiple rides or transfers once you’re on island.

The Big Idea: Custom Stops Around St. Thomas and St. John

Here’s what “customizable itinerary” means in practice. You’ll tell your captain what your group cares about, and they build a route around that. That can be light and relaxed (let’s see where the best water is), or more specific (we want sea turtles, we want secluded beaches, and we want multiple snorkel sessions).

Captains who’ve led trips for different groups include Nate, Kyle, Anthony, Spence, Brendan, and the common thread in feedback is flexibility. You’ll also notice that the stops mentioned are the kinds of places that work well for snorkeling plus a quick beach reset: calm bays, rocky points, and small islands where you can anchor and hop in.

This is not a rigid “tour script.” If your group is more active, you can push snorkeling time. If you’re more beach-and-towel, you can build in more layover.

Stop Types You’ll Actually Care About

Most charter days like this fall into three “modes,” and you’ll feel them during your route:

1) Snorkel rounds. You’ll get multiple opportunities with gear provided. The captain chooses the spot and gets you there, so you’re not spending your vacation reading currents and guessing visibility.

2) Beach-hopping. Between water stops, you can spend time on beaches where you can often relax for a bit without having to hike for hours.

3) Short resets. There’s time to cool off, regroup, and eat, with a cooler on board so you’re not paying tourist-food prices between swims.

If you’re the type who likes a plan, you’ll still get structure. The difference is that the route is adjusted to match real conditions and what your group is doing at the moment.

Lovango Cay and Maho Bay: Classic Why-This-Is-Boat-Only Areas

Two of the best-known stops in the mix are Lovango Cay and Maho Bay. These are the kinds of places that work for a “snorkel first” mindset because you can anchor, get in, and spend real time with your face in the water instead of bouncing around for views.

Lovango Cay is a favorite for the snorkel-and-swim pairing. The value here is simple: you can see marine life and then shift to a beach-like break when your group is ready.

Maho Bay is another location that fits both swimmers and snorkelers. Depending on the day, visibility and water conditions can change, and having a captain who can adjust routes helps you avoid the classic problem of landing at a spot that’s not cooperating.

If you’re worried about being “stuck” somewhere, you’re not. This is set up so your skipper helps keep the day moving toward what’s working.

The Baths, Limeout, and Other Named Stops You Can Aim For

You’ll also see the tour marketed around stops like The Baths and Limeout. Even when you don’t know the exact details of each place, you can think of them as different moods.

The Baths is usually the kind of stop people like when they want more than just open water. It’s a water-and-rock environment where you’ll likely do some combination of swimming and exploring around the water’s edge.

Limeout is different. It’s a floating taco bar stop mentioned in feedback, which is exactly the kind of boat-day perk that turns a normal lunch into a memory. One review specifically called it the highlight taco stop, and it’s an easy “ship-to-me” way to eat without breaking your rhythm.

Beyond those named locations, other snorkel and anchor spots mentioned include Whistling Cay, Flanagan Island, Booby Rock, and the Ledges of Little St. James. Those names matter because they point to a day built for repeat snorkeling rather than a one-and-done swim.

What You’ll See in the Water: Turtles, Sharks, and Sea Life Time

One of the strongest reasons to book a skipper-led boat charter is animal probability. On this route, the stories you’ll see revolve around real marine sightings.

In feedback, people mention sea turtles repeatedly, including trips where snorkelers saw turtles and got multiple snorkel sessions in. Others mention sightings like a nurse shark and 3 barracudas around the Ledges of Little St. James, plus more general fish-life snorkeling.

Now, quick reality check: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. But this charter is designed so you’re not limited to one snorkeling area. You’re hopping between prime spots, which raises your chances.

If sea turtles are your top goal, prioritize a captain who you feel comfortable communicating with. The trip format supports that. The best days here aren’t just about where you go; they’re about how the captain manages the schedule so you get enough time in each stop to actually look.

The Boat Experience: Comfort, Gear, and That Cooler Moment

The boat is a 35′ private charter boat, which tends to feel roomy for a day of changing locations. Reviews mention boats that are impeccably clean, and that matters when you’re wearing wet gear and you want a comfortable space to store things.

Included on board:

• Snorkel gear and floats
• A full-size cooler with ice
• Music
• Hotel pickup (stated as included)

This all adds up to less friction. You’re not scrambling for rental snorkel gear at the last minute, and you’re not stuck buying drinks every time you get back onboard.

A practical tip: bring a dry bag (even a small one). You’ll thank yourself when you’re switching between snorkel sessions and beach time. Also, go easy on fragile electronics unless they live in waterproof protection.

Price and Value: $875 Per Group Plus the Extra Charges

The price is $875 per group for up to 6 people. On average, bookings are made about 51 days in advance, which is a clue that people plan this as a highlight day rather than a last-minute gamble.

Here’s the part you need to understand clearly: captain fee, fuel, and gratuity are not included. That means your real cost will be higher than $875, and you should treat the listed price as a base charter cost.

Is it still good value? For a few reasons:

1. It’s private. You’re paying for access and flexibility with your own group, not shared seating.
2. The route saves time. Boat-only access cuts out the “drive to a beach, hike to a cove, return to wait” routine.
3. Snorkel gear and a cooler are included. That reduces add-on costs during the day.
4. You get multiple snorkeling stops. Even a single extra good snorkel location can justify the whole day if it’s something you can’t easily replicate from land.

My advice: if you’re budgeting, ask upfront how the captain fee and fuel are handled for your group size, and plan a gratuity amount based on the total you expect to pay, not just the base charter price. One review specifically mentioned this wasn’t totally clear at first, and you’ll avoid stress by pricing it all in early.

Who This Charter Fits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)

This is a strong fit if:

• You want a private day on the water with your group calling the tone
• You care about snorkeling multiple spots, not just one quick swim
• You want to reach beaches and bays that are easier by boat
• Your group includes mixed ages and abilities because the schedule can flex between swimming and relaxing

It might be less ideal if:

• You hate extra costs beyond the sticker price (since captain fee, fuel, and gratuity apply)
• You’re expecting a strict, fixed itinerary with no captain adjustments
• Your group wants a deeper “guided explanation” style experience rather than a route-and-time-on-water format

If you’re celebrating a birthday or special occasion, the vibe can be great. Reviews mention captains helping with photos and making the day feel personal, like Captain Kyle taking time for pictures and video and Captain Nate being praised for a friendly, easy-going style.

Practical Tips So Your Day Runs Smoothly

These are small things that make a big difference on a boat day:

• Pack reef-safe sunscreen if you have it. You’ll be in the sun for hours, often with frequent water contact.
• Bring a hat and sunglasses you’re okay with getting wet.
• Keep a dry bag for phones and wallets.
• Wear shoes you can rinse if you end up stepping onto rocky areas between swims.
• If your group has a “must-see” like sea turtles, say it clearly at the start so the captain can build time accordingly.

Also, plan your expectations around the pace. This is a hopping day. If your group prefers a slow one-beach day, you can still ask for that, but it won’t be the charter’s default style.

Should You Book Caribbean Blue’s 35′ Charter?

I’d book it if you want the easiest path to a private, skippered day with real snorkeling opportunities and multiple beach/anchor stops. The combination of snorkel gear included, cooler with ice, and a captain who adjusts the day to what your group wants is the main reason people come back, including repeat trips led by Captain Nate in feedback.

Skip it (or ask a lot of questions first) if you’re trying to keep costs exactly at $875 with no extra captain fee, fuel, or gratuity factored in. Also, if your idea of the perfect day is one long beach without moving, this charter’s strengths are in variety and water time.

Bottom line: if your priority is time on the water and access to places you’d struggle to reach on your own, this is a very solid use of a vacation day in St. Thomas.

FAQ

What is the price for the Caribbean Blue Charters full-day boat charter?

The price is $875.00 per group, up to 6 people. Captains fee, fuel charges, and gratuity are not included and will be an additional charge.

How long is the boat charter?

The duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes.

Does the tour include snorkeling gear?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided, along with floats, music, and a cooler with ice on board.

Is there hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is included.

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Oasis Cove Marina, 6186 Estate Frydenhoj Route 32, St Thomas 00802, USVI, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is this a private experience?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.