St Thomas Full-Day Boat Rental 37′ Intrepid Powerboat

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is the freedom to make the day your own. You get a 37-foot Intrepid powerboat, your own captain, and up to 12 people from your group. You can aim for St. John, Water Island, the Baths at Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, or simply stay close to St. Thomas and follow the water conditions.

I like the flexible route and the fact that snorkeling gear and an ice-filled cooler are already aboard. Captains such as Pat, Kevin, Gus, Steve, John, Louise, and Brent have taken groups to sea turtles, reefs, beaches, restaurants, and beach bars. The main consideration is cost: $1,600 is a large bill for a small party, and customs fees and gratuity are extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 37-foot Intrepid: Your group has the boat to itself, with a professional captain at the helm.
• Eight hours on the water: The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the charter returns to its meeting point.
• A flexible island route: You can discuss beaches, snorkeling, lunch, and nearby islands with the captain.
• Snorkel gear and water included: An ice-filled cooler is aboard, and you can bring your own beverages.
• Up to 12 passengers: The boat works best when your group wants a shared day rather than separate activities.
• International stops cost extra: Customs fees are not included when your plans take you beyond the US Virgin Islands.

What this private boat day is really like

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a printed sequence of stops. It is a private boat rental with a captain, which gives you far more control over the day than a standard excursion.

You meet at the marina or arrange the offered pickup details in advance, then set out at about 9:00 a.m. The captain asks what matters most to your group. You might care about snorkeling, quiet beaches, lunch ashore, island scenery, or a mix of all four. If you arrive without a firm plan, that is fine. The captain can suggest an itinerary and adjust it as the day unfolds.

That flexibility is especially useful in the Virgin Islands. Your preferred destination may not have the best water conditions that morning, or your group may discover that two hours of snorkeling is enough. A private charter lets you change course without asking a boatload of strangers to agree.

The boat is a center-console style Intrepid with room for up to 12 passengers. One group of six adults and six children used the boat successfully, while smaller groups had extra room to spread out. With only four passengers, one party found there was plenty of space beside the captain. That gives you a practical rule: 12 is the maximum, not necessarily the most relaxed number.

Why the 37-foot Intrepid matters

A 37-foot powerboat gives you speed and range for a full day around the islands. One trip used an Intrepid powered by triple 350 Yamaha engines, and the boat was described as clean, well maintained, and strong throughout the day.

The exact boat setup can affect comfort, but this size gives you a useful middle ground. It is larger and more capable than a small private runabout, yet still personal enough for the captain to shape the route around your group. You can reach several island stops in one day rather than spending the whole outing traveling to one destination.

The tradeoff is that a powerboat is still a boat. Conditions can change, and the ride can feel lively when the water turns rough. One group noted that the Virgin Islands can have rough water around Christmas. If you are sensitive to motion, take that into account and ask the captain about conditions before settling on a long route.

The boat has a cooler with ice, so you can bring your own drinks. Bottled water is included. You should confirm what food and beverages you want to bring before departure, since lunch itself is not included and restaurant stops depend on the route you choose.

Building a route around St. Thomas and St. John

For a first charter, staying near St. Thomas and St. John gives you a strong mix of scenery, beaches, and snorkeling without making the day too ambitious.

St. John is a natural choice for a full-day outing. A captain named Kevin took one group around the island, explained the area, and found strong snorkeling. Maho Bay was specifically used for sea turtle snorkeling on another trip with Captain Gus. The chance to see turtles in a protected bay is one of the clearest reasons to book a private boat rather than simply choose a beach at random.

Water Island also works well for a shorter, more relaxed route. Groups have stopped there for lunch, visited snorkeling sites, and explored a shipwreck area. A Water Island day can suit you if your group wants time in the water without spending much of the day crossing between distant islands.

St. Thomas itself can fill the day, too. You might combine a few snorkeling sites with a beach stop and lunch. A private captain can help you avoid turning the outing into a race from one point to the next. That matters with children, mixed-age groups, or anyone who wants time to sit back and enjoy the ride.

The longer run to Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke

The boat can also support a more ambitious British Virgin Islands route, including Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. One family took the Intrepid to the Baths at Virgin Gorda and then continued to Jost Van Dyke. Another group visited the Baths, Soggy Dollar, and several snorkeling spots in one day.

These destinations offer a bigger sense of island hopping, but they also require more planning. You will spend more time underway, and customs fees are not included. The captain can help manage the customs process, but the extra border formalities still make this route less simple than staying within the US Virgin Islands.

The Baths at Virgin Gorda are a major draw for travelers who want dramatic rock formations and a land excursion as part of the day. Jost Van Dyke is a good fit for a group that wants a beach or bar stop, including Soggy Dollar. The route is ambitious, so it works best when your group values variety and does not mind a busy schedule.

Ask about timing before you commit to both islands. A long route can be memorable, but it leaves less time for unhurried snorkeling or a long lunch. If your main goal is sea turtles and reefs, staying around St. John may give you more time in the water.

Snorkeling, sea turtles, and quieter water time

Snorkeling is included, and equipment is provided aboard the boat. That removes one common nuisance: you do not need to arrange a separate rental before the charter.

The captain can suggest sites based on conditions and your group’s comfort. Captains have taken groups to sea turtles in Maho Bay, active reefs with hundreds of fish, shipwreck areas, and quieter spots near private beaches. These details show why the captain is central to the experience. You are not simply renting an engine and a hull. You are paying for local judgment about where to stop and how to use the day.

Still, snorkeling is not guaranteed to look the same every day. Water clarity, wind, and sea conditions affect what you see. The charter provides gear, but it does not promise specific marine life. If your group includes children or first-time snorkelers, tell the captain early so the stops can suit everyone.

A useful approach is to choose two or three priorities rather than demand a long list. For example, you might say that sea turtles, one quiet beach, and lunch matter most. That gives the captain room to make sensible choices instead of squeezing in too many stops.

Captains who shape the day

The captain is both your boat operator and your guide. Names associated with this charter include Pat, Kevin, Gus, Steve, John, Louise, Brent, Nate, and Weezy, also referred to as Carrie in one account. You may not receive a particular captain unless the company confirms it, so book for the charter format rather than a guaranteed individual.

Pat has handled trips to the Baths, Jost Van Dyke, Soggy Dollar, and snorkeling areas, and has been praised for taking care of the practical details. Captain Gus led a route with sea turtles in Maho Bay, a lobster lunch, and beach stops. Captain John focused on island background, reef locations, sea turtles, and a private beach with active marine life.

Captain Kevin has entertained groups with teenagers and explained the islands along the way. Louise was singled out for her command of the boat and her clear explanations. Nate and mate Becky helped a group with the practical side of the outing, while Brent worked with a group of eight to shape the day around its preferences.

The common thread is not a scripted lecture. It is a captain who listens, suggests, and adjusts. That makes this a good choice for groups with different ideas about the perfect day.

What the $1,600 price buys you

The listed price is $1,600 per group, not per person, for up to 12 passengers. That works out to about $133 per person if you fill every seat. For six people, it is about $267 each. For four, it is $400 each before gratuity and any customs fees.

The value improves sharply with a larger group. Twelve friends or relatives can share a private boat for less per person than several separate small-group bookings, while still avoiding strangers. A smaller group pays more, but gains room, privacy, and a more personal route.

The price includes the boat, captain, snorkeling equipment, and bottled water. It does not include customs fees, food, or gratuity. You can bring your own drinks for the cooler, which helps keep the day’s extra costs under control. Lunch stops such as Lime Out, a fresh lobster meal, or food on Water Island have appeared on past routes, but you should treat those as optional purchases, not part of the charter price.

I see the strongest value for families, groups of friends, and repeat visitors who want control over the day. A first-time visitor with only two people may find a shared excursion easier on the wallet.

The right pace for eight hours

Eight hours sounds generous, and it is, but the pace depends on your route. Staying around St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island gives you more time for swimming and lunch. Adding Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke creates a wider island tour with more time spent underway and handling customs.

A sensible day might include an early snorkeling stop, a beach or swim stop, lunch, and one final area chosen for scenery or another swim. Your captain can revise the plan if a stop is crowded, the water changes, or your group wants to linger.

I would not plan every minute. The best feature of this charter is the ability to play the day by ear. At the same time, tell the company before departure if your group has must-see destinations. A cross-border route needs more planning than a local St. Thomas outing.

The 9:00 a.m. start gives you a full daylight schedule. The experience ends back at the meeting point, so plan your evening around a return to the marina rather than an open-ended drop-off somewhere else.

Who will enjoy this most

This boat suits you if you want privacy, a full day, and a say in the route. It is especially practical for:

• Families with children or teenagers who need a flexible pace
• Groups of friends sharing the cost of a private boat
• Repeat visitors who have already seen the main beaches
• Snorkelers who want several sites rather than one fixed stop
• Guests who want to combine St. Thomas, St. John, and possibly the British Virgin Islands
• Groups with mixed interests, such as swimming, lunch, sightseeing, and beach time

It is less suitable if you want a cheap, simple two-hour outing or dislike being on open water for much of the day. It may also be too expensive for a couple unless privacy and personal planning matter more than price.

Practical details that affect your decision

Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement and meeting point. The charter returns to its starting meeting point at the end.

Most people can participate, but the activity is still conducted on a boat and includes snorkeling. Share any concerns with the company before booking so the captain can understand your group’s needs.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The operator can cancel for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

This charter is often booked well ahead, with an average booking window of about 52 days. If you want a particular date during a busy holiday or cruise season, planning early is sensible.

Should you book the St. Thomas Intrepid charter?

Book it if your group can share the $1,600 cost and wants a private day shaped around your own priorities. The strongest reasons are the capable 37-foot boat, the captain’s local suggestions, the included snorkeling gear, and the freedom to choose between local waters and a longer island-hopping route.

I would choose St. John and nearby waters for a relaxed day focused on snorkeling and sea turtles. I would choose the Baths and Jost Van Dyke only if your group accepts a faster pace, extra customs costs, and more time underway.

For a full group, this is a strong value. For two or three people, compare the math carefully. The boat is at its best when privacy, flexibility, and a full day on the water are the main point of the trip.

FAQ

How long is the St. Thomas boat rental?

The charter lasts about eight hours.

What time does the charter start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The private charter can take up to 12 passengers.

Is the boat shared with other people?

No. This is a private activity for your group and the captain.

Is a captain included?

Yes. The rental includes a professional captain.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. An onboard cooler with ice is available for your beverages. Bottled water is also included.

Are customs fees included in the price?

No. Customs fees are not included.

Does the charter include food?

No. Food is not included, though you can plan a lunch stop with the captain.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.