Midnight Sun Charters – 37ft OBSIDIAN

The best thing about Midnight Sun Charters is control. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule. On the 37-foot OBSIDIAN, you can work with your captain to choose between The Baths, Norman Island, Sandy Cay, Jost Van Dyke, and other favorite stops. I like the private format for two reasons: you get time in the water instead of waiting for strangers, and the captain can adjust the day to match your group. The main catch is cost: $2,000 covers up to six people, but fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees are extra.

I also like the range of the possible day. You can snorkel with turtles and sea rays at Francis Bay, see the caves near Norman Island, or simply settle into a beach and swim. Captains Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin have each been praised for being flexible and personable. Still, this is a long day on open water, and the full list of stops cannot sensibly fit into five hours. You will need to choose.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 37-foot boat for up to six: You get the whole charter, not a seat on a crowded shared excursion.
• Your captain helps shape the route: Pick beaches, snorkeling, lunch, and island stops based on your interests and available time.
• The Baths needs real time: Allow about two hours for Virgin Gorda and Devil’s Bay, not a quick photo stop.
• Norman Island offers both caves and lunch: It is one of the most useful stops if your group wants snorkeling plus a meal break.
• BVI costs are extra: The $2,000 price does not include fuel or customs and entrance fees.
• Cruise passengers need careful timing: Provide your ship details at booking, and do not count on a refund if the ship arrives late or fails to arrive.

Why the private OBSIDIAN charter works so well

A private boat changes the rhythm of a day around the Virgin Islands. You do not have to follow a stranger’s preferred beach, wait while another group gathers gear, or leave a good snorkeling spot because a large excursion has a fixed departure time. You and up to five companions have the boat, captain, and route to yourselves.

That freedom matters most because the possible stops are spread across the US and British Virgin Islands. A day built around The Baths feels different from a day built around snorkeling at Norman Island and The Indians. Your captain can help match the route to the time available, the conditions, and what your group actually wants to do.

The charter runs about five to eight hours. That range is important. Five hours gives you a focused outing with a few well-chosen stops. Eight hours gives you more room for Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, lunch, and a beach or bar stop. I would not try to visit every place listed in one day. The route names are best understood as a menu of options, not a promise that you will see all eight.

The boat is a 37-foot vessel, large enough to make a private group feel comfortable without turning the day into a big commercial cruise. Bottled water with ice is included. Snorkel gear and pool noodles were provided on at least one outing, but the formal inclusions name water and the captain, so confirm equipment details when booking if that matters to you.

The Baths and Devil’s Bay: the day’s signature stop

The Baths on Virgin Gorda is the most distinctive stop on the route. Huge granite boulders form passages and sheltered spaces near Devil’s Bay, creating a place that feels unlike the open beaches elsewhere in the islands. Plan on about two hours here if you want to explore properly and swim rather than rush ashore.

This stop is a good fit for a group that wants more than a swim from the boat. You can walk among the rock formations, reach Devil’s Bay, and spend time in the water. It also gives the day a strong sense of place, since The Baths are not simply another pretty beach.

The tradeoff is time. Reaching Virgin Gorda and spending two hours there leaves less room for Norman Island, Cooper Island, or Jost Van Dyke. If The Baths is your priority, tell the captain early and build the day around it. If you have only five hours, trying to add every other stop will make the day feel hurried.

Magens Bay offers an easy first beach stop

Magens Bay on St. Thomas is listed as a one-hour stop and has no admission charge within this experience. It is a sensible choice if your group wants a classic beach start, an easy swim, or a gentle introduction before heading farther across the water.

The appeal is simplicity. You do not need to turn a beach visit into a major expedition. An hour lets you enjoy the setting without giving away the whole charter.

The drawback is that Magens Bay may be less useful for a group whose main goal is snorkeling or crossing into the British Virgin Islands. It is best for beach time and swimming. If you care more about underwater stops, use that hour at Francis Bay, Norman Island, or The Indians instead.

Sandy Cay gives you a small-island pause

Sandy Cay is a compact British Virgin Islands stop suited to snorkeling and sunbathing. The one-hour suggestion makes sense here. You can get in the water, relax on shore, and enjoy the feeling of being on a small island without committing half the day.

I like this as a flexible middle stop. It can break up a schedule packed with longer visits, and it works for a group with mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another rests in the sun.

Do not expect Sandy Cay to provide the same scale as The Baths or the same range of activities as Norman Island. Its value is the short, relaxed pause. It is a good choice when your group wants variety without another long stop.

Francis Bay is the choice for turtles and sea rays

Francis Bay is described as a strong snorkeling location, with turtles and sea rays as the main draw. The suggested visit lasts about an hour, which gives you time in the water without making snorkeling the only activity of the day.

This is one of the clearest choices for wildlife-minded swimmers. You should still treat sightings as possible rather than guaranteed, but the stated attraction gives Francis Bay a clear purpose. If someone in your group cares most about seeing marine life, mention Francis Bay to the captain.

The practical issue is that snorkeling depends on conditions and comfort in the water. Some people will want a full hour; others may prefer a quick swim followed by a beach or lunch stop. The private format lets your group make that call.

Norman Island combines caves, snorkeling, and lunch

Norman Island is one of the strongest all-around stops. The caves are a major attraction, and the area is also used for snorkeling and lunch. The suggested two-hour stay gives you enough time to split the stop between water activities and a meal.

The caves have a storybook connection to the island’s association with Crusoe’s Treasure Island. You can treat that as atmosphere rather than a formal historical tour. The important point is practical: Norman Island lets you do several things in one place, which makes it valuable on a limited schedule.

If you want lunch here, tell the captain when planning the route. A meal takes time, especially if you also want to snorkel. The stop may be less appealing to a group that wants to spend every minute in the water, but it is useful for mixed groups that need a break.

The Indians is for a focused snorkel

The Indians, near Norman Island, is another recommended snorkeling location. The one-hour slot makes it a concentrated water stop rather than a full beach visit or lunch break.

This pairs naturally with Norman Island. If your group wants to make the Norman Island area the center of the day, you can use one stop for the caves and lunch, then another for snorkeling. That gives the route a clear shape without crossing back and forth between distant islands.

The limitation is simple: it is a snorkeling stop. If your group includes people who do not want to swim, you may prefer to spend more time at a beach or restaurant. Ask the captain how the current conditions fit your group’s comfort level.

Cooper Island is built around a long lunch stop

Cooper Island is listed as a two-hour lunch stop. That makes it less about checking off a beach and more about slowing down, eating, and enjoying the boat day at an easy pace.

I would choose Cooper Island for a group that values a proper meal and a relaxed break. Two hours gives you room to eat without turning lunch into a rushed interruption. It also helps balance a day with several active snorkeling stops.

The cost of that comfort is time. Add Cooper Island to The Baths, Norman Island, and Jost Van Dyke, and the day quickly becomes a full eight-hour outing. If your charter is closer to five hours, choose Cooper Island only if lunch is more important than another water stop.

Soggy Dollar Bar adds a Jost Van Dyke finish

Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke is the social stop in the proposed route. It is known for the Painkiller cocktail, and the suggested two-hour visit gives you time to enjoy the bar rather than making a quick landing.

This is a fun choice for adults who want island hopping with a drink and a little less snorkeling. It can also be a memorable finish after a day at sea. The stop gives the itinerary a different flavor from the beaches and caves.

You should plan around your group. A bar stop has limited appeal for anyone who does not drink, and the two-hour slot is substantial. If your priority is swimming or marine life, use that time elsewhere. If you want the classic Jost Van Dyke experience, it may be exactly the right final stop.

Captains Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin shape the day

The captain is central to this experience. Adam has been praised for making several enjoyable stops, supplying pool noodles and snorkel gear, and getting a cruise passenger back near the ship to maximize time. That last detail matters if your schedule is tight.

Justin is especially associated with a Virgin Gorda and The Baths route, lunch at Norman Island, and a stop at Pizza Boat on the return for drinks. Those details show how the day can combine major sights with informal food and drink stops, though you should confirm any specific food stop when booking.

Sam has been described as flexible and well informed about the surrounding US Virgin Islands. Colin made a strong impression on a group that included teenagers, which is useful if your party has different ages and interests.

You may not receive one of those four captains, so do not book based on a promised individual unless Midnight Sun confirms it. The useful lesson is to tell your captain what matters most: The Baths, turtles, lunch, a beach, snorkeling, a bar, or getting back to a cruise ship on time.

Price, extras, and who gets good value

The price is $2,000 per group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to about $333 per person before fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees. For six people wanting a private full-day boat, that can be a fair value, especially when compared with paying separately for several short activities.

For two people, the same price becomes much harder to justify. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated captain, and control of the route, not just transportation between beaches. If your group values those things, the cost may feel worthwhile. If you mainly want one beach and a swim, a less expensive shared option could make more sense.

Fuel is not included, and neither are BVI customs or entrance fees. Ask for the expected extra cost before you commit so the final price does not surprise you. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the departure point.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 135 ratings, with 99 percent recommending it. Those figures support the idea that the private format and captain service work well, but they do not remove the practical concerns about weather, extra fees, and a long day at sea.

Passport rules and cruise ship timing

Every participant needs a current valid passport on the day of travel. At booking, you must provide each person’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country. This is especially important because the route enters the British Virgin Islands.

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time. Give exact information. A private boat can adjust a route, but it cannot fix a late arrival by a ship, and no refund is issued if you miss the experience because the ship arrives late or does not arrive.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the operator requires good weather. If weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose Midnight Sun Charters for a family or group of friends that wants a private day and can fill most of the boat. It is also a strong fit for cruise passengers who have enough time, valid passports, and a clear return schedule.

The experience suits people who want to mix activities. One hour at a beach, two hours at The Baths, snorkeling near Norman Island, and a lunch or bar stop create a varied day. It is less suited to someone who wants a fixed sightseeing tour with every minute planned in advance.

If your group is small, cost-conscious, or uncertain about crossing into the BVI, think carefully before booking. You will need to cover fuel and entry fees, and the value improves sharply when six people share the boat.

Should you book Midnight Sun Charters?

Book it if you want control, privacy, and a full day built around your group. Tell the captain your top two priorities, not eight. The Baths plus Norman Island is a sensible pair for a longer charter, while Francis Bay, Sandy Cay, or The Indians can shape a snorkeling-focused day. Add Cooper Island or Soggy Dollar Bar only if you have enough time.

Skip it if you want a low-cost, simple beach outing or if your cruise schedule leaves little room for delay. For everyone else, the combination of a private 37-foot boat, flexible captains, famous BVI stops, and room for up to six makes this one of the better ways to turn a St. Thomas day into your own island route.

FAQ

How much does the private charter cost?

The charter costs $2,000 per group of up to six people. Fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately five to eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with up to six people included in the group price.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Every participant must have a current valid passport on the day of travel. Passport name, number, expiry date, and country are required when booking.

Are fuel and BVI entry fees included?

No. Fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees are additional costs.

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. No refund is issued if the activity is missed because the ship arrives late or does not arrive.

What is included with the charter?

A private tour, a captain, and bottled water with ice are included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.