Private Full Day or Half Day Charter – 37′ Midnight Express

The best part of this charter is the freedom to shape a fast, private boat day around the US and British Virgin Islands. The 37-foot Midnight Express carries up to 12 people, and captains including Jervan and Jashae have handled custom plans, quick crossings, swimming stops, and island visits.

I like the three 300-horsepower outboards, which make it practical to reach several islands in one day, and I like the simple onboard setup: water, soda, ice, a cooler, snorkel gear, and swimming noodles. The main catch is cost. The $1,950 group price covers the charter, but fuel, lunch, captain gratuity, and $75 per person in BVI customs fees are extra. Also confirm the added charge for anyone beyond six passengers.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast 37-foot Midnight Express: A blue-and-white boat with three 300-horsepower engines, built for covering water between islands.
• Private planning: Only your group participates, and the captain can work around your preferred stops and swimming time.
• The Baths is the headline stop: Allow about two hours to explore Virgin Gorda’s boulder maze, pools, and Cathedral Room.
• BVI paperwork costs extra: Bring every passenger’s passport and $75 cash per person for customs fees.
• The advertised price needs a close look: Fuel, lunch, gratuity, and charges for passengers above six are not included.
• A USVI-only option is available: You can spend four or seven hours around St. Thomas and St. John without making the BVI crossing.

A private speedboat day from Compass Point Marina

Your day begins at 8:30 a.m. at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas. The captain meets you there and walks you to the boat, so you do not need to hunt around the harbor for the right vessel.

The Midnight Express is a distinctive blue-and-white 37-footer with three 300-horsepower outboards. That matters here. The Virgin Islands are scattered across open water, and a fast boat gives you more useful time at the places you came to see.

This is a private charter, not a fixed group excursion. You can travel with family or friends, keep the day relaxed, or ask the captain to build a busier route. One published account specifically praised Captain Jervan for adapting the schedule to a custom itinerary. That flexibility is the strongest reason to choose this over a standard boat tour.

The boat can carry up to 12 people, but the included package is described as covering up to six, with an added fee above that number. Ask for the exact total before booking if your party has seven or more. A full boat also means less personal space, so a smaller group may get more comfort from the same vessel.

Choosing between four hours and a full day

The shorter option works best if you want a swim, a few coastal views, and a nearby island stop without spending the whole day on the water. The longer option makes more sense for the BVI route, since customs, crossings, and time at each island quickly fill the schedule.

The stated duration is about four to eight hours. The listed stops include Compass Point, Soper’s Hole, the Baths, Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke, Cruz Bay, and a USVI coastal stop. You should not assume you will spend generous time at every location on that list. The full route includes several formalities and boat transfers, so discuss your priorities with the captain at the start.

If the Baths are your main goal, say so. If you care more about swimming and a quiet cove, ask for that instead. A private boat is most valuable when you use the captain’s local routing knowledge to avoid trying to squeeze every possible stop into one day.

Crossing into the British Virgin Islands

Bring a passport for every person leaving St. Thomas. At Soper’s Hole on Tortola, or another BVI entry point, everyone must be available for customs and immigration clearance.

This stop is listed at about 30 minutes, but official processing can affect the pace of the day. You also need $75 cash per person for BVI customs fees. That is a substantial extra charge for a larger group, and it is separate from the charter price.

On the return, you clear US customs in Cruz Bay on St. John. The crossing therefore involves two formal entry points, not just a casual ride between islands. Keep passports accessible in a waterproof pouch, and bring the required cash rather than assuming a card will work.

The border crossing is the price of seeing the BVI in a single boat day from St. Thomas. You avoid separate plane or ferry arrangements, but you do not avoid the paperwork.

The Baths on Virgin Gorda

The Baths is the trip’s most distinctive natural stop. Huge granite boulders create narrow passages, rock pools, and cavern-like spaces. The route leads toward the Cathedral Room, a natural pool inside a small cave.

You are given about two hours here, which is useful because this is not a sight you simply photograph from the boat. You need time to walk among the boulders, find the pools, and move carefully through the passages. Wear secure footwear and expect uneven, wet surfaces.

The Baths can be the centerpiece of the day, but it also creates a practical timing question. Add customs, the boat ride, lunch, and more island stops, and the schedule becomes tight. If you want to experience the rock formations rather than rush through them, give this stop priority.

Admission is listed as included, but the tour does not include lunch. Pack accordingly or arrange your meal plan with the operator before departure. The included cooler and ice help with drinks, but they do not replace a proper meal for a long day.

Norman Island and the story behind Treasure Island

Norman Island offers a different mood from Virgin Gorda. It is tied to old tales of pirates and is said to have helped inspire Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

The planned stop is about two hours. That gives you time to enjoy the island setting and water rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. The supplied details do not promise a specific land tour or a particular snorkeling site, so ask the captain what part of Norman Island fits your schedule.

This is also a good place to keep expectations realistic. The appeal is the combination of scenery and legend, not a guaranteed staged pirate attraction. You are paying for access by private boat and time on the island, with the captain helping shape the stop.

Jost Van Dyke for a classic island drink

Jost Van Dyke is small, but it packs in two famous choices for a casual stop. You might order a Painkiller at Foxy’s or a rum punch at the Soggy Dollar.

The listed time here is about one hour. That is enough for a drink and a look around, but not a long beach visit, leisurely meal, and extended swim all at once. If you want to spend more time at Jost Van Dyke, tell the captain which activity matters most.

The drink stop is not included in the charter price. Lunch is also extra. That makes this a place where costs can rise quickly, especially with a large group. I would decide in advance if you want a restaurant stop, a swim, or simply a quick taste of the island atmosphere.

A US Virgin Islands day without the border crossing

You do not have to cross into the BVI. The charter can instead keep you in the US Virgin Islands for about four or seven hours, with historical landmarks and shorelines dating to the 1600s.

This option removes passport checks and the $75-per-person BVI customs fee. It may also suit you better if your group includes people who prefer a slower day, want more swimming time, or do not want to spend part of the morning on formalities.

The route description includes a stop of about one hour for swimming at a well-known beach. The exact beach is not specified, so ask when arranging the trip. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are provided, along with bottled water, soda, ice, and a cooler.

A USVI-only trip may offer better value for a half-day booking. You spend more of your paid time enjoying the water instead of crossing borders. The BVI option is the better choice if the Baths or Jost Van Dyke is a must-see.

What is included, and what is not

The onboard supplies are practical rather than lavish. You get:

• Bottled water and soda
• A cooler with ice
• Snorkeling equipment
• Swimming noodles

That is enough to support a swim-focused day, but you should plan your own food. Lunch is not included, and the tour does not list towels, so ask before assuming one will be provided.

The biggest extra is fuel. Since the boat has three large outboards and may cover a wide route, fuel can affect the final cost. The supplied information does not give a fuel estimate, so request one for your chosen itinerary.

A 20 percent captain gratuity is customary and not included. Add it to your budget before comparing this charter with other options. BVI customs fees are $75 cash per person. Those fees alone can add up to $900 for 12 people.

The listed charter cost is $1,950 per group, but the passenger terms need clarification. The package says up to six passengers are included and that more than six incur an additional fee, while the headline capacity is 12. Get the final price in writing for your group size, route, fuel, and expected gratuity.

Who gets the best value from this boat day

I would choose this for a group that values privacy and wants to move between several islands without arranging separate ferries or flights. Families, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating a special day can all benefit from controlling the pace.

It is especially useful for people who already know their priorities. Tell the captain if you want the Baths, a long swim, a relaxed lunch, or a quick tour of several islands. The more clearly you explain that, the more useful the private format becomes.

The boat may be less suitable for anyone seeking a low-cost excursion. The base price looks manageable when split among a full group, but fuel, customs, food, and gratuity change the final figure. A small group should compare the total cost against a shared boat trip before booking.

The ride is also weather dependent. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a smooth experience, keep your plans flexible and avoid scheduling an important flight immediately afterward.

Service, boat condition, and the human factor

The strongest praise centers on the captains and the boats. Captain Jervan is described as accommodating on a full-day BVI route, while Captain Jashae is credited with helping create memorable trips, sharing stories, and handling the run to Virgin Gorda.

The boats are described as very well kept, and one group that originally booked a Nortech was upgraded to the Midnight Express at the last minute. That upgrade is not something you should expect as part of the booking, but it gives you a useful sense of the operator’s fleet and the kind of vessel involved.

A good captain matters more than a polished boat on a day like this. You need someone who can balance speed, customs timing, swimming conditions, and your group’s energy. The private setup gives the captain room to adjust, but it also means you should speak up if the planned route is too ambitious.

Booking details worth checking twice

Confirmation arrives at booking, and pickup is offered. The listed meeting point is Compass Point Marina, with the trip ending back there.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting area is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The provided information does not give detailed boarding or mobility guidance, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has specific access needs.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded, and the cut-off uses local time.

The experience is commonly reserved about 34 days in advance. That is a useful planning clue for popular travel periods, but it is not a guarantee of availability. Book once your group, passport details, and preferred route are settled.

Should you book the Midnight Express charter?

Book it if you want a private, fast, flexible day and the Baths, Jost Van Dyke, or Norman Island are high on your list. The boat’s speed, private format, onboard gear, and captain-led routing make it a strong choice for a group willing to pay for control and convenience.

Think twice if you are watching every dollar, dislike border formalities, or want a leisurely visit at every stop. The $1,950 price is only the starting point, and the final bill can include fuel, lunch, gratuity, customs, and a larger-group fee.

For the clearest value, ask for two quotes: one for a USVI-only half-day or full-day trip, and one for the BVI route with every extra included. If the Baths is the reason you came to St. Thomas, the BVI charter can be worth the added cost. If you mainly want swimming and scenery, staying in the US Virgin Islands may give you more time on the water for less money.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

The trip begins at Compass Point Marina in Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas, at 8:30 a.m. It ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The charter lasts approximately four to eight hours. The available descriptions also refer to four or seven hours for US Virgin Islands trips.

How many people can join?

The boat can carry up to 12 people. The included package covers up to six passengers, and an additional fee applies above six, so confirm the exact total for your group.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Every passenger must have a passport if the trip leaves St. Thomas for the British Virgin Islands. Passports are needed for customs and immigration at Soper’s Hole or another BVI entry point, and for US customs in Cruz Bay when returning.

What extra fees should I expect?

Fuel, lunch, and a customary 20 percent captain gratuity are not included. BVI customs fees are $75 cash per person. A fee also applies for passengers above six.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.