Midnight Sun Charters – 37ft OBSIDIAN

The best part of Midnight Sun Charters’ 37-foot Obsidian is control. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule or a long list of stops you do not care about. You and up to five companions work with your captain to choose the bays, islands, beaches, and snorkel sites that fit your day.

I like the private format and the range of choices. You can spend serious time at The Baths, look for turtles at Francis Bay, snorkel around Norman Island, or make room for a Painkiller at Soggy Dollar Bar. I also like the practical touches: bottled water with ice, snorkel gear and pool noodles provided on some outings, and a captain who can adjust the plan.

The main consideration is cost and scope. The boat costs $2,000 per group, before fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees. Also, the listed stops add up to far more than an ordinary five to eight-hour trip, so you will need to choose rather than expect to visit every location in one day.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 37-foot boat for up to six: The price covers the group, not individual seats, making the math more attractive for a full party.
• Your captain shapes the route: You can focus on beaches, snorkeling, island hopping, lunch, or a mix of all four.
• The Baths needs real time: Allow about two hours if Virgin Gorda is your priority, since the beach and rock formations are the main event.
• Snorkel gear and water are included: Some outings also provide pool noodles, a useful extra for relaxed time in the water.
• The full stop list is a menu, not a promise: Five to eight hours is not enough for all eight suggested locations.
• Bring passport details and budget for extras: Every participant needs a current passport, and fuel plus BVI entry costs are separate.

A private day aboard Obsidian

Midnight Sun Charters gives you a private boat rather than a place on a shared excursion. The 37-foot Obsidian carries your group of up to six, with a captain handling the route and boat work while you decide how active or relaxed the day should feel.

That setup matters in the Virgin Islands. A beach day, a snorkeling day, and an island-hopping day are three different outings, even if they use the same boat. You might want a long stop at The Baths and lunch near Norman Island. Another group may care more about turtles at Francis Bay and a drink at Soggy Dollar Bar.

The advertised trip lasts about five to eight hours. Your exact route depends on your priorities, weather, timing, and the captain’s guidance. I would discuss the plan early, especially if your group has a must-see stop. A custom charter works best when you choose two or three main goals instead of trying to collect every location on the list.

The boat comes with a captain and bottled water with ice. Snorkel equipment and pool noodles have also been provided on outings, but I would confirm the exact equipment available when you book. Lunch, drinks, fuel, and BVI customs or entry fees are not included.

Magens Bay offers an easy opening stop

Magens Bay Beach is listed as a one-hour stop, and it makes sense as a simple beach-focused part of the day. The appeal is easy to understand: you can swim, float, sunbathe, and enjoy one of St. Thomas’s best-known beaches without turning the entire outing into a long expedition.

Because admission is free, there is no extra beach ticket to add here. The tradeoff is time. If your real goal is the BVI, spending an hour at Magens Bay may leave less time for Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, or Jost Van Dyke.

I would choose Magens Bay if your group wants a gentle start or if some people prefer sand and swimming to snorkeling. If The Baths is the priority, tell the captain early and keep this stop short or skip it.

The Baths and Devil’s Bay deserve a two-hour window

The Baths on Virgin Gorda is the most substantial stop on the suggested route. The plan allows two hours to explore the giant granite formations and swim at Devil’s Bay, with admission included.

This is not just a quick photo stop from the boat. You need time to get ashore, walk through the rock formations, and reach the beach area. The rocks create a memorable setting, but the route is more active than simply stepping onto a beach and sitting down.

I would make The Baths the centerpiece of the day if this is your first trip through the British Virgin Islands. Ask your captain how much time remains for the return journey before committing to extra stops. The two-hour estimate is useful because it shows what a realistic visit requires.

Sandy Cay keeps the day small and relaxed

Sandy Cay is described as a small island suited to snorkeling or sunbathing, with about an hour allowed. It offers the kind of stop that works well between larger destinations.

You can use this hour to get in the water, stretch out in the sun, or simply enjoy a short island visit without a major shore program. That variety is one reason a private charter can work for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others stay aboard or relax on the beach.

Sandy Cay may not be the best use of time if your party has chosen The Baths and Norman Island as its main plan. It becomes more appealing when you want a slower day with several short stops.

Francis Bay is the choice for turtle snorkeling

Francis Bay is allotted one hour and is identified as a good place to snorkel with turtles and sea rays. For many people, that will be a stronger reason to book the boat than a generic swim stop.

The one-hour window keeps the visit focused. You can get into the water, look for marine life, and return to the boat without using half the day. Still, wildlife is never a timed performance, so I would treat turtles and rays as possible sightings rather than a guarantee.

This is a useful stop for a group with different comfort levels. Snorkelers have a clear goal, while anyone who prefers not to enter the water can enjoy the bay from the boat. Ask about the day’s conditions before deciding how long to stay.

Norman Island combines snorkeling with lunch

Norman Island Caves receives a two-hour allowance and is described as a strong snorkeling area, a place linked with the Crusoe’s Treasure Island story, and a lunch option. That combination gives it more range than a short swim stop.

The caves add a sense of exploration, while the surrounding water gives snorkelers something to do. The lunch angle also makes Norman Island a practical middle-of-the-day choice. You can plan a longer pause instead of rushing from one site to the next.

You should ask the captain about the best lunch arrangement for your route, since food is not listed as included. The two-hour estimate is helpful here. It leaves room for snorkeling and eating, but it also means you may need to remove another stop from the day.

The Indians is a focused snorkel stop

The Indians, near Norman Island, is another snorkeling location, with about one hour suggested. Pairing it with Norman Island could make sense for a group that wants to spend much of the day in the water.

The practical issue is repetition. If your party has already had a satisfying snorkel at Francis Bay or Norman Island Caves, you may prefer a beach, lunch, or a drink stop instead. If snorkeling is your top priority, The Indians gives your captain another clear option near Norman Island.

I would not try to force every snorkel location into one trip. Pick the site that best suits your group’s experience and interest, then leave enough time to enjoy it rather than racing between markers on a map.

Cooper Island adds a proper lunch break

Cooper Island is listed as a two-hour lunch stop. That makes it a good counterweight to a busy route packed with swimming and snorkeling.

A two-hour meal stop can help the day feel less rushed. You can come out of the water, eat, and take a break before the boat ride back. Food is not included in the charter price, so plan for that additional expense.

I like this option for groups that want a comfortable day rather than a checklist of water activities. The drawback is simple: lunch takes time. If you want The Baths, Francis Bay, Norman Island, and Jost Van Dyke, Cooper Island may need to replace one of them.

Soggy Dollar Bar brings Jost Van Dyke into the plan

Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke is offered as a two-hour island-hopping stop for its famous Painkiller cocktail. This is the most social and drink-oriented choice on the route.

It can be a fun finish to the day, especially for adults who want a relaxed toast before returning to St. Thomas. The two-hour allowance gives you time to go ashore and enjoy the setting rather than treating it as a quick drink pickup.

You should also remember that drinks are not included. If your group includes children, non-drinkers, or people more interested in snorkeling, use your private format to make Jost Van Dyke optional rather than automatic.

Captains make the custom plan work

The captain is more than a boat operator on this type of charter. You need someone who can help balance distance, water conditions, shore time, and what your group actually wants to do.

Captains named in past outings include Adam, Justin, Sam, and Colin. Adam was noted for using pool noodles and snorkel equipment and for dropping a party close to its cruise ship to help maximize time. Sam was praised for a flexible plan around the US Virgin Islands, while Colin made an effort to connect with a family that included teenagers.

Those details point to what you should ask for when booking. Tell the company your preferred pace, your cruise ship schedule if applicable, and the ages and interests in your party. Captain assignments can vary, so do not book on the assumption that a particular named captain will operate your trip unless the company confirms it.

What the $2,000 price really buys

The $2,000 price is for the entire group of up to six people. At six passengers, that works out to about $333 per person before fuel and BVI customs or entrance fees. A smaller group pays more per person, but you still receive the privacy and flexibility of a dedicated boat.

That value depends on how much you use the custom format. If you only want a short ride to one beach, a shared excursion may cost less. If your group wants several islands, private timing, and the ability to change the plan, the charter becomes easier to justify.

Fuel is separate, and so are BVI customs or entry fees. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either. I would ask for a clear estimate of those additional costs before finalizing the booking, especially if you are comparing the charter with a package that includes more fees.

The strong rating of 4.9 from 135 reviews and a 99 percent recommendation mark suggest a consistently well-received operation, but the price still deserves a close look. The best value comes when six people share the boat and everyone agrees on the type of day they want.

Cruise ship timing needs careful planning

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. This is important because a private charter cannot wait indefinitely for a late arrival, and the company does not refund missed tours caused by a cruise ship arriving late or failing to arrive.

Give yourself a clear time cushion. You need to leave the ship, reach the meeting point, complete any required steps, and return with enough time to re-board. The charter does not include hotel or ship pickup and drop-off, so confirm exactly where you meet the boat.

A previous outing included a drop-off close to a cruise ship, which helped the group use its time well. That is a useful possibility to ask about, not a service you should assume is guaranteed.

Passports and border costs are part of the plan

This charter enters the British Virgin Islands, so passport details are required for every participant at booking. You must provide the passport name, number, expiry date, and country, and each person needs a current valid passport on the day of travel.

That requirement applies even if you are staying on a boat for much of the day. Check your documents before paying, and do not leave this task until the morning of departure. BVI customs or entrance fees are not included in the advertised price, so budget for them as part of the outing.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Still, the day involves boat travel, swimming, snorkeling, and shore visits, so tell the operator about any concern that could affect your participation.

Weather and cancellation terms

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. That rule is especially important for cruise passengers, since a late ship or missed arrival does not qualify for a refund.

Who will get the most from Obsidian?

I would recommend this charter for a group of friends or family members who agree on a general plan but want room to adjust it. It is also a strong fit for a cruise stop when you can provide a careful schedule and want more control than a shared shore excursion allows.

It suits active groups that want snorkeling, swimming, and several islands. It also works for a mixed group because one person can snorkel while another sunbathes, and the day can include lunch or a beach stop.

I would be more cautious if your party has fewer than four people and a tight budget. I would also think twice if you want a fixed, all-inclusive package, since fuel, food, drinks, and BVI entry costs are extra.

Should you book Midnight Sun Charters?

Book it if the appeal is a private, flexible day on the water, not simply transportation from one beach to another. The Obsidian gives six people a comfortable way to combine the Virgin Islands highlights with the places your own group cares about.

Before booking, choose your top two or three stops. For a first visit, The Baths plus Norman Island or Francis Bay makes a sensible plan. Add Soggy Dollar Bar if the group wants a drink stop, or choose Cooper Island for a longer lunch break.

The charter is worth considering for the privacy, captain-led planning, snorkel options, and ability to avoid a rigid group schedule. Just account for fuel, entry charges, meals, drinks, passports, and the fact that five to eight hours cannot cover every stop on the suggested 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 trip lasts approximately five to eight hours.

Which stops can the charter visit?

Suggested stops include Magens Bay Beach, The Baths and Devil’s Bay on Virgin Gorda, Sandy Cay, Francis Bay, Norman Island Caves, The Indians, Cooper Island, and Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. Your captain helps customize the route.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a maximum of six people.

Are snorkeling equipment and water included?

Bottled water with ice and a captain are included. Snorkel gear and pool noodles have been provided on some outings, but the supplied details do not state that all equipment is guaranteed for every departure, so confirm when booking.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Every participant must provide passport name, number, expiry date, and country at booking. A current valid passport is required on the travel date.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If bad weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund.