Private Boat Charter vs Group Tour in St. Croix: Which Buck Island Trip Is Right for You?

Every one of our trips goes to the same beautiful place: Buck Island Reef National Monument, about 5.5 miles from Christiansted. The big decision is how you want to get there. A group tour is priced per person and shared with other guests. A private charter is priced per boat, with your own captain and crew and a plan built around your group. Here’s how to decide.

The quick answer

• Choose a group tour if you’re a couple or a small family, want the best value per person, and are happy with a set schedule.
• Choose a private charter if you have a bigger group, are celebrating something, want to set your own timing or itinerary, or want the boat to yourselves.

Group tours: what you get

Our group snorkel trips to Buck Island include snorkel gear, a lesson, a guide and national park fees (Beach & Hike and Sunday Funday are beach days, with park fees included). Prices are per person:

Groups of 10 or more save 10% automatically on the half day trips and Snorkelers in Paradise when booking online. Senior, military and local discounts are available: call (340) 773-2628.

Private charters: what you get

On every private charter you get your own U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and crew, snorkel gear and a lesson, national park fees, an ice chest with water and soda, and rum punch on the way home, served outside the park. Every price is for the whole boat:

Which costs less?

For two people, a group tour costs far less: two adults on the Half Day Snorkel is $190, compared with $900 for the smallest private charter. As your group grows, the gap closes. Six adults on the Half Day Snorkel is $570, while a 3-hour private charter on Smooth Recovery is $900 for the same six, with the boat to yourselves. For a family with kids, remember Young Adults are $75 on the half day and Tiny Humans ride free.

Don’t forget the crew gratuity: 20–25% is recommended on private charters (it’s included on Celebration).

Flexibility: the biggest difference

A group tour follows a set schedule and plan. On the Half Day Snorkel, for example, there’s a lesson at Turtle Beach, a guided snorkel of the underwater trail and about an hour of snorkeling, then back to Christiansted.

On a private charter, you plan the day. Snorkel, beach, hike or all three: we’re happy to accommodate any request as long as it doesn’t break a National Park Service regulation. Want more time on Turtle Beach, or to hike up to the overlook? Just ask. Caribbean Sea Adventures is an authorized NPS concessioner at Buck Island.

Which private boat is best for your group?

• Couples and small groups who want speed: Smooth Recovery, our fast center console.
• A private sail with shade: Inconceivable, with paddleboards and floats, or Wave Dancer for a true sail with the most time on Buck Island.
• Speed, shade and stability on a big catamaran: Good Times.
• Families and big groups: Mile Mark, our glass bottom boat, so non-swimmers can see the reef through the glass.
• Birthdays, weddings and events: Celebration, with a bar and full bathroom.

Group too big for one boat? We can put more than one of our six boats on the water together. Call (340) 773-2628.

Where do trips leave from?

With several boats departing from both Christiansted and Green Cay Marina, please check your confirmation for your departure point, or call us at (340) 773-2628 with any questions. For private charters, Smooth Recovery, Inconceivable and Good Times leave from Green Cay Marina, east of Christiansted. Celebration and Mile Mark leave from Christiansted and can also pick you up elsewhere on request. Wave Dancer departs from Christiansted now and from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026.

Can I rent a boat without a captain?

We don’t offer bareboat rentals: every one of our trips comes with a licensed captain and crew. If you’re taking your own boat to Buck Island, the National Park Service says anchoring permits aren’t required at this time. Anchor only in the anchorage area off West Beach, and note that vessels over 42 feet aren’t allowed in the lagoon. Check the NPS permits page for updates before you go.

Food, drinks and extras

Food isn’t included on group tours or private charters, so bring snacks or lunch. On a private charter, you can ask us about catering. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a towel.

Cancellation policies

Public tours: cancel 48 hours or more ahead for a 100% refund, and within 48 hours for 50%. Private charters need 48 hours’ notice for a full refund. Each trip’s page and booking screen shows its policy, and the full details are in our cancellation policy. If we cancel for weather, we’ll reschedule or refund you in full.

Planning an evening on the water instead? Compare our sunset cruises.