A shared boat tour is the better value and works great for individuals, couples, and small families who don’t mind sharing the boat with other guests. A private charter costs more but gives you the whole boat, full flexibility, and a customized experience, ideal for groups, celebrations, and anyone wanting privacy. Here’s how to decide which is right for your trip.
The Core Difference
On a shared tour, you book individual seats and join other guests on the same trip. The itinerary, timing, and destinations are set, and the cost per person is lower because the boat is shared. On a private charter, you book the entire vessel for your group alone. You get more say over timing, activities, and pace, and the boat is yours, but you’re paying for the whole boat rather than a few seats.
Both run on the same great boats to the same beautiful waters. The difference is who’s aboard, how much control you have, and what it costs.
Shared Boat Tours: Who They’re For
Shared tours are our bread and butter, and for most visitors, they’re the ideal choice. If you’re an individual, a couple, or a small family, a shared tour delivers a fantastic experience at a very reasonable price.
The Advantages
Cost is the big one. You pay per person, which makes shared tours far more affordable for small groups. The 2-hour snorkeling tour runs $75 for adults, and the snorkeling and sandbar combo runs $120 to $135 for adults. Everything’s included, gear, beverages, expert guidance, and on the combo, sandbar time and paddleboards.
There’s also a social element some guests enjoy, meeting other travelers, sharing the excitement of spotting a sea turtle, the friendly group atmosphere. And because we keep group sizes comfortable rather than packing boats to capacity, shared tours still feel relaxed and personal.
The Trade-Offs
You’re on a set schedule and sharing the boat, so you don’t control the timing or itinerary, and you’ll be snorkeling alongside other guests. For most people, that’s a non-issue. For those wanting total privacy or full control, it’s where a private charter comes in.
Private Charters: Who They’re For
A private charter is the choice when you want the boat to yourselves. It shines for larger groups, special occasions, and anyone prioritizing privacy and customization.
The Advantages
Flexibility and exclusivity are the draw. You choose the timing, the duration, and the mix of activities, snorkeling, sandbar, sunset, or a combination. The boat is yours, so it’s just your group. For families, friend groups, and celebrations, that privacy and control are worth a lot.
Private charters also scale. From an intimate group of six on the smaller vessel up to 75 to 80 guests across two boats, private charters handle group sizes that shared tours can’t. That makes them ideal for celebrations, from birthdays and anniversaries to bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, and corporate outings.
The Trade-Offs
Cost is the main consideration. Private charter pricing is custom, based on group size, duration, and activities, and for a small group it works out to more per person than a shared tour. For larger groups, though, the per-person math gets much more competitive, and the exclusivity often justifies the difference.
Cost Comparison: A Simple Way to Think About It
Here’s the rule of thumb. For one to four people who don’t mind sharing, a shared tour almost always makes more sense financially. As group size grows toward eight, ten, or more, a private charter becomes increasingly cost-competitive per person, while adding privacy and flexibility on top.
So a couple on a snorkeling trip? Shared tour. A family reunion of twelve wanting the boat to themselves for a custom afternoon? Private charter. The break-even depends on the specifics, which is why it’s worth a quick call to talk through the numbers.
Which Should You Book? A Quick Guide
Choose a shared tour if you’re an individual, couple, or small family; you want the best value; you’re comfortable sharing the boat; and a set schedule works for you.
Choose a private charter if you have a larger group; you’re celebrating a special occasion; you want privacy and control over timing and activities; or you want a fully customized experience. Our private charter guide walks through planning one in detail.
Can You Get a Private Feel on a Shared Tour?
To an extent, yes. Because we deliberately keep shared group sizes comfortable rather than maxing out capacity, shared tours already feel more personal than the crowded cattle-boat experience some operators run. You get expert attention, room to spread out, and an unhurried pace. For many guests, that’s the best of both worlds, private-feeling attention at shared-tour prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a private charter worth the extra cost?
For larger groups and special occasions, often yes, the per-person cost becomes competitive and you gain privacy and flexibility. For one to four people, a shared tour usually offers better value.
How many people can a private charter hold?
From intimate groups of six on the smaller vessel up to 75 to 80 guests across two boats. That range makes private charters suitable for everything from couples to large celebrations and corporate events.
Are shared tours crowded?
Not with us. We keep group sizes comfortable rather than packing boats to capacity, so shared tours still feel relaxed, personal, and unhurried.
Not sure which fits your group? Book a shared tour online or call us at (305) 413-8307 to talk through a private charter. We’ll help you pick the right option.
