We only offer private charters. We do not sell tickets or seat you with strangers: every sail aboard Our Passion is your group only, up to six guests. Private charter vs shared boat tour is a comparison many visitors make when planning time on the water around Martha’s Vineyard, so here is how the two differ and why we believe a private charter is the better way to experience the island from the water.
Private charter vs shared boat tour at a glance
| Our private charters | Typical shared boat tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is aboard | Your group only, up to 6 | You plus other groups |
| Route | Built around your preferences | Fixed route |
| Timing | You choose, timed to sunset or your ferry | Set departure times |
| Stops | Swim, harbor, or shore stops on request | Usually none |
| Celebrations | Private space for proposals, birthdays, and parties | Shared with strangers |
| Price | One price for the whole boat | Priced per ticket |
When a private charter is worth it
- Solo travelers. We have had great success with solo travelers who want the whole boat to themselves and the full attention of the crew, to shape the sail around their wishes and answer every question they have. The attention is entirely on them, not spread across guests from other groups.
- Groups of four to six. Split among your group, a private charter often costs less per person than people expect. Our 3-hour charter works out to about $138 each for six guests.
- Celebrations. Proposals, anniversaries, birthdays, surprises, and bachelorette parties are far better without an audience. Because the charter is private, we can take as much time as you like for photographs, from on deck or from our dinghy so the whole boat is in the shot, and we move at the pace of your event instead of other guests’ expectations.
- Families. Kids can ask questions, take a turn at the helm, and swim at your pace, not the tour’s.
- Sunset lovers. We time every sunset sail to the evening and stay out past sunset for the blue hour.
- Anyone with a ferry to catch. Your charter can be timed around the boat schedule.
A trip worth doing right
For many of our guests, a Martha’s Vineyard vacation is an annual splurge, and part of that is not settling for a shared tour and taking a chance on a crowded, one-size-fits-all experience. For others, this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and choosing the top-shelf experience of having the boat all to themselves, without sharing it with other groups, is well worth it.
Our guests tell us they are glad they did, and our five-star reviews on Tripadvisor and Google show it.
What you get with our private charters
Our Passion is a 42-foot ketch sailed by her owners, Capt. Mason and Capt. Lynne. Both hold USCG 100-Ton Master licenses and are certified lifeguards. Every charter is private for up to six guests, and we plan the route with you: lighthouses, beaches, a swim stop, a harbor visit, or simply a quiet sail. You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks, and well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard.
Charters start at $825 for a 3-hour private charter for the whole boat. See what a private charter costs for every rate, or check availability.
Frequently asked questions (selected from our full FAQ)
Is a private charter more expensive than a shared boat tour?
In total, yes, because you are booking the whole boat. Split among a group of four to six, the per-person cost is often much closer than people expect, and you get a private route and schedule.
How many people can come on a private charter?
Up to six guests, plus our two captains.
Can we choose where we go on a private charter?
Yes. Tell us what you want to see or do and we plan the route around it, with swim or harbor stops when conditions allow.
Is a private charter good for a proposal or celebration?
Yes. With no other guests aboard, you can celebrate your way, and we help time things like a sunset proposal. We can take as much time as you like for photos, including shots from our dinghy that frame the whole boat, and we go at the pace of your event.
Have another question? See our full FAQ for weather, cancellations, what to bring, and more.