British Virgin Islands Snorkeling Tour on 27-ft Catamaran

Island hop and snorkel without fighting the crowds on a small-group boat

A full-day snorkeling tour of the British Virgin Islands aboard the PalmaBella III, a 27-foot power catamaran departing from St. John. You snorkel at two or three stops chosen daily for the best conditions, island hop to famous destinations like Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island, and relax on white-sand beaches. The boat holds a small group, carries an experienced USCG-licensed captain, and provides cooler with ice and drinking water. Snorkel gear and fuel are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private full-day BVI boat cruise

• Depart from Cruz Bay, St. John
• Enjoy smooth ride on PalmaBella III
• Island hop to BVI destinations
• Snorkel in crystal-clear waters
• Relax on white-sand beaches
• Enjoy panoramic island views
• Return to Cruz Bay, St. John

The experience

How do you get to the best snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands without renting a car or booking a massive tour boat? You board the PalmaBella III, a 27-foot power catamaran built for stability in open water, and let the captain navigate to whichever reefs and beaches are running cleanest that day. The boat departs from Cruz Bay, St. John, and carries a small group: no crowds, no cattle-call boarding. An experienced USCG-licensed captain makes the route decisions, so you spend the morning snorkeling at one reef, the afternoon at another, and the in-between time island hopping or floating on a white-sand beach depending on what the conditions allow.

The catamaran's design matters here: it's built to ride smoothly across the open water between islands, which means less time feeling seasick and more time actually in the water. You get ample shade on deck, panoramic views of the islands as you cruise between stops, and a cooler stocked with ice and drinking water. The day runs eight hours from departure, so you're not rushing through the highlights or spending half the day in transit. Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island are the destinations the captain typically chooses, but the actual stops depend on what's happening that day (reef conditions, wind, swell), so you're getting the best version of the BVI snorkeling experience, not a fixed itinerary that works for nobody.

Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it separately. The boat doesn't provide it. Fuel costs and gratuity (20% is customary) are separate from the booking price. If you have a spinal injury, this boat is not suitable for you.

What’s included

• Experienced USCG-licensed captain.
• cooler with ice and drinking water.
• eight hours of snorkeling and island hopping with daily stop selection based on conditions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 330

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Palm Tree Charters

Is this one for you?The boat leaves from St. John, so if you're staying on that island or can reach Cruz Bay easily, you skip the ferry logistics and step straight onto the catamaran. If you're based elsewhere in the BVI without a car, you'll need to arrange your own transport to the dock, but once you're there, the captain handles the rest: choosing which reefs to hit and which beaches to visit based on what's actually good that day.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I snorkel at more than one spot on the same day?

Yes. The captain chooses two or three snorkeling stops based on the day's conditions, so you're in the water at multiple reefs and beaches across the eight-hour tour.

What's the boat like in rough water?

The PalmaBella III is a 27-foot power catamaran designed for stability and smooth riding in open water, so the crossing between islands is comfortable even when conditions are choppy.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

Yes, snorkel gear is not included with the tour. You'll need to bring your own mask, fins and snorkel, or arrange a rental separately before boarding.

Where does the boat leave from?

The PalmaBella III departs from Cruz Bay, St. John. If you're staying elsewhere in the islands or don't have a car, you'll need to arrange your own transport to the dock.

How many people are on the boat?

It's a small-group tour, so you're not on a massive charter boat. The exact group size varies by departure, but the boat is designed to keep numbers low enough that you're not waiting in line to snorkel.