St Thomas: Sea Turtle Snorkel Tour & Guaranteed Sightings

Hands sliding into warm water where sea turtles live

You snorkel for two hours in calm, clear water where resident sea turtles are guaranteed to appear. The tour includes all gear, floatation devices, water and a guide who keeps the group small enough to actually see what's happening. Photos and videos are sold separately. Arrive fifteen minutes early. The vehicle leaves on time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel with sea turtles tour

• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Receive snorkel gear and bottled water
• Snorkel with sea turtles from the beach
• Use beach chairs to relax
• Optionally purchase photos and videos

The experience

Hands sliding into warm water, a guide pointing down, and then you see it: a turtle gliding past your mask like it owns the place, which it does. This is the St Thomas sea turtle snorkel tour, and it's built around one promise: you will see multiple turtles in their natural habitat. The tour runs for two hours from the beach, small groups only, which means your guide actually notices when you're struggling with your mask instead of herding thirty people toward a boat.

You arrive fifteen minutes early (that's when the vehicle leaves), and the gear is already waiting: snorkel equipment, floatation devices if you need them, and a cooler of bottled water for after. The water here is calm and clear, the kind of visibility that makes the whole thing feel less like luck and more like a sure thing. Beginners and experienced snorkelers both end up in the same water, and the guide reads the group fast, adjusting pace so nobody's either bored or panicking. The spot itself is one of the island's quieter snorkel sites, which is why the turtles are comfortable staying put instead of bolting.

Digital photos and videos are available for purchase if you want proof of what you saw. The underwater shots especially are worth considering, since your phone camera will not do the moment justice. The two-hour window is tight enough that you're not sitting around waiting for something to happen, but long enough that you're not rushing through it either. Minimum group size is four people across all bookings, so tours do run even if you're not traveling with a full party.

One practical note: all participants need to be able to swim at a beginner level minimum and walk over uneven surfaces to get in and out of the vehicle. Children must be with an adult. At booking, you'll provide sweater size for adults and age, gender and weight for kids. The gear needs to fit right in the water. If you're arriving by cruise ship, have your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time ready when you book, so the timing works around your departure.

What’s included

• Your two-hour tour includes snorkel gear, floatation devices, beach chairs, and a cooler with bottled water.
• A small-group guide provides personalized attention throughout.
• Digital photos and videos taken above and below water are available for purchase after the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 14:30

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by St Thomas Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see sea turtles without the uncertainty. The guarantee means you're not gambling on sightings, and the small group size means your guide actually watches the water with you instead of managing a crowd.

Traveler reviews

4.85★★★★★★★★★★

123 verified traveler reviews

5 ★114

4 ★4

3 ★3

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Is this tour good for first-time snorkelers?

Yes. The guide adjusts to mixed ability levels, the water is calm, and floatation devices are included. You need to be able to swim at a beginner level and be at least five years old.

How many turtles will I see?

The tour guarantees multiple sea turtle sightings. The spot is a resident habitat, so encounters are consistent, not occasional.

What's included in the price?

Snorkel gear, floatation devices, beach chairs, and bottled water. Photos and videos are available for purchase separately.

What time do I need to arrive?

Fifteen minutes before the tour start time. That's when the vehicle departs.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes, a minimum of four guests across all bookings is required for the tour to run. They don't need to be in the same booking.

What if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at booking so the tour timing aligns with your schedule.

Are there age restrictions?

Participants must be at least five years old and able to swim at a beginner level. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

You need to be able to walk over uneven surfaces and climb in and out of a vehicle. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Is gratuity included?

No. A 20% gratuity is due in cash on the day of the tour for groups of five or more.