Snorkeling St. John & Surrounding Cays: Small Group Sailing
Two snorkel stops and a grilled lunch, chosen by wind and weather instead of cruise ship crowds.
A full-day sailing and snorkeling trip from St. Thomas to St. John National Park and surrounding cays with a maximum of 6 guests. You depart from Sapphire Beach Marina at 9:00 am, snorkel two locations picked based on conditions, and return around 3:30 pm. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks and an open bar. The small group size means the guide can pick stops away from the larger cruise ship excursions.
What’s included
- Snorkeling equipment.
- grilled lunch served on board.
- bottled water and soda.
- open bar with alcoholic beverages.
- a live English-speaking guide.
Times
- Every day 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Virgin Islands Day Sailing
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
If you're arriving by cruise ship or have a free afternoon in St. Thomas, this is a way to get offshore without renting a car or joining a 30-person group. You meet at Sapphire Beach Marina at 9:00 am, and the boat holds a maximum of 6 guests. Small enough that the captain can read the wind and water and steer toward the quieter snorkel sites instead of the stops the big tour operators use. The two locations shift day to day based on conditions, so you're not locked into a crowded reef.
The sailing itself is the first half of the day. You leave the marina and head toward St. John National Park, with an open bar and soda available as you go. Around midday, the boat anchors at the first snorkel site. You get snorkeling equipment (included), and the water is where you spend the next stretch: no guide narration, no schedule, just time in the water. When you're ready, you head to the second location, and between the two stops a fresh grilled lunch is served on board: grilled chicken with pasta salad and fruit. The return to Sapphire Beach happens around 3:30 pm.
If you're arriving by cruise ship, contact the operator directly with your ship's name and port times before booking, not all departure times work with cruise schedules, and there are no refunds if the timing doesn't align. Arrive at the marina at least 15 minutes before departure. The trip is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.
Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you can follow the commentary and any safety instructions without translation. This works well for English speakers arriving solo, with family, or as part of a small group who want to snorkel without the logistics of renting a car or the crowds of a larger tour.
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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 if I've never done it before?
Snorkeling equipment is included and the boat carries everything you need to get in the water. The guide is there to help, and the two locations are chosen based on conditions, so you can start in calmer water if you prefer.
What makes St. John snorkeling different from other spots in the Virgin Islands?
St. John National Park and the surrounding cays are known for some of the best snorkeling and swimming locations in the Virgin Islands. The captain picks the two stops based on wind, weather and crowd levels, which means you're more likely to avoid the reef sites that cruise ship tours visit.
What's included in the price?
Snorkeling equipment, grilled lunch, bottled water, soda and an open bar are all included. You don't need to bring or pay for food, drinks or gear.
How long is the full day, and when do we return?
The trip departs at 9:00 am and returns around 3:30 pm, so you're out for roughly 6.5 hours total. The exact return time depends on conditions and how long you spend at each snorkel site.
If I'm on a cruise ship, can I still book this tour?
Yes, but you must contact the operator directly before booking with your ship's name and port times. Not all departure times work with cruise schedules, and the operator needs to confirm the timing will work for you.
How many people will be on the boat?
The maximum is 6 guests, so the group stays small. This size allows the captain to pick snorkel locations based on conditions and avoid the larger cruise ship stops.
Snorkeling St. John & Surrounding Cays: Small Group Sailing
6h 30m · EN
from US$ 245 per person
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