St John & Cays: Small Group Sailing & Snorkel Day Trip

Summary

Small group sailing day with snorkeling stops grilled lunch and open bar from St Thomas to St John and nearby cays

You’ll sail from St Thomas with just six guests, stopping at two different cays around St John for snorkeling in clear water with all equipment provided. Enjoy a freshly grilled lunch on board and relax with an open bar as your local crew picks quieter spots away from crowds. It’s an easygoing day where you can actually hear yourself think — or laugh at your own snorkel mishaps.

What’s the experience like?

Li handed me a cold ginger ale before we even left Sapphire Beach Marina — I think she could tell I was already sweating through my shirt. There were just five of us plus Captain Mark, who immediately started joking about how his “office” had the best view in the Virgin Islands. He let us pick our favorite spot on the deck (I grabbed the shady corner) and then we pulled away, sails snapping in the wind. The water here isn’t just blue — it’s that weird electric color that makes you squint. Mark pointed out a pelican dive-bombing for breakfast and said if we were lucky, we’d see turtles near St John later.

We drifted for maybe an hour — hard to say, time gets fuzzy when you’re watching sunlight flicker off waves. Our first stop was some tiny cay near St John (I missed the name), where Li handed out snorkel gear and told us to watch for parrotfish munching coral. I’ve snorkeled before but never with so few people around; it was mostly quiet except for our own splashing and someone laughing through their snorkel when a fish zipped by too close. Lunch was grilled chicken right on board, pasta salad still cool from the fridge, and fruit that tasted like it had been picked that morning. Maybe it’s just being out on the water all day but everything tasted sharper.

After lunch we moved again — Mark checked the wind and said he wanted to avoid the cruise crowds (bless him). Second snorkel spot had clearer water and more fans of coral than I’ve ever seen. At one point I floated on my back just listening to nothing but boat creaks and distant gulls. There’s something about being part of such a small group that makes you feel like you’re getting away with something special, you know? We headed back with rum punch in hand and sunburnt noses, everyone quiet in that good way where nobody wants it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day sailing and snorkeling tour

• Depart from Sapphire Beach Marina
• Enjoy open bar while sailing
• Visit first snorkeling location
• Have grilled chicken lunch onboard
• Visit second snorkeling location
• Return to marina around 3:30 pm

Top questions

How many people are on this sailing tour?

The tour has a maximum of 6 guests per trip.

Where does the sailing trip start?

The trip departs from Sapphire Beach Marina in St Thomas.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, lunch is freshly grilled onboard along with pasta salad and fresh fruit.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, there is an open bar plus soda, bottled water, and snacks included.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

All necessary snorkeling equipment is included in your tour.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at Sapphire Beach Marina.

Can I bring my service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this sailing trip.

If I’m arriving by cruise ship can I join?

You must contact the operator directly to confirm your cruise times fit their schedule.

What’s included

Your day includes all snorkeling gear, unlimited drinks from an open bar plus soda and bottled water, snacks throughout the sail, a freshly grilled chicken lunch served with pasta salad and fruit onboard between swim stops, plus plenty of time at two different locations around St John chosen by your crew based on weather and crowds before returning to Sapphire Beach Marina in late afternoon.