St. Thomas Snorkel Tour: St. John & Open Bar Lunch

Six hours on the water with two reef stops and all the drinks you want

You board a large powerboat at 9am with breakfast already waiting, snorkel at two or three reef sites around St. John (exact locations depend on conditions), eat a buffet lunch with unlimited drinks in between, and return by 3pm. All equipment is provided and fitted to you, and the captain narrates the islands as you cruise. Cruise passengers are accommodated with flexible timing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour with meals and drinks

• Board powerboat at 9am
• Enjoy continental breakfast onboard
• Snorkel at first designated site
• Buffet lunch and open bar served
• Snorkel at third snorkeling site
• Relax and enjoy ocean views
• Return to land by 3pm

The experience

The boat fills up fast at the dock, and you realize within five minutes that this is not a quiet morning affair. It's a full-throttle day on the water with forty people who are already laughing. The powerboat leaves at 9am sharp, and before you've even settled into your seat, a continental breakfast is coming around while the captain points out the shape of the islands sliding past. St. John sits across the water, and that's where the snorkeling starts, though the exact stops (Maho Bay, Honeymoon Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Leinster Bay, Waterlemon Cay) shift based on the day's conditions and what the captain sees when he gets there.

You get in the water twice, maybe three times if the conditions hold. The first snorkel site comes after breakfast, and the gear is already fitted to your size (mask, fins, snorkel), so there's no fumbling around trying to adjust it on the boat. The captain gives a quick rundown if you need it, and then you're in. The reef is close enough that you don't have to swim far, and the fish are used to people. After the first site, you climb back aboard and the buffet lunch appears, along with the open bar. That's the thing that catches people off guard: unlimited drinks while you're sitting on a moving boat in the middle of the Caribbean, which sounds like a recipe for chaos but somehow works because everyone's tired and happy and the ocean is doing most of the entertaining. You eat, you drink, you watch the water, and then it's time for the second or third snorkel site before the boat turns back around at 3pm.

Cruise ship passengers book this all the time. The company knows the timing and the ship schedules, so you don't have to worry about missing your boat. Just give them your ship name and disembarkation time when you reserve, and they'll get you back in time. The whole St. Thomas snorkel tour runs six hours total, and you're back on land with enough time to shower and change before heading back to the port.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or dock pickup (public transportation is available nearby), continental breakfast served aboard, two to three snorkel sessions at reef sites around St.
• John, a buffet lunch with dessert, unlimited drinks from the open bar throughout the day, and all snorkeling equipment with instruction.
• The boat departs at 9am and returns by 3pm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Island Adventures (New Horizons & Breakaway Charters)

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full snorkel day without arranging your own boat, gear, or meals: the fixed departure time and all-inclusive format means you show up and the rest is handled, which is especially useful for cruise passengers on a tight schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, and the captain provides instruction. Equipment is included and fitted to your size.

Which snorkeling sites will we visit?

The tour visits St. John National Park as the primary site. Additional stops at Maho Bay, Honeymoon Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Leinster Bay, or Waterlemon Cay may be included depending on daily conditions and sea state.

Is the open bar really unlimited?

Yes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included throughout the day.

What if I'm a cruise ship passenger?

Cruise passengers are welcome. At booking, provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time so the tour can be timed to get you back in time.

How long is the tour?

Six hours, from 9am to 3pm.

What's included in the meals?

Continental breakfast is served on the way to the first site. A buffet lunch with dessert is served between snorkel stops, along with the open bar.

How many people go on the tour?

The boat is large. If your group is more than 15 people, you'll need to book an additional reservation.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided and fitted to you on the boat.