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.
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.
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.
Same experience, different operators — compare price, rating and length.
St. Thomas Snorkel Tour: St. John & Open Bar Lunch★ 4.91 (2,061)6hEN · ESUS$ 165
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St Thomas: Sunset Sail with Cocktails & AppetizersCatamaran cruise around Charlotte Amalie Harbor at sunset with open bar, cocktails, wine, beer, cheese, fruit and seafood platters from Marriott's Frenchman's Cove.★ 4.77 (681)2hENUS$ 95View ›
St Thomas: Harbor Lights Dinner Sail & BBQ from MarriottSail from Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove at sunset, enjoy a fresh BBQ or taco dinner with drinks, and watch Charlotte Amalie’s harbor lights. Includes all beverages and dinner.★ 4.77 (1,316)2hENUS$ 119View ›
St Thomas: Champagne Sunset Sail & Open BarTwo-hour catamaran cruise from Margaritaville with champagne, cocktails, and appetizers. Watch the sunset and moonrise over St. Thomas from the deck.★ 4.76 (837)2hENUS$ 110View ›
St Thomas Snorkeling: Virgin Islands National Park & Sea TurtlesSnorkel Virgin Islands National Park from St Thomas on a 47-foot catamaran. Two reef stops, sea turtles, open bar with rum punch and painkillers. Pickup available.★ 4.91 (688)3h 30mENUS$ 77View ›
St Thomas Custom Tour: 3 hours, your itineraryPrivate St Thomas sightseeing tour with AC Suburban, bottled water, guide. Three hours including Drake's Seat and Mountain Top stops.★ 5.00 (39)3hENUS$ 500per groupView ›
St John & Remote Island: Snorkel Catamaran with Meals & DrinksFeel the Caribbean breeze as you snorkel St John reefs and a remote island, with breakfast, lunch, drinks, and gear included. Sail, swim, relax—pickup at Margaritaville.★ 4.89 (1,021)5hENUS$ 150View ›
St Thomas & St John: Snorkel, Swim & Beach Semi-Private TripFeel the salt air as you snorkel coral reefs near St John, swim with turtles, and relax on quiet beaches. Small group tour with gear, drinks, and boat ride included.★ 4.61 (218)4hENUS$ 128View ›
St Thomas Private Boat Charter: 31' Powerboat & SnorkelingPrivate powerboat charter in St Thomas for up to 12 guests. Design your own itinerary around Maho Bay, Trunk Bay, Honeymoon Beach & more. Snorkeling gear & drinks included.★ 4.91 (331)4h–7hENUS$ 796per groupView ›
St. Thomas & St. John: Private Catamaran Day with SnorkelingSail between St. Thomas and St. John on a private catamaran, snorkel vibrant reefs, relax at Honeymoon Beach, and enjoy rum punch with pickup included.★ 4.87 (167)7hENUS$ 1,356per groupView ›
St. Thomas: Island Buggy Self-Drive Tour with Beaches & Mountain TopFeel the breeze driving your own buggy in St. Thomas, swim at Magens Bay, sip a banana daiquiri at Mountain Top, and stop where you want—includes fuel and insurance.★ 5.00 (94)1h–8hUS$ 499per groupView ›
St Thomas: Cas Cay Kayak, Hike & Snorkel Eco TourStart your Cas Cay adventure in St Thomas kayaking the mangroves, hiking to tidal pools and blowholes, then snorkeling with fish and rays. Includes gear & snacks.★ 4.88 (1,066)3hENUS$ 99View › St. Thomas Snorkel Tour: St. John & Open Bar Lunch
6h · EN · ES
from US$ 165 per person
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