St. John Island-Hopping Tour: Snorkel with Sea Turtles

Snorkel with sea turtles in calm bays instead of fighting crowds on shore.

A private boat charter from St. Thomas explores St. John's north and south shores by water, with stops at Maho Bay for sea turtles, Waterlemon Cay for coral, and quiet beaches accessible only by boat. The captain steers the route, snorkeling gear is provided, and you choose between a half-day or full-day trip on a 29' or 32' catamaran. Fuel is billed separately at $8 per gallon; food at floating vendors like Pizza Pi and Lime Out is your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private island-hopping boat charter

• Depart from St. John or St. Thomas
• Explore Virgin Islands National Park waters
• Snorkel at Waterlemon Cay
• Snorkel with sea turtles at Maho Bay
• Relax or snorkel near Caneel Bay Resort
• Snorkel around Fish Cay and see sunken sailboat
• Enjoy pizza at floating pizzeria Pizza Pi

The Experience

You arrive in St. Thomas with a free afternoon or a morning to spare, and the boat leaves from American Yacht Harbor. The captain meets you there and runs through the day—most half-day trips focus on the north shore, hitting Maho Bay first, where sea turtles feed in shallow, calm water. You'll snorkel with the gear on board, then move to quieter stops like Scott Beach or Cinnamon Bay, finishing at Christmas Cove for pizza from Pizza Pi, the floating pizzeria anchored there. The whole half-day runs about three and a half hours, travel time included.

If you book the full day, the route opens up. You can cruise the south shore to Salt Pond Bay and Little Lameshur, or head all the way out to Lime Out in Coral Bay—a floating taco bar in open water. Waterlemon Cay sits on most full-day itineraries; it's a snorkel site with elkhorn coral and the same calm conditions as Maho Bay. The captain customizes the stops based on conditions and what you want to see, so the day is not locked into a script.

The boat is a power catamaran—you choose the 29' or 32' depending on your group size. Water, ice, a cooler, and snorkeling equipment are all on board. The captain is experienced and speaks English. Fuel gets billed after the trip based on what you burn, so ask about that before you book if you want the exact total upfront.

What’s included

• Private boat with experienced captain.
• snorkeling equipment for all passengers.
• water, ice, and cooler on board.
• customizable route through Virgin Islands National Park.
• stops at Maho Bay for sea turtles and Waterlemon Cay for coral snorkeling.
• access to beaches and coves reachable only by boat.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bonus Time Charters

Is this one for you?Book the half-day if you're squeezing the trip into an afternoon or your first time snorkeling and want a shorter introduction; the full-day suits anyone with a full morning and afternoon free who wants to hit both shores and see more of the island from the water. Choose the 29' catamaran for a smaller group or the 32' if your party is larger and you want more deck space.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel at Maho Bay on a half-day trip from St. Thomas?

Yes. Maho Bay is the first stop on most half-day charters and is where you'll snorkel with sea turtles in shallow, calm water. The half-day trip includes time there plus stops at other north-shore beaches before finishing at Christmas Cove.

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day charter?

The half-day focuses on the north shore—Maho Bay, Scott Beach, and nearby coves—and runs about three and a half hours. The full-day lets you explore the south shore too, visit Waterlemon Cay for coral snorkeling, and reach Lime Out in Coral Bay, with time to snorkel at multiple sites and visit quiet coves the half-day doesn't reach.

Is snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is provided on board. You don't need to bring your own, though you can if you prefer your own fit.

What happens if I want to eat at Pizza Pi or Lime Out?

Pizza Pi floats at Christmas Cove on the north shore and Lime Out is a taco bar in Coral Bay on the south shore. Both are stops on the itinerary, but any food or drink you buy there is your own cost—the captain will stop long enough for you to order and eat.

Do I need to arrange my own pickup from my hotel?

You'll need to get to American Yacht Harbor in St. Thomas on your own—the charter departs from there. If you're arriving by cruise ship, taxi to the harbor to meet the captain. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

What's included in the charter price?

The charter includes the captain and crew, snorkeling gear, water, ice, and a cooler. Fuel is billed separately after the trip at $8 per gallon based on usage. Any food or drinks at floating vendors are your own cost, and gratuity for the captain is recommended at 20% if service is excellent.