St Thomas: Beginner Scuba Dive & Snorkel from Boat, Small Groups

Summary

Curious about scuba? Try your first dive in St Thomas with a local guide and easy boat entry

You’ll feel both excitement and calm as you try scuba diving in St Thomas—even if you’ve never done it before. Learn from friendly instructors right off the boat, spot tropical fish and maybe even turtles on your first ocean dive, then relax with snacks or snorkel at another reef. It’s small groups only, so you never feel lost in the crowd.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I showed up at Saga Haven Marina feeling half-excited, half-nervous. The idea of breathing underwater in St Thomas sounded wild—like something only “real” divers do, not people like me who can barely keep their mask on straight. Our instructor (shout out to Mike—he had that patient, sunburnt look) greeted us right by the boat and started explaining things in this calm way that made it all seem less intimidating. There was a bit of paperwork and a medical questionnaire—I’d read about that ahead of time, so no surprises there. If you’re over 45 and smoke or take meds, just check before you go; they really do care about safety.

The sea was that blue-green you see in postcards but never believe is real until you’re floating on it. We learned the basics—how the gear works, what all those hand signals mean (I still forget the “okay” sign sometimes). When I finally slipped off the side of the boat for my first ocean dive, I remember this weird mix of panic and awe. The water felt cooler than I expected; my heart was pounding but then suddenly… quiet. Just bubbles and fish everywhere, these flashes of yellow and electric blue darting around coral. Mike kept checking on us—never pushy, just there if you needed him. At one point a turtle cruised by and I swear everyone forgot how to breathe for a second (which is ironic).

Afterwards we got back on board for snacks and cold drinks—someone passed around rum punch but I stuck to water because my head was still spinning from everything I’d seen down there. You could either go for a second dive or just grab a snorkel at the next spot; I went with snorkeling because honestly, my nerves were shot (in a good way). Some folks dove again though—they looked so chill about it by then. The crew didn’t rush anyone; we just hung out, sharing stories and laughing about who kicked their fins off mid-dive (me).

Sometimes when I close my eyes now I can still hear those muffled underwater sounds—the distant clicks, someone’s laughter bubbling up through their regulator. If you’re curious about scuba diving in St Thomas but not ready for full certification, this is honestly such a good way to try it out without pressure or crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Discover scuba diving and snorkeling

• Meet at Saga Haven Marina
• Receive lesson and complete paperwork
• Boat ride with equipment explanation
• First ocean scuba dive with instructor
• Observe tropical fish and coral reef
• Enjoy snacks and drinks on boat
• Snorkel or do second dive

Top questions

Do I need scuba certification to join this tour?

No, no certification is required for this beginner dive experience in St Thomas.

Where does the tour start?

You’ll meet your instructor at Saga Haven Marina in St Thomas.

How many people are in each group?

The groups are small—maximum four students per instructor.

Is there a medical questionnaire?

Yes, all participants must complete a standard Diver Medical Questionnaire before diving.

What happens if I don’t pass the medical requirements?

If flagged by the questionnaire and without doctor approval, you can snorkel instead of diving.

Can kids join this beginner scuba tour?

The minimum age is 10 years old; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Are snacks or drinks included?

Yes—water, soft drinks, snacks, and rum punch are provided after diving/snorkeling.

Can some people snorkel while others dive?

Yes! Divers and snorkelers can be together; some can dive while others snorkel at both stops.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your instructor at Saga Haven Marina in St Thomas before heading out on the boat for your first ocean dive lesson with all equipment provided. After diving alongside tropical fish—with your guide always nearby—you’ll have time to relax with bottled water, soft drinks, snacks (and yes, rum punch), plus enjoy snorkeling at a second reef stop before heading back ashore together.