St Thomas: Cas Cay Kayak, Hike & Snorkel Eco Tour

Summary

Kayak mangrove lagoons hike Cas Cay cliffs snorkel coral nursery

You’ll kayak through St Thomas’ peaceful mangrove lagoon with a local guide, hike across wild Cas Cay to tidal pools and volcanic cliffs (hermit crab races included), then snorkel among colorful fish and rays in shallow coral nurseries. Expect salt on your lips, laughter with new friends, and moments that stick with you long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember how quiet it got as we pushed our kayaks away from the Mangrove Lagoon Marina in St Thomas—just the drip of paddles and those weird little clicks from crabs on the roots. Our guide, Jasmine, called out a few bird names I immediately forgot (one of them had this bright red patch though), and pointed at a heron standing so still it looked fake. The water was glassy, but you could smell salt and something green—like wet leaves after rain. I kept bumping my paddle into mangrove branches, but Jasmine just grinned and said everyone does that at first.

Landing on Cas Cay felt like stepping into a different world—no buildings, just tangled trees and piles of old shells crunching underfoot. We walked this short trail, maybe eight minutes?—but it’s not like a city sidewalk; it’s sandy with bits of coral that poke through your shoes if you’re not careful. There was this part where thousands (seriously) of hermit crabs were scuttling around—Jasmine got us to do a “race,” which was honestly funnier than I expected. The wind picked up near the cliffs and you could hear waves smacking against rocks below. There’s a blowhole too—it shot up spray right when I wasn’t looking and caught me in the face. Salt water in your mouth is…not great, but we laughed about it.

After we hiked back to the kayaks, everyone grabbed snorkels (they have all the gear there) and splashed into this shallow spot fringed by more mangroves. The water was warm and cloudy in places from the sand, but suddenly there’d be these flashes of color—tiny blue fish darting under roots, a stingray gliding past so close I actually froze for a second. Jasmine pointed out some sea cucumbers (which look way less gross underwater than they do in photos). It’s funny how quickly you forget about time floating there—just watching sunlight flicker on fish scales.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak, hike, and snorkel Cas Cay

• Depart from Mangrove Lagoon Marina
• Kayak through red mangrove islands
• Hike and explore Cas Cay island
• Visit tidal pools and volcanic cliffs
• See geological blowhole and hermit crabs
• Hike back to kayaks
• Snorkel in coral-fringed mangrove nursery

Top questions

How long is the Cas Cay kayak hike & snorkel tour?

The tour includes an 8-minute hike each way on Cas Cay plus kayaking and snorkeling; allow several hours for the full experience.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this St Thomas eco tour?

Yes, all snorkel gear including masks, life jackets, paddles, and mesh bags are provided for use during the tour.

Are snacks or drinks included on the Cas Cay adventure?

Yes, water and snacks are included as part of your day trip to Cas Cay from St Thomas.

What should I bring for kayaking & hiking at Cas Cay?

You should bring a bathing suit, towel, shoes that can get wet, sun protection like sunscreen or hats, and sunglasses.

Is hotel pickup included for this St Thomas kayak tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at Virgin Islands Ecotours at Mangrove Lagoon Marina before departure.

Can children join the Cas Cay kayak & snorkel tour?

The minimum age for participants is 2 years old; families are welcome with moderate fitness required.

Are there restroom facilities available before or after the tour?

Yes, restrooms, dressing rooms, lockers for valuables, and a gift shop are available at Virgin Islands Ecotours base.

What’s included

Your day includes use of all snorkel equipment—masks, life jackets, paddles—and mesh bags for anything that can get wet. Water and snacks are provided along with safety briefings plus full instruction for kayaking or snorkeling if you need it. Lockers, dressing rooms, toilets are available at the starting marina before heading out toward Cas Cay’s wild trails and tidal pools.