St Thomas: Sail & Snorkel with Sea Turtles Buck Island

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (306 reviews) 92% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/19

Duration3h 30m

GroupUp to 25

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

The sails go up as you leave Charlotte Amalie Harbor, and the reef appears below

You sail out of Charlotte Amalie Harbor under canvas to Buck Island's marine sanctuary, snorkel with green sea turtles and tropical fish in clear water, and return with all gear, drinks and snacks included. The half-day format means you're back by early afternoon, and the fixed price covers everything—crew, fuel, and refreshments—so there are no surprises when you step off the boat.

3h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and snorkel with sea turtles

Board sailing yacht Fury at Charlotte Amalie Harbor
Sail past old fort and customs house
Sail to Buck Island National Marine Wildlife Sanctuary
Arrive at Turtles Cove and receive snorkel gear
Attend snorkel lesson and bay orientation
Snorkel with green sea turtles and marine wildlife
Enjoy included drinks, snacks, and fresh water shower
Return to harbor aboard sailing yacht Fury

The Experience

The FURY leaves the historic waterfront of Charlotte Amalie and you watch the old fort ruins slip past as the sails rise. It's a real sailing yacht—a restored Morgan 46-footer with a USCG-licensed crew—and the boat moves under canvas, not an engine, which means you feel the Caribbean differently than you would on a motorized catamaran. The sail out to Buck Island takes about 40 minutes, and the crew points out the customs house and other landmarks as you go. The water gets clearer the farther out you travel.

When you arrive at Turtles Cove in the National Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, the crew fits you with snorkel gear and runs through a quick orientation before you get in. The water here is calm and clear, and the green sea turtles are in their natural habitat—not in a tank, not fed by hand, just living. You'll see them alongside octopus, stingrays, tropical fish in colors that look almost unreal, and a coral reef that's been there longer than any of us. If you're less comfortable in the water, the FURY provides flotation devices, and if climbing the 7-foot ladder in and out of the water isn't possible for you, you can stay on deck and still see plenty from the boat.

The crew keeps things safe and entertaining the whole time, and they know what they're talking about. Rum drinks, beer, soda, bottled water, and light snacks are all included—no surprise charges at the end, no fuel surcharge, no hidden fees. There's a fresh water shower on board to rinse off the salt. Groups stay at 25 people or fewer, so it never feels crowded, and the boat takes individuals, small groups, and private bookings the same way.

What’s included

Your half-day includes hotel or port pickup (confirm with the operator), all snorkel equipment and a brief orientation, professional crew guidance, encounter with green sea turtles and tropical marine life at Buck Island National Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, rum drinks, beer, soda, bottled water and light snacks, a fresh water rinse shower, and flotation devices if needed. The price covers crew and fuel with no hidden charges.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Fury Sailing And Snorkel Charters

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel with sea turtles in their natural habitat without arranging your own boat or gear—the half-day format and included drinks mean you're back early and nothing else to organize once you're aboard.