St Thomas Snorkeling: Virgin Islands National Park & Sea Turtles

Two reef stops in the Virgin Islands National Park, sea turtles included

You board at Red Hook (St Thomas) or Cruz Bay (St John) and spend two hours in the water at two different snorkel sites in Virgin Islands National Park, hunting sea turtles and coral. Snorkel gear, fruit and water before swimming, rum punch and beer after. The boat returns you by 12:30, leaving your afternoon open.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour in Virgin Islands National Park

• Depart Ocean Surfari Red Hook at 9:00
• Pick up guests at Cruz Bay beach at 9:30
• Snorkel at two different spots
• Enjoy open bar and light snacks after swimming
• Return to St John drop off guests at 12:00
• Return to St Thomas at 12:30

The experience

The boat pulls away from the dock at Red Hook on St Thomas at 9:00 in the morning, and you're already scanning the water. Reef Surfari is a 47-foot power catamaran, newer, stable enough that you can actually relax instead of gripping the rail. The first thirty minutes is the run to Cruz Bay on St John. If you're staying there, you board at 9:30 from the beach in front of Ocean Surfari retail store. Either way, by the time everyone's aboard, the boat turns toward the snorkel sites in Virgin Islands National Park, and the crew starts talking about what you might see: sea turtles, brain coral the size of a car, schools of yellowtail snappers moving like one organism.

The two snorkel spots change depending on the day's weather and sea conditions, so there's no script. The crew picks what's actually swimmable and what's alive that morning. You get in with a mask and fins (all included), and the reef shows up fast. The water is clear enough that you stop thinking about depth. Turtles are the thing people remember. They're not rare here, just unhurried. You float above them, and they float below you, and nobody's in a hurry. Between the two stops, you're back on deck with snacks and fruit, cold sodas and water. The open bar doesn't start until after you're done swimming (rum punch, painkillers, cold beer, whatever you want), so you're not choosing between a drink and staying sharp in the water.

The return is easy. You drop back at Cruz Bay at 12:00 if you're staying on St John, then Red Hook at 12:30 if you're heading back to St Thomas. The whole thing runs three and a half hours from start to finish, which means you're back on land before the day gets hot and you still have the afternoon free. No rental car needed, no figuring out which reef to pick, no managing your own air supply or timing.

What’s included

• All snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel).
• Fruit and light snacks plus cold soda and water before you enter the water.
• Open bar with rum punch, painkillers, cold beer, soda and water on the return to port.
• Two snorkel stops in Virgin Islands National Park.
• Pickup and return transportation between Red Hook (St Thomas) and Cruz Bay (St John).

Options for this experience

4 options

Departure from Red Hook, St ThomasGuide in English · 09:30Transport is not included

Departure from Cruz Bay, St JohnGuide in English · 09:30

Pickup from Crown Bay is providedGuide in English · 09:30Cruise ship guests only: Meet your Ocean Surfari taxi at the large windmill in the shopping area by the parking lot no later than 8:15 am.

Transport from HavensightGuide in English · 09:30Cruise ship guests only: Meet us at our Ocean Surfari retail store, located in building 1.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 49

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ocean Surfari Charters

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel the national park reefs without arranging your own boat, picking your own sites, or managing the logistics: the fixed departure times and two daily stops mean you get the sea turtles and coral without the planning.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the boat leave St Thomas?

9:00 AM from Red Hook. If you're staying on St John, pickup is at 9:30 AM from Cruz Bay beach.

How long is the snorkel tour?

About 3.5 hours total, including the boat ride to the reefs and back to port.

Are snorkel masks and fins included?

Yes, all snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I drink alcohol while snorkeling?

No. The open bar (rum punch, painkillers, beer, soda, water) is available only after you finish swimming, on the return to port.

What if the weather is bad?

The two snorkel spots vary daily depending on weather and sea conditions. The crew chooses the safest and most active reefs each day.

Will I see sea turtles?

Sea turtles are common in Virgin Islands National Park, but sightings are not guaranteed. The crew knows where they're typically found.

Do I need to be a certified diver?

No. This is snorkeling from the surface, not scuba diving. You need to be comfortable in the water and able to swim.

What's included in the price?

Snorkel equipment, fruit and snacks before swimming, and beer, rum punch, painkillers, soda and water after.