St Thomas & St John: Snorkel Tour with Pizza Pi Lunch

Summary

Snorkeling Little St James then pizza lunch at Christmas Cove

You’ll start your morning gliding over turquoise water between St Thomas and St John with a small group and local crew. Snorkel vibrant reefs at Little St James, then float over to Christmas Cove for hot pizza delivered straight from a sailboat kitchen. Drinks flow freely after snorkeling ends—rum punch or painkillers if you want one—and there’s always laughter echoing across the deck as you cruise back to shore.

What’s the experience like?

I was barely awake when we stepped onto the boat at Red Hook, but the salty air hit me right away—kind of briny, kind of sweet, like sunscreen and seaweed mixed together. Our captain, Sam (who looked like he’d lived on boats forever), grinned and handed out fins. We picked up a few more folks at Cruz Bay—one couple still drying off from an earlier swim, laughing about it. The ride over to Little St James felt quick, maybe because I was busy watching pelicans dive or just zoning out to the hum of the engine. Someone pointed out a turtle surfacing; I almost missed it.

The first snorkel spot was calmer than I expected. Water clear enough that you could see every ripple on the sand below. There were these purple corals that looked fake, honestly—I poked one gently (don’t tell Sam). Fish everywhere. I lost track of time floating there, breathing slow through my mask while someone nearby squealed about spotting a parrotfish. The sun kept shifting behind clouds so sometimes everything glowed blue-green, then suddenly bright again. After we climbed back aboard, Sam passed around cold sodas and fruit—nothing fancy but it tasted good after all that saltwater.

We headed to Christmas Cove next, which is where Pizza Pi floats—a real sailboat turned into a pizza kitchen (I didn’t believe it until I saw the chef waving from the deck). While we waited for our order to arrive by dinghy—yes, pizza delivered by boat—I tried saying “thank you” in my worst attempt at island patois and got a big laugh from one of the crew. The pizza itself? Hot, cheesy, maybe not Naples but honestly perfect after swimming. Open bar kicked in once we were done snorkeling—painkillers and rum punch if you wanted them. On the way back toward St John, wind in my hair and crumbs on my shirt, I felt weirdly content. Still think about that view over the water sometimes—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning snorkel and pizza lunch

• Depart from P dock at 9am
• Pick up guests at Cruz Bay beach 9:30am
• Snorkel at Little St James coral reefs
• Snorkel at Christmas Cove, Great St James
• Enjoy fresh pizza lunch from Pizza Pi
• Drink from open bar after snorkeling
• Return guests to St John by 12pm
• Head back to St Thomas at 12:30pm

Top questions

Where does this snorkel tour depart from?

The tour leaves from P dock at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook (St Thomas) at 9am or Cruz Bay beach (St John) at 9:30am.

Is lunch included during this day trip?

Yes, fresh pizza is delivered by dinghy from Pizza Pi during your stop at Christmas Cove.

Are drinks provided on board?

Sodas and water are available before snorkeling; beer, rum punch, and painkillers are served after snorkeling is finished.

What snorkel spots are visited on this tour?

You’ll snorkel around Little St James first and then Christmas Cove near Great St James.

How long does this tour last?

The tour runs from 9am to about 12:30pm depending on your departure point.

Is equipment provided for snorkeling?

Yes, all necessary snorkel gear is included with your booking.

Can cruise ship passengers join this trip?

Yes, but cruise guests must select the correct port pickup option when booking.

Is alcohol served during snorkeling?

No—alcoholic drinks are only available after all snorkeling activities are finished for safety reasons.

What’s included

Your morning includes pickup from either Red Hook or Cruz Bay depending where you’re staying or arriving by cruise ship; use of all snorkel equipment; snacks like fruit plus sodas and water before swimming; a hot pizza lunch delivered right to the boat by Pizza Pi; and an open bar with beer or cocktails once you’ve finished in the water before heading back to port.