St Thomas: Little & Great St James Snorkel & Pizza Lunch

Snorkel Two Reefs, Then Eat Pizza Floating Off Great St James

You snorkel two reefs in a marine sanctuary, get all gear and instruction, then eat fresh pizza delivered by sailboat while floating at Great St James. The open bar runs after snorkeling, and you're back on land by early afternoon. Pickup is either from Red Hook (St Thomas) or Cruz Bay beach (St John), depending on where you're staying.

Step-by-step itinerary

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

The experience

The boat leaves P dock at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook at 9am sharp. If you're staying on St John, there's a pickup at Cruz Bay beach at 9:30 instead. Either way, you're on the water heading toward Little St James within the first half hour, and that's when the snorkeling starts: coral reefs and tropical fish in the St Thomas East End Reserve marine sanctuary, which is the kind of protected water where things actually look healthy and colorful. You get snorkel gear included, and the reef itself does the work. You're just there to float and look.

After the first snorkel, the boat cruises to Christmas Cove at Great St James for a second site while you wait for lunch. And here's the part that makes this different: your pizza doesn't come from a restaurant kitchen. It arrives by dinghy from Pizza Pi, an actual sailboat that operates a wood-fired pizza kitchen on the water. The whole thing is a bit absurd in the best way. You're treading water in the Caribbean, and someone's delivering you hot pizza. Sodas and water come before snorkeling. After you're back on the boat and dry, the open bar opens: beer, rum punch, painkillers, whatever you want while you eat and cruise back. You're dropped at Cruz Bay around noon if you came from St John, or back at Red Hook by 12:30 if you started there.

The whole experience runs about four hours from start to finish. It's not a long day, which is partly the point. You get two solid snorkel spots and a meal without the afternoon dragging. If you're on a cruise ship, you'll need to book the option that includes transport from Crown Bay or Havensight to the Red Hook dock. Otherwise, you're responsible for getting there on time, and the company won't refund if you miss the departure.

What’s included

Snorkel equipment, two reef sites in a marine sanctuary, fresh pizza lunch from Pizza Pi, snacks and fruit before snorkeling, and an open bar with beer, rum punch and painkillers after you're back on the boat. Water and sodas are available throughout.

Options for this experience

4 options

Departure from Cruz Bay, St. JohnGuide in English · Available from 13 Nov · 09:30

Departure from Red Hook, St ThomasGuide in English · Available from 13 Nov · 09:30Transport is not included

Transport from HavensightGuide in English · Available from 13 Nov · 09:30For cruise ship guests only: Please meet us at our retail store, Ocean Surfari, in building VII, Suite C, next to the US Post Office, by 8:15 am.

Transport departing from Crown BayGuide in English · Available from 13 Nov · 09:30For cruise ship guests only: Please meet your Ocean Surfari taxi at the large windmill in the shopping area by the parking lot, no later than 8:15 am.

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

Before you book

Days and timesFridayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

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 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Ocean Surfari Charters

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a short morning on the water with two snorkel stops and a meal included, without arranging lunch separately or spending the whole day away from your hotel. The fixed 4-hour window and included gear mean you're ready to go as soon as you board.

Traveler reviews

4.87★★★★★★★★★★

100 verified traveler reviews

5 ★94

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 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 snorkel tour leave?

9am from Red Hook (P dock at American Yacht Harbor), or 9:30am pickup from Cruz Bay beach on St John.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes, snorkel equipment is provided.

Where does the pizza come from?

Pizza Pi, a sailboat with a wood-fired pizza kitchen that delivers lunch by dinghy to your boat at Christmas Cove.

When does the open bar start?

After snorkeling is finished. Before that, water, sodas and fruit are available.

How long is the tour?

About 4 hours total, returning around noon (St John) or 12:30pm (St Thomas).

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the dock?

If you're staying on St Thomas or St John, yes. You get yourself to P dock in Red Hook or to Cruz Bay beach. If you're on a cruise ship, you must book the transport add-on from your port.

What snorkel sites do you visit?

Little St James (first snorkel) and Christmas Cove at Great St James (second snorkel), both in the St Thomas East End Reserve marine sanctuary.

Is alcohol included?

Yes, beer, rum punch and painkillers are part of the open bar after snorkeling, on the return to port.