St Thomas to St John: Small Group Sail & Snorkel Tour

Summary

Sail calm waters from st thomas to st john with just six guests

You’ll sail from St Thomas with just a handful of fellow travelers, stopping at Caneel Bay or another hidden spot for snorkeling with tropical fish. Captain Rob and Deb make sure it’s relaxed — drinks and snacks in hand, stories shared on deck. With only six guests max and all gear included, you’ll actually feel part of the islands for a day.

What’s the experience like?

We were already gliding out of Sapphire Marina when I realized how different this felt — no crowd, just six of us and Captain Rob up at the wheel. The boat, Cosmos Mariner, has this old-school wood that smells like salt and sunscreen mixed together. Deb handed out cold drinks (ginger ale for me) while Rob pointed toward a line of green hills on St John. “We’ll see what the wind says,” he joked. I liked that — not everything was set in stone.

It took maybe an hour to reach Caneel Bay (or was it less? I lost track watching flying fish skitter past). Sometimes they switch up the snorkeling spot if the weather’s off — Christmas Cove or Lovango are options too. The water was so clear it almost looked fake. When I finally slid in with the snorkel gear (which they provided), there was this moment where all I could hear was my own breathing and a couple of parrotfish crunching coral below me. I didn’t expect to feel that calm.

Back on deck, Deb passed around snacks and told us about their years sailing these islands — she knows every cove by name. There was some easy laughter when someone tried to pronounce “Lovango” with a New York accent (Rob nearly spit his drink). The sun started dropping behind St Thomas as we sailed back; everyone got quiet for a bit, which felt right somehow. I still think about that light on the water sometimes. So yeah, if you’re looking for a small group sail & snorkel tour from St Thomas, this is the real thing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sail and snorkel near St. John

• Depart from Sapphire Marina, St. Thomas
• Sail to Caneel Bay or nearby snorkel spot
• Snorkel with tropical fish
• Return to St. Thomas

Top questions

How many people are on this sail & snorkel tour?

The tour has a maximum of 6 guests per trip.

Where does the sail depart from in St Thomas?

The boat departs from Sapphire Marina on St Thomas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, all snorkeling equipment is included in your tour.

Which snorkeling spots do you visit?

Caneel Bay is common, but Christmas Cove or Lovango may be visited depending on weather and timing.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes, soda, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and snacks are provided onboard.

Is pickup available for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at Sapphire Marina.

Can infants join the tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during the trip.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

You should be able to swim and climb a small boarding ladder to participate fully.

What’s included

Your day includes sailing from Sapphire Marina with just six guests aboard Cosmos Mariner, all snorkeling equipment plus flotation devices if you want them, soft drinks or something stronger if you like, bottled water and snacks served by Deb as you relax between swims before returning to port in the afternoon.