Snorkel and Sail St Thomas: Turtle Cove at Little Buck Island

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/19

Duration3h

GroupUp to 65

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail out, snorkel with sea turtles, sail back—all in one afternoon on a 54-foot catamaran

This 3-hour snorkel and sail trip departs from St Thomas aboard The VI Cat, a 54-foot catamaran, and takes you to Turtle Cove at Little Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge to swim and snorkel in the Caribbean. The crew provides all snorkeling gear, instruction, unlimited drinks and snacks; you choose whether to stay in the water, tan on deck or rest in the shaded cabin. Green sea turtles are often sighted in their natural habitat, though sightings are not guaranteed. Arrive 30 minutes early at the wooden dock of Marriott's Frenchman's Cove; free parking is available on-site, and you arrange your own transport to the departure point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel and sail at Little Buck Island

Arrive at Marriott's Frenchman's Cove dock
Check in with The VI Cat crew
Board 54-foot sailing catamaran
Sail to Little Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
Receive snorkeling equipment and safety briefing
Snorkel at Turtle Cove and observe marine life
Relax on catamaran deck or cabin
Enjoy snacks and beverages after snorkeling
Sail back to Marriott's Frenchman's Cove
Tour concludes at dock

The Experience

What makes this different from a beach snorkel is the sail itself—you're not swimming off a shore, you're traveling to an uninhabited island. The boat leaves Marriott's Frenchman's Cove at 1pm sharp, so arriving 30 minutes early matters; the crew checks you in on the wooden dock, and from there you board The VI Cat for the ride out to Little Buck Island. The catamaran is spacious enough that you're not crowded, and the sail to Turtle Cove at the National Wildlife Refuge is part of the experience, not just transport.

Once you reach Turtle Cove, the crew hands out masks, snorkels, fins and a snorkel vest, walks you through the basics and offers a beginner's lesson if you need one. Then you're in the water—the green sea turtles live here, and sightings happen often, though they're not guaranteed since these are wild animals in their natural habitat. You can stay in the water as long as you want, or climb back on deck to tan, rest in the shaded cabin or just watch. The crew keeps water and light snacks available during the snorkeling portion.

After you've had your time at Turtle Cove, the sail back to Frenchman's Cove is when the drinks and more substantial snacks come out—alcoholic beverages are served only after everyone is back on the boat and out of the water. The whole trip runs 3 hours from departure to return. You'll need to get yourself to the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove (a taxi from the cruise dock takes 7–30 minutes depending which one you're at), and parking in the gravel lot is free once you're through the security gate.

What’s included

Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and snorkel vest).
instruction and beginner's lesson if needed.
local guide.
unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages (served after snorkeling).
light snacks and water during the activity, with additional snacks after.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by The VI Cat

Is this one for you?You get to spend time with sea turtles in their natural habitat without arranging the boat, the gear or the navigation—the catamaran, the crew and the route to Turtle Cove are all set, so you just show up and snorkel.