Snorkel & Swim with Turtles. Semi Private Tour to Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach

The main draw here is simple: you get two very different water stops in one half-day. First comes reef snorkeling near Buck Island or Brewers Bay, where you may see turtles, rays, barracuda, parrotfish, and smaller reef fish. Then you trade fins for sand at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, with time for a drink or lunch at Dinghy’s Beach Bar.

I like the small-boat feel and the practical route. You are not spending the whole morning tied to one crowded beach, and the captains, including Rusty, Mike, JW, and Dave, are known for explaining the islands while keeping the mood relaxed. I also like that the crew can change the plan when wind or rough water makes a stop less pleasant.

The main catch is that wildlife and sea conditions are never guaranteed. Rough water can make snorkeling harder, and lunch at Honeymoon Beach is not included. You also need to be comfortable getting into the water, since the beach stop and food access may involve swimming from the boat if the vessel cannot pull directly onto shore.

Key points to know before you book

• Turtle Cove comes first: The usual opening stop is about 25 minutes from the dock, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for snorkeling.
• Honeymoon Beach adds variety: You get white sand, clear water, beach time, and access to Dinghy’s Beach Bar.
• Sea turtles are a real possibility: Sightings have included turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, small sharks, barracuda, and many reef fish, but nature sets the schedule.
• The route can change: Captains may use Brewers Bay or Emerald Beach when weather and water conditions call for a calmer option.
• Semi-private means a smaller shared group: Group size can reach 31, though some departures have had only 7 to 11 people.
• Bring the basics: Pack sunscreen and towels, and carry cash for food, drinks, and beach purchases.

From Yacht Haven Grande to Turtle Cove

Your tour begins at the Havensight Cruise Pier, near Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie East. The listed departure times are 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., making this an easy fit for a cruise day or a free half-day on St. Thomas.

The boat ride to Buck Island’s Turtle Cove is part of the experience. One recorded outing took about 25 minutes to reach the first snorkeling area. Depending on availability, you may ride a 36-foot Island Flyer, a 2019 36-foot Twin Vee power catamaran, a 31-foot Wellcraft, or another comparable vessel such as the MV Hydra, MV Poseidon, or MV Aquarius.

That variety matters. You are booking the route and service rather than one guaranteed boat model. The vessels are powerboats, so you should expect a brisk ride and open-air exposure rather than a slow sightseeing cruise. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare accordingly, especially if the water is choppy.

The advertised maximum is 31 people, but the actual feel can be much smaller. Some outings have carried seven or eight adults, while another group had 11 people. A smaller group gives you more room around the boat and more chances to speak with the captain, but you should not assume every departure will be intimate.

Snorkeling Buck Island’s reef life

At Turtle Cove, the crew supplies masks, snorkels, and related equipment. You can expect a safety briefing before entering the water, followed by around 45 minutes to an hour at the site, depending on the day’s timing and conditions.

The reef area is home to snapper, hamlets, parrotfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, and other tropical species. You may also see coral, a shipwreck, stingrays, barracuda, eagle rays, or small sharks. Sea turtles are the star attraction, and several outings have found them close to swimmers, sometimes just a few feet away.

That possibility makes this a strong choice if turtles are high on your list. Still, keep your expectations sensible. One group saw many turtles and rays. Another found rough water made it harder to see much sea life. Clear water and comfortable temperatures helped one late-August outing, but conditions can shift quickly.

I appreciate that the crew treats wildlife sightings as luck rather than a promise. You should avoid chasing or touching animals, follow the captain’s instructions, and enjoy whatever appears. A turtle is a wonderful bonus, but the reef fish and clear water can make the stop worthwhile on their own.

The water entry is an important practical point. This is not a glass-bottom boat tour, and there is no indication that the crew provides a substitute activity for someone who cannot swim. One family member specifically advised non-swimmers to bring lunch, since reaching food at the beach stop may require getting in the water. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the operator about your options before booking.

Cold drinks between the water stops

After snorkeling, you can return to the boat for cold beer, soda, and water. Bottled water comes from Virgin H2O, and the operator describes its onboard habits as eco-friendly.

The drink service is a small feature, but it changes the pace of the outing. You get a chance to dry off, sit back, and enjoy the ride instead of moving straight from one activity to another. Beer is included, along with unlimited soda and water. Lunch is not included.

The crew’s casual approach is part of the appeal. Captains such as Rusty, Mike, JW, and Dave have been praised for sharing facts about St. Thomas, pointing out local sights, and keeping everyone involved. Captain Dave, in particular, has been described as attentive to the whole group rather than focusing on only the loudest passengers.

Do remember that this is a boat excursion, not a formal guided history tour. The information is likely to come in short explanations and conversation while you cruise. That suits most people who want local context without a long lecture.

Honeymoon Beach and Dinghy’s Beach Bar

After the first snorkel, the boat heads toward Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. This stop gives the tour its needed change of pace. You can swim again, relax on the white sand, or walk toward Dinghy’s Beach Bar for food and drinks.

Dinghy’s is known for Pain Killer cocktails, and the food options mentioned by the operator include fresh mahi tacos, bang bang shrimp, and other casual beach fare. The Banana Hammock and Bushwhacker drinks also come up as popular choices. None of this is included in the $160 price, so budget separately for lunch and beverages at the bar.

Cash is worth carrying. The tour information does not state that Dinghy’s accepts only cash, but one practical account specifically advised bringing it for the beach stop. You should also bring a towel and your own sunscreen. The boat supplies the snorkel equipment and drinks, not personal beach gear or lunch.

The beach stop may not always work exactly as advertised. If wind or waves make the original route uncomfortable, the captain may switch the snorkeling stop to Brewers Bay and use Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay for beach time, food, and drinks. On another outing, the captain went directly to Honeymoon Beach because conditions were calmer there, allowing the group to snorkel from the boat even though it did not go onto the beach itself.

That flexibility is a major strength, but it also means you should not treat Honeymoon Beach as guaranteed shore time. If walking on the sand is your top priority, ask about current conditions before departure.

Why the captain matters on this four-hour trip

A four-hour boat tour leaves little room for wasted time. The captain controls the route, the timing, the safety briefing, and the decision to move when conditions change. That is why the crew makes such a difference here.

Captain Rusty is frequently singled out for making first-time snorkelers feel safe, keeping teenagers entertained, and finding turtles. Captain Mike has taken groups to several snorkeling locations and has adjusted the outing for people more interested in coral and fish than turtles. Captain JW has been praised for his relaxed manner and island information, while Captain Dave has received credit for changing course to find calmer water.

Other crew members, including Captain JP, Andrea, and Coleman, have also been recognized for clear communication and a friendly approach. Names may vary by departure, and you cannot request a specific captain from the information provided. Still, the repeated attention to safety and route changes suggests that the crew’s role is more than simply driving the boat.

The best captains will not force the original plan when the sea says otherwise. That may mean fewer minutes on a particular beach, but it can produce a better and safer outing overall.

What $160 includes, and what it does not

At $160 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day in St. Thomas. It can be good value if you want transportation by boat, snorkel equipment, drinks, a captain, and two coastal stops without arranging each part yourself.

The price includes:

• Approximately four hours on the water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Beer
• Soda and water
• The boat ride from Havensight to the snorkeling and beach areas
• Captain and crew service

You pay extra for:

• Lunch
• Drinks or food at Dinghy’s Beach Bar
• Tips for the captain and crew
• Sunscreen and towels

A tip of 15 to 20 percent is customary for exceptional service. At that rate, gratuity can add a noticeable amount, especially for a family. Still, the price compares more favorably if you use both stops and appreciate the convenience of a boat-based route.

I would not book this solely for the included alcohol or the promise of a turtle. I would book it for the combination of reef snorkeling, a beach stop, a small shared group when available, and a captain who can adapt the plan. If you only want to sit on sand, a beach-only outing should cost less and involve less equipment.

How weather can change your day

This experience requires good weather, and the sea condition matters as much as the forecast. Wind can create choppy water, reduce visibility, and make it harder for less confident swimmers to enjoy the reef.

The operator may substitute Brewers Bay for Turtle Cove and Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay for Honeymoon Beach. These are not minor details. The substitution can make the day calmer and safer, but it may also mean missing the exact location you expected.

I like that the itinerary allows the captain to react to actual conditions rather than follow a fixed route at all costs. You should simply accept that the tour is built around the best available water on that day, not a guaranteed set of viewpoints.

If the weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and last-minute changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

This outing fits you well if you want a half-day on the water with a mix of activity and downtime. It suits couples, families with older children, cruise passengers, and first-time snorkelers who want equipment and guidance provided.

It is especially appealing if:

• You want a reasonable chance to see sea turtles
• You prefer a boat excursion to a large beach transfer
• You like moving between more than one location
• You enjoy a relaxed captain-led outing
• You are comfortable swimming in open water
• You want drinks included but do not mind paying for lunch

Think twice if you cannot swim, dislike open-water boat rides, need guaranteed beach access, or want a private charter with only your own party. The tour is semi-private, not fully private, and the maximum group size is 31.

Children under two require a call to the operator before booking. All participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness, according to the tour information.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if your ideal St. Thomas morning includes a real chance to see turtles, a useful amount of reef time, and a pleasant beach stop afterward. The strongest parts are the flexible route, the mix of Buck Island or Brewers Bay with Water Island, and the captains’ willingness to adjust for rough water.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed Turtle Cove visit, guaranteed time on Honeymoon Beach, or a fully private boat. The $160 price is fair when you use the snorkeling gear, drinks, boat transport, and both stops, but lunch, tips, towels, and sunscreen push the final cost higher.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, cash, and realistic expectations about wildlife. If you do that, this is a well-rounded way to spend four hours around St. Thomas, with enough structure to feel organized and enough flexibility to keep the sea in charge.

FAQ

How long is the snorkel and beach tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Havensight Cruise Pier near Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie East, St. Thomas, and returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

Departures are offered at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, soda, and water are included. Lunch and food purchased at Honeymoon Beach are not included.

Will I definitely see sea turtles?

No. Turtles are regularly sought at the snorkeling locations, but wildlife sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may substitute Brewers Bay for Turtle Cove and Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay for Honeymoon Beach when weather or ocean conditions require it.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cause the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.