St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip

The fun begins before you reach Water Island. You sit around a floating bar, pedal with the group, listen to music, and watch St. Thomas slip behind you. The boat has a motor, so you are not powering the whole trip, and the mood can shift from light exercise to a floating party in seconds.

I like two things especially: BYOB keeps the cost in check, and Honeymoon Beach gives the outing a real island payoff rather than leaving you on the boat the whole time. The crew provides rum punch, water, coolers, and ice, while your own beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks can come along.

The main consideration is the social setup. This is a shared boat for as many as 16 people, with music, drinks, and plenty of conversation. If you want quiet sightseeing or a private beach transfer, choose another outing. Also, pedaling calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, even though the motor does the hard work when needed.

Key things to know before you book

• Honeymoon Beach is the main reward: You get about two hours at Water Island for swimming, beach time, drinks, and snacks.
• The boat is motor-assisted: Pedal when you feel like it, then relax while the engine handles the trip.
• BYOB is part of the value: Bring your favorite alcoholic drinks and snacks, with coolers and ice supplied.
• Music shapes the experience: The Bluetooth stereo lets the group contribute to the soundtrack.
• The group stays small: The maximum is 16 people, enough for a lively outing without a large excursion-boat crowd.
• The meeting point works well for cruise passengers: Tickles Dockside Pub is at Crown Bay Marina, and one party reported a five to ten minute walk from the cruise pier.

Pedaling out from Crown Bay Marina

Your meeting point is Tickles Dockside Pub, 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas. The activity returns to the same spot, which makes the plan simple if you are arranging your own taxi or walking over from a cruise ship.

The boat itself is the attraction. Cycle stations face a central bar area, so you can help move the boat while talking with the people around you. This is not a serious workout, and it is not a standard sightseeing vessel either. You can pedal for the novelty, stop when your legs need a break, and let the motor take over.

That flexibility matters. Some people will want the satisfaction of helping the boat along. Others will be more interested in the rum punch, music, views, and company. You are free to find your own balance.

The Bluetooth stereo adds another personal touch. You may be able to connect music for the ride, depending on how the crew manages the sound system that day. The supplied details specifically note Bluetooth music, and several outings have included Caribbean tunes, dancing, and a relaxed party mood.

The staff names associated with this operation include captains and crew members such as Ben, Josh, Justin, Jess, Ann Marie, David, and Amari. Crew assignments can change, but the pattern is clear: expect an active host who helps keep the mood moving, explains what is happening, and handles the boat while you enjoy the ride.

Rum punch, coolers, and the value of BYOB

The $95 price includes rum punch, bottled water, coolers, and ice. That is important in St. Thomas, where buying several rounds of drinks at a waterfront bar can quickly cost more than expected.

You should bring the drinks you actually want to enjoy. Beer, cocktails, rosé, and other alcoholic beverages are not included, but you are welcome to pack them. Snacks are also your responsibility, so bring something easy to share or eat between swims.

The BYOB policy works best for a group that plans ahead. Pack drinks in containers that fit the cooler and bring simple snacks rather than anything messy or difficult to handle on a moving boat. You will spend time in the sun and on the water, so the included bottled water is useful even if you plan to focus on rum punch.

The drink service is part of the social rhythm, not the entire point of the excursion. The boat has a festive tone, and the crew is known for keeping the rum punch flowing, but you can still treat the ride as a scenic outing with a beach stop.

At $95 per person, the value depends on what you want from a boat trip. You are paying for roughly three hours on the water, a motorized ride to Water Island, drinks and ice, music, crew service, and time at Honeymoon Beach. It is a fair price for a short, all-in-one activity, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, beach visit, and drinks.

It is less attractive if you dislike shared activities or do not plan to use the boat’s social features. A quiet beach day on your own may cost less, while a private charter may offer more control but at a much higher total price.

The ride to Water Island

The trip to Water Island is described as quick but entertaining. The boat gives you wide views from the water, and the trip itself becomes part of the activity rather than a simple transfer.

You can pedal along, listen to music, talk with the group, and watch the shoreline. The crew may share local information and stories, as Ann Marie did on one outing. Do not expect a formal sightseeing lecture, though. The focus is easy conversation and good energy, with sightseeing folded into the ride.

This is also where the group size matters. With no more than 16 people, the boat feels personal enough for people to meet one another. Several celebrations have taken place onboard, including birthdays and family outings, so the atmosphere can be especially lively when a group is marking a special day.

The tradeoff is that the shared mood is not fully in your control. Music, dancing, and conversation are central features. If the rest of the group is ready to party, you will probably enjoy the ride more if you join in rather than expecting a quiet crossing.

Two hours at Honeymoon Beach

Water Island is the heart of the trip. The boat spends about two hours there, giving you enough time to do more than take a quick photograph and return aboard.

Honeymoon Beach is known for its white sand and clear water. You can swim to shore, relax on the beach, or swim near the boat. Sea turtles have been spotted in the area, though sightings are not guaranteed and should never be treated as part of the schedule.

One useful detail is that the boat may beach close enough to shore that you do not need to swim a long distance. That can make the stop easier for people who are comfortable in the water but do not want a long swim carrying personal items.

Once ashore, you may find beach chairs, food, drinks, and water sports available through local beach venues. These purchases are separate from the $95 price. The supplied details specifically mention a bar and food options, so bring some cash or another payment method if you want to buy something after arriving.

You can also simply use the time for a swim and a rest. That flexibility gives the trip a better rhythm than a nonstop party boat. The ride out is social, the beach is slower, and the ride back restores the music and group atmosphere.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is not an isolated beach visit with guaranteed solitude. Conditions and crowd levels can change, and the beach facilities are not included in the tour price. Still, having nearly two hours at Honeymoon Beach makes the stop feel worthwhile rather than rushed.

The ride back to St. Thomas

After the beach stop, you return to Crown Bay Marina on the same cycleboat. The trip back is another chance to pedal, listen to music, talk, or sit back with a drink.

The total experience lasts about three hours, but the exact flow can vary. One outing had an initial boat problem, and the crew extended beach time to make up for the delay. That is a good sign of practical service, but it also reminds you that small boats and island schedules can face occasional changes.

Plan your day with some breathing room around the excursion. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, the short walk from the pier is convenient, but you should still allow time to find the marina and check in. Do not arrange an immediately timed activity for the minute you return.

A restaurant sits at the dock, and an ice cream and coffee stand nearby also serves alcohol. Those options can help if you want food before or after the boat ride, but they are independent of the excursion.

Who will enjoy this cycleboat most

I would recommend this outing for people who want a social water activity with a genuine beach stop. It fits couples celebrating a birthday, families with older children, groups of friends, and solo bookers who enjoy meeting people in a casual setting.

It is also a good choice for cruise passengers. The Crown Bay location is close to the cruise pier, the activity returns to its starting point, and the three-hour length can fit into a port day with careful planning.

You will likely enjoy it most if you like:

• Music and group conversation
• Light activity rather than hard exercise
• Bringing your own drinks and snacks
• A beach break with time to swim
• A festive outing that still includes a relaxing hour or two

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a quiet, private, highly structured tour. The social character is not a side feature. It is the reason many people choose a cycleboat in the first place.

The moderate fitness requirement is worth taking seriously. You do not have to pedal continuously, and the boat has a motor, but you should be comfortable getting on the boat, moving around the cycle stations, and handling a water-based outing. Service animals are allowed.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

The experience is commonly booked about 32 days ahead, so popular dates can fill well before your visit. If your schedule is fixed, booking early is sensible.

Mobile tickets are supported, and confirmation is sent when you book. The maximum is 16 people, which keeps the boat from becoming a large mass-market excursion.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The experience also depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip?

Book it if you want St. Thomas sightseeing with a party edge, a BYOB setup, and a proper beach stop. The combination is strong: pedal-powered novelty, included rum punch, your own drinks in the cooler, music, and two hours at Honeymoon Beach.

At $95, it offers good value for a three-hour outing if you would make use of the drinks, beach time, and social atmosphere. The motor means you can participate without treating the trip like a workout.

Skip it if you want silence, privacy, or a long, unstructured day at the beach. For everyone else, especially cruise passengers and birthday groups, this is a fun way to trade a standard boat ride for something more interactive and memorable.

FAQ

How much does the St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip cost?

The price is $95 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the cycleboat leave from?

It starts at Tickles Dockside Pub, 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas, VI 00802.

Where does the activity end?

The cycleboat returns to the same meeting point at Tickles Dockside Pub and Crown Bay Marina.

What is included in the price?

The price includes rum punch, bottled water, coolers, ice, Bluetooth stereo access, and the boat experience.

Can I bring my own drinks and snacks?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages and snacks are not included, but you may bring your own beer, cocktails, rosé, and food. Coolers and ice are provided.

How much time is spent at Water Island?

The stop at Water Island lasts about two hours. You can swim to shore, relax at Honeymoon Beach, or visit the beach bar for drinks and snacks.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.