Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John

The best part of this half-day boat trip comes after the snorkeling: you settle in with fresh pizza, rum drinks, and music as the sun drops behind St. Thomas and St. John. Before that, you get two snorkel stops in Virgin Islands National Park, with turtles, rays, octopus, coral, and colorful fish all possible sightings.

I like the simple all-in-one setup, since your $120 covers gear, snacks, pizza, sodas, water, and alcoholic drinks after swimming. I also like the crew’s lively approach. Captains and guides such as CJ, BK, Andy, John, Darian, and Sydney are often directly involved in helping first-time snorkelers and keeping the boat social.

The main consideration is timing. This is a full 5.5-hour outing with a party atmosphere, not a quiet sailing trip. Cruise ship passengers should not book it, since the boat returns to Red Hook too late to provide a safe ship connection.

Key Points Before You Book

• Two snorkel stops: The boat visits separate locations around St. John in Virgin Islands National Park, giving you more than one chance to see marine life.
• Pizza arrives by boat: After the second snorkel stop, Pizza Pi or another pizza restaurant supplies dinner, usually around 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.
• Alcohol starts after swimming: Rum punch and painkillers are served only after you finish snorkeling at the second stop.
• Sunset party included: Music, drinks, island views, and dancing turn the ride home into the final activity.
• Departures change by season: From October through March, St. Thomas departure is around 1:30 p.m. From April through September, it is around 2:00 p.m.
• Parking costs extra: Parking at the ferry terminal is listed at $20 per day, and the group can reach 47 people.

Two Snorkel Stops Around St. John

This trip works best because it does not ask you to choose between snorkeling, dinner, and a sunset cruise. You get all three, but the two water stops are still the main reason to book.

The crew heads toward snorkeling sites around St. John in Virgin Islands National Park. The exact locations can vary, so you should not expect a fixed promise of one particular reef or animal. Conditions, water clarity, and marine life change from day to day.

At the first stop, you receive your mask, snorkel, and other required equipment. Chips and cookies are available after you get back on board. This is a useful rhythm for the afternoon: swim, warm up, have a snack, then cruise to the next location.

The two-stop plan matters. You get a second chance if the first site is not your favorite, and the environments may offer different views of the underwater world. Sightings reported during this trip include sea turtles, stingrays, spotted eagle rays, barracuda, octopus, jellyfish, coral, and many kinds of tropical fish. None of these animals is guaranteed, but the variety gives you a good reason to bring an underwater camera if you have one.

The crew also helps make the snorkeling approachable. First-time swimmers and people who feel unsure in the water can ask for assistance. One particularly useful detail is that passengers who were nervous about getting in the water received encouragement from crew members such as Dave and Sydney. That does not turn the trip into a private lesson, but it does suggest a welcoming setting for beginners.

You still need a moderate level of physical fitness. You will board a boat, handle snorkeling equipment, enter and exit the water, and spend part of the afternoon moving around on deck. If you prefer to stay aboard, the boat ride and views remain part of the experience, but the price makes more sense if you plan to snorkel.

Pizza Pi and the First Drinks of the Afternoon

Alcohol is not served during the initial swimming portion. Under the National Park Service permit rules noted for the trip, the bar opens at the second snorkeling location after everyone has finished swimming.

That is a sensible safety arrangement. You can focus on the water first, then shift into the social part of the trip. Once snorkeling is over, the bar serves rum punch, painkillers, sodas, and water. Snacks are available earlier, but pizza comes later, usually between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.

Dinner is pizza from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove, an unusual touch because the food is delivered by boat rather than served from a fixed restaurant. If Pizza Pi is closed, pizza comes from another restaurant. The meal is straightforward rather than fancy, but it fits the setting: you are eating hot pizza on the water while the afternoon turns into evening.

Food allergies and dietary restrictions can be handled if you give at least 72 hours of advance notice. Alternatives may cost extra, so contact the operator before the trip rather than waiting until boarding.

If you are expecting a gourmet dinner, adjust your expectations. This is casual boat food. If you want a filling meal included in a day on the water, pizza does the job well.

The Sunset Dance Party on the Ride Home

The final stretch is not just transportation back to the dock. The crew turns up the music, keeps the bar open, and creates a sunset dance party as the boat moves around St. Thomas and St. John.

This is where the outing differs from a standard snorkel charter. The mood becomes social and playful, with passengers dancing, talking, and taking in the changing light. The crew members frequently mentioned by name include CJ, BK, Andy, John, Darian, and Sydney, though the exact team can vary.

You should expect an outgoing atmosphere. The crew may joke with the group, share facts about the islands, mix drinks, and keep the energy high. Captain Andy, for example, is noted for sharing stories and small facts about the places along the route. The trip is not designed for silence or formal sightseeing commentary.

The sunset itself is the payoff, but the view depends on the time of year and weather. The return to Cruz Bay generally falls between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., followed by the trip back to St. Thomas between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. Exact times shift with sunset.

Bring a light layer if you tend to feel cool on a moving boat after sunset. That advice is practical rather than a promise about the weather, since the tour takes place outdoors and conditions can change.

What the $120 Price Really Covers

At $120 per person, the value comes from combining several separate costs into one outing. You receive:

• Boat transportation from Red Hook, with pickup in Cruz Bay
• Two snorkel stops
• Snorkeling equipment
• Chips and cookies after the first stop
• Pizza after the second stop
• Sodas and water
• Alcoholic drinks after swimming
• A sunset cruise with music and dancing
• An onboard restroom

A half-day boat trip with two water stops can already make the price reasonable. Add dinner, drinks, equipment, and the sunset ride, and the package is aimed at people who want variety without arranging several separate activities.

The value is strongest for couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want an active afternoon followed by a party. Families can appreciate the included food and equipment, while adults may place more value on the open bar and sunset music.

The value is weaker if you dislike group activities, do not drink, or want a quiet, small-boat charter. The boat can carry up to 47 people, so this is not an intimate private cruise. A larger group can make the return ride lively, but it also means you will share the deck, water entry process, food service, and bar with many other passengers.

You also need to budget for parking if you drive to the ferry terminal. The listed cost is $20 per day. The meeting point is Ocean Surfari, Reef Surfari Snorkel Excursions, on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook.

Seasonal Departure Times and Island Pickup

The schedule changes during the year:

• From October through March, the boat leaves American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook at about 1:30 p.m. and reaches Cruz Bay around 2:00 p.m.
• From April through September, departure from St. Thomas is about 2:00 p.m., with the Cruz Bay pickup around 2:30 p.m.

The general booking information lists a 2:00 p.m. start, so check the confirmed time for your date. If you are staying on St. John, the Cruz Bay pickup is convenient. If you are on St. Thomas, plan to reach Red Hook with enough time to park, walk to the meeting point, and get ready to board.

The boat returns to Cruz Bay first, then Red Hook. The activity ends back at the meeting point. This order matters if you are arranging dinner, a taxi, or another evening plan.

Do not treat the return time as exact. Sunset changes through the year, and the boat may arrive anywhere within the stated windows. Give yourself breathing room after the trip.

Boat Comfort, Shoes, and What to Bring

A restroom is available onboard, which matters during a five-and-a-half-hour outing. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to carry your own mask or snorkel unless you strongly prefer your personal gear.

Plan to remove your shoes before boarding. One passenger specifically wished they had known this in advance and recommended bringing water shoes with good grip if you dislike going barefoot. This is a useful packing tip, especially for anyone who wants foot protection while moving around the boat.

I would bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a hat
• A dry change of clothes
• Water shoes with grip, if preferred
• A waterproof phone pouch or camera
• A light layer for the evening ride

Do not count on alcohol being available before the second snorkel stop. Water, soda, and snacks cover the earlier part of the day.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most

You are a good match for this tour if you want a single outing that covers several classic Virgin Islands activities. It suits you especially well if you:

• Want two chances to snorkel rather than one short water stop
• Enjoy a friendly, high-energy crew
• Are traveling with first-time snorkelers
• Like casual food and included drinks
• Want sunset views without booking a separate evening cruise
• Prefer a planned group outing over arranging taxis and restaurants

The trip also works well for a birthday or celebration. The combination of snorkeling, pizza, drinks, music, and sunset gives the afternoon a natural sense of occasion without requiring a formal event package.

You may want another type of charter if you want privacy, a calm sail, a gourmet meal, or a strict schedule. You should also skip this tour if you are arriving from a cruise ship. The cruise port is about 30 minutes from the Red Hook dock, and the operator cannot guarantee that you will return to your ship on time.

Booking Rules and Cancellation Details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

The tour can be booked with a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Public transportation is available near the meeting area. Because this is a weather-dependent activity, keep an eye on your messages before departure in case the operator needs to adjust plans.

Should You Book the Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza, and Sunset Tour?

I would book this trip if you want good variety for one $120 fare and enjoy a social boat atmosphere. Two snorkel stops give the afternoon real substance, while the pizza, drinks, music, and sunset keep it from feeling like a basic equipment-and-water excursion.

I would skip it if your ideal day is quiet, private, or carefully timed. The group may reach 47 people, the return time shifts with sunset, and the party element is central to the experience.

For most visitors staying on St. Thomas or St. John, this is an efficient way to put several island pleasures into one afternoon. Arrive ready to swim, expect to remove your shoes, leave room in your evening schedule, and enjoy the sunset without rushing back to shore.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour depart?

The main meeting point is Ocean Surfari, Reef Surfari Snorkel Excursions, on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas. Pickup is also available in Cruz Bay on St. John.

What time does the boat leave?

From October through March, it departs St. Thomas around 1:30 p.m. and St. John around 2:00 p.m. From April through September, it departs St. Thomas around 2:00 p.m. and St. John around 2:30 p.m. Confirm the exact time for your date.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

What food and drinks are included?

Pizza, chips, cookies, sodas, water, and alcoholic drinks are included. Pizza is usually provided between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. Alcohol is served after swimming at the second snorkeling location.

Is parking included?

No. Parking at the ferry terminal costs $20 per day.

Can cruise ship passengers take this tour?

The tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The cruise ship ports are about 30 minutes from the Red Hook dock, and a return to the ship on time cannot be guaranteed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather or an insufficient number of passengers cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.