The 15 Best Kayak Trips in the Virgin Islands

1.Night Kayak Tour St. Thomas – Westin Frenchman’s Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,813 reviews · from $69Our pick

At the Westin Frenchman’s Reef, you’ll add glow paint, learn basic paddling, then guide a clear kayak lit from below through the cove. Guides such as Curtis, Derek, Megan, and Eugene have led outings that feature tarpon, stingrays, turtles, and local stories. The tour lasts about an hour and takes no more than six people.

“Unforgettable time, my kids had these priceless smiles on their faces. Well worth it. Highly recommend.”

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2.Night Kayak Tour St. John – Westin Resort

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,011 reviews · from $69

At the Westin St. John, you’ll paint up for a short nighttime paddle in a two-person kayak with a clear, lit bottom. Guides such as Bernard, Sam, Spencer, Fawn, and Destin lead small groups of up to eight toward tarpon, baitfish, stingrays, and other marine life. Expect about 15 minutes on land and roughly 50 minutes on the water.

“You will definitely see Tarpon. It's fun and exciting. This was our 2nd time and it was calmer water, full moon, and less marine activity. Last year the ballyho were flying all over. Guides are great. Bernard this time.”

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3.Cas Cay – Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 870 reviews · from $99

Paddle from Mangrove Lagoon Marina through red mangrove channels, then hike Cas Cay’s sandy, coral-strewn trail to tidal pools, volcanic cliffs, and a blowhole. Finish with snorkeling in a mangrove nursery. Guides such as Marcus, Swish, Dana, and Chase lead the way, explain local wildlife, and help beginners handle the kayaks.

“My son and I rode the safari bus to the location. Marcus was our tour guide, and he was great. We had a small group and a leisure time out. To top it off I won the hermit crab race. Thanks Marcus!”

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4.St Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour in the US Virgin Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $89

Spend about 2.5 hours kayaking through St. Thomas’ protected Mangrove Lagoon, snorkeling near mangrove roots, and learning about the ecosystem from guides such as Brooke, Kaz, Pat, and Te’Quan. Expect calm channels, wildlife sightings, a candy snack, and an optional Cas Cay hike. Snorkeling depends on recent weather and water clarity.

“I highly recommend the kayak and snorkel tour! Our guide, Slim, was very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. We had a lovely time!”

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5.Glow Boats LED Night Kayak, Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Dock, USVI

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 456 reviews · from $75

At Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Dock, guides such as Paul, Sean, Zoe, and Louis lead a 75-minute evening kayak trip over lit Caribbean water. After a short safety briefing, you paddle slowly in search of turtles, stingrays, tarpon, and fish, with Charlotte Amalie Harbour glowing nearby. The calm pace suits beginners.

“Extremely cool experience! We got to see a turtle and lots of different fishes! The staff were warm and welcoming.”

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6.Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles, National Park, St. John

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $119

Explore St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park on a guided three-hour trip combining a forest hike, kayaking, and snorkeling. Guides such as Kenny, Matt, Ernie, and Teegen point out plants, island history, turtles, stingrays, squid, octopus, and reef fish. A longer option includes lunch.

“Great trip, our guides were fantastic appreciate Matt and Barret, we had a large group but you would never have known it!”

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7.Magic Mangrove Paddle in Beef Island Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 288 reviews · from $105

Explore Beef Island Lagoon by kayak or stand-up paddleboard with local guide Alex or another GroundSea Adventures BVI guide. Expect calm water, mangrove nurseries, turtles, stingrays, barracuda, sea birds, and a stop on a tiny coral atoll. Equipment and a safety briefing are included.

“It was both fun and educational to get off the common path and learn about the diverse mangrove eco system.”

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8.Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · from $159

Spend about five hours with Virgin Islands Ecotours kayaking the Mangrove Lagoon, hiking Cas Cay to a volcanic blowhole, and snorkeling for starfish, rays, fish, and more. Guides such as Dana, Freddie, Chrissy, and Swish add natural and island knowledge, while lunch, equipment, and bottled water are included. Round-trip transport is available with the selected option.

“We traveled to Mexico last year and booked a bike tour to several cenotes. It was easily the best part of our trip so when we planned our trip to St Thomas we knew we'd want to add a guide-led tour. My partner and I work in renewable energy so getting to link up with VI Ecotours seemed like a great fit. We were not disappointed! Our guide, Soren, was super knowledgeable and friendly. Learn about killer trees, the beauty of the mangroves, and get up close and personal with Cassiopeia jellyfish! One important note, there is a gun range nearby so you might hear gunfire - avoid if you're…”

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9.St Thomas Shore Excursion: Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $119

Paddle calm channels with guides such as Kyrell, Kas, Pat, or Sabrina, then snorkel near mangrove roots and coral. You may also add a short hike on Cas Cay to see hermit crabs, birds, tidal pools, and volcanic cliffs. Round-trip port transport, gear, lockers, water, and a snack are included.

“Excellent tour guide who was very knowledgeable about the area and wild life. The snorkeling was good we saw some beautiful fish too”

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10.St Thomas Night Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 145 reviews · from $69

Meet Virgin Islands Ecotours at Mangrove Lagoon for a 90-minute guided paddle in a two-person sit-on-top kayak. You’ll hear tales of Blackbeard, pass Cas Cay, and use kayak lights to look for tarpon, stingrays, fish, crabs, lobster, and perhaps a nurse shark. Guides such as Devon, Slim, Jason, and Nahshon bring the stories to life.

“This was a very enjoyable way to learn about the island while being able to break a light sweat.”

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11.Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $59Best value

Spend 90 minutes in a sit-on-top kayak through St Thomas’ Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary with guides such as Perez, Swish, Freddie, or Zack. Look for herons, warblers, pelicans, hummingbirds, stingrays, starfish, and hermit crabs as sunset colors spread over the calm water.

“We had a great time with our tour guide/ instructor, D! He was funny yet educational :) would definitely recommend”

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12.St Thomas Sea Turtle Snorkel Kayak Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $139

Meet at Emerald Beach Resort for a four-hour St Thomas outing with a guide such as Sven, Michelle, Connor, or Justin. Expect kayak instruction, guided snorkeling in a turtle-rich bay, beach time, lunch, drinks, and local insight. Groups are small, though the physical demands and photo fee details require careful checking before booking.

“Our experience was awesome! Our guide, Sven, was amazing! He was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and really took the time to make sure we had and enjoyable experience. We were treated to information about St Thomas, from plant life to the history of the islands and it’s surroundings. We also saw lots of marine life and, of course, several sea turtles. This was a wonderful tour and we would definitely do it again!”

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13.Illuminated Night Kayaking at the Elysian Resort

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · from $82

Meet your guide at Elysian Beach Resort by 6:00pm for a safety briefing, then paddle an illuminated kayak across warm Caribbean water as daylight fades. The small group, limited to eight, may spot fish below. Guides Kai and Jordan have received special praise. Fruit and rum punch follow the 75-minute outing.

“First-time night kayaking. We were the only couple. It was a bit scary because it was a bit choppy but in goods hands with Jordan. Thanks for the rum punch!”

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14.On Your Own: Kayak in the Mangrove Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · from $69

Start at 9:00 a.m. with a single or double kayak, paddle, life jacket, map, and snorkel gear. Explore the Inner Mangrove Lagoon, nearby cays, and Bird Island at your own pace, stopping to walk Cas Cay or swim in the shallow water. You return to the VI Ecotours base in St. Thomas.

“A great experience! It was relaxing to be out on the water by myself away from the noise that is the island. I got to see some interesting creatures and fish while snorkeling and enjoyed my hike along Cas Cay! I wish I could have stayed out lRead more”

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15.St Thomas Kayak and Sea Turtle Snorkel Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $139

Paddle a tandem kayak from Emerald Beach Resort to a quiet St. Thomas bay where sea turtles feed in seagrass. Guides such as Sven and Conner provide lessons, safety help, snorkeling support, and lunch. The four-hour trip suits beginners who can swim and manage moderate physical activity.

“Our tour guide Conner was amazing. He spent time explaining some interesting facts about the flora and fauna on the island. The snorkel spot was fantastic and we saw turtles, tons of fish, stingrays, starfish and jellyfish. Kayaking can be a lRead more”

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