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

The best part of this five-and-a-half-hour boat trip is its variety. You snorkel at two sites near St. John, eat pizza delivered from Pizza Pi, then watch the sky change while music and drinks turn the ride home into a sunset party. It packs a full afternoon on the water into one outing.

I like the two separate snorkeling stops, since conditions and sea life can vary from one cove to the next. I also like the easy value: equipment, snacks, pizza, sodas, water, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main consideration is timing. The boat returns to St. Thomas around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., and the open bar begins only after snorkeling.

Key points to know

• Two National Park snorkeling stops: Look for turtles, rays, octopus, coral, and tropical fish around St. John.
• Pizza arrives by boat: Dinner usually comes from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove after the second stop.
• Drinks follow the swimming: Rum punch, Painkillers, sodas, and water are served after snorkeling, in line with the park permit.
• A lively finish: Music, dancing, drinks, and sunset views replace the quiet snorkeling pace on the ride home.
• Two island pickup points: The boat leaves American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook and collects passengers at Cruz Bay.
• Not suited to cruise ship schedules: The return time is too close for a safe connection to a ship.

Two Snorkel Stops Before the Party Starts

This excursion works best if you want more than a standard snorkeling trip. The first half is built around time in the water, while the second half shifts toward food, music, and island views.

You board Reef Surfari at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook on St. Thomas. The boat also picks up at Cruz Bay on St. John, making this useful if you are staying on either island. Seasonal departure times change slightly: from October through March, the boat leaves St. Thomas at 1:30 p.m. and Cruz Bay at 2:00 p.m. From April through September, departures are at 2:00 and 2:30 p.m.

After the pickups, the captain heads toward two snorkeling locations in the Virgin Islands National Park. Exact sites can vary, but the purpose is clear: give you two chances to see underwater life rather than making the entire outing depend on one stop.

That second chance matters. Wind, water visibility, and animal activity can change during the day. You might see sea turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, octopus, barracuda, jellyfish, colorful fish, and coral. The trip is not a guarantee of any particular animal, but the range of sightings reported on this route shows why two stops are more useful than one.

What the First Water Stop Feels Like

All snorkeling equipment is provided, which keeps the practical side simple. You do not need to pack fins, a mask, or a snorkel unless you prefer to use your own gear.

The crew helps set the tone. Names associated with this boat include CJ, BK, John, Sydney, Darian, Andy, and Braxton, though the crew on your departure may be different. The strongest pattern is an outgoing team that mixes basic instruction with jokes, island facts, and help for people who are new to snorkeling.

That matters if someone in your group is uncertain in the water. One account described a first-time snorkeler who was nervous but felt comfortable enough to get in with help from the crew. The tour still requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be comfortable getting into the water and moving around with snorkeling gear.

After the first stop, chips and cookies are available. This is a small detail, but it helps bridge the gap between an afternoon departure and dinner. The bar is not yet open at this point. Alcohol is served only after you finish swimming at the second snorkeling location, as required by the National Park Service permit.

The Second Stop Adds More Than Extra Swim Time

The second snorkeling stop gives you another chance to see marine life, but it also marks the shift in the afternoon. Once swimming is finished, the boat can open the bar, and the mood changes from active sightseeing to relaxed cruising.

You might see the same kinds of animals at both sites, or the second location may offer a different setting. Reports include turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, octopus, coral, and schools of tropical fish. A few people have also seen sharks and barracuda. Those sightings are never promised, so I would book this for the chance to explore the water, not for a guaranteed wildlife checklist.

The crew’s approach is useful here. Captains and snorkel guides such as CJ, John, Darian, BK, and Andy have been praised for explaining the islands and pointing out animals without making the outing feel like a formal classroom. You get information, but the tone remains social and easygoing.

If snorkeling is not your main goal, you can stay aboard while others swim. The boat, views, and crew remain part of the experience, though the best value comes if most people in your party plan to enter the water.

Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove

After the second stop, the boat collects dinner from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove, near Great St. James. Pizza is usually served around 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., depending on the day’s timing.

Pizza is a practical choice for this kind of trip. It is simple to share, requires no formal meal stop, and works well while the boat is moving. Several accounts describe the pizza as good, though one person fairly noted that it is ordinary pizza rather than a special restaurant meal. I would set your expectations accordingly: this is convenient boat dinner, not a culinary tour.

Pizza Pi may be closed on some dates. In that case, pizza comes from another restaurant. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, alternative items can be arranged with at least 72 hours’ advance notice. Extra charges may apply, so contact the operator before the cutoff rather than waiting until boarding.

The food arrives after the swimming, which is sensible. You can dry off, have a drink, and settle into the final part of the cruise without worrying about getting back in the water afterward.

Rum Punch, Painkillers, and a Sunset Dance Party

Once snorkeling is over, the bar opens with rum punch, Painkillers, sodas, and water. The crew turns up the music as the boat cruises around St. Thomas and St. John.

This is not a quiet sunset sail. The final hour is designed as a social party, with dancing, loud music, drinks, and views from the water. That makes the trip a good fit for birthdays, friend groups, and anyone who wants a lively end to an afternoon outdoors. It may be less appealing if you want a calm, romantic cruise with soft music and little conversation.

The sunset is the emotional high point. You are already out between the islands, with the active part of the tour finished and food in hand. The exact light depends on the season and weather, but the return is timed around sunset before the boat heads back toward Cruz Bay and Red Hook.

The crew is a large part of the appeal. John is often described as an energetic host and bartender, while CJ, BK, Darian, Sydney, and Andy are noted for keeping conversation moving and helping people feel at ease. Staff personalities can vary by departure, but this is clearly a people-focused outing rather than a silent sightseeing cruise.

Is the $120 Price Fair?

At $120 per person, the cost is reasonable if you plan to use most of what is included. You are paying for the boat ride, two snorkeling stops, gear, chips and cookies, pizza, sodas, water, alcoholic drinks after snorkeling, crew service, and a sunset party.

Comparable outings often separate snorkeling, food, and drinks into different expenses. Here, the price combines them in one afternoon. That also saves you from arranging dinner after returning to shore, which is useful if your day is already full.

The value drops if you do not want to snorkel, drink, or join the party. You can remain on the boat, but you would be paying for an activity built around water time and social energy. Likewise, the included food is convenient rather than upscale.

Parking at the ferry terminal is not included and is listed at $20 per day. The boat has a restroom, which is important during a five-hour trip, and mobile tickets make check-in simple.

The boat holds up to 47 people. That is not a private charter, so expect a shared outing with a mix of couples, families, and groups of friends. The larger capacity helps keep the price moderate, but it also means the experience will not feel intimate.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this for people who want one organized afternoon instead of separate bookings for snorkeling, dinner, and a sunset cruise. It suits families with older children, couples who enjoy a social atmosphere, and groups celebrating a birthday or another occasion.

It can also work well for first-time snorkelers. The crew provides equipment and encouragement, and the two-stop format lets you try the activity more than once. Children and adults should still be comfortable with the physical demands of getting into the water and using snorkeling gear.

This is less suitable for cruise ship passengers. The boat returns to Cruz Bay around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. and St. Thomas around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the dock, and the operator does not guarantee that ship passengers will return in time. Do not risk missing your departure for this tour.

It is also a poor match for anyone seeking a quiet, low-key boat ride. The last part includes music and dancing, and the crew keeps the energy high. If that sounds fun, the party is a bonus. If it sounds tiring, choose a calmer sailing.

Timing, Weather, and Small Details That Matter

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied information does not list a towel service, so I would not count on one. Footwear also deserves attention: shoes must be removed before boarding, and one person specifically wished they had known this in advance. If you dislike going barefoot, bring water shoes with good grip for changing into, but follow the crew’s direction about footwear on the boat.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, so keep an eye on the weather forecast and your schedule.

The activity starts and ends at the Reef Surfari meeting point at Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas. Cruz Bay pickup is available for people staying on St. John. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the location is near public transportation.

My Take: Book It If You Want a Full Afternoon on the Water

I would book this tour if you want snorkeling, dinner, drinks, and a sunset party in one package. The two water stops give the outing real substance, while the pizza and music keep it from feeling like a single-purpose snorkeling lesson.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the included equipment and food, the chance to see sea turtles and other marine life, and the crew’s clear talent for making new snorkelers feel welcome. The main tradeoffs are the shared boat, the basic pizza meal, the active party atmosphere, and the late return to St. Thomas.

Skip it if you are on a cruise ship, need a guaranteed quiet cruise, or want a private and refined meal. For everyone else, the $120 price buys a busy but well-rounded afternoon that makes good use of the waters around St. Thomas and St. John.

FAQ

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. The boat also picks up passengers in Cruz Bay on St. John.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 2:00 p.m. Seasonal departure times vary. From October through March, the boat leaves St. Thomas at 1:30 p.m. and Cruz Bay at 2:00 p.m. From April through September, departures are at 2:00 and 2:30 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts about five hours and 30 minutes. It usually returns to Cruz Bay between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. and to St. Thomas between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Are snorkeling masks, fins, and other equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour.

Is food included?

Yes. Pizza is provided after the second snorkeling stop, usually between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. Chips and cookies are available after the first stop. Pizza Pi is the usual source, but another pizza restaurant may be used when Pizza Pi is closed.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes, but alcohol is served beginning at the second snorkeling location after you finish swimming. Available drinks include rum punch and Painkillers, along with sodas and water.

Can cruise ship passengers book this trip?

The tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the dock, and the operator cannot guarantee a return before ship departure.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded. If bad weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.