St. John Days End Sunset Sail Open Bar & Hors D’oeuvres – Westin

A sunset from the deck of a catamaran is the main event here. You leave The Westin St. John, cruise into Pillsbury Sound, and watch the sun drop toward the sea with a drink in hand. The setting does most of the work, as it should.

I like the full open bar, which includes champagne and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. I also like the easy setup: free parking at the Westin, no extra boat transfer, and a return to the same dock. The main catch is that the food is light, and the sailing time can feel short if you expect a lively, wind-filled cruise.

Key points at a glance

• A 55-foot catamaran from The Westin: You board at 300B Chocolate Hole Road and return to the same meeting point.
• Champagne and a full open bar: Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included in the $109 price.
• Hors d’oeuvres, not dinner: The snacks can be tasty, but portions and menu choices may not satisfy a full appetite.
• Sunset views over Pillsbury Sound: The best part is the changing light, island views, and open water around Cruz Bay.
• A social group cruise: The boat can carry up to 49 people, so expect company rather than privacy.
• Easy but casual boat rules: Soft-soled shoes are allowed, and the crew asks you to remove regular shoes before boarding.

Leaving The Westin for Pillsbury Sound

The trip begins at The Westin St. John Resort Villas, at 300B Chocolate Hole Road near Cruz Bay. This is useful if you are staying at the resort, but the meeting point also works well if you have a rental car. Free parking is available at the Westin, which saves you one small but annoying vacation expense.

You board a 55-foot catamaran and head out from the resort toward Pillsbury Sound. The boat is described as being in excellent condition, and several accounts single out its clean, attractive design. That matters on a sunset cruise. You are not simply buying a seat on a boat. You are paying for an evening setting, and a well-kept catamaran makes the time on the water feel more special.

The cruise is a group outing with a maximum of 49 people. That is large enough to create a friendly social mood, but it is not the right choice if you want a quiet private sail. Couples, families, and small groups share the deck, and part of the fun comes from chatting with people you did not arrive with.

Arrive early if having a good viewing spot matters to you. Seating can become competitive, especially when the sun starts to lower. One useful feature is that you do not need to save a place for the sunset, since the captain can move the boat and give people a chance to see the horizon.

The sunset is the real itinerary

This is not a sightseeing tour with a long list of formal stops. The main route is out from the Westin, across the water around Cruz Bay and Pillsbury Sound, then back to the dock after sunset.

That simple plan works because the view keeps changing. From the water, St. John looks different than it does from a road or beach. The shoreline pulls away, the resort becomes part of the wider island view, and the surrounding water gives you a broad angle for photographs.

You may also see the islands from a different direction, including views toward the waters between St. John and St. Thomas. Do not expect a narrated history lesson at every point. One weakness is the limited commentary about the sights, history, or landmarks. If you want a captain explaining each island feature, this may feel too quiet.

The best moment comes as the light softens and the boat becomes a floating lookout. On a clear evening, the sunset can be striking. On a cloudy evening, the colors may be muted, and the entire experience loses some of its main appeal. The operator requires good weather and may cancel for safety or comfort, offering another date or a full refund.

Sailing or floating sunset lounge?

Set your expectations carefully. The boat does move out into the sound, but the trip is built around watching the sunset, not around fast sailing or hands-on sailing instruction.

Some sailings offer enough wind for a smooth ride and a pleasant sense of motion. Other times, the boat may spend much of the evening positioned for the view, with only a short cruise before returning. If you picture sails snapping in strong wind for the entire outing, you could be disappointed.

I see this as a sunset cocktail cruise on a catamaran, rather than a serious sailing excursion. That is not a criticism. It simply tells you what to book. If you want to relax, talk, take photos, and raise a glass as the sky changes, the format fits. If you want a long route or a very active sailing experience, choose a different boat trip.

The listed duration is not perfectly clear. The experience is presented in some places as roughly an hour and a half, while one account describes barely an hour. Plan for a relatively short evening on the water rather than a long half-day outing. The exact time can depend on sunset, weather, and the boat’s operating plan.

What the open bar includes

The $109 price includes champagne, a full open bar, nonalcoholic drinks, hors d’oeuvres, fees, and taxes. That makes the outing easier to budget than a boat trip where every drink appears on a final bill.

The bar is one of the strongest reasons to book this particular cruise. You can toast the sunset without paying separately for each glass, and the crew keeps the service moving. Several accounts praise the friendly, attentive bar service and the generous drink supply.

Do not assume every possible drink is available. One person specifically wished for red wine, so you may want to ask about the current drink selection if that matters to you. The supplied information confirms champagne and a full open bar, but it does not provide a complete menu.

Please treat the open bar as part of the experience, not the entire reason to go. You are still on a moving boat, and the best evening is one where you can enjoy the view, food, and company without overdoing it.

Hors d’oeuvres are useful, but not dinner

Small bites are included, and they serve their purpose. They give you something to eat while you enjoy a drink and keep the cruise from feeling like two hours on an empty stomach.

The menu can include several passed items, and ceviche received especially warm praise for its freshness. Other accounts found the snacks tasty and well suited to a sunset outing. Still, the food is the least consistent part of the package. Some people found the selection average or underwhelming, and portions were not always large enough to replace dinner.

Think of the hors d’oeuvres as pre-dinner snacks. If you are staying at The Westin, you can eat afterward at the resort. If you plan to return to Cruz Bay, make a dinner reservation or have another food plan. Do not book this cruise expecting a full meal.

Food restrictions need advance planning. Alternative items may be arranged with at least 72 hours’ notice, and additional costs may apply. This is especially important if you avoid shellfish or pork, since one menu offered limited choices for those restrictions.

Crew service makes a big difference

The captain and crew shape the mood more than the route does. The strongest praise goes to the friendly, helpful service, with specific crew members including Freeman, Carolyn, Brandon, Erin, Carter, and Matt receiving personal thanks.

The crew handles the practical details, serves drinks, passes food, and helps keep the boat comfortable. A good captain also manages the viewing angles so people across the boat get a chance at the sunset. That matters on a group cruise where everyone wants the same photographs.

The captain may provide useful information, but do not count on a full narration of every island or landmark. If you want background on what you see, you may need to ask questions directly.

Music is part of the atmosphere. The selection may be request-friendly, though it is not the main selling point. The result is a relaxed social setting rather than a formal dinner cruise or a quiet, private charter.

Shoes, seating, and other practical details

The catamaran has a no-shoes policy for regular footwear. Wear shoes that come off easily, and consider bringing wipes or a small towel if you do not want sandy or damp feet after going barefoot.

Soft-soled shoes may be allowed, but the safest plan is to arrive ready to remove your footwear. You can keep the rest of your outfit simple and comfortable. Sunset breezes can feel cooler than expected, though the provided details do not specify a dress code or clothing requirement.

The boat is near public transportation, and most people can participate. For detailed accessibility questions, you should contact the operator before booking, since the supplied information does not describe specific boarding equipment or deck access.

The activity ends back at the Westin meeting point. That makes dinner planning easier, especially if you are staying at the resort. It also means you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another marina.

Is $109 a fair price?

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to watch a St. John sunset. The value depends on how much use you make of the included drinks and how much you care about the boat setting.

The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise buy several cocktails, champagne, and snacks during the evening. You also get the catamaran ride, the sunset views, parking, and a hosted social experience in one package. Fees and taxes are included, though gratuity is not.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol or if you want a full meal. A drinker who enjoys the open bar may find the price reasonable. Someone mainly seeking a short boat ride could feel the outing is expensive, especially if the cruise lasts closer to an hour than an hour and a half.

Prices can shift with promotions. One booking experience was reportedly $20 less when reserved the day before. That does not guarantee a discount, but it is worth checking the current rate before committing far in advance. Do not wait if your schedule is tight, since sunset departures can fill.

Who should book this sunset sail?

I would choose this cruise for couples, families, and small groups who want an easy final activity after a day on St. John. It is especially good for someone who likes a polished boat, included drinks, friendly service, and a simple route with no complicated transport.

It also makes sense as a last-night outing. The boat ride gives you one more view of the island before dinner or the end of a vacation, and the sunset creates a clear finish to the day.

I would hesitate if you want privacy. With up to 49 people, this is a shared experience, not a romantic charter. I would also hesitate if your priority is a long, active sail or a strong educational narration.

The food should guide your decision, too. If you need a substantial dinner, plan one afterward. If you want a few bites with champagne and cocktails, the included spread should be enough for the cruise.

Should you book the Days End Sunset Sail?

Book it if you want easy sunset scenery with drinks included. The clean catamaran, capable crew, free parking, and views from Pillsbury Sound create a pleasant evening with little planning required.

Skip it if you expect a full dinner, a private boat, or nonstop sailing. The cruise can feel more like a floating sunset lounge than a true sailing adventure, and the hors d’oeuvres may not match the price for every palate.

For the best chance at a satisfying evening, arrive early, eat a light meal beforehand, wear removable shoes, and check the weather. Leave room in your budget for gratuity. With those expectations, this is a strong choice for a relaxed Caribbean sunset from the water.

FAQ

Where does the St. John sunset sail depart?

It departs from The Westin St. John Resort Villas at 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the Westin meeting point.

What drinks are included?

Champagne, alcoholic beverages, and a full open bar are included. Nonalcoholic drinks are also available.

Is food included?

Yes. Assorted hors d’oeuvres are included. They are light snacks rather than a full dinner.

Can food alternatives be arranged for allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes. Alternative food items may be arranged with at least 72 hours’ advance notice. Additional costs may apply.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the cruise is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you receive a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.