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

The best part of this five-and-a-half-hour boat outing is its change of pace. You snorkel at two St. John locations, eat pizza delivered by boat, then trade fins for music and a sunset dance party. It is a full afternoon on the water rather than a quick swim with a snack.

I like the mix of strong wildlife sightings, including turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, octopus, barracuda, and colorful fish, and the simple value of having gear, food, soft drinks, and alcohol included. The main caution is timing: the boat returns to St. Thomas around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., so this is not a safe choice for cruise ship passengers with a fixed departure time.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names that come up often include CJ, BK, John, Sydney, Darian, and Andy, with guides handling snorkeling help, island facts, drinks, and music. One practical detail can catch you off guard: shoes must come off before boarding, so bring water shoes with good grip if you dislike walking barefoot.

Key Details Before You Book

• Two snorkeling stops in Virgin Islands National Park: The tour gives you two chances to see sea turtles, rays, octopus, coral, and tropical fish rather than building the afternoon around one site.
• Pizza Pi arrives by boat: Dinner is fresh-baked pizza, usually served after the second snorkel stop between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.
• Drinks begin after swimming: Rum punch, painkillers, sodas, water, chips, and cookies are available, with alcohol served only after you finish snorkeling.
• Pickup covers both islands: The boat leaves American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook and then collects passengers at Cruz Bay in St. John.
• Sunset turns the ride into a party: After dinner, music, drinks, and dancing take over as the boat cruises around St. Thomas and St. John.
• Plan for a social boat ride: The maximum group size is 47 people, so expect a lively shared excursion rather than a private charter.

Two Snorkel Stops Around St. John

The afternoon begins aboard Reef Surfari, departing from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook. The boat also serves Cruz Bay, which makes this outing handy if you are staying on either St. Thomas or St. John.

The schedule changes by season. From October through March, departure is listed at 1:30 p.m. from St. Thomas, with pickup in Cruz Bay around 2:00 p.m. From April through September, the boat leaves St. Thomas at 2:00 p.m. and St. John at 2:30 p.m. The meeting information also lists a 2:00 p.m. start, so confirm the exact pickup time when you book.

Once everyone is aboard, the boat heads toward two snorkeling locations in and around Virgin Islands National Park. The appeal of two stops is practical: water conditions and marine life vary from place to place, and a second site gives you another chance if the first is not your favorite.

The wildlife list is unusually good for a half-day outing. You might see green sea turtles, stingrays, spotted eagle rays, octopus, barracuda, jellyfish, coral, and many kinds of tropical fish. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but the crew is familiar with the area and helps point out what is in the water.

The first stop is the quieter part of the social rhythm. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and chips and cookies are available after you return to the boat. If you are new to snorkeling, the crew can help you get comfortable. One family with first-time snorkelers found the activity workable for both children and adults, while another first-time participant said crew members helped ease water worries.

You should still have a moderate fitness level. The tour involves moving around a boat, entering the water, swimming, and climbing back aboard. It is not presented as a technical excursion, but you should be comfortable in the water or prepared to remain on the boat while others swim.

After the first stop, the boat continues through the St. Thomas and St. John area toward the second snorkeling location. This gives you more time to take in the islands from the water, with the crew sharing facts and stories about the places and animals along the route.

Pizza Pi and Drinks After Swimming

Alcohol is served only after snorkeling, in line with the permit for the national park. This is a sensible setup. You can focus on swimming and marine life first, then settle into the social part of the trip once you are back aboard.

After the second stop, the boat collects pizza from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove, near Great St. James. Dinner is usually served between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. If Pizza Pi is closed, pizza comes from another restaurant.

The meal is not a formal dinner, and you should not book this for gourmet food. It is a relaxed boat meal that does the job after an afternoon in the water. One useful detail from the experience is that the pizza is delivered directly to the boat, which adds a bit of fun to an otherwise simple meal.

The included drinks are a real part of the value. You get rum punch, painkillers, sodas, and water after swimming. Chips and cookies come after the first stop. Since drinks, dinner, and snorkeling equipment are already covered in the $120 price, you do not need to build a separate food and bar budget for the afternoon.

Food restrictions require planning. Alternative food can be arranged with at least 72 hours of advance notice, though extra charges may apply. Contact the operator before the cutoff rather than waiting until the day of the trip.

A Sunset Dance Party on the Way Home

Once the pizza is served and the bar is open, the character of the trip changes. Music comes up, drinks circulate, and the boat becomes a moving sunset party. The crew often plays a large role here, with John frequently handling the bar and keeping the energy high while the captain adds stories and local details.

This is not a quiet sail. If you want a calm boat ride with long stretches of silence, this may feel too lively. If you like meeting people, music, dancing, and a loose end to the day, the final hour is likely to be the highlight.

The sunset views are a strong finish. The boat returns to Cruz Bay between about 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., then continues to St. Thomas, arriving around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The exact schedule depends on the time of sunset throughout the year.

You will want a phone or camera ready for the ride back, but protect it from spray and keep it secure on the boat. The most memorable part of the return is not just the color in the sky. It is the contrast between the active snorkeling stops and the easy, music-filled ride home.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The listed crew changes, but several names appear repeatedly in the experience: CJ, BK, John, Sydney, Darian, and Andy. Their roles cover more than steering the boat. They help with snorkeling, explain animals and island locations, serve drinks, keep an eye on less confident swimmers, and set the tone for the party.

Captain CJ is often described as interactive and funny, while BK and Andy are noted for sharing facts and stories. John is associated with the bar and the high-energy hosting. Sydney and Darian are also praised for being helpful and welcoming in the water.

That mix matters because a shared boat trip can feel awkward if the crew simply drops you at a site and disappears. Here, the guides are part of the entertainment. They also help connect people who arrived as separate groups, which makes the ride feel more social.

The mood is casual rather than polished. You may get jokes, loud music, and a busy boat. That is part of the appeal, but it also means this is not the right pick if you want a private, quiet charter.

How Much Value You Get for $120

At $120 per person, the price is reasonable for the amount packed into the afternoon. You get boat transportation, two snorkeling stops, all equipment, a restroom on board, snacks, pizza, soft drinks, water, and alcoholic drinks after swimming.

Comparable outings can charge separately for equipment, meals, or drinks. Here, the included items reduce the small expenses that tend to pile up during a day on the water. The second snorkel stop also gives you more than a simple sunset cruise with a quick swim.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. A strong swimmer who wants only one short snorkeling stop may find a simpler trip cheaper. But if you want snorkeling, dinner, drinks, music, and sunset views in one booking, $120 covers a lot.

Parking at the ferry terminal is not included and is listed at $20 per day. That cost matters if you are driving to Red Hook. Public transportation is nearby, but the tour does not include transportation from hotels or cruise ports.

Timing, Pickup, and Group Size

The boat serves both Red Hook on St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on St. John. That is useful if your accommodation is on either island, but you need to arrive at the correct dock at the correct seasonal time.

The maximum group size is 47 people. That is large enough for a lively boat, but not so large that the excursion becomes a mass outing with hundreds of people. Expect shared seating, group instructions, and a social atmosphere.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. If you are staying on St. John, you return to Cruz Bay first. If you are staying in St. Thomas, the boat continues to Red Hook. Build in time for the ride back before making evening plans.

Do not book this if you must catch a cruise ship. The cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the dock, and the operator cannot guarantee a return in time for ship departure. The late return also makes this better for a flexible island evening than for a tightly scheduled night.

Practical Tips for a Better Afternoon

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection. You will spend time in open water and on a boat, so a hat, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes are useful.

Remember that shoes come off before boarding. If bare feet are uncomfortable, water shoes with good grip are a sensible choice. Avoid smooth-soled footwear that could slide on a wet deck.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. You may still prefer a personal mask if you are particular about fit, but the supplied equipment is part of the package.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photos in the water or on the ride. Keep valuables limited, since the tour focuses on swimming and moving around the boat rather than secure storage.

If you have food allergies or restrictions, give at least 72 hours of notice. Alternative food may be possible, but it can cost extra.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds are not provided, and changes are not accepted.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most

This outing suits you if you want a full afternoon with several elements rather than a single-purpose snorkel trip. Couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy social activities can all find a good fit here.

It is also useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while less confident swimmers can receive help or stay aboard during a stop. The crew has experience making first-time snorkelers feel more comfortable, but you should still be honest about your swimming ability.

You may not enjoy it if you want a private boat, a quiet sunset, or a refined meal. The music and party atmosphere become central after the second snorkel stop, and a boat carrying up to 47 people will not feel intimate.

Should You Book the Reef Surfari Do It All Trip?

Book it if you want two chances to snorkel, a meal, included drinks, and a sunset party without arranging separate activities. The strongest reasons are the range of marine life, the helpful crew, and the amount included for $120.

Skip it if your schedule depends on a cruise ship, if you dislike group outings, or if you want a peaceful sail with no party element. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to spend an afternoon between St. Thomas and St. John, especially when you want the water, dinner, and nightlife handled in one plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

The tour departs from Ocean Surfari, Reef Surfari Snorkel Excursions, at Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas. It also picks up passengers in Cruz Bay, St. John.

What time does the tour leave?

The listed meeting time is 2:00 p.m. Seasonal departure details state 1:30 p.m. from St. Thomas and 2:00 p.m. from St. John from October through March, then 2:00 p.m. from St. Thomas and 2:30 p.m. from St. John from April through September. Confirm your exact pickup time when booking.

What is included in the price?

The $120 price includes the boat trip, two snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, pizza, alcoholic drinks served after swimming, sodas, water, chips, cookies, and use of the onboard restroom.

Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

No. The cruise ship ports are about 30 minutes from the dock, and the operator cannot guarantee that you will return to your ship on time.

Can food restrictions be accommodated?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The tour may also be canceled if its minimum number of participants is not reached.