Snorkel & Swim with Turtles. Semi Private Tour to Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach

Sea turtles are the main event here, and the odds look good without turning the trip into a crowded all-day boat outing. You’ll snorkel near Turtle Cove at Buck Island or Brewers Bay, then spend time at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island.

I like the mix of underwater time and a proper beach stop. I also like the captains’ willingness to change the route when seas turn rough. The tradeoff is simple: this is an ocean trip, so visibility and comfort depend on weather. Rough water can make snorkeling hard, and marine life never follows a schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Turtle spotting is the star: Look for green turtles, stingrays, barracuda, sharks, parrotfish, snapper, and other reef fish.
• Two different water stops: Snorkel first, then swim or relax at Honeymoon Beach, with a possible route change to Emerald Beach.
• Captain-led and flexible: Rusty, Mike, Dave, JW, JP, and other captains may operate the boat, with safety and conditions guiding the route.
• Drinks are included: Snorkel gear, unlimited soda and water, beer, and bottled Virgin H2O are provided.
• Lunch costs extra: Dinghy’s Beach Bar at Honeymoon Beach sells food and drinks, including Pain Killers, but bring cash or another accepted payment method.
• Cruise-friendly timing: The four-hour tour leaves at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. and returns to Yacht Haven Grande at the meeting point.

Why this St. Thomas boat trip works

At $160 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in St. Thomas. You are paying for a half-day on a powerboat, snorkeling equipment, captain service, drinks, several scenic boat rides, and access to sites that would be awkward to reach on your own.

The value is strongest if you want more than a beach chair. You get a chance to see turtles and reef fish, then have time for sand, swimming, and a drink at Honeymoon Beach. If you only want to sit on the beach, a land-based outing may cost less.

The tour is advertised as semi-private, with a maximum of 31 people. That upper limit is worth noting. The actual group can be much smaller, with some departures carrying seven or eight people and others around 11. You will not know the final group size until your departure, but the boat format is generally more personal than a large excursion vessel.

Captains are a major part of the experience. Rusty is frequently named as a calm, entertaining guide who explains the island and helps first-time snorkelers feel safe. Mike is praised for smooth boat handling and for adjusting the outing to focus on fish and coral when that was the group’s priority. Dave, JW, and JP are also noted for local facts, easy conversation, and thoughtful route changes.

That does not mean every trip will feel identical. The captain and boat depend on availability. Possible vessels include the 36-foot Island Flyer, the 2019 36-foot Twin Vee power catamaran, the 31-foot Wellcraft, and boats identified as MV Hydra, MV Poseidon, MV Aquarius, or a comparable vessel. Think of the advertised boat names as examples, not a guarantee.

From Havensight Pier to the first reef

The tour meets at Havensight Cruise Pier in Charlotte Amalie East. That makes it useful for cruise passengers, but you still need to protect your return time. The activity lasts about four hours and returns to the same meeting point at Yacht Haven Grande.

The morning departure is at 9 a.m. The afternoon departure is at 2 p.m. A cruise passenger should check the ship’s all-aboard time before booking, especially for the afternoon trip. The advertised return is on time, but the sea can be unpredictable and you should not plan a tight connection.

Once aboard, the crew provides snorkel equipment and safety instructions. Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Reef-safe sunscreen is the sensible choice, and putting it on before boarding saves time.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You’ll see St. Thomas from the water, with changing views of the harbor, hills, beaches, and nearby islands. The ride to Buck Island can take about 25 minutes, based on one reported outing, though conditions and the chosen site can change the timing.

Turtle Cove, Buck Island, and the search for reef life

The planned snorkel stop is Turtle Cove at Buck Island. This is where you have your best chance of seeing sea turtles, but the reef also supports a long list of smaller creatures.

You might see snapper, hamlets, parrotfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, barracuda, stingrays, and other tropical fish. Some outings have also included eagle rays, small sharks, and a shipwreck with fish around it. The water can be very clear, and late August conditions have been described as comfortably warm.

The main snorkel session lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the day. That is enough time to get comfortable, swim over the reef, and watch for turtles without spending the entire tour in the water.

A practical point: turtles are wild animals. You may see one at close range, or you may spend the session enjoying fish and coral without a turtle sighting. The crew can choose good spots, but it cannot promise a particular animal. One of the better features of the outing is that a captain may adjust the location to improve the experience rather than follow the original route at all costs.

After snorkeling, beer, soda, and water are available. That small pause matters. You can climb back aboard, dry off, and enjoy the boat ride instead of rushing straight from one activity to the next.

Brewers Bay as the weather backup

The name Turtle Cove sets a clear expectation, but the route is weather dependent. If wind, waves, or visibility make Buck Island a poor choice, the captain may substitute Brewers Bay for snorkeling.

That is not a downgrade by definition. A sheltered bay can be a better place to snorkel than an exposed site with rough water. One outing was changed because the water was choppy, and the captain took the group to calmer water where people could still snorkel and see turtles.

Still, conditions can affect the day. One family found the water rough enough to make snorkeling difficult and saw less sea life than expected. You should book this only if you are comfortable with the possibility of a wet, windy, or less productive session.

The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to manage a boat boarding, wear snorkeling gear, and swim in open water. If your group includes a child under two, you must call before booking.

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island

After the main snorkeling stop, the boat heads to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. Here the pace changes. You can swim in clear water, relax on white sand, snorkel again, or walk to Dinghy’s Beach Bar.

Honeymoon Beach is often the emotional high point of the trip because it gives you time to enjoy the setting without watching the clock for the next reef stop. The beach is scenic and more relaxed than a busy harbor, though the experience still depends on how many other boats arrive.

Dinghy’s is the practical center of the stop. Lunch is available, but it is not included in the $160 price. The menu mentioned by the operator includes fresh mahi tacos and bang bang shrimp, while the bar is known for Pain Killers and other tropical drinks. A cash reserve is smart, since one past participant specifically advised bringing cash for the beach bar.

There is an important detail for non-swimmers or anyone carrying food. One account pointed out that the trip’s description does not make it obvious that reaching lunch may require swimming from the boat when the boat does not go directly onto the beach. Ask the operator about the landing arrangement if someone in your party does not swim comfortably.

The beach stop may also include more snorkeling. Some outings have seen turtles and eagle rays here, while others have stayed offshore because wind made the conditions better away from the beach. You may not get every part of the planned stop, but a good captain will use the calmer water available.

A route shaped by the captain and the sea

This is not a rigid sightseeing bus with every minute fixed. The captain decides how to use the four hours based on wind, waves, visibility, and the interests of the group.

That flexibility is valuable. Captains have taken groups directly to Honeymoon Beach when that water was calmer, added a second snorkeling area, and focused more on coral and fish when that was the group’s request. The best trips seem to come from clear communication at the start. If turtles are your priority, say so. If you care more about coral and fish, say that too.

The captain also affects the tone. Rusty is described as friendly and safety-minded, with a knack for keeping teenagers engaged. Mike is noted for smooth rides and a willingness to tailor the outing. Dave is praised for sharing island facts while giving equal attention to everyone aboard. JW and JP are also associated with relaxed, informative trips.

These names are useful only as examples. You may get a different captain, and availability controls the assignment. The consistent standard to look for is a captain who explains safety instructions, watches the conditions, and treats the whole group fairly.

What is included, and what you still need

The price includes use of snorkeling equipment, beer, soda, and water. The operator says it uses Virgin H2O in an effort to reduce single-use plastic, which is a small but welcome touch on a boat trip.

Lunch at Honeymoon Beach is not included. Towels and sunscreen are also not supplied, so pack both. You may want a waterproof phone pouch, though that item is not provided as part of the tour.

Tips for the captain and crew are not included. A 15 to 20 percent tip is customary for exceptional service. Since your captain controls the route, the safety briefing, and much of the day’s atmosphere, tipping makes sense when the service is strong.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of people can lead to a cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this trip if you want a compact St. Thomas water day with several parts: reef snorkeling, a chance to see turtles, a beach stop, and drinks on the boat. It works especially well for cruise passengers who want a half-day excursion from Havensight.

Families with older children and teens should find the format appealing, provided everyone can swim and handle a moderate physical outing. The smaller groups reported on some departures also make it easier for a captain to answer questions and keep an eye on first-time snorkelers.

I would hesitate if you dislike open-water conditions, need guaranteed calm water, or want a guaranteed turtle encounter. I would also compare other options if your main goal is a long beach stay, since boat travel and snorkeling take a large portion of the four hours.

Should you book the Buck Island and Honeymoon Beach tour?

Book it if turtles, reef fish, and a flexible captain-led day sound more appealing than simply renting a beach chair. The strongest reasons are the chance to snorkel at two areas, the included drinks and equipment, and the possibility of a genuinely small group.

Go in with realistic expectations. Your route may change, your boat may differ from the one pictured, lunch costs extra, and rough seas can reduce visibility. If you pack sunscreen, a towel, some spending money, and enough time before your ship’s departure, $160 can be fair value for a four-hour taste of St. Thomas from the water.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Havensight Cruise Pier, 83JG+M8H, Charlotte Amalie East, St. Thomas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point near Yacht Haven Grande.

What departure times are available?

Departures are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, soda, and water are included. Bottled water is supplied as Virgin H2O.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available at Honeymoon Beach but must be purchased separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain may replace Turtle Cove with Brewers Bay and may substitute Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay for the beach stop. If the entire activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive another date or a full refund.

How many people can be on the boat?

The advertised maximum is 31 people. Actual group sizes can be smaller, depending on the departure and boat used.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.