Snorkel and Sunset Cruise from Margaritaville Resort

The best part of this 3.5-hour St. Thomas cruise is the change of pace: first you get clear-water snorkeling near a nearby cay, then you dry off with chef-prepared snacks and watch the sky turn gold from the deck. It is a nicely mixed afternoon rather than a single-purpose boat ride.

I like the included snorkel gear and instruction, which keeps things easy for first-timers, and I like the combination of a rotating hors d’oeuvre menu with an open bar. The main caution is reliability: one scheduled trip was canceled less than 24 hours before departure because of a mechanical problem, so keep a backup plan if snorkeling is a major vacation goal.

Key points at a glance

• Snorkeling comes first: Visit a handpicked reef near a cay, with equipment and basic instruction provided.
• Sunset comes later: The cruise shifts from water activity to a relaxed golden-hour ride around the Virgin Islands.
• Food is more than a bag of chips: Chef Krygsveld’s rotating hors d’oeuvres are served after the snorkel stop.
• The open bar is included: Alcoholic drinks, soda, and other refreshments are part of the $150 price.
• A small-to-medium boat outing: The maximum is 30 people, and groups larger than 15 need an additional reservation.
• There is one practical risk: A mechanical cancellation has happened, so avoid placing your only snorkeling hopes on this booking.

From Margaritaville to the reef at 3 PM

Your afternoon begins at Margaritaville Vacation Club, at 6080 Estate Smith Bay in Frydendal. Boarding is scheduled for 3 PM, and the activity returns to this same meeting point. That simple out-and-back plan matters because you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after sunset.

The boat is described as a sleek powerboat, giving the outing a more active feel than a slow harbor cruise. You should expect the first portion to be about getting settled, heading toward a nearby cay, and preparing for the water stop.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere on St. Thomas. Still, the supplied details do not promise hotel pickup, so you should plan your own way to Margaritaville Resort and allow enough time to arrive before the 3 PM boarding.

Snorkeling near a handpicked cay

The main water stop is at a selected reef known for clear water and marine life. Exact reef names and water conditions are not provided, so you should think of this as a guided reef stop rather than a guaranteed encounter with particular fish or sea life.

Snorkel equipment is included, along with instruction and crew help. That is useful if you have not snorkeled before, or if you want to avoid packing fins, masks, and related gear. The crew is there to assist you as you look beneath the surface, but you are not signing up for scuba. Scuba equipment is not included.

The schedule gives you choices. You can snorkel, swim, or stay on deck and enjoy the sun. That flexibility makes the experience work for mixed groups, especially when one person is eager to get in the water and another would rather remain dry.

I would treat the water stop as the active centerpiece, not a long beach day. The total outing lasts about three and a half hours, and the sunset portion also needs time. If you want several separate reef sites or hours of underwater time, a full-day snorkel charter will likely suit you better.

Drying off with Chef Krygsveld’s hors d’oeuvres

After the water portion, the boat changes mood. You return aboard for afternoon snacks and drinks, then cruise toward the sunset. The food is described as a rotating selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres created by Chef Krygsveld, so the menu can change rather than follow one fixed list.

That is an important distinction. This is not presented as a full dinner, and you should not book it expecting a large meal. It is a well-timed spread for the ride into the evening, useful if you want something more substantial than standard packaged snacks but still plan to eat dinner later.

The food also gives the trip a natural rhythm. You can finish swimming, settle on deck, and let the crew handle the transition while you watch the coast and water pass by. It is a social setup without requiring you to spend the entire trip talking. You can snack, sip a drink, and keep your attention on the view.

Recent trips have been associated with Captain Jake and Captain Stewart, while another sunset outing named Captain Shawn with Kennedy, Stine, and Josh. Crew assignments can change, but these names give you a sense of the people connected with the experience. The strongest praise has focused on crew hospitality, positive energy, and a special sunset atmosphere.

The open bar and the real value of $150

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in St. Thomas. The price makes more sense when you add together the included snorkel equipment, instruction, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soda, restroom access, and the sunset cruise.

You are paying for a compact package rather than a bare boat transfer. A separate snorkel trip, food stop, drinks, and evening cruise could take more time and require more planning. Here, the pieces are joined into one afternoon, with the water activity and sunset sharing the same departure and return point.

The value depends on what you want. If you mainly want the lowest-cost way to swim for an hour, $150 may feel high. If you want a polished half-day outing with food, drinks, a restroom, and a sunset finish, the price is easier to justify.

The four supplied ratings add an important note of caution. Several accounts describe an excellent afternoon, strong crew service, and a spectacular sunset, including one couple who enjoyed a daytime snorkeling trip so much that they booked the sunset outing the same day. But one person had the excursion canceled less than a day before departure because of an unexpected mechanical issue. The operator apologized and explained that vessel safety required the cancellation.

That does not mean cancellation is routine. It does mean you should avoid scheduling this as your only chance to snorkel during a short St. Thomas stay. The free-cancellation rule helps before the deadline, but it cannot make up for lost vacation time if a late change leaves you without a replacement plan.

Watching the Virgin Islands turn gold

The final section is a scenic cruise into the golden hour. You leave the snorkel site, settle in with food and drinks, and watch the light change over the Virgin Islands. The sunset is the emotional payoff, and one recent outing singled it out as phenomenal.

Sunset cruises work best when you leave room for the simple parts: the boat ride, the changing colors, and the chance to sit without rushing to the next attraction. You do not need to be an avid snorkeler to appreciate this section. Someone who only swims briefly, or skips the water altogether, can still enjoy the second half.

The exact sunset view depends on the day, weather, and route. No guaranteed lookout or named landmark is supplied, so book it for the general Caribbean sunset setting rather than a promise of one precise photographic angle.

You should also remember that a 3 PM start and 3.5-hour duration create a late-afternoon outing, not a full evening program. The activity ends back at Margaritaville Resort, and dinner is not listed as included. Plan the rest of your night around an approximate return after the cruise.

Boat size, comfort, and group feel

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is also not an enormous party boat. For many people, this middle size offers a good balance: enough company for a lively outing, with a better chance of personal crew help than on a much larger vessel.

Groups of more than 15 must book an additional reservation. This is a useful detail for family reunions, wedding groups, and cruise-ship parties. If your party is large, confirm that the reservations are properly linked before the day of the trip.

A restroom is available on board, which matters during a 3.5-hour outing with drinks. Soda and alcoholic beverages are included, but the details do not specify drink brands, cocktail choices, or limits. You should expect a general open-bar service rather than plan around a particular bottle or specialty cocktail.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. No detailed accessibility information is provided, and the outing includes boarding a powerboat, snorkeling, swimming, and moving around a vessel. If you have specific mobility or medical concerns, contact New Horizons & Breakaway Charters before booking.

Who will enjoy this afternoon most

I would recommend this cruise to couples who want one easy date-style outing, friends who enjoy a drink after swimming, and families with mixed interests. The option to snorkel, swim, or remain on deck keeps the activity from forcing everyone into the same pace.

It also fits first-time snorkelers. Gear and instruction are included, and the crew is available to help. You still need to feel comfortable with the water activity you choose, but you do not need to arrive as an expert.

The trip is less suited to serious snorkelers who want several reefs, long bottom time, or a highly technical marine outing. It is also not ideal for anyone who needs a guaranteed schedule, since a mechanical problem has caused a late cancellation in the past.

If you are deciding between this and a daytime snorkeling trip, ask yourself what you value more. The daytime option may give you more room for water time. This outing trades some of that time for food, drinks, and a sunset, giving the afternoon a more leisurely finish.

Booking, cancellation, and timing tips

The experience is often booked about 23 days ahead, which suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed. A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received when you book.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

Because the trip starts at 3 PM, check your other plans carefully. You need enough time to reach Margaritaville Vacation Club, board, snorkel, enjoy the food service, and complete the sunset cruise without rushing. The activity ends where it begins, which simplifies the return but does not include transport to another part of the island.

Should you book the Margaritaville sunset cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded half-day on the water, not simply a snorkel stop. The blend of reef time, helpful crew, Chef Krygsveld’s hors d’oeuvres, open-bar drinks, and sunset views gives the $150 price a reasonable foundation.

I would be more cautious if snorkeling is the one essential activity of your St. Thomas trip. A late mechanical cancellation has happened, and the short duration leaves little room to replace the outing at the last minute. Keep a backup option, especially during a brief visit.

For most people, the best reason to choose this cruise is the sequence: water first, snacks next, sunset last. It lets you be active without giving up the easy pleasure of a Caribbean evening on deck.

FAQ

Where does the snorkel and sunset cruise begin?

It begins at Margaritaville Vacation Club, 6080 Estate Smith Bay, Frydendal, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding begins at 3 PM.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Does the cruise return to Margaritaville Resort?

Yes. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment and instruction are included.

Is scuba equipment included?

No. Scuba equipment is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, alcoholic beverages, and soda are included. The food is a rotating selection of hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Krygsveld.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 30 people. If more than 15 people are in your party, you need to book an additional reservation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.