St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip

The most unusual way to reach Water Island is by sitting around a bar, pedaling a boat, and letting the Caribbean breeze do part of the work. The St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip turns a short boat ride into a floating social outing, with music, rum punch, and a motor when your legs need a break.

I like the easy party atmosphere and the freedom to bring your own drinks without building a costly bar tab. I also like the generous beach stop at Honeymoon Beach, where you can swim, use a beach chair, or simply slow down beside clear water. The main consideration is that this is a group activity, not a quiet sightseeing cruise, and you should be comfortable with moderate physical activity.

At a Glance: What Makes This Boat Trip Different

• Pedal-powered, but not pedal-dependent: The cycleboat has a motor, so you can join the fun without working nonstop.
• About two hours at Honeymoon Beach: The Water Island stop gives you time to swim, rest, or find a drink and snack.
• Bring your own bar supplies: Alcohol is BYOB, while coolers, ice, bottled water, and rum punch are provided.
• Music is part of the outing: The Bluetooth stereo lets the crew keep the mood going with Caribbean tunes or music selected by the group.
• Small maximum group: The boat takes up to 16 people, which keeps the outing more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Convenient Crown Bay departure: Tickles Dockside Pub at Crown Bay Marina is a short walk from the cruise pier, according to one detailed account.

Pedaling From Crown Bay Marina

Your trip begins at Tickles Dockside Pub, 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas. The boat returns to the same spot after the Water Island visit, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

The setting is especially useful if you are calling in from a cruise ship. One account described the marina as roughly a 5 to 10 minute walk from the cruise pier. That makes this a practical choice for a port day, though you should still leave enough time to find the dock and meet the crew before departure.

Once aboard, you sit at one of the cycle stations arranged around the boat. The setup is part exercise machine, part floating bar, and part social table. You can pedal while chatting, listening to music, and looking back toward St. Thomas. You can also stop pedaling and let the motor handle the boat.

That motor matters. The experience sounds like a workout until you understand that pedaling is optional in practice. You can contribute when you feel like it, then rest without slowing the whole group down. I would still treat the moderate fitness requirement seriously, especially if you have trouble with balance, sitting for extended periods, or light exercise.

The boat holds a maximum of 16 people. That is large enough for a lively group but smaller than the crowds found on many standard excursion boats. If you enjoy meeting people and joining a shared playlist, the size works in your favor. If you want a silent ride with only the sound of the water, choose another kind of outing.

Rum Punch, Coolers, and Your Own Drinks

The tour includes rum punch, bottled water, coolers, ice, and a Bluetooth stereo. The rum punch is a key part of the experience, and the crew keeps the drinks flowing during the ride. You should pace yourself, especially in the tropical heat and while spending time in the water.

Alcoholic drinks are not included beyond the supplied rum punch, but you are welcome to bring your own beer, cocktails, rosé, or other favorites. Snacks are also your responsibility. This BYOB setup can make the $95 price easier to justify if you already have drinks and food you want to enjoy.

There is a practical advantage here. Instead of ordering every drink from a boat bar, you can bring exactly what suits your group. Pack items that fit well in a cooler and are easy to handle around water. The supplied ice and coolers take care of the basic storage, but you should not expect a full meal service.

The Bluetooth stereo adds another personal touch. The crew has music ready, and the group may also connect to the system. Several outings have centered on dancing, Caribbean music, and relaxed conversation, so music is not background decoration. It helps set the tone.

The Ride to Water Island

The trip from Crown Bay to Water Island is described as quick, but it is not wasted time. You get views across the harbor, a chance to settle into the cycleboat, and a short period to work off some energy before the beach stop.

The crew does more than steer. Captains and first mates have included Ann Marie, Ben, Josh, Justin, Jess, David, and others, with past outings featuring local stories, jokes, and plenty of interaction. Crew names and assignments can change, but you can expect a hands-on host rather than a distant operator.

The ride is best understood as a social warm-up. You are not signing up for a long narrated tour of St. Thomas. The main attraction is the boat itself, the music, the drinks, and the group mood. The scenery is a welcome part of the trip, but the cycleboat experience is the reason to book.

The pedal stations can make the ride feel active, yet you do not need to keep up a constant pace. Some people pedal often. Others join in now and then. The motor means the boat continues moving even when everyone is resting, talking, or dancing.

Two Hours at Honeymoon Beach

Water Island is the main destination, and Honeymoon Beach gives the tour its quiet counterpoint. After the party atmosphere aboard the cycleboat, you get time to step ashore, swim, or sit in the sand.

The boat can beach close to shore, so you may not have to swim a long distance to reach the beach. That is useful if you are carrying a small personal item or if some members of your group are less confident in the water. Conditions can vary, so listen to the crew’s instructions when boarding and leaving the boat.

Honeymoon Beach is known for its white sand and clear water. Sea turtles have been spotted in the area, although sightings are never guaranteed. You can swim, rest on the beach, or take advantage of the relaxed setting instead of trying to pack every minute with activity.

The scheduled beach stop lasts about two hours. That is enough time to make the outing feel like a real Water Island visit rather than a quick photo stop. You can spend the first part swimming, then dry off and sit in the shade or on a beach chair. One account described having nearly the entire beach to itself, though crowd levels will naturally change with the day and season.

Food and drinks are available at beach venues, according to the supplied details. You can grab a cocktail or snack there, or bring your own provisions from St. Thomas. This gives you two sensible approaches: keep the day simple with the included water and rum punch, or plan ahead for a more substantial beach break.

The stop also helps balance the activity. You are not pedaling for three straight hours. The boat ride brings the energy, while Honeymoon Beach gives you room to stretch out and cool off. For many people, that combination will feel more satisfying than a tour that stays aboard from start to finish.

What the $95 Price Really Buys You

At $95 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in St. Thomas. You are paying for more than transportation, though. The price covers a roughly three-hour outing, the cycleboat, captain and first mate, rum punch, bottled water, ice, coolers, music, and the Water Island stop.

The value depends heavily on what you want from a boat trip. If you simply need a ride to Honeymoon Beach, $95 may feel high. If you want a social activity with music, drinks, a motor-assisted workout, and a long beach break, the price is more reasonable.

The BYOB option improves the value for groups that plan ahead. Bring your preferred drinks and snacks, and you avoid the expense of buying everything aboard or at the beach. The supplied rum punch means you still have a signature drink even if you bring nothing alcoholic.

The group size also matters. A maximum of 16 people gives the crew a chance to interact with the group, and it keeps the boat from feeling like a mass excursion. This is not a private charter, but it is more intimate than a large ferry or party vessel.

The experience is commonly reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 32 days. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your schedule is fixed, particularly for a cruise stop or birthday outing.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, birthday groups, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people. The boat works especially well for a group that wants both a party and beach time. You can dance, talk, pedal, swim, and relax without committing to any one mood for the entire afternoon.

It also suits people who want something different from a standard island tour. The cycleboat is a novelty, but it is not a gimmick that lasts only a few minutes. Pedaling, music, and drinks continue to shape the ride to and from Water Island.

Families should note that the outing has an adult social feel because alcohol is allowed and rum punch is included. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so you should confirm any age questions before booking. Everyone should be comfortable around the water and able to manage a moderate fitness level.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a quiet, private cruise, a detailed historical tour, or a full-day beach excursion. The beach stop is generous, but the entire activity lasts only about three hours. You will get a pleasant taste of Water Island rather than a whole day there.

Service animals are allowed. The available information does not provide full mobility details, so ask the operator about boarding and boat access if you have specific accessibility needs.

Timing, Weather, and Cancellation Details

The activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. It begins and ends at Tickles Dockside Pub in Crown Bay Marina.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local St. Thomas time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging this around a cruise schedule.

Weather matters for a boat trip. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, so if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would avoid scheduling this as the final possible activity before your ship leaves. The marina is convenient, but weather and boat operations can change. Give yourself a sensible cushion after the excursion.

Packing Advice for a Better Day

Bring your preferred alcoholic drinks if you want more than rum punch, along with snacks that are easy to carry and eat. Bottled water, coolers, and ice are supplied, but your own food choices can make the beach stop more comfortable.

Wear clothes suitable for getting wet and bring anything you normally use for a beach visit. The available information does not specify towel or equipment policies, so confirm those details before departure if they matter to you.

I would also bring sun protection and keep valuables to a minimum. You will be moving between a boat and a beach, and simple packing makes that transition easier. If you plan to swim, choose items you can secure safely while you are in the water.

Music is part of the fun, so decide in advance who in your group might connect to the Bluetooth stereo. A shared playlist can add to the day, but the crew may already have music ready.

Should You Book the St. Thomas Cycleboat?

Book it if you want a social Water Island outing with a strong sense of fun, not just a ride from one shore to another. The mix of pedal stations, motor power, rum punch, BYOB drinks, music, and two hours at Honeymoon Beach gives you several ways to enjoy the same trip.

The best reason to choose it is the contrast. You get a lively boat ride, then a calm beach break, then another music-filled ride back to Crown Bay. The crew has a reputation for keeping the mood friendly and personal, with names such as Ann Marie, Ben, Josh, Justin, and Jess appearing in past outings.

Skip it if you want solitude, a private boat, or a highly structured sightseeing program. At $95, the value comes from participating in the atmosphere. If you are ready to pedal a little, share the boat with up to 15 other people, bring your own refreshments, and spend time at a beautiful beach, this is one of St. Thomas’s more distinctive half-day choices.

FAQ

Where does the St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip begin?

It begins at Tickles Dockside Pub, 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas, VI 00802, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The cycleboat returns to the same meeting point at Crown Bay Marina.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours, including the boat ride and the Water Island stop.

How long do I spend at Honeymoon Beach?

The Water Island portion is scheduled for about two hours.

Is the boat powered only by pedaling?

No. The cycleboat has a motor, so you can take a break from pedaling while the boat continues moving.

Are drinks included?

Rum punch and bottled water are included. Coolers and ice are also provided.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are BYOB, so you may bring beer, cocktails, rosé, or other preferred drinks.

Can I bring snacks?

Yes. Snacks are not included, but you are welcome to bring food to eat aboard or at the beach.

How many people can join the trip?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.