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

The clever part of this St. Thomas boat trip is that it packs three different vacation pleasures into one afternoon: two snorkel stops, a hot pizza dinner, and a lively sunset ride back through the Virgin Islands. You get time in the water, time at the bar, and time to enjoy the view without arranging separate activities.

I like that the tour visits two locations around St. John instead of rushing through one. I also like the easy value of having snorkel gear, drinks, snacks, pizza, and a restroom included for $120 per person. The crew, including CJ, John, Darian, Sydney, BK, and Andy on various departures, adds plenty of energy and practical help.

The main drawback is timing. This is an afternoon-to-evening outing, so it is not a good match for cruise ship passengers who must get back to a ship at a fixed time. You also need a moderate level of fitness for getting in and out of the water, and the boat asks you to remove your shoes before boarding.

Key Points at a Glance

• Two snorkel stops in Virgin Islands National Park: Look for sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, barracuda, colorful fish, and coral.
• Pizza arrives by boat: Dinner from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove usually comes after the second snorkel stop, around 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.
• Drinks begin after swimming: Rum punch, Painkillers, soda, and water are served once you finish snorkeling at the second location.
• The sunset dance party is part of the trip: Music, drinks, island views, and a relaxed ride turn the return journey into the evening’s main event.
• Pickup works from both islands: The boat departs from Red Hook in St. Thomas and picks up in Cruz Bay, St. John.
• Bring water shoes with good grip: You must go barefoot on board, but a pair of grippy water shoes can help before and after the cruise.

Leaving Red Hook for an Afternoon on the Water

Reef Surfari departs from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the eastern end of St. Thomas. The boat also picks up people in Cruz Bay on St. John, which makes this a useful choice if your lodging is on either island.

The schedule changes with the season. From October through March, departure is listed as 1:30 p.m. from St. Thomas, with the St. John pickup around 2:00 p.m. From April through September, the St. Thomas departure is around 2:00 p.m., followed by the Cruz Bay pickup around 2:30 p.m. The meeting information also lists a 2:00 p.m. start, so check your confirmation carefully rather than relying on a general schedule.

The boat can carry up to 47 people. That is large enough to create a social atmosphere, especially once the music starts, but it is not a private charter. If you prefer a quiet, custom-paced outing, this may feel busy. If you enjoy meeting people and want an easygoing party atmosphere, the group size works in your favor.

Parking at the ferry terminal is not included and costs $20 per day. Build that into your budget if you are driving to Red Hook. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same general meeting point.

One small practical detail matters: you take off your shoes before boarding. Wear something easy to remove, and bring water shoes with a good grip if you dislike walking barefoot before or after the boat ride. Do not bring smooth-soled shoes as a substitute. The boat is a working watercraft, not a formal dinner setting.

Two Snorkel Stops Around St. John

The heart of the trip is the pair of snorkeling locations in and around Virgin Islands National Park. The exact sites can change with weather and sea conditions, but the plan gives you two chances to see marine life rather than putting all your hopes on one stop.

That second chance matters. Visibility, wind, current, and animal activity can vary from one bay to the next. On recent outings, the water has produced sea turtles, stingrays, spotted eagle rays, octopus, barracuda, jellyfish, coral, and many kinds of tropical fish. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the variety reported on this route is a good reason to bring an underwater camera if you have one.

The crew provides masks, snorkels, and other necessary equipment. This keeps the trip simple for visitors who do not want to pack or rent their own gear. Crew members also help make first-time snorkelers feel more at ease. One recent outing included an adult who was nervous about the water but felt comfortable enough to get in with encouragement from the crew.

You should still be ready for an active afternoon. The tour recommends a moderate fitness level, and you will need to move between the boat and the water. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the crew early. The tour can work for mixed groups, including families with children, but every swimmer should be honest about their comfort in open water.

After the first stop, chips and cookies are available. This is a useful pause, especially if you have spent a good amount of energy swimming. The bar does not open immediately, since the National Park Service permit requires alcohol service to begin only at the second snorkeling location after everyone has finished swimming.

That rule is sensible. It keeps the first part of the afternoon focused on safety and the water. Once the second swim ends, the character of the trip changes from active outing to floating happy hour.

Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove

After the second snorkel, the boat picks up pizza from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove, an unusual detail that gives the meal a memorable setting. Dinner typically arrives between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m., after the water portion is finished.

The pizza is included in the $120 price, along with sodas and water. One important point: the plan is for Pizza Pi, or another pizza restaurant when Pizza Pi is closed. This is casual boat food, not a full restaurant meal with a broad menu. One person described the food as nothing special, while many others found the pizza delicious. I would set your expectations accordingly: the appeal is fresh pizza eaten on the water, not a gourmet dinner.

Food restrictions can be handled if you give at least 72 hours’ advance notice. Alternative items may cost extra. This is worth arranging before the trip, since the included meal is centered on pizza and last-minute changes may not be possible.

The timing also works well. You finish the more physical part of the day, get something filling to eat, and then have the rest of the cruise to sit back. If you tend to get hungry after snorkeling, eat a light meal before boarding and use the included chips and cookies as a bridge to dinner.

Rum Punch, Painkillers, and the Sunset Dance Party

Once swimming is over, the open bar becomes available. Included drinks include rum punch, Painkillers, soda, and water. The boat then turns up the music for a sunset dance party while cruising around St. Thomas and St. John.

This is not a quiet sail into the sunset. The mood is social, playful, and loud enough for dancing. The crew helps keep the energy moving, with John often serving as the lively bartender and hype man, while captains such as CJ and Andy have added island facts and stories during the ride. Crew assignments can change, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise of who will be aboard.

The sunset is the natural finale. Depending on the season, the boat returns to St. John around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., then reaches St. Thomas around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The exact time follows the sunset and conditions on the water.

I like this structure because the trip does not ask you to choose between nature and nightlife. You see coral and marine life first, then have dinner and drinks with the islands as your backdrop. It also gives non-snorkelers something to enjoy while others are in the water, although the main reason to book remains the two swimming stops.

Drink sensibly. The boat ride back is still part of the outing, and you may need to walk, drive, or use transportation after returning to Red Hook. Water and soda are included, so alternate them with alcoholic drinks.

Is $120 a Fair Price?

At $120 per person, this is a strong value if you want several inclusions in one booking. You receive transportation by boat, two snorkeling stops, equipment, snacks, pizza, nonalcoholic drinks, an open bar after snorkeling, music, and roughly five and a half hours on the water.

Separate arrangements for those pieces could quickly cost more, especially once you add equipment rental, food, and drinks. The tour also removes the hassle of deciding where to snorkel and how to move between St. Thomas and St. John by water.

The value depends on what you want from the afternoon. If you only want a short snorkel, a smaller dedicated trip might suit you better. If you want a private boat, this is not the right product. But if you want a full social outing with a meal and sunset party included, the price is easy to justify.

Remember the extra $20 daily parking charge if you leave a car near the ferry terminal. Also factor in any added food cost for special dietary arrangements.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 1,498 reviews and a 98 percent recommendation rate. The most consistent praise centers on the crew’s friendliness, the quality of the snorkeling stops, the sunset, and the overall mix of food and drinks. That pattern matters because the tour relies heavily on atmosphere. A capable captain and attentive boat crew can make the difference between a simple boat ride and a memorable afternoon.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

You are likely to enjoy this trip if you want:

• A social boat outing rather than a private or silent cruise
• Two chances to snorkel in protected park waters
• A simple meal and drinks included in the price
• A sunset activity that continues after the swimming ends
• A family-friendly option for mixed swimming abilities
• A convenient way to combine St. Thomas and St. John scenery

Families can make it work, including groups with older children and teenagers. The trip has enough variety to keep people occupied, and the music, pizza, and sunset add something for anyone who is less interested in snorkeling.

First-time snorkelers should feel comfortable asking the crew for help. The staff has been praised for explaining the area, identifying sea life, and helping nervous swimmers get started.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike loud music, alcohol-centered activities, or group tours. The dance party is not an optional footnote. It is one of the main features of the second half of the trip.

What to Pack for the Reef Surfari Trip

Pack lightly. You will want a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof phone case or small dry bag can protect valuables, though the provided information does not specify onboard storage.

Wear shoes that come off easily because footwear is removed before boarding. Water shoes with grip are useful for the dock and boat, but you should not expect to wear regular shoes while onboard.

Bring any required medication and tell the crew about concerns before entering the water. You should also let the operator know about food allergies or restrictions at least 72 hours ahead of time. Alternative food may be available, but extra charges can apply.

A light cover-up is useful for the ride back, especially after snorkeling. The boat has a restroom, which is a welcome feature on a five-and-a-half-hour outing.

Timing, Cancellations, and Cruise Ship Limits

This experience is not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the Red Hook dock, and the operator cannot guarantee that you will return to your ship on time. The evening return to St. Thomas can be around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., so the risk is too high for anyone with a ship departure deadline.

For everyone else, the cancellation policy is fairly clear. You receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and the same choice of a different date, another activity, or a refund applies if that minimum is not reached.

Book with the schedule in mind. The afternoon departure means you can spend the morning at your hotel or beach, but the trip occupies the best part of the afternoon and evening.

Should You Book This Sunset Snorkel Tour?

I would book this tour if you want one well-packed afternoon rather than separate snorkel, dinner, and sunset plans. The two park snorkeling stops give the trip real substance, while the included pizza and drinks keep the logistics easy. The crew’s friendly style is another major part of the appeal.

I would skip it if you need a quiet boat, a private itinerary, or a guaranteed return time for a cruise ship. You also need to be comfortable with a group setting, getting in and out of the water, and a party atmosphere after snorkeling.

For most visitors staying on St. Thomas or St. John, this is a practical way to see more of the islands from the water. Bring grip-soled water shoes, confirm the seasonal departure time, arrange dietary needs 72 hours ahead, and leave your evening open. If those details fit your plans, the $120 package offers a lot of island time for the money.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

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

How long is the experience?

The trip lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Return timing is generally around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. in St. John and 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. in St. Thomas, depending on the season and sunset.

What is included in the $120 price?

The price includes snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, chips and cookies after the first stop, pizza after the second stop, soda, water, and alcoholic drinks after swimming at the second location. A restroom is also available onboard.

Can people with food allergies request another meal?

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

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

No. The tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers because the cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the dock, and an on-time return to the ship cannot be guaranteed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may result in a different date, another experience, or a full refund.