Snorkel and Sunset Cruise from Margaritaville Resort

The best part of this St. Thomas outing is the change of pace: snorkel in clear water, then dry off with a plate of chef-made snacks as the sun drops over the Virgin Islands. I like the easy mix of activity and downtime, and I like that the crew supplies gear, instruction, drinks, and a restroom on board. The main concern is reliability, since one trip was canceled less than a day before departure because of a mechanical problem.

I also like the small-boat feel of a 3.5-hour trip instead of spending all day at sea. The $150 price is fair if you plan to make good use of the snorkeling, open bar, and food, but it is less appealing if you mainly want a sunset cruise or do not drink. The departure is at 3:00 PM, so plan your afternoon around it.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkel first, sunset later: The trip visits a nearby cay for swimming and snorkeling before heading into the late-afternoon light.
• Chef-prepared food is part of the experience: Snacks come after the water stop and are paired with drinks from the open bar.
• Captains and crew receive strong praise: Past trips specifically mention Captain Jake, Captain Stewart, Captain Shawn, Kennedy, Stine, and Josh.
• The boat carries up to 30 people: If your party has more than 15 people, you need to make an additional reservation.
• The $150 cost covers the main extras: Snorkel equipment, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soda, and use of the onboard restroom are included.
• Build in flexibility: Free cancellation ends 24 hours before departure, and a prior mechanical issue caused a late cancellation.

A 3:00 PM start at Margaritaville Resort

Your afternoon begins at Margaritaville Vacation Club, at 6080 Estate Smith Bay in Frydendal, St. Thomas. The activity returns to this same meeting point, which keeps the plan simple and avoids arranging a separate ride home from another harbor.

The 3:00 PM boarding time is useful for fitting the cruise into a day of sightseeing, but it also means you should not schedule another major activity too close beforehand. You need enough time to reach the resort, check in, and get aboard without rushing.

This is a mobile-ticket experience, and confirmation is provided when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the information provided does not specify a particular bus route or pickup service. I would treat the resort as the place you need to reach on your own unless your booking details say otherwise.

The boat is a sleek powerboat, not a large dinner vessel. That matters. A powerboat can make the trip feel lively and efficient, while a smaller craft usually keeps the group closer to the water and the scenery. The tradeoff is less space than you would find on a big cruise boat, especially with a maximum of 30 people aboard.

The nearby cay and the snorkeling stop

Once everyone is settled, the boat heads to a nearby cay selected for clear water and marine life. The exact cay is not named, so you should not book this expecting a specific famous reef or a guaranteed sighting of a particular animal.

The crew supplies snorkeling equipment and instruction. That makes the stop approachable if you have snorkeled before but do not carry your own gear. It also helps if you are a little rusty and want a quick refresher before entering the water.

You can choose how active you want to be. The plan allows you to snorkel, swim, or stay on deck and enjoy the sun. That flexibility is one of the strongest features for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can spend more time looking below the surface, while someone less interested in snorkeling can still enjoy the boat ride and scenery.

The water stop is also the part most affected by conditions. Clear water and marine life are the stated goals, but the visibility and animal activity can change from one afternoon to the next. I would view the reef as a pleasant chance to see the underwater side of St. Thomas, not as a guaranteed wildlife show.

The supplied information does not list flotation devices, wetsuits, or specialized equipment. It confirms the use of snorkeling gear, but not the exact items provided. If you need a particular aid, ask before booking.

One useful boundary is clear: scuba equipment is not included. This is a surface-snorkeling trip, not a scuba excursion. You should book it for a relaxed look at the reef rather than a serious underwater expedition.

From wet swimsuits to Chef Krygsveld’s afternoon snacks

After the water stop, you return to the boat for food and drinks. The menu is described as a rotating selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres created by Chef Krygsveld, so you should expect more than a basic bag of chips, but you should not expect a full dinner.

The timing works well. You can swim first, then settle into the boat with a snack in hand as the cruise shifts toward sunset. Food is included in the $150 price, along with alcoholic beverages and soda.

Because the menu rotates, the exact dishes are not fixed in the information provided. That is helpful for variety, but it means you cannot plan around a particular appetizer. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, contact the operator before departure rather than assuming the menu will suit you.

The food also changes how you judge the price. You are not paying only for transportation to a snorkel site. The fare includes a crewed boat ride, equipment, instruction, snacks, a drink service, and a three-and-a-half-hour outing. For someone who wants all of those pieces, the package has a reasonable vacation value.

If you do not drink alcohol and mainly want a short snorkel trip, the value is less obvious. Soda is included, but a good share of the appeal comes from the transition into an open-bar sunset cruise.

The golden-hour cruise around St. Thomas

After snacks, the boat turns toward the sunset portion of the trip. This is the quieter half of the afternoon, when you can stay on deck, enjoy a drink, and watch the light change across the Virgin Islands.

A sunset cruise is weather dependent by nature. Cloud cover can soften the view or hide the sun near the horizon. Still, the timing gives you a clear reason to choose this departure over a daytime snorkeling trip: you get two different moods in one booking.

Several crew members have received specific praise for hospitality and positive service. Captain Jake and Captain Stewart were associated with the first outing of this combined snorkeling and sunset format. Another trip singled out Captain Shawn, Kennedy, Stine, and Josh for making the sunset special.

Those names are useful context, but they do not mean every departure will have the same crew. Staff assignments can change. What you can reasonably expect is a service-focused boat trip built around help in the water, snacks afterward, and a relaxed end to the day.

The sunset section is also where the boat’s size may work in your favor. You are not entering a formal dining room or a large vessel packed with entertainment. The attraction is the open water, the changing sky, and conversation with the people in your group.

What the $150 fare really buys you

At $150 per person, this is a mid-priced St. Thomas water activity. The price makes the most sense when you value convenience and want to combine several small expenses into one reservation.

Included items are:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Snorkeling instruction and crew assistance
• Snacks and hors d’oeuvres
• Alcoholic beverages
• Soda
• Onboard restroom
• The boat ride and return to Margaritaville Resort

The restroom is a small but important feature on a 3.5-hour boat trip. It removes one common worry, especially after time in the water and drinks on board.

The open bar can also affect your calculation. If you would normally buy several drinks during a separate sunset cruise, having them included makes the fare easier to justify. If you are traveling with children or do not drink, the included soda and food still have value, but the package may not feel like as strong a bargain.

You also get the convenience of not having to rent snorkel equipment separately or find a second boat for sunset. I like that one booking covers the active part and the scenic part without turning the entire day into a long excursion.

Group size, timing, and the feel on board

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is also not a huge party boat. Your experience will depend on the final number booked and how much deck room is available.

If your party has more than 15 people, you are told to make an additional reservation. That instruction is easy to miss, so large groups should deal with it before payment. The trip is designed for shared participation rather than an exclusive private outing.

The duration is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough for a real water stop and a proper sunset run, but short enough to avoid sacrificing an entire day in St. Thomas.

Most people can participate, according to the activity details. Still, snorkeling requires comfort in the water, and the boat may move and stop in ways that are not ideal for everyone. The information does not provide a detailed accessibility description, so anyone with mobility or medical concerns should ask the operator specific questions before reserving.

The trip is best for couples, families, and small groups with different ideas of fun. One person can snorkel while another relaxes on deck. It also suits anyone looking for a social afternoon with food and drinks rather than a technical reef lesson.

The important caution: late cancellations

There is one practical concern I would not ignore. A previous departure was canceled less than 24 hours before it began because of an unexpected mechanical issue affecting vessel safety.

The operator apologized and explained that safety came first. That is the right decision when a boat has a mechanical problem, but the timing caused a real planning headache because it left little room to find another snorkeling trip.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

My advice is simple: if snorkeling is the central reason for your St. Thomas visit, do not leave it until the final possible afternoon. Keep a little flexibility in your schedule, especially during a short cruise stay. The cancellation appears connected to a specific mechanical problem, not a normal feature of the activity, but it is still worth planning around.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would choose this experience if you want a balanced afternoon rather than an all-day snorkeling mission. The format gives you a reef stop, time to swim, food, drinks, and a sunset without requiring you to organize each piece separately.

It is especially suitable for:

• Couples seeking a scenic afternoon on the water
• Families or groups with mixed interest in snorkeling
• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and basic instruction
• People who enjoy a social open-bar setting
• Visitors staying at or near Margaritaville Resort
• Anyone who wants to finish the day on the water instead of at a restaurant

I would look elsewhere if you want scuba equipment, a named and guaranteed reef, a private charter, or a full meal. I would also compare prices if you mainly want to watch the sunset and do not care about snorkeling.

The strongest praise connected to this trip focuses on the crew’s hospitality, the quality of the sunset, and the combination of food and drinks. One couple enjoyed a daytime snorkel outing so much that they booked the sunset cruise later the same day. That gives you a useful way to think about the product: it is not only a sightseeing ride, and it is not only a snorkel lesson. It is a social afternoon with several enjoyable chapters.

Should you book the Margaritaville snorkel and sunset cruise?

I would book it if you want one compact St. Thomas outing that covers snorkeling, a nearby cay, snacks, drinks, and sunset views. The $150 fare is reasonable for that mix, particularly for someone who will use the open bar and appreciates having gear and a restroom included.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed departure, a specific reef, or a full meal. The late mechanical cancellation is a reminder to keep a backup plan, and the unnamed snorkel site means you are buying the overall experience rather than access to one famous location.

For the right group, this is an easy afternoon to like: active at first, comfortable afterward, and timed for the best light. Just leave room in your schedule in case the boat cannot operate as planned.

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 the activity start?

Boarding begins at 3:00 PM.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and use of the equipment are included, along with instruction and crew assistance. Scuba equipment is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Where does the activity end?

The cruise returns to the Margaritaville Resort meeting point.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.