Snorkel and Sunset Cruise from Margaritaville Resort

The best afternoons end on the water. This 3.5-hour St. Thomas cruise pairs a snorkel stop near a nearby cay with chef-prepared snacks, an open bar, and a sunset ride from Margaritaville Resort. I like the easy mix of activity and downtime, and I like that the crew provides snorkel gear and help in the water. The main concern is reliability: one scheduled trip was canceled less than 24 hours ahead because of a vessel mechanical problem.

The $150 price is not bargain-level, but it covers equipment, food, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and a restroom aboard the boat. The strongest praise centers on the crew, with Captain Jake, Captain Stewart, Captain Shawn, Kennedy, Stine, and Josh all singled out for friendly service and good energy.

Key Points Before You Book

• Snorkeling comes first: The boat heads to a handpicked nearby cay with clear water and marine life.
• Sunset follows the swim: After the water stop, you can relax with drinks, snacks, and open views during golden hour.
• Chef-made food is included: The rotating hors d’oeuvres are prepared by Chef Krygsveld rather than being limited to basic packaged snacks.
• Boarding is at 3:00 PM: The cruise begins and ends at Margaritaville Vacation Club in Smith Bay.
• The boat holds up to 30 people: Groups larger than 15 need an additional reservation.
• A mechanical cancellation is possible: Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, but late changes are not accepted.

Starting at Margaritaville Resort at 3:00 PM

Your afternoon begins at Margaritaville Vacation Club, located at 6080 Estate Smith Bay in Frydendal. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not have to arrange a second pickup location after sunset.

The 3:00 PM start is well chosen for a short afternoon on the water. You have time to reach the resort without giving up the whole day, and the cruise runs into the best light of the afternoon. If you are staying elsewhere on St. Thomas, allow enough time to get to Smith Bay on your own, since transportation to the meeting point is not listed as part of the experience.

Once aboard, you can choose how active you want to be. The plan allows time for snorkeling and swimming, but you can also stay on deck and enjoy the ride. That flexibility makes the trip a good fit for a mixed group where one person wants to get in the water and another would rather sunbathe with a drink.

The boat is described as a sleek powerboat. That suggests a faster, more modern ride than a slow sailing excursion, though the information provided does not specify the vessel model, seating arrangement, or amount of shade. If those details matter to you, ask the operator before booking.

The Nearby Cay Snorkel Stop

The first major part of the cruise is a stop at a selected reef near a nearby cay. The site is chosen for clear water and marine life, giving you a chance to see the underwater side of St. Thomas rather than only its shoreline views.

All snorkeling equipment is included. You do not need to bring a mask, snorkel, or fins, and the crew provides instruction before you enter the water. Crew members are also available to assist, which is useful if you have limited snorkeling experience or simply want a little extra confidence.

The snorkeling portion is not a full-day reef expedition. It is one part of a three-and-a-half-hour outing that also includes food, drinks, and the sunset cruise. That matters when setting expectations. You should book this for a pleasant combination of water time and sightseeing, not for hours of exploring multiple reefs.

You can also swim without snorkeling or remain on the boat. I like that the itinerary does not force everyone into the same activity. Still, anyone choosing to stay aboard will miss the main wildlife portion of the outing, so this works best when your group is comfortable splitting up briefly.

The information does not specify the exact reef, water depth, visibility on a given day, or the length of the snorkel stop. Those conditions can change with weather and sea conditions. Clear water and marine life are part of the plan, but no operator can promise a particular animal sighting or perfect visibility.

Chef Krygsveld’s Afternoon Hors d’oeuvres

After the water stop, the cruise shifts from active to relaxed. The crew serves a rotating selection of hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Krygsveld, giving the trip a more polished feel than a standard boat ride with chips and bottled drinks.

The menu changes, so you should not book expecting one specific dish. The useful point is that the food is presented as a gourmet selection rather than a fixed meal. These are snacks and hors d’oeuvres, not a full dinner, so eat a proper meal earlier if you usually get hungry after swimming.

Food quality helps explain part of the $150 price. You are paying for more than transport to a snorkel site. The package combines equipment, crew assistance, prepared food, and a bar, all within a relatively short afternoon schedule.

The food is also timed well. After swimming, you can dry off, settle back into your seat, and enjoy something to eat while the boat moves toward the sunset portion. That change of pace gives the cruise a natural rhythm: water first, refreshments second, scenery last.

Open Bar and the Golden-Hour Cruise

Alcoholic drinks, soda, and other soft drinks are included. The open bar makes this feel like a social sunset outing rather than a basic snorkeling transfer, especially for people who want to mark a special afternoon without arranging another restaurant stop immediately afterward.

The sunset portion is the emotional center of the trip. The boat cruises as the light changes, offering broad views of the Virgin Islands from the water. The exact sunset colors will depend on weather, but the timing is designed to place you offshore during golden hour.

I would save this cruise for an evening when you want scenery and conversation more than a packed schedule. You can enjoy the changing view, have a drink, and let the crew handle the route. It is a good counterpoint to a busy day of beaches, shopping, or sightseeing around St. Thomas.

There is a restroom aboard, which is a small but important comfort on a three-and-a-half-hour trip. You also avoid the need to return to shore between snorkeling and sunset. The boat remains your base for the full experience.

The tour does not include scuba equipment. That is not a problem for most people, since the activity is built around snorkeling, swimming, and sightseeing. It is simply worth noting if you are looking for a scuba excursion rather than a casual reef stop.

A Crew-Focused Experience

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. Captain Jake and Captain Stewart received specific praise for their hospitality and positive attitude, while Captain Shawn, Kennedy, Stine, and Josh were thanked for making the sunset special.

That range of names suggests that the experience depends heavily on the individual crew working your departure. Their help matters during the snorkel stop, but it also shapes the mood during the food and sunset portions. A friendly crew can make a short cruise feel personal; a less engaged crew would make the same schedule feel ordinary.

The operator is New Horizons & Breakaway Charters. The trip is capped at 30 people, with an instruction to make an additional reservation if your party exceeds 15. That wording suggests larger groups may need special booking arrangements, so do not assume one reservation will cover a group of 16 or more.

A maximum of 30 is not an intimate private charter. You will share the boat with other people, and space around the snorkel entry point may feel busy if the boat is full. On the other hand, a group of this size can keep the cruise lively and social.

If you prefer quiet, ask how many people are booked before departure. If you enjoy meeting people and want a more energetic boat atmosphere, the size may suit you well.

Is $150 a Fair Price?

At $150 per person, this is a midrange to upscale half-day water experience rather than a simple snorkeling trip. The value comes from combining several costs into one outing: boat transport, snorkeling equipment, crew assistance, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and the sunset ride.

If you only want to snorkel for an hour, you can likely find a more focused activity at a lower price. You are paying extra here for the full package and the change in mood from reef time to sunset cocktail cruise.

The price makes more sense for couples, friends, and small groups who would otherwise pay separately for drinks, appetizers, and a sunset boat ride. It may be less appealing to someone who does not drink alcohol or who plans to spend most of the trip out of the water.

One useful comparison is time. The trip lasts about three and a half hours, beginning at 3:00 PM, so the price covers a substantial afternoon rather than a brief harbor loop. The included food and drinks also reduce the need to buy refreshments during the outing.

I would call it a reasonable value if you want snorkeling and a polished sunset experience in one booking. I would call it expensive if snorkeling is your only goal.

The Main Risk: Late Cancellation

The standard cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

The more important practical issue is the possibility of an operator cancellation. One scheduled trip was canceled less than 24 hours before departure because of an unexpected mechanical problem affecting vessel safety. That decision was sensible from a safety point of view, but it left little time to find another snorkeling plan.

I would not build your entire St. Thomas vacation around this one afternoon. If the cruise is especially important, keep another beach, boat, or sightseeing option in mind. This is particularly wise if you are visiting on a cruise-ship schedule or have only one free day on the island.

At the same time, a mechanical cancellation does not automatically mean the boat is unsafe or the operator is careless. Boats need maintenance, and refusing to sail with a safety issue is the right call. The practical lesson is simply to leave room for changes.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

This outing suits you if you want several experiences in one compact package. You can snorkel, swim, eat, drink, and watch the sunset without spending a full day on a boat.

It is especially appealing for:

• Couples seeking a scenic afternoon with food and drinks
• Friends who want a social outing
• Families with mixed interest in snorkeling and relaxing on deck
• First-time snorkelers who appreciate provided gear and crew assistance
• Anyone who wants a sunset cruise without giving up water time

You may want a different activity if you need a serious scuba program, a long reef session, a private boat, or a guaranteed quiet setting. The 30-person maximum keeps the outing controlled, but it does not make it private.

The experience also depends on your comfort with an open-water stop. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but you should make your own judgment about swimming and snorkeling. The crew can assist, but the listing does not provide detailed medical, mobility, or flotation information.

What to Bring and How to Plan

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a way to protect valuables from water. Snorkel equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack your own unless you prefer a personal mask or snorkel.

Wear something comfortable for the boat ride and bring a light layer if you tend to get cool after sunset. The exact onboard seating and shade setup are not specified, so practical sun protection is worth having.

Eat lightly before boarding. The hors d’oeuvres should help after snorkeling, but they are not advertised as a full meal. If you have food allergies or dietary needs, ask about the rotating menu before departure.

Arrive ready to board at Margaritaville Vacation Club at 3:00 PM. Your mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Since the trip ends where it begins, plan your evening around a return to Smith Bay rather than arranging dinner at another part of St. Thomas immediately afterward.

Should You Book This St. Thomas Sunset Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded afternoon rather than a single-purpose snorkel trip. The mix of a nearby reef, supplied equipment, crew support, Chef Krygsveld’s hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and sunset views gives the $150 price a fair rationale.

I would be more cautious if your schedule cannot handle a last-minute change. The late mechanical cancellation is a real planning concern, even though putting safety first was appropriate.

For most couples and groups who want relaxed scenery with some time in the water, this is an appealing choice. Keep a backup plan, confirm the meeting details, and think of the snorkel stop as one part of a stylish afternoon on the Virgin Islands, not the entire point of the trip.

FAQ

Where does the snorkel and sunset cruise begin?

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

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Margaritaville Vacation Club.

What time does the cruise start?

Boarding begins at 3:00 PM.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and instruction are provided, and the crew is available to assist.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Is scuba equipment included?

No. Scuba equipment is not included.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 30 people. If your party includes more than 15 people, you should book an additional reservation.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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