Snorkel Cat All Inclusive Adventure

Two reefs, one very full day. Snorkel Cat turns a five-hour outing from St. Thomas into a relaxed yacht trip with two snorkel stops, meals, equipment, and drinks included. You sail from Margaritaville Resort toward the waters around St. John National Park, then finish with another swim near an uninhabited island.

I especially like the way the crew adjusts the day when conditions change. Captain Shawn gave the second stop extra time after murky water at the first, and other captains, including Jake, Danny Boy, Tuna, and Dhani Boy, have earned praise for keeping people comfortable and safe. I also like the friendly, festive tone, complete with music and painkiller cocktails. The main drawback is simple: you must arrange your own transportation to the meeting point, and the published start times need careful checking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate snorkel locations: You get more than one chance to find clear water and sea life, with time for a swim at each stop.
• Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks included: The package covers a light breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, beer, wine, liquor, and snacks.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You do not need to pack your own mask, snorkel, or related equipment.
• A sailing-style island outing: The ride itself is part of the experience, with views of St. Thomas, St. John, and the surrounding Caribbean.
• A lively crew-led atmosphere: Music, conversation, and attentive help make this more than a simple boat transfer.
• Plan your own ride: The excursion begins and ends at Margaritaville Resort, with no private transportation included.

Setting out from Margaritaville Resort

The meeting point is at Margaritaville Resort, 6080 Smith Bay Road, Frydendal, St. Thomas. You make your own way there, check in, and board the yacht for the trip. The activity ends at the same location, which makes planning easier once you have arranged the outbound and return rides.

There is a timing wrinkle worth taking seriously. The itinerary describes making your way to Margaritaville at 9:30 a.m., while the meeting-point details list a 10:30 a.m. start. Confirm the exact boarding time before you go. A boat tour is not the place to rely on a casual interpretation of the schedule.

Once aboard, the day shifts quickly into vacation mode. The boat heads across open water, and you get a moving view of St. Thomas and nearby islands before the first snorkeling stop. The ride matters because it gives you time to settle in, eat, and enjoy the scenery instead of rushing from one activity to another.

The group can include up to 70 people. That is a sizable boat outing, not a private charter, so expect company on deck and in the water. The larger group also helps explain the social mood: this is a good fit if you enjoy music, a drink, and easy conversation between swims.

Breakfast comes before the first swim

A light breakfast is served after boarding. It is not presented as a formal restaurant meal, but it gives you something to eat before you spend time in the water. Snacks are also included during the day.

This small detail adds real value. You do not have to grab breakfast before reaching the resort, and you can keep your morning simple. Still, I would not treat the included breakfast as a reason to skip all food beforehand if you normally need a substantial meal. The description calls it a light breakfast, so set your expectations accordingly.

The crew helps create the tone from the start. Names that come up repeatedly during the trip include Captain Shawn, Captain Jake, Captain Danny Boy, Captain Tuna, Dawn, Matt, Kennedy, Noel, Stein, and Amanda. The exact crew can vary, but the consistent strength is personal attention. Kennedy has been praised for checking that people were comfortable, while Captain Danny Boy helped one nervous young snorkeler gain confidence by offering encouragement and even showing her the captain’s seat.

That kind of support is useful for families and first-time snorkelers. You are not left to work out every part of the experience alone. At the same time, you should be comfortable around a boat and in the water, since the activity is built around open-water swimming and snorkeling.

First stop: St. John National Park waters

The first snorkeling area is in or near the waters of St. John National Park, with nearby coral reefs included in the overall route. The attraction here is the setting as much as the marine life. You leave St. Thomas behind, reach clearer Caribbean water, and get a chance to look below the surface among reefs and fish.

Conditions can vary. One outing had murky water at the first stop, while other descriptions report clear water and plenty of fish. That is normal for sea conditions, visibility, wind, and currents. A good captain cannot guarantee perfect water every time, but the crew can respond intelligently. In this case, Captain Shawn gave the group extra time at the second location when the first stop was less rewarding.

You may see tropical fish, stingrays, starfish, eels, nurse sharks, barracuda, sea turtles, and jellyfish. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the mix changes from day to day. The important point is that this is not just a quick look at a single shallow patch. The route gives you more than one chance to encounter different sea life.

The supplied snorkeling equipment is a practical benefit, especially if you are visiting St. Thomas without your own gear. Check the fit before entering the water, and ask the crew for help if the mask feels loose. First-time snorkelers can also use the first stop to practice breathing calmly and moving without wasting energy.

The crew’s safety guidance is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Multiple accounts describe the captains and crew as reassuring and attentive. You should still follow instructions, stay within the designated area, and avoid treating a nurse shark, stingray, or barracuda as a personal photo prop.

Lunch, drinks, and the long ride between stops

After the first snorkeling session, lunch is served on the yacht. The food is casual rather than fancy. Options described during the day include sandwich ingredients, lunch meats, cheese, shrimp, brownies, salad, and other simple items. One especially praised dish was Shawn’s Caesar salad.

This style of lunch works well on a boat. You can eat without dressing up or interrupting the pace of the outing, and the meal keeps the schedule moving. I would choose this tour for convenience and quantity, not for a culinary event. The food earns strong marks for being good and satisfying, but the appeal is that it is included and available on board.

Soft drinks, beer, wine, liquor, and snacks are also included. Painkillers are a recurring favorite, and the crew keeps the drink service part of the fun. You should pace yourself carefully, especially if you plan to snorkel again after lunch. Alcohol and open water require common sense, and the best version of this outing is one where you stay alert enough to enjoy the reef.

Matt has been nicknamed the rum fairy, which tells you something about the relaxed personality of the boat. Music also plays a role. Pirate music and general party tunes have been popular, though one person wanted more island-style music. If you prefer a quiet nature cruise, the sound and social energy may feel like a little much. If you want a cheerful day at sea, it is part of the charm.

Second stop near an uninhabited island

The second snorkeling and swimming session takes place near an uninhabited island. This stop gives the day a different feel. Instead of simply repeating the first reef, you get another setting, another chance at better visibility, and time to swim in a less developed place.

This is where the flexible approach pays off. The second location has produced sightings of sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, eels, starfish, jellyfish, barracuda, and many tropical fish. Nobody can promise that exact list for your outing, but the range shows why a two-stop route is more useful than putting all your hopes on one reef.

You may also find the second stop better for simply floating and cooling off. Not everyone wants to spend every minute searching for fish. Having a separate swim period lets you choose your pace, provided you follow the crew’s directions and stay in the permitted water area.

Wind and waves can affect comfort. One outing had choppy water and strong wind, which is part of the reality of an island boat trip. If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully about the five-hour duration and open-water ride. The yacht offers shade and seating, but the water can still move.

The return sail is part of the reward

The ride back to Margaritaville is not dead time. With lunch finished and the snorkeling done, you can settle into the scenery. The return offers broad views of the islands, blue water, and the changing shape of the coast as the yacht moves back toward St. Thomas.

This quieter part of the trip balances the energetic snorkeling and drink service. You can sip a painkiller, listen to music, and watch the islands pass. Several crew members have been praised for adding local perspective and explaining the areas along the route. The captain’s role is not only to steer the boat, but also to help you understand where you are.

The trip back is also when the all-inclusive format feels most useful. You do not need to find a restaurant, buy a drink, or arrange another activity. Once you reach the boat in the morning, most of the day’s basic needs are covered until you return.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, Snorkel Cat is not the cheapest way to get into the water. But the price includes a light breakfast, lunch, snacks, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. It also covers a yacht ride to more than one snorkeling area, with crew support throughout the day.

For me, the value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, equipment rental, meals, and drinks. Add those costs individually and the package becomes easier to justify. The five-hour duration also gives you a full half-day rather than a short reef visit.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, already own snorkeling gear, or prefer a small and quiet boat. You are paying for the full social experience and the convenience of having food and drinks ready on board. A maximum of 70 people means this is not designed around privacy.

Do not forget transportation costs. Private transportation is not included, and you must reach Margaritaville on your own. One passenger paid an additional $15 per person each way for transportation, though your actual fare may differ. The resort is near public transportation, but you should work out the route in advance and leave enough time for traffic and island roads.

Who will enjoy this St. Thomas snorkeling trip?

I would recommend Snorkel Cat to families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time snorkelers who want a ready-made day on the water. The supplied equipment, food, drinks, and crew help remove much of the planning burden.

It is especially suitable for people who want both activity and downtime. You can snorkel, swim, eat, listen to music, and watch the islands without booking separate pieces of the day. Families may appreciate the crew’s patience with nervous swimmers, while confident snorkelers get multiple locations to explore.

You may want a different outing if you dislike group boats, loud music, alcohol-centered social settings, or changing sea conditions. The first site may not have perfect visibility, and the wind can make the ride lively. The crew can adapt the timing and location, but nature remains in charge.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, and confirmation arrives at booking. Because the experience depends on weather and a minimum number of participants, poor conditions or low enrollment can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Snorkel Cat?

I would book it if you want a complete five-hour boat day rather than a bare snorkeling transfer. The mix of two locations, St. John waters, an uninhabited island, meals, gear, and open bar gives you plenty for the price.

Before paying, confirm the start time, plan your transportation to Margaritaville, and decide if a group of up to 70 suits you. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a willingness to accept shifting water conditions. Also bring cash for crew tips, since the attentive service is a major part of the experience and deserves recognition.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and weather or minimum-participant cancellations may result in a new date or full refund. With those details handled, Snorkel Cat is a strong choice for a social, food-inclusive snorkeling day around St. Thomas and St. John.

FAQ

Where does Snorkel Cat begin?

The meeting point is Margaritaville Resort at 6080 Smith Bay Road, Frydendal, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Margaritaville Resort.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting-point information lists a 10:30 a.m. start, while the itinerary mentions arriving at 9:30 a.m. Confirm the exact boarding time before the day of your trip.

How long is the excursion?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Are meals included?

Yes. A light breakfast is served at boarding, and lunch is provided later in the trip. Snacks are also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and liquor, are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment.

How many snorkeling locations will you visit?

The planned experience includes two snorkeling and swimming locations, including waters near St. John National Park and a second area near an uninhabited island.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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