Snorkel & Swim with Turtles. Semi Private Tour to Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach

Turtles make this boat trip special. Seas the Day Charters combines snorkeling at Turtle Cove or Brewers Bay with a relaxing stop at Honeymoon Beach, giving you sea life, clear water, cold drinks, and a short island cruise in one four-hour outing. I especially like the friendly captains and the chance to see turtles, rays, parrotfish, and other reef life without joining a huge tour boat. I also like the easy cruise-pier departure and the cold beer, soda, and water provided onboard. The main caution is that weather can change the route, and rough water may make snorkeling less comfortable.

This is a shared charter, not a fully private boat. The maximum group size is 31, though some departures have had only seven or eight adults onboard. Captain Rusty receives especially warm praise for his safety skills and easygoing style, while Captains Mike, JP, JW, and Dave have also been singled out for good service and useful island information.

Key Details Before You Book

• Turtle Cove snorkeling: Look for turtles, snapper, hamlets, parrotfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, rays, barracuda, and other reef life.
• Two beach possibilities: The usual second stop is Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, with Dinghy’s Beach Bar nearby. Weather may send you to Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay instead.
• Four hours on the water: Choose a 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. departure from Havensight Cruise Pier, then return to the same dock.
• Drinks are included: You get snorkeling equipment, unlimited soda and water, bottled water, and beer. Lunch and beach-bar purchases cost extra.
• Boats vary: Your vessel may be the 36-foot Island Flyer, a 2019 36-foot Twin Vee power catamaran, a 31-foot Wellcraft, or another comparable boat.
• Bring the basics: Pack sunscreen, towels, and cash for lunch, drinks, or purchases at the beach bar.

Leaving Havensight Cruise Pier at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m.

The tour begins at Havensight Cruise Pier in St. Thomas, close to the cruise-ship area and public transportation. That makes it a practical choice if you are visiting for the day from a ship. One especially useful detail: the boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride home.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The morning trip gives you the rest of the day afterward, while the afternoon option may fit better if you want a slow start. Keep your schedule realistic, though. The charter lasts about four hours, and conditions on the water can affect the exact route.

After a safety briefing, the crew prepares your mask, snorkel, and other equipment. The setup sounds simple, which is exactly what you want before getting into the water. Captains have been praised for explaining the area, communicating clearly, and helping first-time snorkelers feel safe.

Turtle Cove and Buck Island: The Main Marine-Life Stop

The first planned snorkeling area is Turtle Cove near Buck Island. The boat ride from the pier can take about 25 minutes, depending on conditions and the exact route. Once anchored, you may spend roughly 45 minutes to an hour snorkeling, though the timing can vary.

This is the part of the excursion built around marine life. The reef area is home to snapper, hamlets, parrotfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, and other tropical species. Turtles are the headline attraction, and sightings have included green turtles swimming close to snorkelers. Some people have also seen stingrays, eagle rays, barracuda, small sharks, and a shipwreck with fish around it.

That variety gives the stop real value. You are not simply swimming over empty sand hoping a turtle appears. You have a reef setting with several kinds of fish and coral to watch. Still, wildlife is never guaranteed. You might see several turtles, or you might spend more time admiring fish and coral. The captain can improve your chances by choosing a suitable area, but no boat operator controls the animals.

The water is often clear, and a late-August outing was described as having comfortable water temperature and good visibility. Conditions can change quickly, however. One family found that choppy water made snorkeling harder and reduced the amount of sea life they could see. If you are new to snorkeling, ask the crew for help with your mask and stay within the area they recommend.

How Captains Handle Rough Water

One of the strongest features of this trip is the captain’s ability to adjust the plan. If Turtle Cove is too rough, Brewers Bay may replace it as the snorkeling site. If the planned beach stop is exposed to wind or waves, the crew may take you to Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay instead.

That flexibility matters more than sticking rigidly to a postcard itinerary. Captain Dave, for example, changed the order of a trip so the group could snorkel in calmer water at Honeymoon Beach. Another captain redirected the outing because conditions at the original beach were rough. These changes may mean you miss one named location, but they can produce a safer and more pleasant day.

The same applies to Honeymoon Beach. Some groups have snorkeled there from the boat, while others have gone onto the beach itself. You should expect the itinerary to depend on sea conditions, not treat every listed stop as guaranteed.

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island

When conditions allow, the boat continues to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. The beach is known for white sand and clear blue water, and it has been ranked the number one beach on TripAdvisor. It is a welcome change after the first snorkeling stop: you can swim, relax, snorkel again, or walk up to the beach bar.

Dinghy’s Beach Bar is the social center of the stop. It is known for Pain Killer cocktails, and lunch is available there, but food is not included in the charter price. The menu has included items such as fresh mahi tacos and bang bang shrimp, based on the experience details provided. Bring cash, as one practical report specifically recommends having it for the beach bar.

There is an important point for weaker swimmers. Reaching lunch or the bar may require swimming from the boat to shore if the vessel does not pull directly onto the beach. If you do not swim comfortably, bring your own lunch or confirm the arrangement before departure. The tour includes drinks onboard, so you will not be left without water or soda, but you should not assume beach food is convenient for everyone.

Honeymoon Beach is often the emotional high point of the trip. The snorkeling may produce the wildlife memories, but the beach offers time to slow down. You may see turtles here too, including one reported swimming right past a snorkeler before surfacing.

The Boats and the Feel of a Semi-Private Charter

The boat depends on availability. Possible vessels include the 36-foot Island Flyer, the 2019 36-foot Twin Vee power catamaran, the 31-foot Wellcraft, and other comparable boats listed under names such as MV Hydra, MV Poseidon, and MV Aquarius.

That variety means you should not book this expecting one exact boat model. The common thread is a powerboat experience rather than a large, slow vessel. The charter is described as semi-private, with a maximum of 31 people. In practice, some outings have been much smaller, including groups of seven, eight, and 11.

A smaller group is a real advantage. It gives you a better chance to hear the captain, ask questions, get help with equipment, and enter the water without a long line. It also makes the boat ride feel more personal. But the group size is not guaranteed, so people who require a truly private boat should choose a private charter instead.

The crew quality appears to be one of the most dependable parts of the experience. Captain Rusty is repeatedly praised for making people feel safe, keeping the trip fun, and delivering turtle sightings when conditions allowed. Captain Mike has taken groups to several snorkeling locations and shared facts about the island. Captain JP has been praised for keeping everyone happy, while JW and Dave have been described as relaxed, friendly, and attentive to the whole group.

What You Get for $160

At $160 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in St. Thomas. The price makes more sense when you count the pieces included: a four-hour boat trip, snorkeling equipment, two water stops, unlimited soda and water, beer, and a crewed return to the cruise-pier area.

You are also paying for the boat itself and for the captain’s local judgment. A good captain can select a calmer cove, adjust the route, point out sea life, and keep the schedule on track. That matters if you are visiting from a cruise ship and need to return to the dock on time. A group traveling on Carnival reported making it back as scheduled, which is useful reassurance, though you should still leave a buffer before your ship’s all-aboard time.

Lunch is not included. Neither are beach-bar drinks, sunscreen, towels, or gratuities. A tip of 15 to 20 percent is customary for exceptional service. Once you add lunch and a Pain Killer or two, the day costs more than the advertised fare, so budget for the full outing rather than just the booking price.

Even so, the value is good for people who want several experiences in one: a reef snorkel, a chance to see turtles, a beach stop, drinks, and a boat ride around St. Thomas and Water Island. It is less appealing if you only want a long, uninterrupted beach day.

What to Pack for a Better Day

Bring your own sunscreen and towel. Those are not supplied, and you will want both after getting out of the water.

Cash is useful for Dinghy’s Beach Bar and lunch. The tour includes beer, soda, and water, but not food. If you are a weak swimmer or do not plan to swim to shore, carry a simple lunch and avoid depending on the bar.

Wear a swimsuit and use a secure bag for phones and valuables. The information provided does not promise dry storage, so protect anything that cannot get wet. If you are prone to seasickness, the boat ride and choppy conditions are worth considering, though no specific medication or seating arrangement is provided.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to board the boat, handle snorkeling equipment, and get in and out of the water. Children under two require a call before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most

This outing suits you if your ideal St. Thomas day includes active water time, a relaxed beach break, and a small-boat feel. Families with older children have enjoyed the turtles and fish, and first-time snorkelers have felt safe with the crew. It also works well for cruise passengers because the departure point is convenient and the boat returns there.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable with an adaptable plan. The captain may substitute Brewers Bay or Emerald Beach, and the water may be calm or choppy. If your priority is one exact beach or a guaranteed turtle encounter, the experience may frustrate you.

It is also a good choice for people who care about the guide as much as the scenery. Captains Rusty, Mike, JP, JW, and Dave have each been praised for being friendly, informative, and attentive. That personal service is a major reason the trip earns a 4.7 rating and a 91 percent recommendation rate.

Booking, Cancellation, and Practical Notes

You receive confirmation at booking, and mobile tickets are available. The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For your own cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. All cutoffs use local St. Thomas time.

Should You Book This St. Thomas Turtle Tour?

Book it if you want a well-rounded four-hour outing with a strong chance of seeing turtles, good reef variety, drinks onboard, and a pleasant beach stop. The captains appear to be the great strength, especially when the weather requires a change of plan. The semi-private format can also feel much more personal than a large excursion boat.

Think twice if you dislike swimming, need a guaranteed beach-bar lunch, or want a fully private charter. Bring lunch if reaching shore may be difficult, and remember that wildlife sightings depend on nature. For most active visitors, though, $160 is a fair price for a boat ride, snorkeling, drinks, and two distinct water settings in one compact St. Thomas excursion.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Havensight Cruise Pier, Charlotte Amalie East, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Havensight Cruise Pier.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

What departure times are available?

Departures are scheduled at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, soda, and water are included. The supplied water is Virgin H2O.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available at Honeymoon Beach but must be purchased separately.

Is a beach stop guaranteed at Honeymoon Beach?

No. Weather and ocean conditions may require a substitute stop at Emerald Beach at Lindbergh Bay.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.