Review · SNORKELING
SeaFari FastCat – Sun, Fun, Swimming, Snorkeling & Boat Party
Hold on to your hat, St. Thomas is calling. SeaFari FastCat packs a 4-hour outing into a fast 1000-horsepower boat ride, two beach stops, open-water snorkeling, swimming, drinks, and a social return cruise. I like the easy mix of action and downtime, plus the fact that snorkel gear, floats, paddleboards, rum drinks, and beer are included.
I also like the personal touch from the crew. Manager Keith contacts you before the outing and calls on the morning of the trip, while Victor and Ashley handle the boat with friendly humor and useful island facts. The main consideration is physical: snorkeling happens directly from the boat in open water, so this is not the best fit if you need calm, shallow water or have concerns about swimming in wind, waves, or current.
In This Review
- Quick take: what makes this trip different
- From R Bar to the Charlotte Amalie waterfront
- What the 4-hour schedule feels like
- Honeymoon Beach: one hour for swimming and easy relaxation
- Limestone Beach: another hour in the water
- Open-water snorkeling: the key safety question
- Drinks, gear, and the return boat party
- Is $89 a fair price?
- Who will enjoy SeaFari FastCat most?
- Practical details before you book
- Should you book SeaFari FastCat?
- FAQ
- Where does the SeaFari FastCat tour start?
- What time does the tour start?
- Where does the tour end?
- How long is the experience?
- What beaches does the tour visit?
- How long do you spend at each beach?
- Is snorkeling included?
- What drinks and equipment are included?
- What are the age, height, and weight limits?
Quick take: what makes this trip different
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- A 1000-horsepower ride on the Breeze: The boat trip itself is part of the attraction, with a quick run from Charlotte Amalie around Water Island.
- Two beach stops with different moods: Honeymoon Beach offers a bar and restaurant, while Limestone Beach gives you another hour for swimming, snorkeling, and floating.
- Snorkeling from the boat: You may swim near green sea turtles and colorful fish, but the open-water format requires confidence and care.
- Drinks and water gear included: Rum punch, tropical rum drinks, beer, masks, snorkels, fins, floats, and paddleboards are part of the package.
- A social boat-party feel: The ride home has music and a relaxed island-party mood, with time to chat and meet other people on board.
- A convenient harbor setting: The trip starts and ends at R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, close to public transportation and with parking available.
From R Bar to the Charlotte Amalie waterfront
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The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at R Bar, located at Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie. That setting gives you a useful introduction to St. Thomas before the boat leaves. You are near the waterfront, the harbor, and the working side of the island’s visitor center, rather than being sent to a remote launch point.
The boat route includes views of Charlotte Amalie harbor, Elephant Bay, Frenchman’s Cut, the waterfront, and Water Island. Some sights are viewed from the boat rather than visited on foot, so think of this as a moving coastal tour instead of a history walk. You get a sense of the bays, harbor traffic, and island shape without giving up much of your four-hour outing.
The FastCat is named the Breeze and carries a 1000-horsepower engine. That matters because the boat ride is not just transportation between beaches. The turbo-powered run is one of the main attractions, especially when the crew opens up the throttle beyond the harbor.
I would choose a seat with a clear view if you care most about scenery, but remember that speed and sea spray can be part of the fun. Keep anything delicate protected, and secure sunglasses, hats, and loose belongings before the boat picks up speed.
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What the 4-hour schedule feels like
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The timing is compact. You have roughly an hour at Honeymoon Beach, roughly an hour at Limestone Beach, and the remaining time for the fast boat ride, harbor views, snorkeling directly from the vessel, and the trip back to R Bar.
That format works well if you want several island activities without spending a full day on a single beach. It also means you should not expect long, unhurried beach hours. The boat has a schedule to keep, so you need to be ready when the crew calls time.
I like this kind of outing for a port day or a short St. Thomas stay. You see several coastal areas, get into the water twice, and still return to the starting point the same day. If your ideal beach day means settling into one chair for five hours, this trip may feel too busy.
The group can reach up to 80 people. That is a sizeable boat outing, not a private charter. The social side is a plus if you enjoy meeting people and sharing drinks, but anyone seeking quiet or personal service should keep the group size in mind.
Honeymoon Beach: one hour for swimming and easy relaxation
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Honeymoon Beach is the first named beach stop. You have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and using flotation equipment. The beach also has a bar and restaurant, which gives you a place to get a local drink or a bite if needed.
This is a useful first stop because you can ease into the water before the second beach. You might spend the hour swimming, trying the floats, or using the paddleboards. If you prefer not to snorkel right away, you can simply enjoy the shore and the scenery.
The one-hour limit is both helpful and restrictive. It keeps the outing moving, but it does not leave much room for a long meal, a slow walk, and extended water time all at once. I would decide before arrival how you want to use this stop.
The supplied snorkel gear includes a mask, snorkel, and fins. There are also flotation devices and paddleboards. Since the exact quantity of each item is not specified, do not assume every person can use every piece of equipment for the full hour. Listen to the crew’s instructions and share gear fairly.
Honeymoon Beach also gives the trip some balance. The boat ride is loud and quick, while the beach stop is a chance to slow down. Families with children old enough to participate may appreciate that change of pace, though every child must meet the listed age and height rules and be comfortable in the water.
Limestone Beach: another hour in the water
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Limestone Beach is the second main stop, with another hour for swimming, snorkeling, and flotation devices. By this point, you have had time to settle into the boat and understand how the outing works, so the stop can feel more relaxed.
The appeal here is variety. You are not spending the whole trip at one crowded beach or one fixed snorkeling site. The second stop gives you another chance to get in the water if conditions or timing at Honeymoon Beach were not ideal for you.
I would treat the two stops as opportunities rather than guarantees of identical water conditions. Sea conditions can change, and snorkeling is done in open water. Wind, waves, and current can affect visibility and comfort, so stay close to the boat’s designated area and follow the crew’s guidance.
The trip description highlights colorful fish and the possibility of swimming alongside green sea turtles. That is a memorable possibility, but it is not something anyone can promise on a particular departure. The responsible approach is to enjoy the water and treat wildlife sightings as a bonus.
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Open-water snorkeling: the key safety question
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This tour is best for someone with a strong physical fitness level who can swim comfortably in open water. Snorkeling takes place directly off the boat, rather than from a shallow beach entry. That difference matters.
You should take particular care if you have a cardiac condition, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or another heart or respiratory condition. The water may be affected by high winds, waves, or current. The information provided for the tour specifically asks you to consider your medical history and fitness before booking.
The boat has safety equipment, restrooms, and expert guidance. Those are important comforts, but they do not remove the demands of open-water swimming. If you are unsure, talk with your doctor before booking and be honest with the crew about your ability.
Children must be at least 5 years old and at least 36 inches tall. The maximum listed age is 80, and the maximum weight is 275 pounds. Those limits are practical screening rules, not a substitute for judging your own comfort in the sea.
You do not have to spend every moment snorkeling. The included floats, paddleboards, swimming time, and beach time give you other ways to enjoy the stops. Still, the tour is built around water activity, so someone who wants to stay dry may find that a sightseeing cruise is a better match.
Drinks, gear, and the return boat party
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The price includes tropical rum drinks, rum punch, and beer. That gives the trip an all-inclusive feel, at least for the main refreshments listed. You do not need to budget separately for snorkel equipment or basic flotation gear.
I see real value here. A beach outing can become expensive when you add equipment hire and drinks on top of the ticket. At $89 per person, SeaFari FastCat combines a powered boat ride, harbor sightseeing, two beach visits, water gear, and drinks in one price.
The return journey has a Caribbean party mood. The boat becomes less of a shuttle and more of a shared social space, with people comparing island plans and enjoying a drink after the water stops. Victor and Ashley are praised for being friendly, funny, and helpful, while Keith’s advance messages add a welcome layer of organization.
That service matters on a water excursion. Clear communication about meeting time and reservation details can prevent a stressful start, especially if you are arriving from a hotel, cruise ship, or another part of St. Thomas.
Still, alcohol and fast boats require good judgment. If you plan to drink, pace yourself, stay hydrated, and remember that you may still need to move safely around a boat and enter or exit the water.
Is $89 a fair price?
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At $89, I consider this a strong value for someone who wants a busy half-day on the water. You receive the 4-hour PowerCat cruise, two beach stops, snorkeling gear, floats, paddleboards, drinks, safety equipment, crew guidance, harbor views, and a return to the same meeting point.
The value is less compelling if you will not swim, snorkel, or use the beach equipment. In that case, you are paying for several features you may skip. You also do not receive private transportation, so you must arrange your own way to R Bar.
The group limit can reach 80 people. A larger boat helps make a fast, stable outing possible, but it will not feel like a small private sail. I would book this for its range of activities and energy, not for solitude.
The tour is often booked about 43 days ahead. That suggests you should plan early if your St. Thomas dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.
Who will enjoy SeaFari FastCat most?
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I would recommend it to you if you want to combine speed, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and drinks in one outing. It suits couples, families with eligible children, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a friendly boat atmosphere.
It is also a good choice if you want your day to begin and end at one practical waterfront location. The included restrooms are useful, and the boat’s return to the meeting point removes the need to arrange a second pickup.
You may want another type of tour if you prefer a quiet sail, a private boat, a long stay at one beach, or snorkeling from a protected shallow shoreline. The physical rules and open-water format are the biggest filters.
For first-time visitors to St. Thomas, I like the way this trip gives you several impressions at once: the harbor, the outer bays, Water Island, two beaches, and the island’s social side at Dinghy’s Beach Bar. It will not replace a full island tour, but it offers a lively sample of the coast.
Practical details before you book
Meet at R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie, at 9:30 a.m. The tour ends at the same meeting point. Public transportation is nearby, and parking is available at the meeting location.
The mobile ticket is convenient. Keep your confirmation available, and note that Keith may contact you before the outing and call on the morning of the trip. That communication is useful, so make sure the booking has a working phone number.
Wear clothing that can handle water and spray. Bring only what you need, and secure loose items during the fast sections of the ride. The provided information does not list a required packing list, so avoid assuming that towels, personal medication, or other personal needs will be supplied.
The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. If you cancel, make the change at least 24 hours before the local start time to qualify for a full refund.
Should you book SeaFari FastCat?
Book it if you want a high-energy half-day with a fast boat, two beach stops, open-water snorkeling, included drinks, and a friendly party atmosphere. The strongest points are the range of activities, the helpful communication from Keith, and the warm crew service from Victor and Ashley.
Think twice if you need calm water, dislike larger groups, or want a slow and quiet beach day. At $89, the trip earns its price when you use the water gear, enjoy the beach stops, and take part in the boat ride. For an active first taste of St. Thomas by sea, it is a sensible pick.
FAQ
Where does the SeaFari FastCat tour start?
It starts at R Bar, 5316 Yacht Haven Grande Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.
What time does the tour start?
The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends back at the same meeting point at R Bar.
How long is the experience?
The PowerCat cruise lasts approximately 4 hours.
What beaches does the tour visit?
The named beach stops are Honeymoon Beach and Limestone Beach.
How long do you spend at each beach?
You have approximately one hour at Honeymoon Beach and one hour at Limestone Beach.
Is snorkeling included?
Yes. Modern snorkel gear, including a mask, snorkel, and fins, is included. Snorkeling takes place directly from the boat in open water.
What drinks and equipment are included?
The tour includes tropical rum drinks, rum punch, beer, snorkel gear, floats, and paddleboards.
What are the age, height, and weight limits?
The minimum age is 5, the minimum height is 36 inches, and the maximum listed age is 80. The maximum listed weight is 275 pounds.
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