Snorkel and Sunset Cruise from Margaritaville Resort

Sunset tastes better from a moving boat. This 3.5-hour cruise from Margaritaville Resort combines a reef snorkel, an open bar, chef-prepared snacks, and a slow ride into the evening light. I like the easy mix of water time and relaxation, and I like that the crew provides snorkeling gear and help rather than leaving you to sort it out alone. The main concern is reliability: one scheduled trip was canceled less than 24 hours before departure because of a mechanical problem.

The $150 price is fair if you want several parts of a St. Thomas afternoon in one outing. You get the boat ride, snorkeling, drinks, food, and sunset views without arranging separate activities. Still, the snorkeling stop is only one part of the trip, and anyone seeking a full-day reef adventure may want something longer.

Key points to know before booking

• The trip leaves at 3:00 PM from Margaritaville Resort and returns to the same meeting point.
• Snorkeling is included, with equipment, instruction, and crew assistance provided at a nearby cay.
• The sunset portion is the star for many guests, with the boat cruising during golden hour after the water stop.
• Food comes from Chef Krygsveld’s rotating menu, served as hors d’oeuvres rather than a full meal.
• The open bar includes alcoholic drinks and soda, while scuba equipment is not included.
• The boat holds up to 30 people, but groups larger than 15 need to make an additional reservation.

Starting at Margaritaville Resort at 3:00 PM

Your afternoon begins at Margaritaville Vacation Club, at 6080 Estate Smith Bay in Frydendal, St. Thomas. The boat returns here at the end, which keeps the plan simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or figure out where the cruise finishes.

The scheduled departure is 3:00 PM, and the total outing lasts about three and a half hours. That timing matters. You get enough daylight for snorkeling, then spend the latter part of the trip watching the sun drop over the Virgin Islands. It is a good fit if you want an afternoon activity that carries into the evening without taking up your whole day.

The boat is described as a sleek powerboat, so this is not a slow sailboat outing. You should expect a motorized ride between the resort, the snorkel site, and the sunset viewing area. The exact route can vary, but the plan centers on a nearby cay with clear water and marine life.

You will want to arrive ready for the water. The key practical advantage is that snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack fins, a mask, or a snorkel. Instruction is also included, and the crew is available to assist. That makes the activity less intimidating if you are new to snorkeling.

A nearby cay for snorkeling, swimming, or sun

After boarding, the boat heads to a handpicked snorkel site near a cay. The description emphasizes clear water and marine life, but it does not promise a particular reef, animal, or coral formation. That is worth keeping in mind. Sea conditions and visibility can change, and the focus is on a pleasant water stop rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

I like the flexibility here. You can snorkel with the supplied gear, swim, or stay on deck and enjoy the view. Not everyone in a group has the same idea of a good afternoon, and this setup lets active and less active people share the same boat.

The crew provides instruction before you enter the water and remains ready to help. That is especially useful for first-time snorkelers or anyone who feels rusty with the equipment. You are not expected to arrive as an expert.

The water stop is also the part of the tour that may feel brief to serious snorkelers. The total trip is three and a half hours, but that time includes boarding, cruising, food, drinks, and sunset viewing. If your top goal is hours in the water, choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead.

For a mixed group, though, this balance works well. One person can look for marine life while another swims or relaxes on deck. The boat restroom is another practical plus, particularly on an afternoon outing with drinks.

Chef-made hors d’oeuvres after the water stop

Once the water portion ends, the boat shifts into a more relaxed mood. The crew serves a rotating selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres prepared from Chef Krygsveld’s menu. This is not presented as a sit-down dinner, so plan on snacks and small plates rather than a full evening meal.

That distinction helps you judge the value. The food adds more than simple boat snacks, but you should not book this as your main dinner reservation. If you tend to get hungry after swimming, eat something before boarding or plan dinner afterward.

The food is paired with drinks from the open bar. Included choices are alcoholic beverages and soda, so you can enjoy the sunset with a cocktail, beer, wine, or a soft drink, depending on what is available onboard. The open bar is one of the features that makes the $150 fee easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise buy drinks separately during a sunset cruise.

Food and drinks also give the trip a clear rhythm. First, you get active in the water. Then you dry off, eat, and settle into the scenic part of the ride. That change of pace keeps the outing from feeling like either a rushed snorkeling stop or a long drink cruise.

The sunset cruise is the emotional high point

After the snacks are served, the boat heads out for the sunset portion. The final stretch is designed for views, conversation, drinks, and the changing Caribbean light. One particularly strong account described the sunset as spectacular, with special praise for the crew’s hospitality.

Sunset times vary by season, but the 3:00 PM departure is built around reaching the golden-hour portion of the afternoon. You are not simply returning to shore after snorkeling. The boat remains part of the experience, giving you open views as the day fades.

This is where the cruise suits couples, friends, and families who want a pleasant shared memory without a packed schedule. I would also consider it a good choice for anyone who has already spent the morning sightseeing and wants an easier afternoon.

The sunset is weather dependent, of course. Clouds can soften or block the view, and the exact colors are never guaranteed. The boat ride, food, and drinks still give the outing value, but you should not judge the whole experience by a single photograph-perfect sky.

Crew service and the human side of the trip

The crew receives the warmest praise in the available feedback. Captain Jake and Captain Stewart were singled out for hospitality and positive energy, while Captain Shawn, Kennedy, Stine, and Josh were thanked for helping make another sunset trip special.

You should treat those names as useful context rather than a promise that every person will be on your boat. Crew assignments can change. Still, the repeated emphasis on hospitality suggests that the service style is an important part of the experience, not a minor extra.

Good crew support matters more on a snorkeling boat than many people expect. Someone has to explain the gear, help less confident swimmers, keep the schedule moving, serve the food, manage the bar, and maintain a pleasant mood. The trip depends on that combination of practical help and easy conversation.

One earlier outing was canceled with less than a day’s notice because of an unexpected mechanical issue affecting vessel safety. The operator apologized and explained that safety would not be compromised. That is the correct decision from a safety standpoint, but it can still cause real trouble on a short vacation, since replacing a missed snorkel trip at the last minute may be difficult.

Is $150 a fair price for 3.5 hours?

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get into the water. Its value comes from combining several paid elements in one package:

• A powerboat excursion
• Snorkeling equipment and instruction
• A crew-assisted water stop
• Hors d’oeuvres
• An open bar
• Soda
• A sunset cruise
• A restroom onboard

If you would happily pay for a sunset boat ride and drinks, the snorkeling stop and food make the price more attractive. If you mainly want snorkeling, you may find better value in a longer daytime excursion that spends more hours at reefs.

The format also saves planning time. You do not have to arrange food, drinks, rental gear, and a separate sunset activity. For a visitor who wants one polished afternoon plan, that convenience has real value.

Group size affects the feel of the trip. The maximum is 30 people, which is small enough to avoid a giant excursion boat but not a private charter. If your party has more than 15 people, you need to book an additional reservation. Ask about group arrangements before paying if you are organizing a large gathering.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want variety. It suits people who want to snorkel but do not want snorkeling to occupy the entire day. It also works well when one member of your group loves the water and another would rather sit with a drink and enjoy the scenery.

Couples may appreciate the sunset setting and included drinks. Friends can split their time between swimming, snacks, and conversation. Families can benefit from the gear and instruction, though each person should be comfortable with the demands of a boat and a water stop.

You should think twice if you want a private boat, a full meal, scuba equipment, or an extended reef session. Scuba equipment is specifically not included, and this is not a scuba trip.

The trip is listed as suitable for most people, but the supplied information does not give detailed mobility or medical guidance. If you have concerns about boarding, swimming, or water activity, contact the operator before booking rather than guessing.

Practical planning tips for the afternoon

Use the mobile ticket and keep your confirmation available for boarding. The meeting point is Margaritaville Vacation Club, and the activity ends back there, so you can plan around the same location at both ends.

Bring whatever personal items you need for time on the water, but do not count on the included snacks to replace dinner. The food is hors d’oeuvres, and the trip ends in the early evening.

If you are sensitive to boat motion, remember that this is a powerboat rather than a stationary beach activity. The route includes travel to a cay and a scenic cruise, so the boat will be moving for a meaningful part of the three and a half hours.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Given the possibility of last-minute operator changes, I would avoid scheduling a hard-to-replace dinner or airport transfer immediately after the cruise.

Should you book the Snorkel and Sunset Cruise?

Book it if you want one easy afternoon that combines snorkeling, food, drinks, and sunset views. The strongest reasons are the flexible water stop, helpful crew, open bar, and the fact that the boat returns to Margaritaville Resort.

Skip it if you want a serious snorkeling expedition, scuba gear, a private charter, or a guaranteed full meal. Also keep your schedule flexible enough to handle an operator cancellation, since one mechanical problem caused a late change in the past.

For most people, this is best viewed as a social sunset cruise with a worthwhile snorkel stop, not a dedicated reef expedition. That is a good deal for the right kind of afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Margaritaville Vacation Club, 6080 Estate Smith Bay, Frydendal, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding begins at 3:00 PM.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Does the cruise return to Margaritaville Resort?

Yes. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and instruction are included, and the crew can assist during the water stop.

Is scuba equipment included?

No. Scuba equipment is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, alcoholic beverages, and soda are included. The food is a rotating selection of hors d’oeuvres rather than a stated full meal.

How many people can join the boat?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.