St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip

A beach day with a built-in party. The St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip mixes a short boat ride, casual pedaling, music, rum punch, and roughly two hours at Honeymoon Beach. I like the easygoing crew atmosphere, and I like that the motor lets you stop pedaling whenever you want. The main thing to consider is that this is more social outing than quiet sightseeing cruise.

You pay $95 per person for about three hours on and around the water. That price becomes easier to justify if you use the boat as both transportation and entertainment, especially since coolers, ice, bottled water, Bluetooth music, and rum punch are included. Bring your own beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks, and you can avoid the large bar bill that often follows a boat excursion.

Key things to know before you book

• Pedal when you feel like it: The cycle stations add novelty and light exercise, but the boat also has a motor, so nobody needs to pedal the whole way.
• Honeymoon Beach gets the biggest share of the day: You have about two hours at Water Island for swimming, beach time, food, and drinks.
• Bring your own refreshments: Alcohol is BYOB, while coolers, ice, water, and rum punch are provided.
• Music is part of the experience: A Bluetooth stereo lets the group help set the soundtrack, adding to the party mood.
• The group is limited to 16 people: That keeps the boat more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Crown Bay Marina is convenient for cruise passengers: Tickles Dockside Pub is a short walk from the cruise pier according to one detailed account, though you should still allow time to find the exact dock.

What kind of boat trip is this?

This is not a traditional narrated tour where you sit quietly and point your camera at the shore. The cycleboat is built around a central bar area with pedal stations, so you sit facing inward, chat with the people around you, and help turn the boat’s mechanism when you feel like it.

That setup makes conversation easy. You are not tucked into separate rows or expected to stay in your own seat. The whole point is to share the ride, laugh a little, play music, and enjoy a drink while the boat moves toward Water Island.

The pedaling sounds more demanding than it is. The boat has a motor, so you can take a break at any time. Some people may pedal often, while others may spend most of the ride talking, taking photos, and enjoying the rum punch. You get the novelty of exercise without turning the outing into a workout.

The maximum group size is 16 people. That is large enough to create a party, but small enough that the captain and crew can keep the mood personal. The tone appears to depend partly on the group that day. One outing may feel like a birthday celebration, while another may be a relaxed family afternoon with music and swimming.

Starting at Tickles Dockside Pub in Crown Bay

The meeting point is Tickles Dockside Pub at 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308 in St. Thomas. The boat leaves from the marina and returns there at the end, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

If you are arriving from a cruise ship, Crown Bay is particularly handy. One group of cruise passengers reached the marina in about five to ten minutes on foot from the pier. Give yourself extra time anyway, since finding a marina dock can take longer than expected, especially if you are carrying drinks or traveling with a larger group.

The nearby dockside businesses are useful before or after the trip. Tickles is right at the departure point, and there is also an ice cream and coffee stand that serves alcohol. A restaurant near the dock provides an easy place for food after you return.

The exact pace at check-in and boarding is not described in detail, so I would avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward. The full experience lasts about three hours, and water activities rarely end with the precision of a bus tour.

Pedaling toward Water Island

The ride to Water Island is part of the entertainment, not just a transfer. You get views across the water, Caribbean music, drinks, and the chance to pedal at your own pace.

Bluetooth capability is a nice touch for groups that want to share music. The crew sets the general tone, but allowing the group to connect to the stereo makes the boat feel more like a private celebration than a standard excursion. Keep in mind that music preferences can vary in a mixed group, so the atmosphere may be lively rather than peaceful.

Rum punch is included, along with bottled water. The punch received especially strong praise, and the crew appears to keep it available during the ride. You can also bring your own favorite drinks, including beer, cocktails, or rosé. Coolers and ice are supplied, which saves you from carrying a bulky cooler through the marina.

Snacks are not included, so pack something to eat. This matters because a three-hour outing that includes alcohol and light activity can leave you hungry. Simple food that is easy to share will work better than anything requiring plates, utensils, or careful handling on a moving boat.

Captains and crew members have included people named Justin, Jess, David, Ben, Josh, Ann Marie, and Valochi on different outings. Their style has been described as friendly, lively, and helpful, with local stories and plenty of encouragement to relax. Since crew assignments can change, do not book based on one particular captain. Book because you like the format.

Two hours at Honeymoon Beach

Water Island is the main reason to choose this excursion over a simple harbor cruise. The boat heads to Honeymoon Beach, known for white sand and clear water. You can swim toward shore, relax on the beach, or spend time in the water.

The stop lasts about two hours, which gives the beach portion enough room to feel like a real break rather than a quick photo stop. You can settle into a free beach chair, swim, or simply enjoy the view before returning to the boat.

Sea turtles have been spotted in the water near the beach. That does not guarantee a turtle sighting, but it adds interest for anyone who enjoys looking for marine life. Bring a swimsuit and consider packing a waterproof phone case if you want to take photos in the water.

Access can depend on how the boat is positioned. One account described the boat being brought right up to the beach, so there was no long swim to shore. The tour information also says you may swim to shore. In practical terms, be ready for some water entry, but do not assume you will need to swim a great distance.

Honeymoon Beach also has places to buy food and drinks. Two venues were described near the beach, giving you an alternative to the supplies on the cycleboat. You should still bring your own snacks if you want a particular meal or need something during the ride.

The beach stop is where the trip changes character. The ride is social and musical, while Water Island gives you time to slow down. Families can spread out, couples can swim or sit together, and groups celebrating birthdays can keep the relaxed party going without having to pedal.

Is the $95 price a good value?

At $95 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in St. Thomas. A simple beach visit may cost less, especially if you arrange transportation yourself. The value here comes from combining several parts into one outing: a boat ride, entertainment, drinks, music, a motorized cycleboat, and about two hours at Honeymoon Beach.

The included items help:

• Rum punch
• Bottled water
• Coolers and ice
• Bluetooth stereo
• Use of the cycleboat
• Time at Water Island

Alcohol beyond the rum punch is not included, but BYOB makes the price more manageable. If you bring your own beer, wine, or cocktails, you can avoid paying marina or beach prices for every drink.

I would consider the tour a good value for a group that wants a shared activity rather than a quiet trip from point A to point B. The price is less attractive if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or mainly want several uninterrupted hours on an empty beach.

The small maximum group size also matters. You are not paying for a giant boat with hundreds of people. With up to 16 people, the experience can feel friendly and communal, though it will not be private unless your own party fills most or all of the spaces.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, friends, birthday groups, and cruise passengers looking for something different from shopping or a standard beach transfer.

It is especially well suited to people who enjoy meeting others. The central bar layout encourages conversation, and the shared music and pedaling give everyone an easy way to participate. You can join the fun without being an athlete or an extrovert, since the motor does the hard work and the crew helps keep the mood moving.

The excursion may not suit you if you want a quiet nature tour. The Bluetooth stereo, rum punch, and party format are central features, not side notes. You should also think twice if you have difficulty with moderate physical activity, although the motor and the ability to stop pedaling reduce the effort required.

Service animals are allowed. The experience calls for a moderate physical fitness level, and the Water Island stop may involve getting in the water or walking on the beach. Ask the operator directly about any mobility concern that is not answered in the supplied details.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Bring your own drinks and snacks if you have specific preferences. The boat provides ice, coolers, water, and rum punch, but BYOB is one of the clearest ways to get more value from the trip.

Wear a swimsuit and clothes that can handle water. You are visiting a beach and may swim to shore, so footwear and belongings should be chosen with that in mind. A small waterproof bag for phones, cards, and sunscreen is useful, though the tour details do not specify storage arrangements.

Use sunscreen before boarding and bring more for the beach stop. Two hours in the sun can pass quickly when you are swimming, sitting in a beach chair, or listening to music.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully. The dock is close to Crown Bay’s cruise pier, but you still need time to walk back, clear the port area, and return to the ship.

Book ahead if your schedule is fixed. The experience is booked about 32 days in advance on average, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before arrival. A free-cancellation policy allows you to cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

How the experience feels from start to finish

The first part is about getting comfortable, choosing a drink, and learning how the cycle stations work. You can pedal, but there is no need to prove anything. The motor keeps the boat moving while the crew handles the practical side of the trip.

As the boat heads toward Water Island, the music and conversation become the main event. Captains such as Ann Marie have added local information and stories, while crew members including Ben, Josh, David, and others have been praised for keeping the mood friendly and active.

At Honeymoon Beach, you get a change of pace. You can swim, sit on the sand, use a beach chair, visit a bar, or buy a snack. The beach is the calmer half of the experience, and the roughly two-hour stop gives you time to enjoy it without feeling rushed.

The return trip brings the group back to Crown Bay Marina. By then, the boat may feel like a small social gathering rather than a tour with strangers. That is part of the appeal, but it also means the quality of the afternoon depends on the mix of people and the crew’s energy.

Should you book the Water Island cycleboat?

Book it if you want a fun, social boat outing with a real beach stop. The combination is unusual: you can pedal around a bar, listen to music, bring your own drinks, and then spend about two hours at Honeymoon Beach.

I would choose it for a birthday, a cruise-port day, or a group that wants an activity with both party time and relaxation. I would skip it in favor of a quieter boat or a direct beach trip if peace, privacy, or a low-key nature experience is your priority.

For the right group, the $95 price is fair because it covers more than transportation. You are paying for the boat, the crew, the music, the beach stop, the rum punch, and the shared atmosphere. Pack snacks, bring drinks you enjoy, arrive with time to spare, and let the motor handle the pedaling when you feel like taking it easy.

FAQ

How long does the St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including the boat ride and the stop at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Tickles Dockside Pub, 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas, USVI. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is alcohol included?

Rum punch is included, along with bottled water. Other alcoholic beverages are not included, but you may bring your own beer, cocktails, or rosé.

Are coolers and ice provided?

Yes. Coolers and ice are included with the experience.

Do I have to pedal the entire time?

No. The cycleboat has a motor, so you can take breaks from pedaling whenever you want.

What can I do at Honeymoon Beach?

You can swim to shore, relax on the beach, swim in the water, and purchase cocktails or snacks at the beach bar. Sea turtles have also been spotted in the area.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may result in a different date or a full refund.