St Thomas~St John Snorkel, Swim & Beach Trip on MV Island Flyer

Small boats make island days better. The MV Island Flyer snorkel trip takes you from Red Hook to St. John for four hours of reef time, swimming, and beach hopping, with no more than 12 people aboard. I especially like the small-group size and the chance to visit places such as Maho Bay, Lovango Cay, or Honeymoon Beach instead of spending the day on a packed tour boat. The main drawback is that weather controls the route, and some beach stops require a swim from the boat to shore.

The $135 price is fair for a half-day on the water, since snorkeling equipment, water, soda, and beer are included. I also like that the captains, including Hillary, Glen, Mike, Dallas, Wallens, Sammy, and Montana, have been praised for local knowledge and friendly service. Still, this is an active outing, not a sightseeing cruise: you need a moderate fitness level, and the sea may be choppy on the ride across.

Key points at a glance

• Maximum of 12 people: The semi-private format gives you more room and more captain interaction than a large-group boat trip.
• Two main stops: A typical outing combines one reef or cay snorkel with a St. John beach stop, though conditions can change the plan.
• Several possible snorkel sites: You might visit Maho Bay, Trunk Bay, Christmas Cove, Lovango Cay, Mingo Cay, Stevens Cay, or St. James Island.
• Wildlife can be excellent: Turtles, rays, nurse sharks, barracuda, squid, starfish, coral, and many tropical fish have all been spotted.
• Beach access may require swimming: At Honeymoon Beach, the boat may anchor offshore, leaving you with about a five-minute swim to the sand.
• Simple onboard refreshments: Water, soda, and beer are provided, but bring a towel, your own sunscreen, and no expectation of rum punch.

Leaving Red Hook on a 36-foot power catamaran

You meet the captain and crew at the Seas the Day departure lounge at The Shops at American Yacht Harbor, at 6100 Red Hook Quarters. The lounge is downstairs, directly across from the entrance to B Dock. From there, you board the available boat, which may be the 36-foot MV Island Flyer, a 36-foot Twin Vee powerboat, a 31-foot Wellcraft, or a comparable vessel.

The boat itself is a major part of the appeal. A power catamaran gives you a quick ride across the water, and one boat used on this trip has a covered area that helps during strong sun or passing rain. The smaller scale also means the captain can speak with you more easily and adjust the day when sea conditions allow.

Parking near American Yacht Harbor can be tight. The ferry parking area may have space, but availability is not guaranteed, so allow time to find a place. The tour returns to the same marina after about four hours, which makes it manageable before dinner or another Red Hook activity.

The ride can be smooth, but the passage between islands is not always gentle. One person described crossing a choppy area where currents met, sometimes called a washing-machine section. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the ride feels steadier, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid arriving on a very full stomach.

Snorkeling around St. John and the nearby cays

The captain chooses the first water stop according to wind, waves, visibility, and local conditions. That might mean Maho Bay or Trunk Bay along St. John, Christmas Cove, St. James Island, or one of the nearby cays such as Lovango, Mingo, or Stevens.

This flexibility is useful. A fixed route can leave you stuck at a poor site when wind changes, while a captain who knows the area can look for calmer water. The tradeoff is that you cannot count on one named location every time. If seeing Trunk Bay is your top priority, this is not a guaranteed sightseeing route.

The snorkeling can be rewarding in surprisingly shallow water. At Lovango Cay, one outing found water around 12 feet deep, with coral and plenty of fish. Lovango has also been connected with a local coral restoration project, giving the stop more meaning than a quick swim around a random patch of reef.

Maho Bay is known for turtle sightings, and several outings found turtles there. You might also see snapper, parrotfish, sturgeonfish, squirrelfish, squid, stingrays, starfish, barracuda, nurse sharks, and other reef life. One especially strong wildlife day included a nurse shark, a spotted eagle ray, a sea turtle, and harmless jellyfish.

None of this is guaranteed. Marine life moves, visibility changes, and even a good reef can seem quiet for an hour. One outing found the snorkeling disappointing at Maho Bay because the boat anchored far from the seagrass, requiring about a 100-yard swim. The point is worth taking seriously: this trip can produce wonderful sightings, but it is not an aquarium with scheduled appearances.

The supplied snorkeling equipment is generally described as being in good condition. You should still check the mask seal before leaving the boat and tell the crew if something does not fit. Bring an underwater camera if you have one. The clear water, turtles, coral, and rays are exactly the sort of sights you will want to remember.

A St. John beach stop with a catch

After snorkeling, the boat usually heads to a beach such as Hawksnest Bay or Honeymoon Beach at Caneel Bay. The exact choice depends on weather and sea conditions.

Honeymoon Beach offers a beautiful payoff: pale sand, clear water, and a chance to spend time on St. John rather than only viewing it from offshore. But the boat may not be allowed to come directly onto the beach. You may need to swim roughly five minutes from the boat to shore, then swim back when it is time to leave.

That detail changes the experience. Strong swimmers can treat the swim as part of the fun. If you are uneasy in open water, carrying a camera or other belongings, or traveling with a child who tires easily, ask the crew about the beach approach before committing. The boat’s ladder and the distance to shore matter more here than they would on a conventional beach transfer.

Some people choose to swim toward the sand, while others remain near the boat for more snorkeling. At Honeymoon Beach, the water beneath the boat can be much deeper than at the reef stop, around 25 to 35 feet according to one account. The snorkeling near the ranger station has produced turtles and a variety of fish.

Hawksnest Bay is another possible beach stop. It is attractive and convenient for a short swim and beach break, but again, the captain’s choice depends on conditions. Think of the second stop as a flexible St. John coastal experience, not a promise of one specific beach.

What the captains add to the day

A small boat only works well when the captain is attentive. Here, that personal element receives consistent praise.

Captain Hillary has been singled out for being gracious and accommodating, with a talent for finding sea life. Captain Glen has been praised for explaining the area and sharing stories about St. John while also helping people find turtles, rays, starfish, and fish. Captain Mike has taken groups to strong snorkeling spots and helped locate nurse sharks.

Captain Wallens has been described as courteous, fun, and capable of making the most of two stops. Captain Dallas has earned praise for creating an easygoing outing. Captain Sammy has been appreciated for his local knowledge of St. Thomas and the surrounding islands. Montana has also been praised for handling windy conditions well.

The names may vary because the crew and boat depend on the departure date. That is not a weakness, but it means your experience will have its own personality. What matters is that the small group gives the captain time to answer questions and keep an eye on people in the water.

You may hear stories about the islands, see viewpoints from the boat, and learn why one cove is calmer than another. This is not a formal history tour, but the local perspective makes the ride more than transportation between swim stops.

Why the 12-person limit matters

The maximum of 12 people is the strongest reason to choose this excursion over a large catamaran outing. A smaller group means less waiting for people to enter the water, less crowding around the ladder, and a better chance of hearing the captain.

It also makes the snorkeling feel less organized around a mass schedule. In one outing, only a few other boats were near the first stop, and the group had the water largely to itself. Another group had only one other couple aboard and found the atmosphere relaxed.

Of course, a shared charter is still shared. You will not control the route completely, and you may be paired with people who want a different pace. The boat can also reach its full limit of 12, plus the captain and crew. That is much smaller than many island excursions, but it is not a private charter.

The trip requires a moderate fitness level. You should be comfortable climbing a boat ladder, swimming in open water, and managing yourself in changing sea conditions. Children under two require a phone call before booking, and the provided information does not promise special flotation or beach transport for young children.

Drinks, sunscreen, and what to pack

Water, soda, and beer are included. The supply has been described as plentiful and cold, which is welcome after snorkeling in the tropical sun. Alcohol is available, but save it for after your time in the water if you want to stay comfortable and alert.

Rum punch is not part of the standard shared charter. If that drink is central to your idea of a boat day, you may prefer another excursion. This trip is more practical: hydrate, snorkel, swim, and enjoy a beer afterward.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. The company asks you to use reef-safe, non-aerosol sunscreen. One specific product mentioned as acceptable was Blue Lizard, though you should check the ingredients of whatever you plan to bring.

Apply sunscreen before boarding so it has time to settle, and bring only what you can manage on a wet boat. An underwater camera is useful, but secure it carefully. You should also keep hats, phones, and loose items protected from spray during the fast ride.

The boats are sanitized after each trip according to established CDC and WHO guidelines. Masks are not required because the activity is primarily outdoors, though you may wear one if you prefer.

Is $135 a good value?

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach. You can visit some St. Thomas beaches for less, and independent snorkelers may find decent water from shore. The value here comes from combining boat transport, St. John scenery, equipment, two water-based stops, and a small group in a single half-day.

For someone staying in St. Thomas, the trip also saves you from arranging separate transportation to St. John and finding a rental boat or water taxi. You get a captain who handles navigation and site selection, plus drinks and gear already on board.

The price is strongest if you care about avoiding a crowded boat. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long beach stay, a guaranteed visit to Trunk Bay, or a private experience. Four hours passes quickly once you account for boarding, travel between sites, snorkeling, and the beach stop.

The wildlife potential adds value, but you should not buy the tour solely for a turtle or shark sighting. Marine conditions decide what you see. Buy it for the access and the small-boat format, then treat the turtles and rays as a welcome bonus.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

That minimum matters. A shared charter has been canceled when too few people booked, so avoid scheduling this as your only possible activity on a short visit. Keep a backup plan, especially if you have a cruise departure, flight, or fixed dinner reservation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. All cutoffs use local time.

The tour ends back at American Yacht Harbor. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the departure point is near public transportation. You still need to plan carefully around parking and allow enough time to find the lounge downstairs near B Dock.

Who should book this St. John snorkel trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a compact, active day on the water without the feel of a large excursion boat. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and small groups who want coral, island views, and a beach stop in one package.

It is especially appealing if you are staying near Red Hook. The departure point is convenient, and the four-hour length leaves room for other plans. The trip also works well for repeat visitors who have already seen the main beaches and now want a more personal look at the waters around St. Thomas and St. John.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, get seasick easily, need guaranteed calm water, or want to spend most of the day sitting on a beach. The route can change, the boat may anchor offshore, and one snorkel site may be excellent while another is only fair.

Should you book MV Island Flyer?

Book it if your priorities are a small group, capable captains, good odds of seeing reef life, and a quick visit to St. John. The strongest parts are the 12-person limit, the flexible choice of snorkel sites, and the chance to encounter turtles, rays, sharks, squid, and colorful fish.

Before paying, accept three facts: the weather controls the route, beach access may involve a swim, and wildlife is never promised. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera if you have one. For an active half-day at a reasonable price, this is one of the better ways to trade a crowded boat for a more relaxed island outing.

FAQ

How long is the MV Island Flyer excursion?

The trip lasts approximately four hours, including the boat ride from St. Thomas, snorkeling, a beach stop, and the return to American Yacht Harbor.

Where does the tour leave from?

You meet the captain and crew at the Seas the Day departure lounge at The Shops at American Yacht Harbor, 6100 Red Hook Quarters, Red Hook, St. Thomas. The lounge is downstairs across from the entrance to B Dock.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum is 12 people. The boat may also include the captain and crew.

Which snorkeling locations might I visit?

Possible locations include Maho Bay, Trunk Bay, Christmas Cove, Mingo Cay, Lovango Cay, Stevens Cay, and St. James Island. The captain chooses based on weather and sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the excursion.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and beer are provided. Rum punch is not part of the standard shared charter.

Do I need to bring sunscreen and a towel?

Yes. You should bring your own towel and reef-safe, non-aerosol sunscreen. The company asks you to avoid sunscreen ingredients that can harm marine life.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You need a moderate physical fitness level. Some beach stops, including Honeymoon Beach, may require a swim from the anchored boat to shore.

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 start time are not accepted or refunded. If weather or insufficient bookings cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.