Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John

This trip is interesting because it mixes two National Park snorkel stops with food and party time, all in one smooth afternoon. I like that you get real time in the water with guided spotting, then you can switch gears to pizza plus an open bar sunset dance party. One heads up, this is not a great match if you are a cruise ship passenger who must be back at a strict departure window.

My favorite part is the crew vibe. Onboard, Captain CJ keeps energy high, and the snorkel team like John and marine biologist Darian help you see more marine life without turning it into a stressful, technical class.

The main drawback is logistics timing. The trip is designed for the local ferry ports, so if you are on a cruise ship schedule, you should expect risk, not guarantees.

Key takeaways before you book

• Two snorkel stops in Virgin Islands National Park so you get a second chance to spot turtles, rays, and coral.
• Snacks after snorkel one, pizza after snorkel two so you are not just floating around hungry.
• Open bar starts after the second swim under the National Park Service alcohol rules.
• Pizza at Christmas Cove on Great St James paired with rum punch, painkillers, sodas, and water.
• Small to mid-size boat for this style of tour with a maximum of 47 travelers.
• Crews that run a tight, fun flow with repeat mentions of Captain CJ, BK, John, Sydney, and Darian.

A full afternoon on the water, starting with two National Park snorkel stops

If you want one plan that covers the big boxes, this is built for you. You snorkel twice in the Virgin Islands National Park area around St John, then you land back on the boat for food, drinks, and a sunset party on the water.

The two-stop format matters. The sea is never exactly the same twice. If you get one spot with lots of small fish, the second stop is where you might catch the bigger moments people talk about, like turtles, stingrays or eagle rays, octopus, and sharks.

The other nice piece is that you are not doing this in silence. The crew talks, points, and keeps the mood light. Even first-timers in the group feel taken care of.

How the St Thomas to St John pickup works (and why cruise ships are a bad fit)

This tour runs as a combined St Thomas and St John experience, so your timing depends on the season. In the Oct to Mar window, Reef Surfari departs Red Hook at 1:30, then swings over to pick up St John guests at 2:00. In Apr to Sep, it departs St Thomas at 2:00 and picks up St John guests at 2:30.

Your ticket should confirm your exact start time. The meeting point listed is Ocean Surfari, Reef Surfari Snorkel Excursions on Smith Bay Rd in Red Hook, St Thomas. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Here is the practical caution: this is not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the dock, and they cannot promise you will make it back to the ship on time. If your whole island day depends on a ship departure clock, I would pick a tour that starts closer to your pier.

Snorkel stop one: chips, cookies, and the first round of sea life spotting

You are on the water early enough to feel like you still have the whole day, not just an hour-long excursion. Once you are set up, you head to the first snorkel area in the Virgin Islands National Park zone near St John.

You get snorkeling equipment included, so you are not hunting for fins, a mask, or a snorkel in advance. The crew also gives guidance once you are in, which is a big deal if you are new or if you get a little nervous in open water. Many people specifically mention how the guides helped them feel comfortable enough to get in and enjoy it.

After this first snorkel stop, the boat provides chips and cookies. That is a small touch, but it changes the whole energy. You come out of the water not just refreshed, but also ready for the next swim.

What you should aim to notice here:

• Turtles and colorful reef fish
• Coral and reef textures that make the water look alive
• A mix of small surprises that show up when everyone settles in

Potential downside: the best wildlife spotting is never guaranteed at any snorkeling stop. You can still have a great time even if the animals you hope for do not appear instantly.

Snorkel stop two: open bar starts after swimming, then the pizza stop at Christmas Cove

The second snorkel stop is where the trip really shifts into party mode. After you finish snorkeling at stop two, the open bar kicks in in line with the National Park Service rules. That means alcohol service starts only once you are done swimming at the second location.

The bar offerings include rum punch, painkillers, sodas, and water. This is not a chaos situation, it is a paced flow, and it keeps the afternoon from feeling like one long, chilly swim.

Then comes the food part that most people remember. Pizza is included, typically served between 5:00 and 5:30 after snorkel two. Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove on Great St James is the usual spot. If Pizza Pi is closed, they use another pizza restaurant, but pizza is still part of the package.

Why I think this matters for your vacation: pizza after snorkeling feels earned. And eating at that point helps you avoid the common problem of wanting to snack too early, right when the crew is gearing up for the second swim.

What to expect after you eat:

• Drinks continue while the boat cruises around St Thomas and St John
• Music and a social vibe build as the sunset approaches

The sunset dance party cruise, with rum punch and a real sense of celebration

This tour does not treat sunset like a photo op only. You get it as a moment, plus a bit of structured fun. After the pizza stop, you cruise with the jams on, and you end with a sunset dance party before heading back.

Timing shifts with the season and sunset hour. You return to St John between 6:30 and 7:00, then head back to St Thomas between 7:00 and 7:30.

If you like the idea of watching the sky change color while you are still on the water, this part is a strong reason to choose the tour. It also gives you a predictable finish. You are not stuck wondering how the day will end.

One small comfort note from the onboard experience: one rider shared that you may have to take off your shoes before boarding. If you do not like walking barefoot on boats, bring water shoes with grip.

What you get for $120, and how the value stacks up

At $120 per person for about 5.5 hours, this is not the cheapest option on St Thomas or St John. But it can be good value because the trip bundles the items that normally cost extra on separate tours.

Here is what is included:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Snacks after the first snorkel stop (chips and cookies)
• Pizza after the second snorkel stop (usually Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove)
• Soda plus water
• Alcoholic drinks after the second snorkel stop, served under the National Park Service rules
• Restroom on board

When I judge value, I look at how many “nickel and dime” upgrades you avoid. Here, you are covered for the main snorkeling essentials, you get real food (not just a snack bar), and the bar is part of the flow after snorkeling. That is why people keep calling it worth the money, even while still pointing out that the crew is what makes the day feel special.

Could value be lower for you? Sure. If you plan to spend most of your day skipping the bar and only want one snorkel stop, you might pay more than you need. But if you want a full afternoon with two swims, pizza, and a sunset party, the structure lines up with what you are paying for.

Also, you are not in a massive cattle boat. The max group size is 47 travelers, which helps keep the experience from feeling like total chaos.

Gear, shoes, and comfort tips that make the water time better

This is a moderate physical fitness level activity. That usually means you should be comfortable getting in and out of the water, staying afloat, and doing a swim that is not built like a beach paddle.

A few practical tips to help you enjoy it more:

• Bring a towel or plan to dry off when you are back aboard. The tour provides a restroom, but not drying supplies.
• If you have feet sensitivity, consider water shoes. The barefoot boarding note is real enough to plan for.
• Pack sunscreen, plus something for sun protection. You will be on open water for hours and the sun has room to work.
• If you have food allergies or specific restrictions, ask for alternative items with 72 hours notice. That may involve additional costs.

One more smart move: eat when the pizza comes, not before. The tour does provide snacks after snorkel one, but pizza lands after stop two, which tends to feel like a reset for most people.

Who should book this Reef Surfari afternoon Do It All tour

This tour fits best if you:

• Want two snorkeling opportunities instead of one quick stop
• Like a social atmosphere with music and a sunset celebration
• Want food and drinks built into the day, rather than planning around hunger

It is a good option for couples, friends, and families who can handle a boat day and do basic snorkeling. Reviews also highlight that the crew adjusts to groups with a range of snorkeling comfort levels.

It is not a good match if you:

• Are tied to a cruise ship departure time and need guaranteed return
• Want a quiet, strictly nature-only snorkeling day with no party focus

If you fall in the middle, you should still be fine. You can choose how much to drink and dance. The main part is that you get two chances in the water and then a fun wrap-up.

Should you book this afternoon snorkel, pizza, and sunset tour?

I would book it if you want a single, high-value afternoon that covers snorkeling, food, drinks, and sunset fun in a structured way. The combination of two National Park snorkel stops plus pizza at Christmas Cove plus a crew-led sunset party is exactly the kind of “why not” day that makes island time feel complete.

Skip it if your schedule is unforgiving, especially if you are on a cruise ship and you cannot take a timing risk. Also skip it if you are not interested in snorkeling as a real activity, because the day is built around two swim sessions.

If you are choosing between a simple snorkel trip and a do-it-all format, this is the better match for most first-timers, party-leaners, and anyone who wants their vacation day to feel like more than just getting wet.

FAQ

What is the duration and start time?

The tour runs about 5 hours 30 minutes and the listed start time is 2:00 pm.

Where do I meet, and do you pick up in St John?

You meet at Ocean Surfari – Reef Surfari Snorkel Excursions on Smith Bay Rd in Red Hook, St Thomas. The tour also picks up St John guests in Cruz Bay, with pickup times that change by season.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

When does the open bar start, and what drinks are included?

Alcohol service starts at the second snorkeling location, after you are finished swimming there. The bar includes rum punch, painkillers, sodas, and water.

Is pizza included, and where is it served?

Yes. Pizza is included after the second snorkel stop, typically between 5:00 and 5:30 pm. Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove is the usual location, with another pizza restaurant used if Pizza Pi is closed.

Is this tour recommended for cruise ship passengers?

No. It is not recommended for cruise ship passengers because they cannot guarantee you will make it back to the ship on time.