Snorkel Cat All Inclusive Adventure

The best part of Snorkel Cat is the mix of easygoing sailing and active water time. You are not simply dropped at one reef and sent home. The yacht moves between two snorkeling areas, with St. John’s green hills and nearby islands filling the view between swims. I like the included meals and drinks, and I like that the crew can adjust the plan when one site has poor visibility. The main catch is simple: you must reach Margaritaville Resort yourself, and the meeting-time information should be confirmed before you go.

I also like the generous five-hour format. It gives you time to eat, snorkel, swim, listen to music, and enjoy the ride without feeling rushed. Captain Shawn, Captain Tuna, Captain Danny Boy, and crew members such as Dawn, Matt, Noel, Kennedy, Stein, and Amanda are frequently named by passengers as friendly, helpful, and reassuring. The $175 price is strongest for people who will make full use of the food, open bar, equipment, and several hours on the water.

Key things to know before you book

• Two main snorkeling areas: Expect a stop near St. John National Park and another by an uninhabited island or nearby reef.
• Food is part of the fare: A light breakfast comes at boarding, followed by lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
• The crew can change the plan: If water conditions are murky at the first stop, the boat may give you more time at the second.
• Marine life can be varied: Sea turtles, stingrays, starfish, eels, nurse sharks, barracuda, jellyfish, and tropical fish have all been seen.
• You arrange your own ride: Private transportation is not included, and Margaritaville is on the eastern side of St. Thomas.
• This is a social boat day: Music, conversation, drinks, and crew entertainment are as much a part of the outing as snorkeling.

Setting sail from Margaritaville Resort

Snorkel Cat begins at Margaritaville Resort, at 6080 Smith Bay Road in Frydendal. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup at the end.

The supplied information gives both 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. as start times. That is an important detail to clear up before your outing. The meeting-point information lists 10:30 a.m., while the itinerary says to make your way to Margaritaville at 9:30 a.m. for the start of the adventure. I would rely on the confirmed time shown after booking, and I would arrive early enough to check in without a scramble.

Once aboard, you can settle into the rhythm of the day. The boat heads away from St. Thomas across bright Caribbean water, with island views unfolding during the ride. One useful feature is that the engines may be off for part of the trip, allowing you to enjoy a quieter sail rather than spending the entire outing beside a running motor.

The group can include up to 70 people. That is not a small private charter, so you should expect a shared excursion with a lively feel. The benefit is a more social atmosphere, along with a full crew working around the boat. The tradeoff is less space and privacy than you would have on a private catamaran.

Breakfast first, then your first snorkel stop

A light breakfast is served around boarding. The exact menu is not specified, but the food is intended as a small morning meal rather than a full restaurant breakfast. It is a practical touch, especially if you are leaving your hotel early or do not want to search for food before reaching the resort.

After the boat gets underway, the first water stop gives you a chance to use the supplied mask, fins, and other snorkeling equipment. That matters if you are packing light or do not own your own gear. It also helps first-time snorkelers, since crew members can assist with basic equipment and getting comfortable in the water.

The quality of a snorkeling stop depends heavily on weather, wind, water clarity, and recent conditions. One outing had murky water at the first site, but Captain Shawn gave the group extra time at the second stop. That is a good sign of practical boat handling. You should not expect every location to look perfect every day, but the crew appears willing to respond to conditions instead of following a rigid clock.

The marine life can be the real reward. Sightings described during these outings include tropical fish, stingrays, sea turtles, starfish, eels, jellyfish, nurse sharks, and barracuda. None of these animals is guaranteed, of course. Still, the variety suggests that you are not visiting a bare patch of sand with a few fish circling it.

If you are new to snorkeling, pay attention to the crew’s safety guidance. One first-time snorkeler found the instruction useful enough to apply during other water activities later in the week. Another passenger’s daughter became anxious in the water, and Captain Danny helped make the experience more comfortable. That does not turn this into a private lesson, but it shows the value of having an attentive crew nearby.

Lunch, drinks, and the floating social scene

After the first snorkeling session, lunch is served on the boat. Food is described as straightforward rather than fancy. Depending on the day, you might find sandwich ingredients, cold meats, cheese, shrimp, salad, snacks, brownies, and other casual fare. The practical value is clear: you do not need to carry a packed lunch, leave the boat to eat, or cut your water time short.

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are included. The offering covers beer, wine, and liquor, and the Painkiller is a popular choice on board. You can also expect snacks during the day. If you like a festive boat outing, this all-inclusive setup adds a lot to the $175 cost.

I would keep your own limits in mind. Snorkeling in the sun, moving around on a boat, and drinking alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Take water and food seriously even though refreshments are supplied, and do not treat the open bar as the main purpose of the trip. The best day combines a few drinks with time in the water and attention to the scenery.

The atmosphere is part of the experience. Music plays during the ride, and the crew may add jokes, stories, or informal entertainment. Pirate music has been part of the mood on some outings, while one passenger hoped for more island-style music. In other words, the playlist may not please everyone, but silence is not the plan.

The crew receives especially strong praise for making the boat feel friendly rather than anonymous. Captain Shawn, Captain Tuna, and Captain Danny Boy are all mentioned by name in connection with safe boat handling and an entertaining manner. Matt has been nicknamed the rum fairy, Noel is known for joining in with the Macarena, and Kennedy is praised for checking on people and helping them enjoy the day. Crew lineups can change, but the personal service is a major part of the outing’s appeal.

St. John National Park and the second island stop

The route includes snorkeling near St. John National Park, one of the most scenic parts of the day. From the water, you get a strong sense of the protected island environment: clear Caribbean water, steep green hills, and small coves that are hard to appreciate from land alone.

The second stop is described as an uninhabited island and may involve a snorkel and swim session. This is a pleasant change of pace from the first reef. You get another chance to look for marine life, but you can also treat it as relaxed swimming time if you are ready for a break from your mask and fins.

Although the advertised outing centers on two snorkeling spots, one account describes three remote locations. The precise number can change with sea conditions, boat operations, and the captain’s judgment. I would think of the route as two principal stops, with the possibility of an additional area rather than a guaranteed three-stop itinerary.

The water may be choppy or windy. That is normal for an open-water excursion in the Virgin Islands, but it can affect comfort and visibility. If you are prone to seasickness, the five-hour length and moving boat deserve serious thought. The boat has food and drinks, but the information provided does not promise a specific seasickness program or private seating area.

For confident swimmers, the changing stops are a plus. For cautious swimmers, the crew support and the ability to remain aboard between sessions may matter more. You can enjoy the views and social side of the trip even if you spend less time in the water than the strongest swimmers in the group.

The sail back to St. Thomas

The return trip is not just transportation. It gives you time to dry off, eat another snack, have a drink, and look back at the islands from the water. The route offers the kind of broad views that are easy to miss when you spend an entire vacation moving by road.

Several accounts single out the return sail as a relaxing part of the day. That makes sense after two water stops. You are no longer trying to adjust your mask or follow fish along the reef. You can sit back, listen to music, and watch the coastline pass by.

The boat returns to Margaritaville, where the experience ends. Since you are responsible for getting there and back, plan that part in advance. The resort is near public transportation, but private transportation is not included. One passenger reported paying $15 per person each way for the ride, so your actual day’s cost can rise above the $175 booking price.

This is one of the few clear drawbacks. A pickup service would make the outing easier, especially for people staying on the opposite side of St. Thomas or arriving from a cruise port. If you are comparing this with a cheaper snorkeling trip that includes transport, add your expected ride cost before deciding.

Is $175 a good value?

At $175 per person, Snorkel Cat is not a bare-bones reef transfer. The price includes the boat, roughly five hours on the water, snorkeling equipment, a light breakfast, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, liquor, and access to more than one snorkeling area.

I see the value most clearly if you want a full half-day with very little planning once you reach the resort. Buying a separate breakfast, lunch, drinks, equipment rental, and boat trip could add up quickly. The included food and bar also remove the need to carry much with you.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, prefer a quiet small-group charter, or plan to snorkel for only a short time. You are paying for the whole package, including the social atmosphere and open bar. If your priority is a calm private experience with your own schedule, this is not the right format.

The high rating and 97 percent recommendation fit the strongest parts of the experience: the crew, the food, the drinks, the scenery, and the chance to see varied marine life. I would still keep expectations sensible. Reef conditions can change, the first stop may be cloudy, and a boat holding up to 70 people will not feel secluded.

Who will enjoy Snorkel Cat most?

I would choose this outing for families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time snorkelers who want support and a relaxed social setting. The crew’s willingness to help nervous swimmers is useful, and the included meals make the day easier for families.

It also suits people who want more than a short swim from a beach. You get island views, a boat ride, two main snorkeling sessions, lunch, music, and drinks in one package. The captain’s local explanations and the crew’s energy add personality to what could otherwise be a standard reef trip.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed calm water, a private boat, a tightly fixed itinerary, or included hotel transportation. The route can change, the conditions can be windy, and you must get yourself to Margaritaville.

Book at least a day ahead if your plans are firm, but remember the cancellation terms. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

I would book Snorkel Cat if you want a lively, well-fed half-day on the water and you value a crew that helps make snorkeling approachable. The combination of St. John views, multiple reef areas, supplied equipment, lunch, drinks, and a long return sail gives you a lot for the price.

I would skip it if private space, hotel pickup, or guaranteed underwater visibility matters more than the all-inclusive format. Before paying, confirm the meeting time, calculate your transportation cost, and decide how comfortable you are with a boat that can carry up to 70 people. For the right kind of day, Snorkel Cat is a practical way to turn one morning in St. Thomas into a full island outing.

FAQ

Where does Snorkel Cat leave from?

The meeting point is Margaritaville Resort at 6080 Smith Bay Road, Frydendal, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the tour start?

The supplied details list both 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Confirm the exact start time with your booking information before the day of the trip.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately five hours and ends back at the Margaritaville meeting point.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must make your own way to Margaritaville and arrange your return.

What food is included?

A light breakfast is served at boarding, followed by lunch and snacks during the outing.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and liquor, are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity can have a maximum of 70 travelers.

Can beginners participate?

Most travelers can participate, and the crew provides snorkeling equipment and assistance. The tour information does not require previous snorkeling experience.

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. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in another date or a full refund.