Snorkel and Sunset Cruise from Margaritaville Resort

Catch the Caribbean at its most colorful. This 3.5-hour cruise from Margaritaville Resort combines a reef snorkeling stop with a relaxed sunset ride, making it a smart pick if you want several St. Thomas highlights in one afternoon. I like the open bar and chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres, and I like that you can snorkel, swim, or simply stay on deck. The main concern is reliability: one departure was canceled less than 24 hours ahead because of a mechanical problem.

The trip costs $150 per person and returns to the same marina. That price feels reasonable if you plan to enjoy the snorkeling, food, drinks, and full sunset cruise. It is less appealing if you mainly want a quick swim or if you dislike committing a vacation afternoon to one boat outing.

Key points to know before you book

• A 3:00 PM departure sets up the sunset: You get water time first, followed by snacks, drinks, and the golden-hour cruise.
• Snorkeling gear and instruction are included: You do not need to bring your own equipment, and crew members are available to assist.
• The boat stops at a handpicked nearby cay: The site is selected for clear water and marine life, though exact conditions can vary.
• Chef Krygsveld’s menu changes: Expect a rotating selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres rather than one fixed meal.
• The boat carries up to 30 people: Groups larger than 15 must make an additional reservation.
• The crew gets strong praise: Captains Jake, Stewart, and Shawn, along with Kennedy, Stine, and Josh, are specifically credited with warm hospitality and a special sunset atmosphere.

Why this 3:00 PM cruise works so well

This outing is built around timing. You board at 3:00 PM from Margaritaville Vacation Club at 6080 Estate Smith Bay in Frydendal, then head toward a nearby cay for the snorkeling portion. After the water stop, the boat shifts into an easygoing afternoon cruise with food, drinks, and sunset views.

I like this order because it makes practical sense. You use the brighter part of the afternoon for swimming, then dry off and settle in as the light softens. A sunset cruise that begins too late can feel short. Here, the water activity comes first, so the final part of the trip can stay calm and social.

The advertised duration is about three and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a real half-day outing without taking over your entire day in St. Thomas. You should still allow extra time around the 3:00 PM meeting time, especially if you are coming from another part of the island.

The boat returns to the original meeting point. That makes this easier to fit into a day based at Margaritaville, and it avoids arranging a separate pickup after dark. Transportation to the marina is not listed as part of the experience, so you should plan your own way to 6080 Estate Smith Bay.

Boarding at Margaritaville Resort

The meeting point is Margaritaville Vacation Club, St. Thomas, at 6080 Estate Smith Bay in Frydendal. Your confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is near public transportation.

Boarding is listed for 3:00 PM. Arriving with time to spare is sensible, since the schedule moves from boarding to the cay and then into the sunset portion. Missing the departure would be a costly mistake, particularly because cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable.

The mobile ticket is handy. You can keep your confirmation on your phone rather than print paperwork. Still, make sure your phone has enough battery to display the ticket at the dock.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is also not a huge party boat. If your own group has more than 15 people, you need to book an additional reservation. That rule matters for family reunions, wedding groups, and larger resort parties.

The nearby cay and the snorkeling stop

The first major part of the outing is a stop at a selected snorkeling site near a cay. The water is described as clear, with marine life in the area. The crew provides snorkel equipment and instruction, then remains available to help.

That makes this a useful choice if you are new to snorkeling or have not packed your own gear. You can receive basic guidance before getting into the water, and you do not need to spend part of your St. Thomas visit finding a rental shop.

I like the flexible approach. You are not required to snorkel the entire time. You can swim, snorkel for a while, or remain on deck and enjoy the sun. That gives the trip wider appeal than a strict reef excursion, especially when people in the same party have different energy levels or comfort in the water.

The exact cay and reef conditions are not specified. Marine life and visibility can change with weather, water conditions, and the day’s route. The description promises a site selected for clear water and sea life, but you should not treat that as a guarantee of a particular animal sighting.

The experience includes snorkeling equipment, but it does not include SCUBA equipment. That distinction is important. This is a surface-snorkeling trip, not a certified scuba outing.

Bring a swimsuit and anything you personally need for comfort in the sun. The supplied information confirms the snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and onboard restroom, but it does not specify towels, sunscreen, lockers, or other personal items. Those details are worth confirming directly before departure if they matter to you.

From salt water to Chef Krygsveld’s hors d’oeuvres

After the water stop, you return to the boat for afternoon food and drinks. The menu is described as a rotating selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres created by Chef Krygsveld.

That wording tells you what to expect: small plates and snacks, not a full restaurant-style dinner. The food is a meaningful part of the value because the cruise continues through the sunset. You are not paying only for a short snorkeling stop, then having to arrange your own meal immediately afterward.

The changing menu also adds some variety, though it means you will not know every dish in advance. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, ask the operator before booking. The available details do not list ingredients or special-diet options.

Drinks are included through an open bar, along with soda or pop. Alcohol can make the sunset portion feel festive, while the nonalcoholic choices give everyone something to enjoy. As always, pacing matters when you have been in the sun and water. The safest way to enjoy the cruise is to stay hydrated and drink modestly.

The onboard restroom is another useful feature. You are spending several hours on the water, so having a restroom aboard is far better than hoping for an early return to shore.

The sunset cruise is the real finale

Once the snacks are served, the boat heads out for the sunset portion. This is where the outing changes character. The snorkeling stop gives you activity and scenery below the surface, while the final cruise is about sitting back, enjoying a drink, and watching the light change across the Virgin Islands.

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the sunset and crew hospitality. One outing was described as having a phenomenal sunset, with Captain Shawn, Kennedy, Stine, and Josh singled out for making the evening special. That points to the human side of the trip: the crew appears to play an active role in creating a friendly mood, not simply operating the boat.

Captains Jake and Stewart also receive specific praise for their hospitality and positive attitude. Another couple enjoyed the daytime snorkeling trip so much that they booked the sunset cruise the same night, which suggests the operator’s broader boat program can appeal to people who want more time on the water.

The sunset itself cannot be guaranteed to look dramatic. Clouds, weather, and the season all affect the view. Still, the schedule gives you a good chance to be on open water during the golden hour, which is one of the best ways to experience the Virgin Islands without adding another full-day excursion.

Is $150 a fair price?

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get into the water in St. Thomas. It can be good value if you use all the parts of the package: snorkeling equipment, instruction, a reef stop, open-bar drinks, hors d’oeuvres, an onboard restroom, and a sunset cruise lasting about three and a half hours.

The price also covers convenience. You do not have to arrange a separate snorkeling rental, find a sunset boat after your swim, or stop for food between activities. Combining those pieces can save planning time, which matters on a short island visit.

The value drops if you are not interested in snorkeling or do not drink. You can still enjoy the food and scenery from the deck, but the trip is designed around both water time and sunset cruising. A simple beach afternoon would cost less.

I would compare the price with the cost of booking separate snorkeling and sunset activities. The fair comparison is not $150 against a free beach. It is $150 against the total cost of gear, boat transportation, food, drinks, and a second excursion. By that measure, the package has a reasonable case.

The tour is booked an average of 23 days in advance, so waiting until the last minute may not be wise if your schedule is fixed. At the same time, the small number of published ratings means you should keep expectations sensible. The available feedback is positive overall, with a rating of 4 from four reviews, but that is a limited sample.

The crew can make or break the afternoon

Boat tours depend heavily on crew quality. Here, the names attached to the strongest praise include Captains Jake, Stewart, and Shawn, plus Kennedy, Stine, and Josh.

The comments describe hospitality, positive energy, and careful attention to making the sunset feel special. That matters more on a three-and-a-half-hour cruise than on a quick transfer. Friendly staff can help a first-time snorkeler feel comfortable, keep the group moving, and make the time between activities enjoyable.

There is also an important caution. One departure was canceled less than 24 hours before sailing because of an unexpected mechanical issue that affected vessel safety. The operator apologized and explained that safety could not be compromised.

That cancellation is understandable from a safety point of view, but it still created a real problem for the person affected. A last-minute cancellation can leave you with no time to find another snorkeling trip, especially during a busy vacation week.

If this cruise is one of the main reasons you chose a particular day, keep a backup plan in mind. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refundable. Those cutoffs use local St. Thomas time.

Who should book this St. Thomas cruise?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a polished afternoon on the water rather than a bare-bones snorkeling transfer. It suits couples, families, and mixed groups where some people want to swim while others prefer the deck.

It is especially appealing if you like having several elements handled in one booking. The boat, snorkeling gear, instruction, snacks, drinks, and sunset are bundled together, so you can settle into the afternoon instead of managing separate reservations.

The flexible water stop also helps groups with different abilities. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, and you can choose to snorkel, swim, or stay aboard. That said, the trip is still a boat-based activity, and the operator does not provide details here about specific mobility accommodations.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed departure with no chance of disruption, if you require a precise dietary menu, or if you want a private and very quiet experience. The boat can hold up to 30 people, and the food menu rotates.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Plan to reach Margaritaville Vacation Club before the 3:00 PM boarding time. The trip begins and ends at 6080 Estate Smith Bay, so make sure your return plans account for the full 3.5-hour schedule.

Keep your mobile confirmation easy to access. Since the ticket is mobile, a charged phone is useful at boarding.

Ask about food ingredients if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. The menu is created by Chef Krygsveld and changes, but no ingredient list or special-meal policy is provided.

Remember that snorkeling equipment is included, while SCUBA equipment is not. If you want a scuba experience, this is not the right product.

If you are booking for more than 15 people, make an additional reservation. The maximum capacity is 30 people, so larger groups should confirm availability early.

Finally, protect the rest of your vacation schedule. The operator offers free cancellation until 24 hours before departure, but a cancellation close to sailing time will not be refunded. Given the reported mechanical cancellation, a flexible backup plan is sensible.

Should you book it?

I would book this cruise if you want one easy package that blends snorkeling, food, open-bar drinks, and sunset views. The timing is well planned, the included gear removes hassle, and the crew receives unusually specific praise for warmth and good spirit.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed sailing at all costs, want a private boat, or care more about a long snorkeling session than a sunset meal cruise. For most visitors seeking a comfortable afternoon on the water, though, $150 is a fair price, provided you understand the small risk of a late mechanical cancellation and keep a backup plan.

FAQ

Where does the snorkel and sunset cruise begin?

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

What time does the cruise board?

Boarding begins at 3:00 PM.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise end?

The cruise ends back at the original meeting point at Margaritaville Vacation Club.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and instruction are provided.

Is SCUBA equipment included?

No. SCUBA equipment is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, alcoholic beverages, and soda or pop are included. The food consists of a rotating selection of hors d’oeuvres.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 30 people. Groups with more than 15 people must make 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 and are not refundable.