Pizza Pi Snorkel Sail St. John — Catamaran, Floating Pizza Boat & Beach Cay Review
Pizza Pi is a floating restaurant anchored off the coast of St. John that serves wood-fired pizza from a converted sailboat. It is one of the more talked-about food experiences in the Caribbean, and the Pizza Pi Snorkel Sail turns it into a full-day water excursion: a sailing catamaran departs from Westin St. John, makes two snorkel stops at coral reefs in the national park zone, visits a secluded beach cay, and stops at Pizza Pi for lunch before the open-bar return sail. At $149 per person with 163 reviews and a 4.9-star average, it is among the top-rated options for snorkeling in St. John USVI — especially for guests already based on the island. Here is a full review of what to expect.
Tour at a Glance
What Makes the Pizza Pi Snorkel Sail Unique
Pizza Pi has been covered by Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and dozens of travel blogs as one of the most unusual dining experiences in the Caribbean. It is a 36-foot sailing sloop converted into a pizza kitchen, anchored in Christmas Cove off the southeast coast of St. Thomas.
You reach it by boat — there is no other way. The Snorkel Sail packages the Pizza Pi lunch stop with two snorkel sites and a beach cay visit on a sailing catamaran departing directly from Westin St. John.
- Pizza Pi — a famous floating restaurant only accessible by boat
- Wood-fired pizza made fresh on the converted sailboat anchored in Christmas Cove
- Lunch included in the tour price — no extra payment required at the boat
- Two snorkel stops at national park reefs before lunch
- Beach cay visit for swimming, wading, and relaxing on white sand
The catamaran is a sailing vessel, which means on trade-wind days the return to Westin St. John is a genuine sailing experience — guests relax on the nets and deck with the open bar while the sails are up. Reviews consistently describe the crew as attentive, the snorkeling as excellent, and the Pizza Pi lunch as the standout memory of the day.
- Sailing catamaran — proper sail on return when conditions allow
- Departs from Westin St. John, so no St. Thomas travel required
- Snacks and open bar available throughout the 5-hour day
- Small enough group for a more personal experience than large catamaran tours
The Snorkel Stops — Coral Reef & Marine Life
The captain selects both snorkel sites based on that day's conditions. The first stop is typically in the protected reef waters off St. John's southeast coast, in or adjacent to Virgin Islands National Park.
The second stop is often near a smaller cay or beach with a mix of reef and sandy patches.
- Sea turtles — common in national park snorkel zones
- Southern stingrays — sandy patches between reef heads
- Parrotfish, angelfish, blue tang — dense throughout St. John reefs
- Barracuda — near deeper reef edges
- Conch — visible in seagrass zones at some stops
Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) and flotation devices are provided on board. The crew assists guests in the water at each stop. Reviewers with limited snorkeling experience note the crew's patience and guidance.
After the second snorkel stop, the catamaran sails to the beach cay for a brief time ashore before continuing to Pizza Pi.
What Is Included — and What Is Not
| Included in $149 | Not included |
|---|---|
| Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) | Gratuities for the crew |
| Flotation devices | Towels — bring your own |
| Snacks throughout the day | Reef-safe sunscreen |
| Open bar (beer, rum punch, soft drinks) | Additional items purchased at Pizza Pi |
| Lunch at Pizza Pi (included) | Transport to Westin St. John |
| Beach cay time ashore | Personal items |
Lunch at Pizza Pi is included in the tour price — you do not need to pay again at the boat. Snacks (fruit, crackers, dips) are served on the catamaran throughout the day alongside the open bar. A few reviewers note that extra drinks at Pizza Pi (beyond what is served on the catamaran) can be purchased at the boat itself.
Full Itinerary — How the 5 Hours Run
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Departure | Board at Westin St. John — snacks and drinks served as you cast off |
| First snorkel stop | Anchor at national park reef — 45–50 min in water, crew assists guests |
| Beach cay | Short time ashore at a secluded beach — swim, wade, explore white sand |
| Second snorkel stop | Second reef with different character — 35–45 min |
| Pizza Pi lunch | Catamaran ties up alongside Pizza Pi — pizza served fresh on board |
| Return sail | Open bar, music, sailing return to Westin St. John |
| End | Arrive back approximately 5 hours after departure |
Important Things to Know
What to bring
This tour is complete — food, drinks, and gear included. Bring reef-safe mineral sunscreen, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone. A rash guard is useful for sun protection during the beach cay stop.
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen — chemical sunscreen banned in USVI NPS waters
- Towel (not provided — bring your own)
- Dry bag for phone and valuables
- Rash guard or cover-up for beach and sun exposure
- Cash for crew gratuity — tip the crew
Not suitable for
Guests who need the tour to depart from St. Thomas (this departs from Westin St. John on St.
John — you need to be already on-island). Guests who are strictly gluten-free or have strong dietary restrictions should confirm pizza options with the operator in advance.
- Guests staying on St. Thomas who do not want to take the ferry to St. John first
- Travelers with serious gluten or dietary restrictions (check pizza options in advance)
- Those wanting four or more snorkel stops in one day
Not allowed
Chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone / octinoxate) is prohibited in Virgin Islands National Park waters under USVI law. Use mineral-only sunscreen.
Departure Point — Westin St. John Resort
Who This Tour Is For — and Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Guests already staying on St. John — this is the best-value full-activity day from the island
- Food-focused travelers who want to combine snorkeling with a genuinely memorable lunch
- Those who prefer a sailing experience over a powerboat
- Guests celebrating a special occasion — multiple reviews mention anniversaries and birthday trips
Not suitable for
If you are based on St. Thomas, the New Horizons & Breakaway (tour-1) or the Snorkel Cat (tour-4) are more convenient — both depart from St. Thomas.
If you want to specifically experience the Lime Out floating taco bar rather than Pizza Pi, that is a separate tour (tour-2). And if you want maximum snorkel time rather than a beach and lunch focus, the kayak tour (tour-5) gives you the most wildlife-focused experience for less money.
- St. Thomas-based guests — other tours have closer departure points
- Those who prefer the Lime Out taco experience over pizza (see tour-2)
- Advanced snorkelers who want maximum reef time over a lunch destination experience
Pizza Pi Snorkel Sail — FAQ
What is Pizza Pi?
Pizza Pi is a famous floating restaurant built on a converted 36-foot sailing sloop, permanently anchored in Christmas Cove off the southeast coast of St. Thomas / Great St. James. It serves wood-fired pizza made fresh on board. There are no roads to it — you must arrive by boat. It has appeared in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and several major travel publications. The Snorkel Sail includes lunch at Pizza Pi as part of the tour price.
How is the pizza served?
The catamaran ties up alongside Pizza Pi and the pizzas are handed across to the catamaran. You eat on the boat, not at a restaurant. The pizzas are individual-sized wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies. Flavors vary — typical options include margherita, pepperoni, and seasonal toppings. Check with the operator for current menu options if you have dietary needs.
Where does the tour depart from?
The Westin St. John Resort on Great Cruz Bay, St. John. Check your booking confirmation for the exact meeting point within the Westin property. If you are not staying at the Westin, you will need to make your own way to Cruz Bay, St. John — either by ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas (20 min), or by taxi from elsewhere on St. John.
Is this tour suitable for snorkel beginners?
Yes. Snorkel gear and flotation devices are provided, and the crew assists guests in the water at both reef stops. The snorkel sites are in calm, relatively shallow water (10–20 feet typically). Several reviewers specifically mention this as an excellent first snorkeling experience. If you have never snorkeled before, tell the crew when you board and they will help you get comfortable.
Can I book this if I'm staying in St. Thomas?
You can, but you will need to get yourself to Westin St. John for the departure. The easiest route is the passenger ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas to Cruz Bay, St. John (about 20 minutes, runs frequently). From Cruz Bay, a taxi to the Westin takes another 5–10 minutes. Build in at least 45–60 minutes of travel time before the departure. If you would rather avoid the ferry, tour-1 and tour-4 depart directly from St. Thomas.
What Travelers Say
Best tour on St. John, no question. The crew was excellent, the snorkeling was beautiful — we saw four turtles between the two stops. And then the Pizza Pi experience was just the icing on the cake. Fresh wood-fired pizza on the water in the Caribbean. I can't think of a better afternoon.
We did this for our anniversary and it could not have been more perfect. Gorgeous sailing catamaran, two amazing snorkel spots, a quiet beach for a bit, and then the pizza boat. The crew made us feel special the entire time. Already planning to do it again on our next St. John trip.
Honestly one of the most memorable days of our whole Caribbean trip. The snorkeling at the first stop was incredible — I was in the water next to a hawksbill turtle for a solid three minutes. Then Pizza Pi for lunch. If you're on St. John and only have one excursion left to book, this is it.