Snorkel Cat Adventure — All-Inclusive Catamaran Snorkel Tour from St. Thomas Review
The Snorkel Cat is an all-inclusive catamaran that runs full-day snorkel excursions from St. Thomas to two reef sites in and around the St. John Virgin Islands National Park. At $150 per person — with breakfast, lunch, open bar, and all gear included — it sits in the middle of the price range for guided snorkeling in St. John USVI and is one of the most-reviewed options in the USVI, with 955 verified reviews and a 4.9-star average. This review covers what to expect, what is included, how the day runs, and who this tour is best suited for.
Tour at a Glance
What Makes the Snorkel Cat Stand Out
With nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.9-star average, the Snorkel Cat has built one of the most consistent reputations of any snorkel catamaran in St. Thomas. The crew is praised repeatedly across reviews for being professional, knowledgeable, and attentive in the water — actively guiding guests to turtles and pointing out marine life rather than waiting on the boat.
- Consistently high crew quality cited across 955 reviews
- Guides enter the water with guests at both reef stops
- All-inclusive: nothing extra to pay on the boat
- Two distinct reef sites in the St. John National Park corridor
- Sea turtles and stingray sightings at the majority of tours
The catamaran is a sailing vessel — on days with favorable trade winds, the boat sails to and from the reef sites, which reviewers note adds significantly to the experience compared to a powerboat. On calm days the motor runs, but the catamaran deck provides a comfortable, stable platform throughout the day regardless of conditions.
The Two Reef Stops — What You'll See Underwater
The captain selects both reef sites based on conditions. The first stop is typically in the heart of the Virgin Islands National Park — protected waters where the coral is dense and marine life is abundant. The second stop moves to a different character reef, often with more open water and sandy patches between coral heads.
- Green and hawksbill sea turtles — guides know the feeding areas
- Southern stingrays — common in sandy zones between reef
- Parrotfish, blue tang, angelfish, trumpetfish — thick in national park zones
- Barracuda — near deeper reef edges at the second stop
- Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) and flotation devices all on board
At each stop the crew enters the water with guests. They carry underwater fish identification cards and point out species as they are encountered. Less confident swimmers receive individual attention — the crew tracks every guest in the water and adjusts pace accordingly.
Flotation vests and belts are available at no extra charge.
Everything Included — and Nothing Hidden
| Included in $150 | Not included |
|---|---|
| Continental breakfast (fruit, pastries) | Gratuities for the crew |
| Full lunch (varies by day — typically sandwiches, salads, fruit) | Towels — bring your own |
| Full open bar all day | Reef-safe sunscreen |
| Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) | Underwater camera / housing |
| Flotation vests and belts | Transport to departure marina |
| All taxes and port fees | Personal items |
The open bar runs from departure through return — beer, rum punch, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the day. The 5-hour format is slightly shorter than the 6-hour tours (tour-1, tour-2), which suits guests who do not want a full-day commitment but still want both snorkel stops and a meal on the water.
How the Snorkel Cat Day Runs
| Approximate time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Departure (check booking) | Board at St. Thomas marina — continental breakfast served |
| ~45 min in | First reef stop — St. John National Park zone (45–60 min) |
| Mid-morning | Return to catamaran — lunch served on the water |
| Early afternoon | Second reef stop — different reef character (40–50 min) |
| Mid-afternoon | Return sail — open bar, music, relaxing on deck |
| ~5 hours total | Arrive back at St. Thomas marina |
Important Things to Know
What to bring
The boat provides all snorkel equipment, food, and drinks. Bring reef-safe mineral sunscreen (chemical sunscreen is banned in national park waters), a towel, and a dry bag for your phone.
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen — chemical sunscreen banned in USVI NPS waters
- Towel (not provided on board)
- Dry bag for phone and valuables
- Cash for crew gratuity
- Change of clothes or cover-up for the return
Not suitable for
Guests who prefer an intimate experience — this is a catamaran tour with a standard group size. Also not ideal if you need the tour to depart from a specific marina on St. John; this tour departs from St.
Thomas.
- Those who need a private or very small group experience
- Guests staying on St. John who do not want to cross to St. Thomas first
- Anyone who wants three or more snorkel stops (this tour has two)
Not allowed
Chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone / octinoxate) is prohibited in Virgin Islands National Park waters under USVI law. Bring mineral-only SPF.
Departure — St. Thomas Marina
Who This Tour Is For — and Who Should Book Something Else
- St. Thomas visitors who want a fully all-inclusive reef experience without any decisions on the day
- Travelers who want a 5-hour format rather than a full 6-hour day
- Anyone who values crew quality and in-water guidance over the novelty of a specific lunch destination
- Groups looking for consistent reviews and a well-run operation with 955 reviews behind it
Not suitable for
If you are staying on St. John and want to skip the St. Thomas crossing, look at the Kayak & Snorkel NPS tour (tour-5) or the Pizza Pi Snorkel Sail (tour-6), both of which depart from Westin St.
John or Cruz Bay. If you want a novelty lunch experience rather than a standard buffet, the Lime Out snorkel sail (tour-2) or Pizza Pi tour (tour-6) are better fits.
- Guests based on St. John who do not want to travel to St. Thomas to board
- Those seeking a specific lunch destination (Lime Out, Pizza Pi) rather than a standard buffet
- Travelers who want the longest reef time possible — tour-1 offers 3 stops in 6 hours
Snorkel Cat Adventure — FAQ
Where does the Snorkel Cat depart from?
The Snorkel Cat departs from a marina on St. Thomas. The exact meeting point is confirmed in your booking confirmation. Check the Viator booking details for the precise address and departure time — it is typically a morning departure from the east end of St. Thomas.
Is everything really included?
Yes. The $150 per person price covers breakfast, a full lunch, open bar all day, all snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins), and flotation devices. The only items not included are gratuities for the crew (tip them — they are in the water with you), towels, and reef-safe sunscreen.
How does this compare to the New Horizons & Breakaway tour?
Both are all-inclusive catamaran/powerboat tours from St. Thomas with food, drinks, and gear included. The New Horizons & Breakaway (tour-1) uses a USCG powerboat and runs three snorkel stops in 6 hours at $165. The Snorkel Cat uses a sailing catamaran, makes two stops in 5 hours at $150. If you want more snorkel time and do not mind the extra $15, tour-1 is the better value for dedicated snorkelers. If you prefer a catamaran and a slightly shorter day, the Snorkel Cat is the right call.
Will we see sea turtles?
Sea turtle sightings are mentioned consistently across Snorkel Cat reviews. The crew knows the reef areas where turtles feed and actively guides guests to them in the water. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the captain selects sites with the highest probability based on daily conditions.
Is the Snorkel Cat suitable for non-swimmers?
Yes, with some caveats. The crew provides flotation vests and belts, and guests who prefer not to snorkel can remain on the catamaran during reef stops. Life jackets are on board. That said, the primary purpose of the tour is snorkeling, so non-swimmers will spend the reef stops on deck rather than in the water.
What Travelers Say
This was absolutely the highlight of our St. Thomas trip. The crew was incredible — so friendly and made us feel so comfortable in the water. We saw two sea turtles, stingrays, and so many colorful fish. Food and drinks were plentiful. Could not recommend more.
Top-notch catamaran tour. Everything was included as described — good breakfast, generous buffet lunch, and the bar was well-stocked throughout. The snorkeling was excellent and the crew was hands-on in the water with us. Would book this again on our next visit.
Perfect day on the water. The crew spotted a hawksbill turtle at the first stop and a southern stingray at the second. Really impressed with how much the guides know. Great boat, great food, great snorkeling. Worth every dollar.