St. John Catamaran Sail and Snorkel from Frenchman's Reef: Flying Frenchman Review
If you are staying in Charlotte Amalie or near the Westin Frenchman's Reef on the south side of St. Thomas, the Flying Frenchman catamaran is the most convenient way to reach St. John's snorkel reefs. The 6-hour trip departs from the Frenchman's Reef marina, sails across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to St. John's crystal-clear waters, anchors for a snorkel stop, gives you time to explore Cruz Bay on foot, and returns with lite bites and a full open bar on the sail back. At $129 per person, it is the most affordable full-day catamaran option for snorkeling in St. John USVI from St. Thomas.
Tour at a Glance
Who This Tour Is Best For
The Flying Frenchman catamaran is specifically designed for St. Thomas visitors who are based on the south or west side of the island — near Charlotte Amalie, Crown Bay, or the Westin Frenchman's Reef. If that is you, this tour saves you the drive across St.
Thomas to the east-end departure points used by the other snorkel boats.
- Cruise ship passengers docked at Crown Bay or Charlotte Amalie
- Hotel guests at Westin Frenchman's Reef or downtown Charlotte Amalie
- Travelers who want to see St. John and Cruz Bay briefly on a day trip
- Anyone who prefers a sailing catamaran over a motorboat experience
- Guests looking for the most affordable full-day St. John catamaran option at $129
The tour combines two distinct experiences: a snorkel stop at a protected reef in St. John's waters (gear included), followed by free time ashore in Cruz Bay — St. John's main village.
Cruz Bay has a good mix of local restaurants, rum bars, beach shops, and galleries along a short waterfront strip. It is a pleasant hour to wander before boarding for the sail back to St. Thomas.
What You'll See Snorkeling on St. John's Reefs
The snorkel stop is in crystal blue waters off St. John — the captain selects the site based on conditions. The reef is in the protected zone of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, where coral health is good and marine life is abundant.
Common sightings include sea turtles, stingrays, parrotfish, blue tang, angelfish, and barracuda.
- Sea turtles — green and hawksbill sighted at most stops
- Southern stingrays — sandy patches between reef
- Colourful reef fish — parrotfish, blue tang, sergeant majors
- Barracuda — near reef edges
- Visibility typically 40–60 feet in these waters
Snorkel equipment is provided on board and the crew assists guests in the water. Flotation vests and belts are available for less confident swimmers. After snorkeling, the catamaran sails to Cruz Bay for free time ashore — time enough for a rum punch at a waterfront bar, a walk around the village, and a quick look at the beach before returning to the boat.
What Is Included — and What Is Not
| Included in $129 | Not included |
|---|---|
| Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) | Lunch (lite bites only — eat before or in Cruz Bay) |
| Flotation devices | Gratuities |
| Lite bites on return sail | Towels — bring your own |
| Full open bar on return | Reef-safe sunscreen |
| Cruz Bay free time ashore | Dinner or extra meals in Cruz Bay |
This tour is lighter on food than tour-1 or tour-4 — lite bites are served on the return sail, but there is no full buffet lunch. The solution is simple: grab a bite in Cruz Bay during your free time ashore. Several casual restaurants and food spots are within a 5-minute walk of the dock.
Itinerary — How the Day Runs
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Morning | Depart Westin Frenchman's Reef marina, St. Thomas |
| ~60 min | Sail across Sir Francis Drake Channel to St. John waters |
| Midday | Snorkel stop — gear provided, crew in water with guests |
| Afternoon | Sail to Cruz Bay — free time ashore to explore the village |
| Late afternoon | Board catamaran for return — lite bites and full open bar served |
| Evening | Return to Frenchman's Reef marina, St. Thomas |
Important Things to Know
What to bring
Reef-safe mineral sunscreen is required in national park waters. Bring a towel (not provided), cash or a card for Cruz Bay restaurants and shops, and a dry bag for your phone if you want to take photos while snorkeling.
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (no chemical sunscreen in USVI NPS waters)
- Towel (not provided on board)
- Cash/card for food and shopping in Cruz Bay
- Dry bag for valuables
- Light cover-up for the sail back
Not suitable for
Guests who need a full meal included (food is lite bites on return, not a buffet — plan to eat in Cruz Bay). Also not ideal for travelers with seasickness concerns, as the crossing of the Sir Francis Drake Channel can be choppy in trade-wind conditions.
- Travelers who need a full lunch included (not a full-service buffet — plan to eat in Cruz Bay)
- Guests prone to seasickness — the Sir Francis Drake Channel crossing can be rough
- Those wanting multiple snorkel stops (this tour has one main snorkel site)
Not allowed
Chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone / octinoxate) is banned in USVI National Park waters. Use mineral-only SPF.
Departure Point — Frenchman's Reef, St. Thomas
Who This Tour Is For — and Who Should Book Something Else
- St. Thomas visitors based near Charlotte Amalie or Frenchman's Reef — best departure point for this side of the island
- Cruise ship passengers at Crown Bay who want a St. John day trip without crossing the island
- Budget-conscious travelers — $129 is the lowest price of the full-day St. John catamaran options
- Anyone who wants to briefly explore Cruz Bay on foot as part of the day
Not suitable for
If you want three snorkel stops, a full buffet lunch, or a boat that focuses exclusively on snorkeling (rather than combining it with beach/village time), consider the New Horizons & Breakaway powerboat tour (tour-1) or the Snorkel Cat (tour-4). Both depart from the east end of St. Thomas and offer more dedicated reef time.
- Those wanting multiple snorkel stops — this tour has one main site
- Guests who need a full buffet lunch included
- Travelers staying on the east end of St. Thomas — other tours have closer departure points
St. John Catamaran Snorkel — FAQ
Where does the Flying Frenchman depart?
The tour departs from the Westin Frenchman's Reef marina on the south side of St. Thomas — convenient for cruise ship passengers at Crown Bay and for guests staying near Charlotte Amalie. Check your booking confirmation for the exact meeting time and pier.
Does the tour include lunch?
Lite bites are served on the return sail, but not a full buffet lunch. Plan to eat during the free time in Cruz Bay — there are several casual restaurants and snack spots within walking distance of the dock. The full open bar on the return includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
How long is the crossing from St. Thomas to St. John?
The sailing passage across the Sir Francis Drake Channel takes approximately one hour each way. The channel can have trade-wind chop, especially in winter months. If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication and sit toward the middle of the boat.
Will I have time to explore Cruz Bay?
Yes — the tour includes free time ashore in Cruz Bay. The amount of time varies by day and conditions, but typically enough for a meal, a drink at a waterfront bar, a short walk around the village, or a look at Mongoose Junction (the small artisan shopping area near the dock).
What is the snorkel site like?
The captain selects a reef site in St. John's protected waters based on daily conditions. Common sightings include sea turtles, stingrays, parrotfish, and barracuda. Snorkel gear and flotation devices are included. The crew assists guests in the water.
What Travelers Say
Captain Kiki, the two Matts, and Kelly were amazing. What a super fun day! Excellent crew and we felt so safe and comfortable the entire trip. The snorkeling was great and Cruz Bay was a lovely bonus.
Great way to spend a day in St. Thomas if you want to see St. John without all the ferry logistics. The sail over is beautiful, the reef stop was excellent, and having a bit of time in Cruz Bay was a nice touch. Would book again.
Good value for the price. The catamaran is comfortable, the crew is friendly, and the snorkeling in St. John waters is noticeably better than anything around St. Thomas. Good visibility, lots of fish, and we spotted two turtles.