1/2 Day Beach/Snorkeling Options

[Lumee23]

Hi Everyone! We will be in St Thomas in March and we are looking to do a 1/2 day snorkeling/beach day and then take the Skyride up in the afternoon. We are docked from 8-5 at Crown Bay and we appear to be the only cruise ship in both ports that day. Celebrity offers a Buck Island and Water Island by Catamaran excursion but it doesn't leave until 9:30am, which cuts into our afternoon time a little. They also do not have any reviews on their website and I can't find a similar tour not through the cruise ship. Another option we were considering was just taking the ferry to Water Island ourselves at 9am, which then we could leave when we are ready. 

 

Has anybody taken that Celebrity excursion before? Any other suggestions? We haven't been to St Thomas before so everything will be new for us. Thanks!

[jean87510]

1 hour ago, Lumee23 said:

Hi Everyone! We will be in St Thomas in March and we are looking to do a 1/2 day snorkeling/beach day and then take the Skyride up in the afternoon. We are docked from 8-5 at Crown Bay and we appear to be the only cruise ship in both ports that day. Celebrity offers a Buck Island and Water Island by Catamaran excursion but it doesn't leave until 9:30am, which cuts into our afternoon time a little. They also do not have any reviews on their website and I can't find a similar tour not through the cruise ship. Another option we were considering was just taking the ferry to Water Island ourselves at 9am, which then we could leave when we are ready. 

 

Has anybody taken that Celebrity excursion before? Any other suggestions? We haven't been to St Thomas before so everything will be new for us. Thanks!

buck island has lousy snorkeling.  Go to water island on your own. 

[blue_water]

I would suggest just taking a taxi on your own to Sapphire or Coki Beach. Normally I would never recommend Coki when ships are in port, but if you are the only ship, even if a huge ship, Coki will be crowded but probably not crazy busy in the water.

Sapphire offers both a coral and seagrass area for snorkeling, you may see rays or turtles in the latter.

 

Coki is a very small beach with vendors, while Sapphire has much more room and is home to 3 condo properties, a rental center, and has a beach bar and food. Taxis return to whisk you back, and you can hit Paradise Point then. That’s a perfect day for us! 😉

[Lumee23]

Ty both! Sounds like DIY is the best way to go. I just need to pick a beach now 🙂