Top St Thomas Cruises & Sailing - page 9

Boat tours are great ways to see St. Thomas and nearby islands. Explore some of the best in this area with these top-rated choices:

• Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel and Sail at Little Buck Island
• Snorkel St. John Tour from Sapphire and Margaritaville
• Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John
• Snorkel & Swim with Turtles. Semi Private Tour to Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach
• St John & Surrounding Cays Full-Day Sail and Snorkel Experiences Semi-Private

Small-group charter experiences (sometimes with as few as six guests) are available in St. Thomas for around US$150 to US$200 per person. Chartering your own private yacht ranges in price from US$700 per group for a half-day experience up to US$2,200 per group for a full day.

The length of your excursion will depend on your particular tour. Some run approximately three hours, while others go the whole day—6–8 hours, including multiple stops for swimming, snorkeling, or beach breaks.

St. Thomas boat tours frequently explore nearby islands and local attractions. Your captain and crew will navigate you to the best spots. Examples include visiting the Virgin Islands National Park for snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach or heading to nearby St. John and Maho Bay.

The natural Caribbean beauty of St. Thomas and the U.S. Virgin Islands is captured in the miles of palm-filled white sand beaches with turquoise blue waters. On your St. Thomas boat tour, you might glimpse green sea turtles, snapper, parrot fish, and other local sea life or explore a shipwreck.

Though there is a ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola, the best way is to charter a private boat if you want to experience the trip from the U.S. to the British Virgin Islands without the crowds. Some companies will design an itinerary that will take you to Tortola and the British Virgin Islands, but not every charter company will. Please check in advance before you book.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in St. Thomas aside from boat tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Catamaran Cruises

• Private Drivers

• Sunset Cruises

• Snorkeling

• Port Transfers

St. Thomas boat tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Secret Harbour Snorkel Trip from Cruise Ship

• High-Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port

• Private Island Boat Tour, Snorkel & Discover Hidden Treasures!

• St. Thomas Sunset Sail, Serenity at Sea

• SeaFari FastCat - Sun, Fun, Swimming, Snorkeling, & Boat Party

There are many different kinds of cruises and sailing excursions in St. Thomas. Think about whether you are looking for a high-adrenaline adventure or a more relaxed sunset sail. Some boat tours include snacks and drinks, so consult the tour details before booking. A few tours even include hotel pickup and drop-off. Snorkeling tours typically provide gear, but check before you set sail.

Arrive early for your boat tour so that you don't miss the departure. Most group tours will not wait for stragglers. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself while out on the water. If you tend to get seasick, consider taking medication before your tour. Some boat tours offer drinks and snacks for purchase, and you may want to have cash for tips available. Be prepared to get wet, even if you don't plan on swimming.

December through April are best for catamaran cruises in St. Thomas as they are the dry season. You'll have less chance of encountering rain or significant wind, and the temps aren't as high as in summer (though it will still be plenty warm enough for swimming). The summer can be busy with tourists, so you should book your excursion as early as possible.