Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles, National Park, St. John
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
St John, US Virgin Islands
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Skip the crowds and gain rare access to protected waters on a guided kayak and snorkeling adventure along the north shore of Saint John. Meet your guide in Cruz Bay, paddle across the turquoise harbor into Virgin Islands National Park, and follow the scenic coastline to peaceful Scott’s Beach. Snorkel among coral reefs, seagrass beds, and turtle habitats with the chance to spot sea turtles, tropical fish, and stingrays—your guide knows all the best places to look.
- Learn about St. John's abundant marine life from a local guide
- No need to pack or hire equipment—everything you need is provided
- Maximize your chances of spotting sea turtles thanks to the insider intel of your guide
- Tour duration fits seamlessly into packed vacation itineraries
What's Included
- All gear and equipment
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Small chocolate bar
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Virgin Islands Ecotours - St. JohnSt. John, 520 Mongoose Jct, Cruz Bay, St John 00830, USVI
Please meet at Virgin Islands Ecotours, Mongoose Junction (next to Sun Dog Café). Mongoose Junction is a chic shopping center (across from the Ball Field opposite the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay), three blocks from the Passenger Ferry from St. Thomas.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Mongoose Junction
2
Cruz Bay
3
Scott Bay Beach
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Hannah_D
This was an incredible find! Patrick was so awesome- there are not enough stars in the sky to give! We kayaked to a beautiful beach and when we got into the water it was like being dropped into the most beautiful aquarium. He was so knowledgeable and kind and showed us dozens of amazing little creatures. We honestly can’t recommend this enough! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!
Thank you so much for everything!
Reviews
4.9
based on 392 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
ViatorLondonPass, Aug 2026
It is a strenuous paddle but worth it. Scott's beach was beautiful and Isabel would dive down and show us different fish as we went. We even saw an eel.
Kimberly_R, Jul 2026
We had a great time on this kayak / snorkel adventure. You need to be up for a 45 min kayak, hr snorkel, 45 mins kayak to return. The water was beautiful and the shop provides you with all the gear. We saw some cool fish on our journey and of course the weather was beautiful. We would do it again and Kenny was a great guide. Just be sure you’re well hydrated and have had a good meal for fuel prior to. This excursion is a workout as indicated in the description!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
hank you for your thoughtful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the adventure and that Kenny helped make it a memorable experience. Thanks for choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours, and we appreciate you sharing such helpful tips for future guests! 🌊🚣
Alex_D, Jul 2026
It was quite amazing. We saw more than expected on the trip and it was truly incredible. Kenny was an awesome guide! It’s 110% worth the price and we will absolutely do it again if we ever get the chance!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Alex! Thank you so much for the review! We're thrilled to hear the trip exceeded your expectations and that Kenny made such a great impression. It means so much to know you felt the experience was worth it, and we can't wait to welcome you back if you're ever in St. Thomas again! 🌴😊
Robynn_M, Jul 2026
The kayaking was much more strenuous than anticipated per the description of the excursion, and much more time-consuming. The actual snorkeling itself was disappointing, and that the water was very choppy, and the location required strenuous swimming.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry the unusual conditions that day didn’t meet your expectations. Because this adventure takes place in Virgin Islands National Park, wind, waves, and currents can vary from day to day and occasionally make both the kayaking and snorkeling more challenging than usual. Safety is always our highest priority, and our guides adjust the route and pace based on the conditions whenever possible. We appreciate your comments and will continue reviewing our tour descriptions so guests have the clearest expectations possible. Thank you for choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours, and we hope you’ll give us another opportunity to show you a calmer day on the water.
Jackie_S, Jun 2026
It was very windy so it was a tough paddle at times. Kenny was very knowledgeable and pointed out so cool marine life. Not exactly what I expected but everyone got a workout and enjoyed the snorkeling. Saw quite a few sea turtles too.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful review! Wind can occasionally make for a more active paddle, but we’re so glad Kenny helped make the adventure enjoyable and that your group was rewarded with several sea turtle sightings and wonderful snorkeling in Virgin Islands National Park. Every day on the water is a little different, making each adventure unique. For guests looking for even more sheltered paddling conditions on windy days, our Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour on St. Thomas winds through protected mangrove channels that are naturally shielded from much of the wind while offering incredible wildlife viewing. Thank you for choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure!
joshua_h, Jun 2026
This was amazing seen sea turtles, squid, many other species, Kenny and Stephanie were amazing. I even got to dive down about 20 feet into the water to got a closer look at this huge sea turtle. We saw stingrays, sea urchin, coral reef the British Virgin Islands and Kenny Chesney’s house from the ocean
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled Kenny and Stephanie helped make your Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles adventure so memorable. Seeing sea turtles, stingrays, squid, colorful reef fish, and healthy coral inside Virgin Islands National Park is what makes this one of the premier snorkeling experiences on St. John. Thank you for choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours, and we hope to explore the underwater world with you again soon!
Teresa_S, May 2026
Kenny and Stephanie were fantastic. They were well organized and made the experience as pleasant as it could possibly be. The adventure did not disappoint as we saw so many different creatures and fish in the water and sea turtles! (also a spotted ray and squid and an octopus)!!
There was never a rush and Kenny was a plethora of local information. Thanks for the recommendation for St John Back Bar! Sushi was amazing. Definitely would do this again next time.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed our Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles, National Park, St. John experience and had the chance to see so much amazing marine life. It sounds like you had an unforgettable day on the water, and we look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to St. John! 🐢🌊🛶
Joseph_P, May 2026
Amazing experience snorkeling. Josh brought us to a spot where he personally located lots of marine life and took the time to show all of us.
Response from Host, May 2026
So happy you had an amazing time on tour with us! There’s nothing better than getting to see marine life in its natural habitat. Thanks for joining us for the adventure and for the kind review!
Nina_G, Apr 2026
Patrick, our guide, was a delightful font of information and led us to see amazing sights and fun fish in addition to the turtles. We loved the trip and got a little workout 💪 as well.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Nina! What a great review - thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring with Patrick and hearing all of his insights along the way. It sounds like a pretty perfect day on the water!
DawnMarie_L, Apr 2026
Very fun!! We had a great time (I had not kayaked on ocean before and my cousin never kayaked at all — but good instruction and it went great). Guide was extremely helpful and kind. He is also great at spotting octopus, etc. and took photos underwater of turtles, octopus. It was not overly strenuous but would not be someone’s best choice if very sedentary lifestyle. This was perhaps my favorite excursion while on St. Thomas ( we took the ferry to St. John to join the excursion). Definitely do not follow Viator link for the address though— Apple Maps will take you to the wrong location. Put in the tour group operator group name directly into Google Maps.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Dawn! Thank you so much for the great review! We’re so glad you and your cousin had a fun first kayaking experience and that your guide made it extra special- those wildlife sightings are such a highlight. We also appreciate the note on directions and will continue working to make that clearer. Hope to see you again on your next visit!
Hannah_D, Apr 2026
This was an incredible find! Patrick was so awesome- there are not enough stars in the sky to give! We kayaked to a beautiful beach and when we got into the water it was like being dropped into the most beautiful aquarium. He was so knowledgeable and kind and showed us dozens of amazing little creatures. We honestly can’t recommend this enough! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!
Thank you so much for everything!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Wow - thank you so much for this incredible review! Patrick will be absolutely thrilled to read this. He truly loves what he does, and it shows.
This is exactly what we hope every guest experiences.
We’re so happy this was a highlight of your trip and would love to have you back anytime!
Audrey_F, Apr 2026
Our guides, Kenny and Isabel, were great. Kenny found two octopus for us which was incredible. Saw stingray and turtles strenuous kayak! Gorgeous, secluded beach. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your time on our Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles, National Park, St. John tour.
Kenny and Isabel will be so happy to hear your feedback—finding octopus and spotting stingrays and turtles is always a special experience! We love sharing these secluded, beautiful areas with our guests and creating those unforgettable wildlife moments.
We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Sybille S.
Owner, Virgin Islands Ecotours
Sarah_H, Mar 2026
Great morning! We got to try out a private beach and have a challenging and fun kayak up the coast. We saw sea turtles and sting rays!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Sarah! Thank you for sharing this! We're so glad you had a great time. We’d love to have you back out on another adventure soon!
debbie_l, Mar 2026
Great day. Beautiful snorkeling. Nice paddle. Guide was knowledgeable and safety conscious. Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Debbie! Thank you for the kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the snorkeling, paddle, and felt well taken care of, our guides will appreciate the shoutout. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again soon!
Cheryll_R, Mar 2026
Awesome adventure! Kayak to secluded beach, snorkeled and saw green sea turtles, parrot and puffer fish, coral and other sea life, then a return kayak trip, all with running commentary from our guide. Had a blast! Highly recommend this experience! Great workout, too!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re so glad you had a blast and enjoyed the full adventure - from kayaking to snorkeling and all the incredible marine life along the way. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Debby_B, Mar 2026
Its incredible. Scott Beach was stunning. Saw so much sea life, turtles, octopus, sting rays, fish, and our tour guide Kenny was the BEST. I highly recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the amazing review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the stunning scenery and all the incredible marine life - what a special experience. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
John_S, Mar 2026
Brook, our guide was awesome. We saw sting rays, turtles and Bob. Take the tour to find out about Bob.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad you had an awesome time and spotted such amazing marine life - and love that Bob made an appearance! We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Susan_S, Mar 2026
1 1/2 mi kayak tour. Easy kayaking for 2 people who know how to work together. A lil better emphasis on 2 people paddling would have been nice. Beautiful scenery and plentiful assortment of sealife. Brook, our guide, was very cheerful and patient!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and abundant sea life, and that you had a great experience with your guide. We also appreciate your note about paddling coordination - helpful feedback like this allows us to continue improving. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back soon!
KATHLEEN_R, Mar 2026
The kayaking and snorkeling 🤿 were lots of fun! Our guide was fantastic and showed us things like a small octopus 🐙 during the snorkel
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad you had fun kayaking and snorkeling - and how special to spot a little octopus! We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Amanda_I, Mar 2026
We had the most outstanding trip with Patrick! He was very accommodating, knowledgeable and friendly. He helped us find so many different fish and turtles and sea life. We held a sea urchin, a starfish and saw numerous turtles. We also saw a moray eel and a "hunting party" which was amazing to see! The paddling was definitely a workout - this is not a leisurely float. But it was well worth it to get to the beach we went to and to do the snorkeling in the protected waters. One of our party members left her watch behind, and he came and found us where we were eating lunch (a place he had recommended which was amazing!), and brought it back to her. Above and beyond all of our expectations. Would absolutely come back and adventure with Patrick again!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the incredible review! We’re so glad you had such an outstanding experience and were able to see so much amazing marine life—what a special day on the water. It’s wonderful to hear everything felt well guided and memorable from start to finish.
Edward_L, Mar 2026
My partner and I enjoyed a great trip out to a secluded beach with Pat. He was a great guide, enthusiastic about the history of the islands and very caring about setting us up well with equipment and seeing everything from a turtle to a special sea urchin to a crazy large ray.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such a great experience and enjoyed exploring, learning about the island, and spotting all that incredible marine life—what a special day!
Allison_C, Feb 2026
We had a great time on this tour! The paddling was a bit tough as we somehow wound up going against the wind on the way out AND part of the way back, but our guide Kenny had great tips and kept the energy up with good chat along the way. The snorkel spot at Scott Beach (out near Caneel Bay) is stunning and quiet, and we spotted some great wildlife with Kenny's help! The check-in staff at the Eco Tours office are delightful as well and will store anything you don't want to risk getting wet. If you're driving, plan to park elsewhere as the Mongoose Junction plaza has a 2-hr limit and strictly monitors their parking lot. Would definitely do another tour with this team!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the great feedback! We’re so happy you enjoyed your Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles adventure with Kenny.
Sometimes the breeze gives our paddlers a bit of a workout, but we love hearing that Kenny kept the energy positive and fun along the way. And yes — Scott Beach is a truly beautiful and peaceful snorkel spot. 🐢
We appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again soon!
Sunny thanks,
The Virgin Islands Ecotours Team
Angella_M, Feb 2026
Wonderful guides, beautiful area, private beach with great snorkeling (stingray, sea turtle, octopus, many colorful fish). The kayaking was easy enough for my husband and me with the calm Carribean Sea. Definitely a do-over!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
What a lovely review — thank you! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the beautiful setting and wildlife sightings on your St. John kayak and snorkel adventure.
Hearing that the paddling felt comfortable and the snorkeling delivered turtles, rays, and colorful fish is exactly what we hope for every guest. 🐠
We’d love to welcome you back anytime for your next Caribbean escape!
Warm island regards,
The Virgin Islands Ecotours Team
Lynne_D, Feb 2026
Highlight of our first trip to SJI. Friendly and knowledgeable hosts, we got to see all the advertised creatures - stingray, sea turtle, brain coral! Recommend get to shop early so you can browse around their nice selection.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re honored your St. John trip highlight was with us. Seeing stingrays, sea turtles, and healthy coral all in one outing is exactly what makes this experience so special. 🐢
We also appreciate the tip for future guests to arrive early and enjoy the shop — great advice! We hope to see you again on your next visit.
Sunny thanks,
The Virgin Islands Ecotours Team
Marie_S, Feb 2026
Great opportunity to get out on the water in kayaks and see some amazing sea life. Kenny was friendly and informative. We had a great morning!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed getting out on the water and experiencing the amazing sea life around St. John.
Kenny will be delighted to hear your kind words — he loves helping guests have a fun and informative morning on the water. 🌿
We appreciate you choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Warm island regards,
The Virgin Islands Ecotours Team
Tracy_B, Feb 2026
Isabelle and Brooke were both excellent guides. They were so helpful with pointing out sea life on our trip such as turtles:(several), octopus (several), sting ray, sea cucumber, Christmas tree worm, feather dusters, and other tropical fish. Scott's Beach was a perfect location.
Thank you ladies for a great trip.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re delighted you had such a wildlife-filled adventure on the Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles tour in St. John. 🐢
Isabelle and Brooke will be so happy to hear your kind feedback. From turtles and octopus to Christmas tree worms and tropical fish — it sounds like you saw an amazing variety!
We truly appreciate you choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours and hope to welcome you back again soon.
Warm island regards,
The Virgin Islands Ecotours Team
Thomas_L, Feb 2026
Isabel did a great job guiding us to a secluded beach where we saw tons of fish and a sea turtle and sting Ray
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the great review! We’re delighted you enjoyed your Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles tour in St. John. Isabelle will be thrilled to hear your kind words — she loves guiding guests to those beautiful, fish-filled waters. 🐠
Seeing sea turtles and stingrays in their natural habitat is always a highlight, and we’re so glad you experienced it. We hope to welcome you back to Virgin Islands Ecotours soon!
Sunny thanks,
The Virgin Islands Ecotours Team
Craig_M, Feb 2026
Patrick took several of us out to Caneel Bay and it was an amazing trip! Check-in was quick and easy, we started right on time. During the kayak part of the tour, he taught us a lot about the history and geography of the area as well what it's like to live on the islands.
Once we got out to the bay, it wasn't long before we spotted our first sea turtle as well as some barracuda, cowfish, and a flying Gurnard, which was really cool to get to see.
While we were snorkeling, someone on the beach had a serious neck injury and their friends couldn't reach emergency services. Patrick rushed over to help, got on his phone, and had medical care on-site as quickly as possible. He apologized for the interruption to the tour, but honestly everyone was just grateful he was there to help. It was very reassuring to know we were in safe hands if anything were to happen to someone in our tour group. I can't recommend him enough, thanks Patrick!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Craig! What an incredible day on the water — thank you for sharing it. We love that you enjoyed the paddle, the stories about the islands, and those unforgettable wildlife sightings 🐢
Most of all, we’re very proud of Patrick. We’re glad his quick action helped get assistance to the other people on the beach fast while keeping everyone reassured. We’ll be sure your kind words reach him.
Thank you for the strong recommendation, and we hope to see you again for another adventure soon!
Susan_H, Jan 2026
We had a great experience - we paddled to Scott's Beach where we saw a huge eagle ray and some green sea turtles. Our guide was wonderful. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review of the Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles tour in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Paddling out to Scott Beach and spotting eagle rays and green sea turtles is one of the highlights that makes this tour so memorable. This experience is a great choice for guests who enjoy an active paddle combined with snorkeling in a protected, wildlife-rich environment. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again.
Rachelle_G, Jan 2026
Need to be in good physical condition as it requires paddling the kayak 1.5 miles to destination and 1.5 miles to return to starting point. Snorkeling also requires a good amount of energy. However, it’s so worth it! Seeing beautiful tropical fish, manta rays, sea turtles was totally amazing!!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful review and for highlighting the physical nature of the experience. We’re so glad you enjoyed the Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles tour on St. John in the Virgin Islands National Park. This adventure departs from our Mongoose Junction store in Cruz Bay and leads to the beautiful waters off Scott Beach, where guests are rewarded with incredible marine life and scenery. We appreciate you joining us and are happy to hear the experience was well worth the effort. We hope to welcome you back again.
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