St Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour in the US Virgin Islands
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Kayak and snorkel in St Thomas' Mangrove Lagoon on a 2.5-hour shore excursion. The region's serpentine channels of clear, calm water are perfect for swimming, boating and spotting local wildlife like stingrays and brown pelicans. Learn about the region's natural resources from your local adventure guide, and opt to extend your tour with a hike on Cas Cay, a deserted island.
- Kayak through the unique surroundings of St. Thomas' Mangrove Lagoon
- Marvel at the beautiful flora and fauna
- Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters and learn about the diverse mangrove ecosystem
What's Included
- Kayak and snorkel tour
- All snorkel gear and kayaking equipment
- Water and a candy snack
- Professional guide
- Free parking
- Changing rooms, restroom facilities and retail store
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- TAXI TRANSFER FROM SHIP: EASY!—nearby taxi stand. Havensite 12 min, Crown Bay 20 min-round trip:$30.00 per person
- Lockers of all sizes -LOCK - available for rent$5.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Virgin Islands Ecotours - St. Thomas6526 Estate Nadir, St. Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary & Marine Reserve, St. Thomas, VI 00802, USVI
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Make your way to the southern coast of St Thomas, home to the protected Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary and Marine Preserve. Meet your local adventure guide to embark on one of St Thomas' most rewarding snorkeling and kayaking tours in the preserve's rich ecosystem.
Travel through the protected area to Patricia Cay and Long Point, where you'll board your kayak to glide through the may small islands in the mangrove lagoon. While paddling, look out for spotted rays and stingrays as they glide beneath your boat.
Put on your provided snorkel gear and explore the underwater world. Follow your guide's lead and feel free to ask any questions or directions, especially if it's your first time snorkeling. Peer through your mask at the coral-fringed mangrove roots and listen as your guide points out the vibrant surrounding marine life. Hop back in your kayak for the short paddle back to the marina.
Travel through the protected area to Patricia Cay and Long Point, where you'll board your kayak to glide through the may small islands in the mangrove lagoon. While paddling, look out for spotted rays and stingrays as they glide beneath your boat.
Put on your provided snorkel gear and explore the underwater world. Follow your guide's lead and feel free to ask any questions or directions, especially if it's your first time snorkeling. Peer through your mask at the coral-fringed mangrove roots and listen as your guide points out the vibrant surrounding marine life. Hop back in your kayak for the short paddle back to the marina.
1
Virgin Islands Ecotours
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 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
cathie
Our guide, Jon, was great. Made the trip fun. Kayaking along the mangroves were neat. It was windy so the current wasn’t a joke - but we enjoyed the entire adventure. Looking forward to coming back again.
Reviews
4.8
based on 709 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Brent_B, Jul 2026
Great educational kayak tour of the mangrove, but if it’s windy, expect a hard time fighting the wind in the open bay,
Silvia_A, Jun 2026
Brendt was very knowledgeable and awesome ! We were a little late but they made accommodations for us!
Dominick_F, May 2026
Not an easy experience as you have to kayak up wind for the first half then downwind the second half.
Great guide but didn’t see much of anything as in turtles or stingrays.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for coming out with us! Some days definitely make for a bit more of a workout on the water, but we’re glad you still had a great time with your guide and enjoyed the experience. Wildlife sightings can vary from day to day, but we appreciate you joining us for the adventure!
William_M, Apr 2026
It is better than described! Our guide, Brett responded to our experience level and pointed out wildlife and provided some history of the area. The best snorkel of our USVI vacation.
Response from Host, May 2026
What a great compliment - thank you! We’re thrilled the experience exceeded expectations and that Brett helped tailor the adventure to your group. Hearing it was the best snorkel of your USVI vacation truly means a lot to us!
Hamza_B, Apr 2026
Friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable staff. Good experience, timing was just right. Photos came out really well
Response from Host, May 2026
Really appreciate the kind words! Glad the pace of the tour felt just right and that you enjoyed the experience with our team. Happy to hear the photos turned out great too - always fun to have those memories to look back on!
Shanna_H, Apr 2026
A fun little excursion to kayak and for those who like to snorkel (which our kids did), though it’s very expensive for what you get and there is no note on the extremely overpriced cost of transportation to and from this excursion from cruise port. No matter where you travel on this island, taxis charge min $15/person each way. It cost us $120 USD for a family of 2 adults, 2 kids to get to this activity on top of the $425 USD excursion. Converted to CDN it cost us $750 for just 3 hours. For that reason I’d rate this 1 star. However the activity itself and the staff were good, just too expensive for us. Gave 3 stars overall, generously.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback - we’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and our team.
We understand your concerns around transportation costs. Unfortunately the taxi rates that are set in the Virgin Islands are outside of our control, though we do our best to communicate this in advance.
We appreciate you joining us and sharing your experience.
Pennie_P, Apr 2026
The mangroves are beautiful!! The guides were awesome and informative!! And contrary to what my sister in law thought ~ there are no snakes!! Just really cool jellyfish and starfish … and we even caught a glimpse of a very shy little octopus heading back into his home when we were snorkeling!! Last but not least, make sure you ask them about the crabs!!
Denetrick_P, Mar 2026
Great tour guides who are very knowledgeable. It was an easy set up process, easy to get to and we’re very helpful. It was our first time kayaking and it was a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We love introducing first-time kayakers to the lagoon, so it’s great to hear you felt comfortable and enjoyed the tour. Our team works hard to make everything easy and welcoming from start to finish.
We hope this was the first of many kayaking adventures for you — come back and see us again!
Shannon_L, Mar 2026
Friendly and funny guide. The mangroves were ok. You’re kayaking near St. Thomas’ largest dump and rock quarry. That is your view the entire trip. Snorkeling was decent, not great. The highlight was seeing thousands of hermit crabs on the island piled to together eating.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi there,
Thank you for your feedback and for joining us.
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed your guide — our team truly strives to make each experience friendly and engaging.
We also appreciate your honest comments. The mangrove lagoon is a protected natural ecosystem and an important nursery for marine life, which is why we operate there — it’s less about dramatic scenery and more about experiencing a unique and vital environment up close. That said, we understand that different guests are looking for different types of views and snorkeling conditions.
We’re happy to hear that the hermit crabs on Cas Cay were a highlight — it really is a special part of the experience, with hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of them active in their natural habitat.
Thank you again for your feedback — it helps us continue to improve and better communicate what guests can expect.
Warm regards,
Virgin Islands Ecotours
Lindsey_W, Mar 2026
Friendly and accommodating as soon as we arrived. Our guide John was very welcoming, informative, playful and fun!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad you felt welcomed from the moment you arrived and had such a fun, engaging experience on the tour.
Lynda_G, Mar 2026
This overall experience was enjoyable but not remarkable. We enjoyed the kayaking and information about the mangroves.
The snorkeling was underwhelming.
Our experience did not live up to the ecstatic reviews we had read.
.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Lynda - Thank you for your honest feedback—we truly appreciate it. We’re glad you enjoyed the kayaking and learning about the mangroves.
We’re sorry the snorkeling didn’t meet your expectations. Conditions and wildlife can vary day to day, but we understand how that can impact the overall experience. Your perspective is valuable and helps us continue to improve.
Robert_S, Mar 2026
This was a great outing! Very picturesque, felt safe the whole time. Our guide was great and very patient.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and felt safe and well cared for throughout.
cathie, Mar 2026
Our guide, Jon, was great. Made the trip fun. Kayaking along the mangroves were neat. It was windy so the current wasn’t a joke - but we enjoyed the entire adventure. Looking forward to coming back again.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad you had a fun and memorable adventure exploring the mangroves. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the experience from start to finish—we’d love to have you join us again!
Joe_M, Jan 2026
Nice tour - we fought the wind and the marine life was sparse on that day
12 swimmers were a bit much
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience — we really appreciate it.
You’re absolutely right that we had an unusually windy stretch this week. One of the reasons we continue to operate our Mangrove Lagoon Kayak & Snorkel Tour during conditions like this is because it is actually the most protected paddling and snorkeling location in the Virgin Islands. While it may feel windy there, the open beaches and offshore reefs are often far windier and rougher on days like these, making them unsafe or uncomfortable.
The winding, shallow mangrove waterways act as a natural wind break, allowing guests to still get out on the water when many other tours must cancel. On calmer days, marine life sightings are often more abundant, but even during windy weeks, guests still get a peaceful paddle through a beautiful marine sanctuary, with opportunities to snorkel when conditions allow.
We’re glad you were able to get out on the water with us, and we truly appreciate your understanding during a week of challenging weather. We hope you’ll join us again on a calmer day — the lagoon really shines then.
Kara_P, Nov 2025
Wonderful experience! I would 100% recommend and would go again! Our guide Brooke was excellent! Very knowledgeable about the area, history and the animals we encountered. The best part was all the hermit crabs!! Saw lots of wildlife ( both in and above water). Our whole party agreed that this was one of the best experiences on our trip!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We’re thrilled your group had such a great experience and that Brooke helped make it memorable with her knowledge and enthusiasm. The wildlife sightings — especially the hermit crabs — are always a treat! We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon. 🌿🌊
Jessica_A, Aug 2025
Beautiful and educational kayak trip through mangroves and lagoon to a secluded and stunning beach. You may not see sea turtles every time but you will undoubtedly have an incredible experience through an absolutely gorgeous area
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the beauty of the mangroves, lagoon, and secluded beach. While sea turtle sightings are always special, we’re glad the experience and scenery made the trip memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure!
Jennifer_S, Aug 2025
We had a wonderful time once again. This activity is great those 8 and up. Once again we got lucky and had a private experience. The tranquility and education wonderful. St Thomas is trying to protect the land and the sea just as the main land protect the forests.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Jenifer! We’re delighted you had another wonderful experience with us! Thank you for appreciating the beauty and conservation efforts here. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for a third visit!
Ashley_V, Jul 2025
My friends and I did this kayak and snorkel tour during our spring break trip and it was honestly one of the best parts of our whole trip. Kaz was our guide and he was amazing — super energetic, kind, respectful, and knowledgeable on the area. He made sure everyone was comfortable and having fun the whole time.
While snorkeling we saw so many fish and even a bunch of conch shells. The water was sooo pretty and clear — it looked unreal! Everything was organized and felt super safe. If you’re thinking about booking this, do it! You won’t regret it.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
We’re so happy to hear your spring break highlight was the kayak and snorkel tour with Kaz—he always brings such great energy and care to the experience! Thrilled you enjoyed the clear waters and sea life, and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Maria_H, Jun 2025
Freddy was an AWESOME guide. He was informative, super helpful, and FUN! We had a great time and would absolutely go again. It was a wonderful family day!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much! We're thrilled you had a great family day with Freddy - he’ll be so happy to hear this. We’d love to have you back anytime!
Natasha_J, May 2025
Visibility was bad so it was worked out with the owner that I would get a refund in 7-10 days. It is currently 5/19/25 and I was not refunded from 4/21/25
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your message, and we sincerely apologize for the glitch in the system. A refund was issued on 4/22, but unfortunately it did not connect properly to the booking platform you used. We’ve since identified and fully resolved the issue.
We truly hope you’ll consider joining us again so we can provide the experience you were expecting - we’d love the opportunity to make it right.
Monica_P, Apr 2025
Our family of five had a wonderful experience with this excursion. The snorkeling was peaceful and wonderful to see lobster, stingrays, and fish. The kayak ride was peaceful on the way to snorkel. Our 3 kids had a harder time kayaking back because they were tired but overall it was a great experience and we had a wonderful tour guide.
Response from Host, May 2025
We’re so happy your family had a great time snorkeling and kayaking—it sounds like a special adventure! Thanks for sharing, and we hope to welcome you all back again soon!
Laurel_P, Apr 2025
This is a rather long kayak trip, so make sure you're up for a workout. The hike is fun if it isn't too hot. There is better snorkeling in lots of other places, so don't count on that being spectacular The staff is fun and friendly, and very helpful
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thanks for the honest and helpful feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the staff and the adventure overall. You're right—it’s a bit of a workout, we appreciate you paddling with us! 💪🛶🌞
Kelly_M, Mar 2025
Kas was a fun and knowledgeable guide! We saw a jelly fish and hermit crabs (very cool). Pretty surroundings. Water quality was poor due to recent rain so snorkeling was a no go and there was several boats and people on the deserted island we stopped at.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi Kelly! Thanks for joining us and for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed exploring with Kas - he’s a fantastic guide and always makes the tour fun and informative.
Sorry to hear the water clarity wasn’t ideal that day and we appreciate your understanding. We're happy you still got to spot some cool marine life and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
We’d love to welcome you back on a clearer day!
Cathyanna_N, Feb 2025
Te’Quan was the best. He was very knowledgeable and gave us great information about St. Thomas. He really seemed to have a passion for the land. Thank you Te’Quan for a wonderful time!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thanks for your amazing review! It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Te'Quan. We appreciate your support and can’t wait to welcome you back for more adventures! 🌟💙
Benjamin_F, Jan 2025
Active, fun, relaxed, you'll definitely see marine life, good snorkeling. Guides were helpful and pleasant.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review - we appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Val_V, Dec 2024
Best snorkeling we found on the island. Kevin was great at his job. Very knowledgeable about the area.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for the kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your tour and hope to see you again soon!
Steve_L, Sep 2024
This was the second time we did this with this company. Great experience. Great guides. Very enjoyable every time.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi Steve - We're so happy to welcome you back! Thanks for consistently choosing Virgin Islands Ecotours!
Itzel_C, Aug 2024
The experience was one of kind! The knowledge that the tour guides shared enriched our experience! The patience and guidance from Devonte made us feel at ease. It was my first kayaking experience and it set the bar high! We would definitely be back!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for the glowing review! We're so happy you had an unforgettable time with us!
Robert_G, Jul 2024
This was hands down the best experience we had on the island. Both of our tour guides were knowledgeable and fun. The kayaking was a great workout and the snorkeling was amazing. We saw many different types of fish, barracudas, sea urchins and jellyfish. On the dry land watch your step cause there are hundreds of hermit crabs. The mangroves are such a diverse ecosystem. This is a great excursion to bring your kids along. I would definitely do it again.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
It means a lot that you took the time to leave us a review. We're so glad you had an amazing time experiencing the wildlife. Thank you for exploring with us!
Adam_J, Jul 2024
We had a great time on this excursion. We were worried about the weather, but it ended up being a great day. Lenny was a great guide for our trip.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi Adam - Thank you for the glowing review! We're so happy you had an unforgettable time with us!
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St Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour in the US Virgin Islands
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2 hours 30 minutes
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