Snorkel, pizza, and sunset dancing, in one go. The Reef Surfari Do It All Trip layers two Virgin Islands National Park snorkel stops with a real cruise time around St. Thomas and St. John, plus the kind of onboard energy that makes the afternoon fly. I also love how the crew, from Captain CJ to marine biologist Darian and hosts like John and Sydney, turns a snorkel outing into a feel-good party.

One big consideration: this trip is not recommended for cruise ship passengers, since the ports are about 30 minutes from the dock and you cannot count on making your ship’s exact departure time.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Two National Park snorkeling stops around St. John, with gear included so you can focus on the water
• Open bar starts after the second snorkel, so plan for drinks later in the trip
• Chips and cookies after stop one, then pizza at Christmas Cove after stop two
• Sunset dance party on the water, timed for the shifting sunset during the year
• Small-ish group size with a max of 47 people, which helps keep things lively but not chaotic

Reef Surfari Do It All Trip, The Real-World Flow

This is an afternoon-first outing built around three things you want to spend time doing on St. Thomas and St. John: snorkeling, eating, and enjoying sunset. You’ll cruise between islands, snorkel in the Virgin Islands National Park area, grab pizza in Christmas Cove, then ride out the evening with music and dancing on the boat.

At $120 per person for about 5.5 hours, it’s not a bargain-bucket price. But you do get a full package: transportation by boat, two snorkel stops, snacks, pizza, a restroom on board, and an open bar portion of the day. If you like your vacation with fewer decisions and more water time, it makes sense.

Also, you do not have to bring your own snorkel setup. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, and the crew runs a tight show so first-timers usually do fine, as long as you’re willing to get in the water.

Where You Meet, How Pickup Works, and What Timing Means

The tour starts at the Ocean Surfari – Reef Surfari Snorkel Excursions meeting point at Smith Bay Rd, Red Hook, St Thomas 00802. Start time is listed as 2:00 pm, but the schedule shifts by season for how the boat swings between St. Thomas and St. John.

From October to March, Reef Surfari departs Red Hook around 1:30 pm, then picks up St. John guests at 2:00 pm in Cruz Bay. From April to September, the boat leaves St. Thomas at 2:00 pm and picks up in St. John at 2:30 pm.

You’ll head back to St. John between 6:30 and 7:00 pm, then return to St. Thomas between 7:00 and 7:30 pm, depending on when sunset lands that time of year. That timing is great for the sunset segment, but it’s also why the tour is a poor match for cruise ship passengers.

Practical note: parking at the ferry terminal is listed as $20 a day and is not included. The meeting area is also near public transportation, so you might not need a car depending on where you’re staying.

Two National Park Snorkel Stops, and What to Look For

The heart of the trip is the pair of snorkeling stops in the Virgin Islands National Park area around St. John. You’re not doing one quick look and back to the boat. You get time in the water twice, and that repetition matters because the second stop often lets you compare what you saw first, then chase a few different kinds of marine life.

What you can realistically expect to spot includes turtles and lots of colorful reef fish. The common highlights also include stingrays and octopus, plus sightings like sharks, barracuda, eagle rays, jellyfish, and beautiful coral. You should still treat wildlife as wildlife, not a guaranteed checklist. But the track record is strong enough that most people come away thrilled.

Snorkeling gear is included, and you’ll have a restroom on board, which helps if you’re trying to time everything around swim breaks. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, which usually means you should feel comfortable with the water portion and getting on and off the boat.

One more real-world detail from the experience: you’ll likely be asked to take off your shoes before getting on board. If bare feet on a boat deck isn’t your thing, bring water shoes with grip. It’s one of those small prep moves that can turn an awkward moment into a smooth one.

After Stop One: Chips and a Quick Reset

Between snorkel sessions, the boat keeps things moving. Chips and cookies are available after the first stop, so you have a snack moment before heading out again. This is also when you can dry off a little, adjust your gear, and decide how you want to spend your second swim time.

Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove, Plus When the Bar Actually Opens

After the second snorkel stop, the boat switches gears into food and drinks. According to the plan, you’ll get dinner pizza from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove of Great St. James, typically between 5:00 and 5:30 pm.

If Pizza Pi is closed, the tour still includes pizza, just from another restaurant instead. So you’re not stuck without food if something local is shut.

This is also when the open bar starts. Alcohol is served beginning at the second snorkeling location after you are finished swimming, in line with the National Park Service permit conditions for the charter. The bar menu includes rum punch, painkillers, plus sodas and water.

You’ll find two advantages to this schedule:

1. You’re not stuck on a boat with nothing to do but wait for drinks. You earn the fun, then it kicks in after snorkeling.
2. It helps reduce that post-swim fog, because you’re fed and hydrated first.

Even if you skip alcohol, you still get sodas and water, and the chips and cookies earlier help keep energy up. And yes, the pizza is simple, not a fine-dining meal. That’s not a flaw so much as a match to the vibe: you’re here for water time and sunset, and pizza does the job.

The Sunset Dance Party: Music, Timing, and Why It Works

After snorkeling and eating, the boat cruises around with music and builds toward a sunset dance party. The tour description makes it clear that the jams crank up during the cruise, and the dance party happens before you return toward St. John, then St. Thomas.

This sunset portion is usually the emotional payoff. Snorkel time is active, and pizza is practical. The sunset party is the moment when everything feels like a vacation, not a schedule.

The timing is set so you’ll be back to St. John between 6:30 and 7:00 pm, then on to St. Thomas between 7:00 and 7:30 pm, depending on sunset. That variability is normal in the Caribbean. It also means you should expect the dance party to shift slightly throughout the year, but it should still land at a satisfying point in the evening.

If you enjoy social energy, this is your moment. If you prefer quiet, you can still watch from nearby, but the vibe is meant to be upbeat, not library-silent.

The Crew Makes It, Especially When They Teach While They Play

For me, the biggest reason this works is the crew style. The boat experience isn’t only about getting you from one swim spot to the next. The crew keeps people engaged with stories and marine-life focus while also keeping the mood light.

You’ll often hear names like Captain CJ, and snorkel hosts such as John, BK, Sydney, and Darian. Darian is specifically described as a marine biologist, which matters because you get more than, Hey, fish exists. You get better context for what you’re seeing.

There’s also a consistent theme of attention and humor. The captain and snorkel guides are described as funny and interactive, and the staff tends to help people feel comfortable in the water. If you’re nervous about snorkeling, that sort of coaching is worth real money.

One thing I’d call out for expectations: this is not a quiet, instructional-only nature program. You’re trading some seriousness for energy, dancing, and a party atmosphere. The marine-life education is there, but it’s folded into the fun.

Value Check: Is $120 Worth It?

$120 for an afternoon tour can feel steep until you total what’s actually included. Here’s what you get in this single price:

• Boat cruise time around St. Thomas and St. John
• Two snorkeling stops in the Virgin Islands National Park area
• Snorkeling equipment
• Snacks: chips and cookies after stop one
• Food: pizza after stop two, usually between 5:00 and 5:30 pm
• Drinks: an open bar after the second snorkeling swim
• A restroom on board
• Pickup and drop-off centered on Red Hook and Cruz Bay

If you were booking snorkeling + a separate food plan + a sunset cruise + drinks, you’d likely spend more than this total. The combination is the value.

The only time the math changes is if you strongly prefer a low-key day, or you want alcohol from the start, since the bar only begins after the second snorkel. Another value-tester: if pizza is your must-have, it’s still pizza. It’s part of the package, not the entire point.

Who Should Book This, and Who Should Skip It

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• A full afternoon with two snorkel sessions, not just a quick splash
• A mix of wildlife spotting and fun onboard energy
• Pizza plus drinks without having to hunt for lunch later
• A sunset moment that includes music and dancing

It’s also a decent choice for families with kids who are comfortable in the water, since the crew is described as accommodating and the day is structured around swim breaks, snacks, and food.

You should skip it if:

• You’re on a tight cruise schedule, because it’s not recommended for cruise ship passengers
• You want a quiet experience with no dancing and minimal music
• You dislike being asked to remove shoes before boarding, unless you plan with water shoes

If you have food allergies or restrictions, alternative food items can be arranged with 72 hours advanced notice, and it may involve additional costs. Plan ahead so you’re not making decisions last minute.

Should You Book the Reef Surfari Do It All Trip?

If you’re choosing between a snorkeling-only tour and a do-it-all afternoon, this is the one that saves you time and decision fatigue. The two snorkel stops in the National Park area, the snack-to-pizza progression, and the sunset dance party format are exactly the kind of trip that feels like it uses the day well.

My rule: book it if your ideal day includes water time first, then food, then sunset fun. Don’t book it if your biggest priority is hitting a cruise ship on time, because the timing risk is real.

If you like a crew that mixes teaching with humor, and you want the chance to spot turtles and more, this is a very easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour?

It runs about 5 hours and 30 minutes (approx.).

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 2:00 pm. The schedule changes by season for pickups between St. Thomas and St. John.

Where are the pickup and drop-off locations?

Pickup and drop-off are centered on Red Hook in St. Thomas and Cruz Bay in St. John. The activity ends back at the meeting point in St. Thomas.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

The tour includes two snorkeling stops in the Virgin Islands National Park around St. John.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

When are alcoholic drinks served?

Alcohol is served beginning at the second snorkel location after you are finished swimming.

What food is included?

Chips and cookies are available after the first snorkel stop. Dinner pizza is provided after the second snorkel stop, typically between 5:00 and 5:30 pm from Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove (or another pizza restaurant if Pizza Pi is closed).

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

It is not recommended for cruise ship passengers, since the cruise ports are about 30 minutes from the dock and the operator cannot guarantee you will make it back on time.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you do not get a refund. The experience also requires good weather and can be canceled for poor weather, with a different date offered or a full refund.