Booking choice: The Turtle Cove catamaran, from $119 per person. Check dates Tour details
The catamaran and turtle snorkel trips are built around ship days. That works in your favour: docks sit next to the pier, times are short, and operators ask for your ship details.
It also means competition for seats. Here is what the 2026-27 schedule looks like and how to plan around it.
The quick answer
WICO projects 359 cruise calls and about 1.25 million passengers from October 2026 to September 2027. From the Havensight pier you can walk to Yacht Haven Grande, where the small-group boats leave; the VI Cat's dock is a 7-10 minute taxi away. Book small boats early, give your ship's times at booking, and choose a trip of three or four hours.
How busy is the 2026-27 cruise season at St Thomas?
Busy: 359 ship calls and about 1.25 million passengers between October 2026 and September 2027, according to WICO.
The West Indian Company (WICO), which runs the Havensight dock, announced its FY2027 schedule in June 2026. Five ships call for the first time: Explora III (December 27, 2026), Seven Seas Prestige (January 8, 2027), Carnival Firenze (March 5, 2027), Carnival Festivale (June 1, 2027) and Norwegian Aura (June 22, 2027). Caribbean Journal lists December and January as the months with the largest ships, Icon of the Seas and Disney Treasure among them.
Which catamaran trips fit a cruise day?
Trips of two to four hours from Havensight or Frenchman's Cove. Skip the five-hour sails unless your ship stays late.
From the Havensight (WICO) pier the small-group boats are a walk away at Yacht Haven Grande. From Crown Bay, the second cruise port, you need a taxi to every dock below.
| Trip | Leaves from | From the ship | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-group turtle snorkel | Yacht Haven Grande | Walk from Havensight | 4 hours | $159 |
| Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach | Havensight | Walk from Havensight; taxi from Crown Bay, allow 20 extra min | 4 hours | $160 |
| Turtle Cove catamaran | Marriott's Frenchman's Cove | Taxi 7-10 min from Havensight, 20-30 min from Crown Bay | 3 hours | $119 |
| National park snorkel | Red Hook | Cruise meeting points at Crown Bay and Havensight | 3.5 hours | $90 |
| Turtle snorkel from the beach | Lindbergh Bay | Own transport to Emerald Beach Resort | 2 hours | $89 |
What should you tell the operator when you book?
Your ship's name, docking time, time ashore and all-aboard time. The VI Cat asks for all four at booking.
Operators work in local time. The U.S. Virgin Islands stay on Atlantic Standard Time all year, with no daylight saving, so from early November to March the island is one hour ahead of U.S. Eastern time. Ships sometimes keep their home time on board. Plan by island time and check which one your daily programme uses.
When should you book for a port day in 2026-27?
Weeks ahead for the 12-seat boats on busy days, especially December and January. The big catamaran has more room.
The Someday Charters and Seas the Day boats take 12 guests at most, so a single cruise ship can fill a departure. The VI Cat carries up to 65. If your date is flexible, a day with fewer ships in port means fewer boats at the turtle spots too.
Want a guide in the water and a 12-person group? Book the small-group snorkel early for a cruise day.
Explore the small-group turtle snorkel Tour detailsWhat if your ship skips St Thomas?
Cancel the tour yourself at least 24 hours before the start to get a full refund on Viator.
Free cancellation on every trip here runs up to 24 hours before. Ships change course for weather, mostly in hurricane season (see our hurricane season 2026 post), so keep an eye on cruise line notices in the days before your call. Our cruise port guide covers the docks and timing in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
How many cruise ships come to St Thomas in 2026-27?
WICO projects 359 calls and about 1.25 million passengers from October 2026 to September 2027.
Can I walk from the cruise ship to a catamaran?
From the Havensight (WICO) pier, yes: the small-group boats leave from Yacht Haven Grande next door. From Crown Bay you need a taxi.
Which time zone do St Thomas tours use?
Atlantic Standard Time, all year. Your ship may keep a different time on board.
How far ahead should I book a catamaran for a cruise day?
Weeks ahead for the 12-person boats on busy days, especially December and January.
Ready to book
Choose your boat
Every option here can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before on Viator. Prices are per person, in USD, and move with the season.
Small-Group Turtle Snorkel & Honeymoon Beach
- Professional crew and an in-water snorkeling guide
- Snorkel gear, a boarding ladder and a bathroom on board
- Snacks; open bar after the in-water activities
Buck Island Turtle Cove Catamaran Sail
- Sail to Turtle Cove at Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge (you snorkel; nobody lands on the island)
- Snorkel gear: mask, snorkel, snorkel vest and fins
- Snacks and unlimited drinks; alcohol only after the in-water part
Semi-Private Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach
- Snorkel stop at Little Buck Island, then Honeymoon Beach
- Snorkel gear, soda, bottled water and alcoholic drinks
- Group limit 12; infants ride on laps
