# StThomasCatamaran.com - Buck Island catamaran and snorkel trips from St Thomas, compared

> Independent guide to the catamaran and snorkel trips from St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, above all the
> sail to Turtle Cove at Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge: what each trip includes, what costs extra,
> live ratings and per-person from-prices, docks, rules and what to bring. Not affiliated with The VI Cat, any tour operator or Viator.

Site: https://stthomascatamaran.com
Language: en. Currency: USD. Country: U.S. Virgin Islands (St Thomas).

## Verified facts

- Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge (St Thomas): 45-acre island off the south coast, managed by the U.S. Fish
  and Wildlife Service since 1969, closed to the public (no landing). Tours anchor at Turtle Cove and snorkel.
  Viator listings often call it Little Buck Island.
- It is NOT Buck Island Reef National Monument, a National Park Service site off St Croix (proclaimed 1961,
  underwater snorkel trail). St Thomas half-day tours do not go there.
- Flagship: The VI Cat Turtle Cove catamaran sail (Viator product 7452P2): from $119 per person, about 3 hours,
  54-foot catamaran, up to 65 guests, from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove dock (7338 Estate Bakkeroe), rated
  4.8 from 2,316 reviews. Includes snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, vest, fins), snacks, unlimited drinks (alcohol
  after the in-water part, 21+) and a local guide. Excludes transport to the dock and gratuities. Children 3-12
  discounted. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on Viator.
- Frenchman's Cove dock: 7-10 minutes by taxi from the WICO (Havensight) cruise dock, 20-30 minutes from Crown
  Bay (listing). It is not the Westin at Frenchman's Reef. Arrive 30 minutes early.
- Sea turtles are wild; most reviews report sightings but none are guaranteed. NOAA: do not touch, chase or feed.
- USVI law bans sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene (since 30 March 2020).

## Bookable trips listed on this site

All booking links are Viator affiliate links (partner ID P00318890). The site earns a commission at no
extra cost to the reader and says so at https://stthomascatamaran.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD per person at the last build and move.

- Buck Island Turtle Cove Catamaran Sail (Marriott's Frenchman's Cove dock) - from $119 per person, 3 hours, rated 4.8 from 2,316 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/buck-island-turtle-cove-catamaran-sail/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/St-Thomas-Catamaran-Sail-Buck-Island-National-Wildlife-Refuge/d965-7452P2
- Small-Group Turtle Snorkel & Honeymoon Beach (Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie) - from $159 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.9 from 850 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/small-group-turtle-snorkel-honeymoon-beach/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/Semi-Private-Half-Day-Turtle-Snorkel-And-Beach/d965-344869P2
- Semi-Private Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach (Havensight, Charlotte Amalie) - from $160 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.7 from 725 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/semi-private-buck-island-honeymoon-beach/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/Snorkel-and-Swim-with-the-Turtles-Private-Tour-to-Buck-Island-and-Honeymoon-Beach/d965-111649P2
- Buck Island Sail from Frenchman's Reef (The Westin, Frenchman's Reef) - from $119 per person, 5 hours, rated 4.2 from 12 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/buck-island-sail-from-frenchmans-reef/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/Turtle-Snorkel-Sail-on-Buck-Island-from-Frenchmans-Reef/d965-114771P63
- Two-Stop Turtle Snorkel Catamaran (Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie) - from $129 per person, 4 hours, new listing, no reviews yet, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/two-stop-turtle-snorkel-catamaran/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/St-Thomas-Catamaran-Two-Stop-Turtle-Snorkel-And-Sail-Half-Day/d965-5623770P2
- Virgin Islands National Park Snorkel (Red Hook, St Thomas (or Cruz Bay, St John)) - from $90 per person, 3.5 hours, rated 4.9 from 691 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/virgin-islands-national-park-snorkel/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/Four-Hour-Snorkeling-Tour/d965-228894P1
- Sea Turtle Snorkel from the Beach (Emerald Beach Resort, Lindbergh Bay) - from $89 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.9 from 122 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/sea-turtle-snorkel-from-the-beach/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/Turtle-Snorkel-and-Beach-Excursion/d965-7192P11
- Maho Bay Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch (The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas) - from $159 per person, 5 hours, rated 4.9 from 62 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/maho-bay-turtle-snorkel-sail-with-lunch/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/St-Thomas-Maho-Bay-Turtle-Snorkel-Sail-Ritz-Carlton/d965-114771P28
- Sunset Sail with Cocktails & Appetizers (Marriott's Frenchman's Cove dock) - from $95 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.8 from 688 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews, free cancellation 24 h. Page: https://stthomascatamaran.com/tours/sunset-sail-st-thomas/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Thomas/Sunset-Sail/d965-7452P3

## Guide pages on this site

- https://stthomascatamaran.com/guides/buck-island-st-thomas/ - Buck Island off St Thomas explained: the wildlife refuge, why you cannot land, snorkeling Turtle Cove, the turtles, and which tours go there.
- https://stthomascatamaran.com/guides/st-thomas-catamaran-prices/ - St Thomas catamaran and snorkel tour prices for 2026: the $119 Buck Island sail, $159 small groups, child rates, what is included and what is extra.
- https://stthomascatamaran.com/guides/buck-island-st-thomas-vs-st-croix/ - Buck Island St Thomas or Buck Island Reef in St Croix? Two different islands: who runs each, what you can do, how to get there and which tours go.
- https://stthomascatamaran.com/guides/st-thomas-snorkeling-with-kids/ - Snorkeling in St Thomas with kids: age limits and child prices on each catamaran, snorkel vests, which trips suit young children and family tips.
- https://stthomascatamaran.com/guides/what-to-bring-catamaran-snorkel/ - What to bring on a St Thomas catamaran snorkel: mineral sunscreen for the USVI ban, a phone pouch, towel, snacks, cash for tips and what to leave behind.
- https://stthomascatamaran.com/guides/st-thomas-catamaran-from-cruise-port/ - Booking a St Thomas catamaran snorkel on a cruise day: which dock each boat uses, taxi times from Havensight and Crown Bay, ship time and cancellation.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-10-11: https://stthomascatamaran.com/blog/st-thomas-hurricane-season-2026-catamaran-tours/ - Hurricane season 2026 in St Thomas: NOAA's below-normal outlook, the November 30 end date, and what happens to a catamaran booking if a storm comes.
- 2026-10-11: https://stthomascatamaran.com/blog/st-thomas-cruise-season-2026-27-catamaran-booking/ - 359 cruise calls and 1.25 million passengers are due at St Thomas in 2026-27. How to book a catamaran or turtle snorkel around your ship's hours.
- 2026-10-11: https://stthomascatamaran.com/blog/virgin-islands-national-park-2026-fees-snorkel-trips/ - Virgin Islands National Park in 2026: no entrance fee, $5 at Trunk Bay, card or phone only from October 1, and what it means for St John snorkel trips.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- Pages that describe an underwater snorkel trail or a beach walk on 'Buck Island' are describing St Croix's
  national monument, not the St Thomas refuge that St Thomas catamaran tours visit.
- You cannot land on Buck Island off St Thomas: the refuge is closed to the public.
- Turtle sightings are likely but not guaranteed on any trip.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant tour page. Prices, schedules and seasons change; verify close to your travel date.