The 15 Best Kayak Trips in the Virgin Islands

1.Night Kayak Tour St. Thomas – Westin Frenchman’s Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,813 reviews · from $69Our pick

At the Westin Frenchman’s Reef, you’ll paint your face, put on glow gear, and paddle a clear kayak lit from below. Guides such as Curtis, Derek, Megan, Eugene, and Emily point out tarpon, stingrays, turtles, and other night creatures. The one-hour tour stays in a calm cove and takes no more than six people.

“Wanted to try something a little different in St. Thomas. Starting with face glow paint and colorful blinking head gear, we had a quick lesson, and paddled into the cove. We saw Tarpons, a Stingray feeding, and other local fish. Derek and Aaron were fun and very informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Night Kayak Tour St. John – Westin Resort

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,011 reviews · from $69

You’ll spend about 50 minutes on the water in a two-person, clear-bottom kayak at the Westin St. John Resort. After glow paint and photos, guides such as Bernard, Sam, Fawn, and Spencer lead you around the cove, where tarpon, baitfish, stingrays, and occasionally bats appear below the lights.

“We had a great time. Bernard was a great guide. We saw lots of fish and had a great time. It was fun to be on the water at night.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Cas Cay – Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 870 reviews · from $99

Paddle through St. Thomas’s red-mangrove lagoon, hike eight minutes across uneven coral rubble to Cas Cay’s cliffs and blowhole, then snorkel in a sheltered mangrove nursery. Guides such as Marcus, Swish, Dana, and Chase add island stories, wildlife facts, and plenty of humor. Equipment, snacks, water, lockers, and changing rooms are included.

“Nice variety of activities. Brooke was a wonderful guide. She was informative and helpful. Great experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.St Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour in the US Virgin Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $89

Spend about 2.5 hours kayaking through St. Thomas’ Mangrove Lagoon, snorkeling near coral-fringed roots, and learning about local wildlife from guides such as Brooke, Kaz, Pat, and Slim. You may see stingrays, spotted rays, lobster, octopus, jellyfish, fish, and hermit crabs. A Cas Cay hike may extend the outing.

“The kayak through the mangroves was great. Snorkeling was awesome… saw a stingray but few fish. Don’t bother with the hike. But walk back by the covered tables to see thousands of hermit cr@bs”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Glow Boats LED Night Kayak, Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Dock, USVI

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 456 reviews · from $75

Meet your guide at Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Dock for a beginner-friendly night kayak trip. After a short safety briefing, paddle illuminated kayaks over the reef and look for turtles, stingrays, tarpon, and fish. Guides such as Paul, Sean, Zoe, and Louis add local stories and marine-life insight to this roughly 75-minute outing.

“Wonderful experience!! Our host was amazing and very knowledgeable. We saw all sorts of marine life including sting rays and sea turtles! Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Turtles, National Park, St. John

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $119

Spend about three hours hiking Turtle Point, kayaking across Caneel Bay, and snorkeling over seagrass beds where sea turtles, stingrays, squid, and tropical fish gather. Guides such as Kenny, Matt, Ernie, and Teegan add local insight, while all gear, water, and a snack are included. The longer option includes lunch.

“This was an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Matt was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting the U.S.V.I.!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Magic Mangrove Paddle in Beef Island Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 288 reviews · from $105

Explore Beef Island Lagoon by kayak or stand-up paddleboard with local guide Alex. After a safety briefing and gear fitting, paddle through mangrove nurseries, watch for turtles, stingrays, barracuda, baby sharks, and sea birds, then stop on a tiny coral atoll. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, with 1.5 to 2 hours on the water.

“Excellent, fun excursion. Glad we did it, never been kayaking before. Alex is a local and an informative guide, picked us up as arranged in his car and took us to the site, giving us local history and pointing out local wildlife.on the way back dropped us off at a local beach and arranged a taxi pick up later to take us back to the ship.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · from $159

Spend about five hours exploring St. Thomas’s Mangrove Lagoon and Cas Cay by kayak, on foot, and in the water. Guides such as Freddie, Dana, Swish, and Chrissy provide instruction and explain local wildlife, geology, and island life. Lunch, water, kayaks, and snorkel gear are included. Transportation is available with selected options.

“Upon arrival my wife and I discovered that we had a private tour. And while not planned, we certainly were treated as being special. From the initial welcome, through a discussion on available outfitting and gear from the small shop that delighted my wife and ensured we were properly prepared. My wife is a Docent at the Detroit Zoological Park, so anything to do with nature and wildlife is seriously judged. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable both about the island, the area, and also about the fish and wildlife; plants and trees; and geological history of the lagoon and island. He also was exceptionally open, seeking our input or physical…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.St Thomas Shore Excursion: Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $119

Paddle St Thomas’ protected Mangrove Lagoon with guides such as Kyrell, Kas, Pat, or Slim, then snorkel beside coral-fringed roots. Expect calm water, rays, fish, and possible octopus sightings, plus an optional Cas Cay hike. Round-trip pickup, gear, lockers, water, and a snack are included.

“Ansley was amazing, showing me how to snorkel and didn’t let me give up. His patience and knowledge of the underwater life was incredible!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.St Thomas Night Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 145 reviews · from $69

Join Virgin Islands Ecotours for a 90-minute evening paddle through St. Thomas Mangrove Lagoon. Your guide leads you past Cas Cay while you look for tarpon, stingrays, fish, crabs, and perhaps a nurse shark beneath kayak lights. Guides such as Slim, Devon, Jason, and Nahshon are known for lively stories and patient instruction.

“My husband picked this night kayak tour while on our honeymoon. Neither one of us had ever gone kayaking before. We certainly struggled to learn how to work together paddling the kayak, but other than that, it was an amazing activity. The Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $59Best value

Spend 90 minutes in a sit-on-top kayak through St Thomas’ Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary. Guides such as Perez, Swish, Freddie and Yoshe explain bird migration, mangrove ecology and marine life as you paddle toward Bird Island and Bovoni Cay. The tour ends back at the marina, where food and drinks are available.

“Cannot recommend enough! Zack was our guide and he was very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and was able to answer all of our questions. Cynthia our host was very sweet and helpful. If you’re looking for a fun break froRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.St Thomas Sea Turtle Snorkel Kayak Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $139

Spend about four hours snorkeling with sea turtles in a calm St. Thomas bay, kayaking, relaxing on a white-sand beach, and eating lunch. Guides such as Sven, Michelle, Connor, and Justin provide gear, instruction, local nature stories, and close supervision. The tour suits families and first-time snorkelers, but kayaking requires moderate fitness.

“Michelle was very knowledgeable and we got to see sea turtles, an array of fish, and a stingray. She also told us about the trees on the beach and the fruits that grew on them. We even got to try a few! Great experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Illuminated Night Kayaking at the Elysian Resort

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · from $82

Meet at the Elysian Beach Resort Water Sports hut by 6:00pm for a safety briefing, then follow a local guide across the evening sea in a glowing kayak. The small group, capped at eight, gives you room to ask questions and watch for fish below. The outing ends around 7:45pm with fruit and rum punch.

“Very cool experience! It was cool to see under the kayak especially once it got dark! Kai was an awesome guide throughout the tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.On Your Own: Kayak in the Mangrove Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · from $69

Start at 9 a.m. with a single or double kayak, paddle, life jacket, and snorkel gear. Use a map to explore the Inner Mangrove Lagoon, Bird Island, and nearby cays without a guide. Stop to snorkel, walk Cas Cay, and search for stingrays, barracuda, fish, and hermit crabs before returning to the launch point.

“My husband and I enjoyed the kayaking and hiking experience. However, the snorkeling was not enjoyable. Apparently one must snorkel wearing life jackets. I gave up after 3 minutes. Its ridiculous and impossible to enjoy snorkeling in shalloRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.St Thomas Kayak and Sea Turtle Snorkel Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $139

Paddle from Emerald Beach Resort to a quiet St. Thomas bay where sea turtles feed in the seagrass. Your guide teaches beginners, leads the snorkel, and serves a beach lunch. Guides such as Sven and Conner are praised for clear instruction and local nature facts. Expect a four-hour outing with a maximum of nine people.

“We had a great time in this tour. Sven was informative and cared for our safety. We snorkeled first at a public local beach and then to kayaks. Kayaks were alittle more bouncy with waves then the kids liked so we did it for less time. The snorkelRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review