Swimming with Turtles in the Virgin Islands: The 13 Best Trips

1.Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel and Sail at Little Buck Island STT

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,100 reviews · from $119Our pick

Spend three hours aboard The VI Cat, sailing from Marriott Frenchman’s Cove to Turtle Cove at Little Buck Island. Crew members such as Captain Serena, Nick, Isaac, and Porscha help with safety, snorkeling, and drinks. Equipment, snacks, and post-swim alcoholic drinks are included, with time to swim or relax onboard.

“Fun, easy going trip to see amazing turtles feeding on grass and rising to the surface for air. Also a coral reef with plenty of fish and colors.”

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2.Snorkel & Swim with Turtles. Semi Private Tour to Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 661 reviews · from $160

Join Seas the Day Charters for a four-hour boat trip from Havensight Cruise Pier to Turtle Cove or Brewers Bay and Honeymoon Beach. Snorkel with turtles and tropical fish, then enjoy beer, soda, and water. Captains such as Rusty, Mike, Dave, JW, and JP may lead the trip. Lunch and beach-bar drinks cost extra.

“Rusty was our Captain and we couldn’t have handled picked a better guy. Our trip was fantastic! Will recommend to friends.”

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3.Half Day Luxury Catamaran Turtle Snorkel And Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 635 reviews · from $159

Join Captain Joe and Catie on the Someday, a modern catamaran limited to 12 people. Snorkel near Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge, look for green sea turtles and colorful fish, then relax at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. Gear, snacks, fresh water, and drinks are included.

“The captain and his first-mate were very friendly and informative about the surroundings! We had a great time and would highly recommend Catie and Joe as captains!”

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4.Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · from $295

Sail from American Yacht Harbor with a group of no more than 12 people. Snorkel at Christmas Cove, collect a hot cheese or pepperoni pizza from the floating Pizza Pi restaurant, then swim with turtles and sting rays at Maho Bay before sailing home at sunset. Equipment, lunch, drinks, crew, fuel, and an onboard restroom are included.

“We loved seeing all the turtles and stingrays. The crew is super attentive. Would do this again. The sunset sail was breathtaking.”

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5.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.!”

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6.Half Day Sail and Snorkel with the Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 285 reviews · from $140

Captain Mike and first mate Nikki take you from Charlotte Amalie aboard Fury, a restored sailing yacht bound for Turtle Cove at Buck Island. Expect a short snorkel lesson, calm water, green sea turtles, tropical fish, octopus, and stingrays, followed by drinks and snacks. The boat carries no more than 25 people.

“Very easy going, relaxing tour and snorkeling. The crew is great, we got to swim with a turtle. This was our second trip with them. We were happy customers!”

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7.Small Group Sea Turtle Tour (Guaranteed to see turtles)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $89

Spend about two hours snorkeling from a St. Thomas beach where sea turtles are guaranteed. Guides such as Sophie, Sven, James, and Justin lead small groups to turtles, rays, octopus, and reef fish. Gear, flotation devices, beach chairs, and water are included, but transport and photos cost extra.

“Great tour. Sven spoke about the local trees and the bay we swam in during the tour. Then we went into the water and within 5 minutes we were watching sea turtles., we also saw a few stingrays, some small conch, a small octopus and lots of fish.”

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8.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.”

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9.St. Thomas Maho Bay Turtle Snorkel Sail – Ritz-Carlton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $179

Start at the Ritz-Carlton at 10:15 a.m. for a five-hour sail to St. John. You’ll snorkel in Maho Bay and Honeymoon Beach, look for green and hawksbill turtles, eat a full picnic lunch, and enjoy the open bar after swimming. Crew members provide gear, safety guidance, and local wildlife details.

“Very relaxing and enjoyable excursion for families. This was the first experience for two of our grandchildren and they loved their time. The captain and crew were all very accommodating and atttentive.”

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10.Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · from $65Best value

Meet near Frederiksted Pier for a guided, shallow-water snorkel with Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles, rays, barracuda, coral, and tropical fish. Brandon, Joe, or another local guide provides gear, a life jacket, and instruction. Some bookings also include full-day access to kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and snorkel gear at Rainbow Beach, so confirm your exact meeting point.

“Joe our guide was excellent!! Our group did not have snorkeling experience! From the moment we arrived to in and out of the water it was FUN SAFE and seen LOTS of ocean life! 10/10 would definitely recommend!”

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11.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”

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12.Snorkeling with Sea Turtles at St. Thomas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $79

Meet at Kimbas Food Truck near Brewer’s Bay for a two-hour, shore-based snorkeling outing. You’ll enter calm, shallow water with a guide, look for green sea turtles, stingrays, squid, octopus, and reef fish, then enjoy 30 minutes on the beach. Guides including DJ, Paul, Sophia, and Pebbles have earned strong praise for safety and wildlife spotting.

“very relaxing, easy to get there and great instructor. It was just the perfect amount of time. Family enjoyed!”

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13.St. John Luxury Catamaran Turtle Snorkel and Cays Full Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $250

Spend about six hours aboard Someday Charters’ modern Aquila power catamaran with Captain Joe and Catie. Snorkel at Waterlemon Cay, Maho Bay, and the Ledges of Little St. James, with gear, breakfast, lunch, a guide, and a top-shelf open bar after the water activities.

“This was the best experience of our lives, my family and I truly enjoyed the whole experience, from the pick up to drop off, everything was luxury treatment. We will be doing it again for sure! Highly recommend. The best captain in the land and Jack of all traits Catie..thank you guys.”

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