Best Snorkeling on St. Thomas: Top Spots & Tours
St. Thomas is the ultimate snorkeling destination, home to a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life. Whether you want to join an expert-led tour or gear up and explore on your own, St. Thomas delivers crystal-clear waters, colorful reefs and unforgettable encounters with sea turtles, rays and technicolor tropical fish.
Top Snorkeling Spots
Coki Point Beach
Home to an underwater playground, Coki Point Beach sits right beside Coral World Ocean Park. Its calm, shallow and exceptionally clear waters make this St. Thomas beach ideal for beginners. Step in from the shore and you’ll immediately spy coral heads that attract tropical fish like schooling sergeant majors, parrotfish and the occasional squid. This popular beach has amenities like chair and umbrella rentals plus food vendors, so arrive early for the best availability.
Sapphire Beach
Sapphire Beach is postcard perfect, famous for its turquoise waters and long stretches of soft sand near Red Hook. Snorkelers entering directly from the shore will experience excellent visibility while exploring the rocky points on either end of the beach. Marine life here includes sea turtles grazing on seagrass, rays and coral clusters sheltering parrotfish and angelfish. The best coral formations are on the rocky eastern edge. On land, under the shade of sea grape trees, take in jaw-dropping views of the offshore cays.
Secret Harbour
Tucked on the island’s southeast coast, Secret Harbour is a protected cove with a gently sloping sandy entry, consistently calm waters and healthy reefs. Swim through sea fan coral as colorful fish dart about. The rocky right side is home to fascinating reef life, including sponges, soft corals and spotted drum. Perfect for first-timers and relaxed St Thomas snorkeling, the beach offers gear rental, restrooms and dining at the nearby Secret Harbour Beach Resort.
Hull Bay
A laid-back local favorite on the North Shore, Hull Bay offers a quiet escape, with good snorkeling along the rocky reef on its western point. Marine life thrives in sheltered nooks here. Expect to encounter patch reefs, small caves, lobster, tropical fish and rays that glide just beneath the surface. A quieter alternative to busier beaches, Hull Bay offers shady spots and The Shack at The Hideaway beach bar nearby. Rent gear at St. Thomas Scuba & Snorkel Adventures.
Guided ST. THOMAS SNORKELING Tours
Aqua Action Dive Center
Operating from Secret Harbour Beach Resort, the Aqua Action Dive Center offers guided half- and full-day snorkel tours in the waters surrounding St. Thomas. Start off in the resort’s calm, reef-protected Secret Harbour cove, a perfect place for beginners and families. Excursions explore coral-covered rocky edges and seagrass beds where turtles feed and fish flit by. Friendly guides with vast local knowledge share their insights about the surrounding marine life. Be sure to bring reef-safe sunscreen and towels.
St. Thomas Snorkeling
Departing from the East End and surrounding bays, St. Thomas Snorkeling specializes in small-group boat tours to spots like Turtle Cove, Christmas Cove and hidden offshore reefs. Guests enjoy relaxed cruising and expert guides who help spot turtles, rays and vibrant reef formations. They also share local ecology insights, making each stop especially meaningful. Snorkeling gear is included.
St. Thomas Scuba & Snorkel Adventures
St. Thomas Scuba & Snorkel Adventures takes snorkelers by powerboat on personalized trips to less-visited reefs, secluded coves and turtle-friendly bays around the East End. Depths are shallow, visibility is excellent and the guides are attentive. The outings are ideal for those who want a curated underwater experience with briefings about marine life. There are plenty of opportunities for memorable photos (don’t forget an underwater camera). A night snorkeling adventure is also offered.
Ocean Surfari
Based in Red Hook, Ocean Surfari offers half- and full-day St. Thomas snorkeling excursions aboard the comfortable, 47-foot Reef Surfari catamaran. Trips pair scenic boat rides with snorkeling time in pristine habitats, including the calm reefs off Little and Great St. James. Knowledgeable crew members help guests identify fish species, spot rays and safely explore top snorkeling sites using high-quality gear. For each snorkeling trip booked, the company donates $5 to sea turtle protection, coral restoration or youth programs.
Sonic Charters
Sonic Charters offers private boat charters aboard powerboats and sport yachts that are perfect for couples, families or small groups seeking a customized day of snorkeling. Select from one of the captains who will be your private guide at places like Christmas Cove and secluded offshore reefs. The itinerary is tailored to weather and sea conditions, ensuring crystal-clear sites with abundant coral and marine life like turtles and tropical fish. Gear is included, with children’s equipment available.
Gear Rental
Red Hook Dive Center
Located in the heart of Red Hook, the full-service Red Hook Dive Center rents high-quality masks, fins, vests and flotation gear. Because it’s situated near East End beaches like Sapphire and Secret Harbour, as well as popular tour departure points, the shop is a convenient spot to gear up before heading out to explore nearby reefs. Red Hook’s staff helps match guests with equipment suited to local conditions, making sure they’re fully prepared for a day of snorkeling on St. Thomas.
Sapphire Provisioning
Just steps from Sapphire Beach, Sapphire Provisioning offers snorkel gear rentals for beachgoers who want to jump straight into the water to explore local reefs. They stock well-maintained masks, snorkels, fins and flotation equipment. Sapphire Provisioning’s location and quick access to one of the island’s best shore-snorkeling spots make it a hassle-free option for a spontaneous ocean adventure.
More Things to Do on St. Thomas
Scenic St. Thomas hiking trails
Scuba diving on St. Thomas: Best spots & tours
St. Thomas sightseeing: Things to do and see
Top fishing charters on St. Thomas
Snorkeling Trip Tips
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Snorkeling is free if you bring your own gear to use at local beaches, or you can rent gear for about $20 to $40 a day from vendors at some beaches or dive shops. Guided group half-day boat trip tours to snorkeling spots are about $90 to $100 per person, with full-day excursions ranging from $150 to $170. Private charters can be $2,500 or more.
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For family snorkeling, Coki Point Beach, Sapphire Beach and Secret Harbour are top picks for easy access, calm waters and abundant fish. Coki Point offers gear rentals and proximity to Coral World Ocean Park. You’ll see turtles at Sapphire Beach, Secret Harbour and Lindquist Beach. Hull Bay is a quieter beach to spot fish and lobster.
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You can snorkel year-round, but for fewer people and flat, clear waters, go snorkeling from May to October. The best time is generally April to June. During the peak winter travel season from December through March, expect calm seas, but more people and stronger winds that can sometimes affect clarity.
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For secluded snorkeling in St. Thomas, try Lindquist Beach for untouched reefs, Brewers Bay for guaranteed sea turtle sightings away from crowds and Hull Bay for local vibes and rocky nooks. Secret Harbour offers easy, calm snorkeling but can get busier. For maximum seclusion, visit beaches when cruise ships are not in port.