7 Best St. John Tours & Excursions Worth Booking

Last updated: April 16th, 2024

St. John has no shortage of activities and places to explore. This helpful guide on the best tours and excursions in St. John can help you plan your vacation. Whether visiting the destination on a cruise or independently traveling, booking a tour is one the easiest ways to get around the island. 

There is much to do when you come to St. John. This part of the Caribbean is famous for its beaches and the hiking trails in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park. Because of the island’s popularity, these excursions fill up quickly, so I’d recommend pre-booking before you arrive. We’ve done quite a few of these, so take a look at some of the top-rated tours to choose from down below.   

Why You Should Book a Tour In St. John

Visiting St. John and the other U.S. Virgin Islands offers an amazing experience of untouched paradise. Taking that experience to the next level is a breeze when you entrust local experts to show you around. 

Some tours give you a chance to see the finer things in life as you sail, sip on drinks, and enjoy the unforgettable waters around the coast. Other tours are more hands-on, where you can snorkel and see firsthand the marine life in the Caribbean sea.

Best St. John Tours & Excursions

Night Kayaking In Cruz Bay, St. John

Duration: 50 minutes

Join in the fun and lively spirit of St. John with this night kayaking tour of Cruz Bay. It’s offered by The St. John Westin Resort, one of the best resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The evening of adventure starts with glow paint and fun photos and lasts approximately an hour.

After this, you’re taught how to paddle by professional instructors, followed by kayaking in a see-through kayak on a lit-up portion of the bay. This shallow cove allows visitors the chance to view colorful fish, coral, and stingrays in their natural habitat while they’re active at night.

The tour offers a unique experience that’s fun for everyone, including children and adults. All equipment is provided, including the two-seat kayak and a life jacket. Safety is ensured by the on-site staff, so you can just relax on a memorable night out in the ocean. Of all the things I’ve done on the island, night kayaking is one of the best activities to do in St. John.

USVI’s Island Hop and Food Boat Tour

Duration: 7.5 hours

This tour combines the best of the U.S. Virgin Islands with a full-day island, bar, and beach-hopping excursion. Experience four beaches over the 7.5-hour journey, including stops at Christmas Cove, Coki Point, and Water Island. Water Island is one of the four main islands in the USVI, only accessible by a guided tour. 

There is an additional stop chosen for the day of travel based on ocean conditions. You’ll also have the chance to swim to shore at two different beaches.

There is a maximum group size of 12 people, so we recommend it if you’re visiting with your own group of people or don’t mind spending it with others. They let you choose a convenient departure point from either St. John or St. Thomas, depending on where you’re staying on the islands. 

Refreshments (including alcohol) come included, and a snack too. The tour stops at the Lime Out taco boat and Pizza Pi for food. If you’re looking to go on a full-day tour, we highly recommend this one since it takes you to some hard to reach places near St. John and St. Thomas. 

Luxury Catamaran Trip

Duration: 7 hours

This luxury excursion by Voodoo Charters features several snorkeling stops from Caneel Bay all the way along the northern coast of St. John. Hop on board one of the best catamarans in the U.S. Virgin Islands and take the day as you like it. If you’re looking to jump in the water every chance you get or soak up the sun with changing scenery throughout the day, this tour is perfect for you. 

Shortly after, you’ll sail to Lime Out, the world-famous taco boat. Enjoy a few tacos and a margarita, and relax on the water with your haul. Afterward, the catamaran continues sailing until the tour ends around sunset.

They include snorkeling gear and a wide choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is really one of the best boat charters in St. John.

Champagne Sunset Sail

Duration: 1 hour

The sunsets in St. John are legendary, and this tour gives you a front-row seat to the stunning natural spectacle. Sip champagne and nibble on snacks as the sun drops and crosses the horizon to the west. You get a breathtaking view and otherworldly colors on display. 

The champagne sunset sail embarks from The Westin St. John Resort in Cruz Bay and makes its way out to the Pillsbury Sound. Once you arrive, the 55-foot catamaran anchors down and lets guests enjoy the view. 

Grab drinks from the open bar on board at any time during the cruise as well as the included appetizers. This is an excellent trip for couples who want to wrap up another fantastic day around St. John or as a warm-up to the nightlife around Cruz Bay.

Snorkeling With Turtles At Different Beaches

Duration: 6 hours

This amazing tour takes you to explore the different cays and beaches in St. John and St. Thomas. Hop aboard an Aquila power catamaran with a small group and enjoy a full day of snorkeling in St. John, sightseeing, and sunbathing. The experienced guides help point out what to look out for in and out of the water.

You start the day off right on board with a full continental breakfast before embarking on the 6-hour cruise. It makes stops at Waterlemon Cay, Maho Bay, Christmas Cove, and the Ledges of Little St. James. Little St. James is a private island that’s not too easy to reach, so this is a good way to see it. 

You’ll have opportunities to snorkel at every one of these spots and the chance to observe all of the underwater biodiversity of the area. This includes stingrays, fish, and the magical sea turtles of the U.S. Virgin Islands. On your way back, you pass by the Pillsbury Sound. 

After spending time on the water, travelers can make use of the open bar and pick up a drink before retiring to a seat overlooking the sparkling blue waters. 

Eat Pizza, Snorkel & Sail Tour

Duration: 5 hours

You can spend the day sailing, snorkeling, and enjoying pie with one of the best tours in St. John. Along the way, you stop by Pizza Pi, the pizza shop on a boat.

Start the day with a mid-morning departure from The Westin resort on a luxurious and spacious catamaran. You’ll gracefully sail through a couple of shallow coves with ideal snorkeling conditions. There is much to see and do you might even think about doing it more than once.

You’ll stop along beautiful beaches and have a chance to get in the water and snorkel with the animals. Snorkeling equipment and training are provided, and this is a beginner-friendly tour suitable for families with children. You can save on ticket costs if you have any children under 11. 

Pizza Pi is a unique slice of heaven in the form of a floating restaurant, and you’ll get to enjoy all of the pizza and salad you like for lunch. Apart from pizza, the excursion also comes with complimentary snacks and an open bar.

Visit The Baths In The BVI’s

Duration: 9 hours

The east end of St. John puts you close to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It features a legendary geological display called The Baths. This tour gives you an exclusive day-long outing to The Baths in Devil’s Bay National Park and White Bay, all located in the BVI’s. 

Your day begins early, departing from Cruz Bay as you and 12 other lucky travelers make your way east to Virgin Gorda. Then you begin a hike to reach the Baths. Once you arrive at The Baths, you’ll disembark and be treated to an off-the-beaten-path guided tour. 

After leaving Devils Bay, they take you over to White Bay in Jost Van Dyke. There is plenty of time to relax in the sun, take a quick dip in the waters, and snorkel. All snorkeling equipment, drinks of all varieties, and a selection of snacks are included with the tour. 

Since you’re technically leaving the US and traveling to another country, you are required to bring along your passport. It’s surprisingly a fairly simple process but it’s always best to be prepared. The excursion is the perfect way to visit two different island groups in one trip.

You should expect to spend plenty of time out on the water since it takes around 1.5 hours or more to travel between the islands.

What To Bring On Tours In St. John

Many of the items you’ll need to bring along for any excursion or tour are things you might have already packed for your vacation. Bring comfortable sandals or water shoes, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen. 

If you’re going to spend time in the water kayaking, snorkeling, or swimming, be sure to bring a towel if one isn’t provided already on the tour. Read through all of the details prior to booking, as many already include convenience items. You probably don’t need to worry about food or beverages for most of them.

Use your best judgment and only bring what you might need so you can focus on the experience and unrivaled beauty of St. John and the other U.S Virgin Islands. If you want to record memories of your tour, bring a GoPro or waterproof camera that you can take into the water with you.