Brewers Bay Sea Turtle Snorkel Tour (St. Thomas): Review
Want to snorkel with green sea turtles without a boat or a big budget? Brewers Bay, on the west side near the airport, is the most reliable turtle spot on St. Thomas — and this VI Ecotours trip turns it into an easy 2-hour guided shore snorkel. It's the cheapest tour we compare and one of the best for a short cruise day. Here's the full review. (Comparing options? See all the snorkel tours we rate on the homepage.)
About This Activity
Up to 24h in advance — full refund
Book today, pay nothing until later
Short and cruise-friendly
Wade in — no boat needed
The island's most reliable spot
The lowest-priced tour we compare
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the Brewers Bay turtle snorkel — book directly.
Why Brewers Bay for Turtles
Green sea turtles feed on seagrass, and Brewers Bay has wide, shallow seagrass beds right off the sand — which is why turtles graze here almost every day. There's no boat ride and no deep water: you wade in from the beach and the turtles are often just a short swim out, toward the left side of the bay.
A guide makes the difference between hoping and seeing. They know the day's feeding patterns, keep the group a respectful distance from the turtles, and point out rays and reef fish you'd miss on your own. The crew provides gear and a quick briefing before you get in.
What You'll See
What You'll See
Brewers Bay is calm and shallow, so it's gentle snorkeling with a good chance of:
- Green sea turtles grazing the seagrass
- Southern stingrays on the sandy bottom
- Schools of small reef fish and the occasional tarpon
- Starfish and sea cucumbers in the shallows
It's not a coral-wall site like Coki Point — the draw here is turtles and calm, easy water, which makes it perfect for nervous or first-time snorkelers.
What's Included
A simple, gear-included guided shore snorkel:
- A local guide for the full 2 hours
- Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) and a flotation vest
- A safety and turtle-etiquette briefing
Not included
Food and drinks aren't included — Brewers Bay has food trucks and restrooms but few other facilities, so bring water and a little cash. Transfers, gratuities and reef-safe sunscreen are also on you.
How the Tour Works
Because it's shore-based, there's no boarding or boat schedule. You meet the guide at Brewers Bay, get fitted with gear and a short briefing, then snorkel the seagrass beds and shallows for around 90 minutes with the guide leading the way to the turtles.
The whole thing runs about 2 hours door-to-door at the beach, which is why it fits so neatly into a cruise port day — Brewers Bay is only about 4 miles from the cruise port.
Where It Happens
Who This Trip Is (and Isn't) For
Ideal for first-timers, families, budget travelers and anyone whose main goal is turtles. Less ideal for:
- Snorkelers after vibrant coral walls (try Coki Point or a boat trip)
- Anyone wanting food, drinks or a boat ride included
- Travelers hoping for a guaranteed turtle (sightings are common but never certain)
Brewers Bay Turtle Snorkel FAQ
Will I definitely see a turtle?
Brewers Bay is the most reliable turtle spot on St. Thomas — green turtles graze its seagrass beds daily, and a guide knows where to look. Sightings are common but, as with any wildlife, never guaranteed.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No. The water is calm and shallow, you wade in from the beach, and you're given a flotation vest. It's one of the most beginner-friendly tours on the island.
Is it good for a cruise day?
Yes — it's only about 2 hours and Brewers Bay is roughly 4 miles from the cruise port, so it fits comfortably into a port day. Share your ship name and re-boarding time when booking.
Why is it so much cheaper than the boat tours?
There's no boat, crew or catering — it's a guided shore snorkel, so you're paying for the guide and gear only. That's why it's the best-value tour we compare.
Are there facilities at Brewers Bay?
There are restrooms and food trucks, but few other amenities. Bring water, a towel and a little cash; leave valuables behind.
What Snorkelers Say
We saw massive turtles, eagle rays, and beautiful fish. The guide was the best we've ever had. My five- and ten-year-old want to come back to St. Thomas just to do it again.
We waded straight in from the beach and a guide led us right to the turtles. No boat, no stress — perfect for our first time snorkeling.
Incredible value. We saw three green turtles and a stingray in calm, shallow water. A great little tour to fit around a cruise day.