The VI Cat is a top-rated, long-running St. Thomas catamaran operator, and they run four very different trips out of the Frenchman's Cove / Marriott area. The daytime catamaran hits Little Buck Island for snorkeling; two evening sails split the difference between a quick cocktail cruise and a full dinner; and there's an LED night kayak for something completely different. Here's which one to book.
The short answer
Default pick: the Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel & Sail. It's the daytime trip, the most popular, and the best choice for first-timers and families — calm water, snorkel gear included, and child pricing.
Otherwise: choose the Sunset Sail for a shorter evening cocktail cruise, the Dinner Sail if you want a full evening out with food and the harbor lights, or the Glow Kayak for something different after dark.
All four VI Cat trips, side by side
| Tour | Best for | When | Adult price | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Cove Snorkel & Sail | First-timers, families, snorkelers | Daytime (~3 hrs) | $109 ($50 child) | Catamaran sail + snorkel gear at Little Buck Island |
| Sunset Sail (Cocktails & Appetizers) | Couples, a short evening cruise | Evening (~2 hrs) | $85 ($40 child) | Sunset cruise with cocktails + appetizers |
| Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail | A full evening out with dinner | Evening (~2 hrs) | $109 ($50 child) | Evening sail with dinner + harbor lights |
| Glow Boats LED Night Kayak | Something different after dark | Night (~1 hr) | $65 ($45 child) | LED-lit night kayak — kayak, not catamaran |
Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel & Sail — the default pick
Best for: first-timers, families, and anyone who wants to get in the water. This is the daytime catamaran trip out to Little Buck Island, where the water is calm enough for kids and first-time snorkelers. Snorkel gear is included and there's child pricing, which is why it's the most popular of the four and the one most people should book.
Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel & Sail — The VI Cat
$109 per adult · $50 per child
Check Availability →Sunset Sail with Cocktails & Appetizers — the short evening cruise
Best for: couples and anyone who wants a relaxed sunset without committing to a full evening. It's the shorter of the two sunset trips — a cocktail-and-appetizers cruise timed for the sunset, and the most affordable evening option.
Sunset Sail with Cocktails and Appetizers — The VI Cat
$85 per adult · $40 per child
Check Availability →Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail — the full evening
Best for: making a night of it. This is the longer evening trip: dinner aboard as the sun goes down, then the harbor lights on the way back. Pick this over the Sunset Sail when you want the meal and the full evening rather than a quick cruise.
Glow Boats LED Night Kayak — something different after dark
Best for: a change of pace after dark. This one isn't a catamaran sail at all — it's an LED-lit night kayak from the Frenchman's Cove area, glowing under the boat as you paddle. It's the shortest and cheapest of the four, and the pick if you've already done a daytime sail and want a different kind of evening.
Glow Boats LED Night Kayak — The VI Cat
$65 per adult · $45 per child · kayak, not catamaran
Check Availability →Common questions
Which VI Cat sail is best for families?
The daytime Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel & Sail. Kids can snorkel the calm water at Little Buck Island, snorkel gear is included, and there's child pricing — which makes it the easiest of the four for families.
What's the difference between the two sunset sails?
The Sunset Sail is the shorter option — cocktails and appetizers on an evening cruise. The Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail is a full evening out with dinner and the harbor lights. Pick the Sunset Sail for a quick cocktail cruise and the Dinner Sail if you want to make a night of it.
Where do the boats leave from?
From the Frenchman's Cove / Marriott area on St. Thomas. Confirm your exact departure point and time when you book.
Do the trips include snorkel gear or drinks?
It depends on the trip. The Turtle Cove daytime trip includes snorkel gear, and the sunset sails include cocktails and appetizers. Check the specific tour's inclusions when you book.
Is the Glow Kayak a catamaran trip?
No. The Glow Boats LED Night Kayak is an LED-lit night kayak, not a catamaran sail. It's listed here as the after-dark alternative if you want something different.
How far ahead should I book?
These are among the most-booked sails on St. Thomas, so book ahead — especially in peak season from December through April, and around cruise-ship days.