If you love the water and don't want to spend a whole day on just one St. Thomas Excursion, then you'll love what we have here! You'll have the chance to check out the wildlife at the Inner Mangrove Lagoon and Marine Preserve from a kayak and explore the world beneath the surface by snorkeling through the crystal clear and protected, waters of the preserve. Make great memories, but don't spend the whole cruise day in St. Thomas Virgin Islands doing so.
Start from your St. Thomas cruise terminal by taking a taxi for a brief and scenic 20-minute ride to the Mangrove Lagoon Marina. You'll meet your friendly and experienced excursion guide who will greet you and then you will be matched up with a kayak. You may have the option to paddle solo, double, or even triple depending on the combined weight and size of the group. The kayak and snorkel cruise excursion guide will give you some tips about paddling and then lead you into the water as begin your way through the mangroves. This unique ecosystem is home to herons, egrets, warblers, hummingbirds, and the elusive and rare brown pelican. Keep an eye out for pelican nests above, and eagle rays below. You'll continue through many mangrove swamp islands that are red mangroves that cling together as they thrive in this saltwater system.
Then, when you arrive at the southernmost tip of St. Thomas, you'll pull up on the beach. From the shoreline, you can see the coral barrier and the barrier reef made up of broken shells that divide the waters of the lagoon from the Caribbean Sea. This is where you will begin the snorkeling part of your adventure. The Shore Excursion guide will pass out your snorkeling gear, give you some safety information and instructions, and then lead the group into the water from the beach.
In these very quiet waters, you will have the chance to see nurseries and schools of fish as this is where they hatch to remain protected from the sea. Your guide will happily point out areas of interest. Again, keep an eye out for eagle rays as well as turtles and much more. If you'd like, you can stay on the beach, skip the snorkel, and soak up some sun.
Once your snorkeling time is completed, you'll make the lazy paddle back to the marina. Once you've arrived at the dock you will simply take a taxi back to your St. Thomas cruise ship pier, or wherever else you want to explore, enjoy!
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