REVIEW · ST THOMAS
St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island Trip
Book on Viator →Operated by St. Thomas Cycleboats · Bookable on Viator
A pedal boat ride can feel like a vacation hack. St. Thomas Cycleboats takes you from the St. Thomas docks to Water Island on a pedal-powered boat with a motor assist, so you can help drive, dance, and drink without turning it into a workout test.
What I like most is the mix of low-effort fun and real time on the sand: you get rum punch, coolers with ice, and bottled water, plus a solid beach window at Honeymoon Beach. One thing to consider: you do need a moderate physical fitness level, and the vibe is more party-go-lively than quiet sightseeing.
In This Review
- Quick Hits (What You’ll Actually Care About)
- How the St. Thomas Cycleboats Trip Feels in Real Life
- Price, Inclusions, and the Value Math at $95
- Where You Meet: Crown Bay Marina + Tickles Dockside Pub
- Onboard Setup: Pedal-Party Without the Sweat Penalty
- Stop at Water Island: Honeymoon Beach and the Best Kind of Break
- The People Factor: Crew Energy Is a Real Part of the Product
- Drinks, BYOB, and How Not to Overpay
- Timing: Three Hours Total, With Beach Time as the Main Event
- What This Tour Is Best For (and Not For)
- Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother
- Should You Book St. Thomas Cycleboats to Water Island?
- FAQ
- How long is the St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island trip?
- What does the $95 price include?
- Can I bring my own drinks?
- Is there food included?
- Where do we meet, and does the tour end there too?
- What are the limits on fitness and group size?
- Final Verdict: Fun, Beachy, and Built for Good Vibes
Quick Hits (What You’ll Actually Care About)

- Cycle stations + a motor means you can pedal when you feel like it.
- Rum punch and water are included, and you can BYOB for extra drinks.
- Honeymoon Beach time is built in with a full beach stop.
- Bluetooth stereo onboard helps keep the music going.
- Max 16 travelers keeps the group from feeling overcrowded.
How the St. Thomas Cycleboats Trip Feels in Real Life

This isn’t a bus tour. It’s not even a classic speedboat where you sit and stare. You’re on a cycleboat—basically, a pedal-powered watercraft with stations where you can help move the boat while you’re hanging out like you’re at a floating beach bar.
The best part is that it’s designed for people with different energy levels. The highlights call out that the boat has a motor, so you can take a break from pedaling. That matters if you’re the group member who wants the fun but doesn’t want to arrive exhausted or sweaty. You’ll still get the novelty of being part of the action.
Then there’s the soundtrack setup. You’re given Bluetooth stereo, which is a small detail that changes the mood. You can bring your own music vibes or let the crew’s playlist set the tone, and it helps the ride feel like a party instead of a commute.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in St Thomas.
Price, Inclusions, and the Value Math at $95

At $95 per person, the trip isn’t the cheapest way to get to Water Island. But it’s also not just “transportation to a beach.” You’re paying for a short, guided sea outing with a built-in onboard setup.
Here’s why it feels like decent value based on what’s included:
- Rum punch is included, and it’s not just a tiny sample.
- Bottled water is included, which is easy to forget on hot beach days.
- Coolers & ice are provided, so bringing your own drinks is frictionless.
- Bluetooth stereo is included, so the experience doesn’t depend on your phone battery.
If you were planning to buy drinks anyway, this inclusion list helps. The tour also gives you the option to BYOB for the rest of your preferences, which is often where people save money on island trips.
So the real question for you is: do you want this as a party-style day on the water, or do you just want the beach with the lowest cost? If you want the “party cruise to paradise” feeling, $95 can make sense fast.
Where You Meet: Crown Bay Marina + Tickles Dockside Pub
The meeting point is Tickles Dockside Pub, located at 8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas, VI 00802. It runs out back to the same spot.
If you’re coming from a cruise ship, plan on a short walk within the Crown Bay area. In a recent experience description, the marina was described as very close—think “walkable” rather than “hire a taxi.”
Also, since it’s a mobile ticket, bring your phone with the ticket info ready. Nothing kills the start like fishing through apps while you’re standing in the sun.
Onboard Setup: Pedal-Party Without the Sweat Penalty

The cycleboat is built around the idea that you can have fun while you’re helping out. You’ll have cycle stations, so you can pedal. But the highlight also says there’s a motor, which is key. You’re not committing to pedaling nonstop.
That one detail changes who can enjoy this. People who love active experiences will still get the “I’m driving” thrill. People who mainly want fun get a built-in off-switch, because you can chill and let the motor help.
Music is part of the onboard design too. The Bluetooth stereo makes it easy to keep a party rhythm going. If your group is the type that brings playlists, you’ll likely appreciate how natural it feels to connect and play.
And then there’s the bar situation. It’s not described as a fancy cocktail bar with high-end pricing. The tour specifically sets expectations for bringing your favorite drinks since it’s BYOB beyond the included rum punch. Add coolers & ice and you can keep drinks colder without needing extra purchases.
Stop at Water Island: Honeymoon Beach and the Best Kind of Break

Your main stop is Water Island, with time to disembark and enjoy Honeymoon Beach. The schedule gives you about 2 hours there, which is long enough to actually do something besides dip your toes.
What makes this stop feel special is that Honeymoon Beach isn’t just scenery. It’s a place with an on-beach setup where you can relax and then switch modes—swim, lounge, then snack and drink if you want.
A few details that help you picture it:
- You can swim where sea turtles have been spotted (that’s called out directly).
- You can just relax on the beach, or you can grab something from the bar area.
- In one experience recap, people mentioned beach chairs and a chance to settle in comfortably for most of the time window.
If you’re traveling with people who don’t all like the same kind of beach time, this stop can cover bases. Swim people get water time. Lounge people get sand time. Food and drink seekers have options on the island side.
The only “watch your expectations” part: you’re not on a beach day with endless free roaming. You’re on a planned outing, and your time at Honeymoon Beach is time-boxed for a reason—you’re heading back after that.
The People Factor: Crew Energy Is a Real Part of the Product

This type of tour lives or dies by energy. The good news: the crew is clearly part of the magic.
Names that show up in the provided experience descriptions include Justin and Jess as captain/co-captain, plus Ben, Amari, David, Josh, and Ann Marie. The common thread across those names is not fancy script-reading. It’s laid-back, laughing, dance-friendly hosting.
You’ll also notice how often “music,” “rum punch,” and “good vibes” come up together. That suggests the operation leans into making the ride feel like a party with a light guiding hand—not a rigid lecture.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes meeting the local rhythm of a place (instead of just checking boxes), this is a strong fit. If you’re looking for silence and slow pacing, you might find the social vibe a bit more energetic than you want.
Drinks, BYOB, and How Not to Overpay

The tour includes rum punch plus bottled water. After that, the plan is BYOB—you bring what you want beyond the included drinks.
This setup is practical. A lot of vacation drinking packages only cover beer or only cover a single cocktail. Here, you control your preferred choices—beer, cocktails, or rosé are specifically mentioned as examples.
Because coolers & ice are included, you can actually use the BYOB option without turning it into a logistics problem. Just bring what you’ll realistically drink and keep it cold.
One more smart tip: consider snacks too. The tour says snacks aren’t included, so if you want munchies, bring your own. That’s especially helpful if you get hungry between the short ride and the beach time.
Timing: Three Hours Total, With Beach Time as the Main Event

The total duration is listed as about 3 hours. With 2 hours on Water Island at Honeymoon Beach, you can expect the bulk of the time away from the docks to be beach-focused.
The ride segments on each side matter, but they’re not the long-haul portion. The cycleboat ride is part of the fun—pedaling when you want, letting the motor do the rest when you don’t. Then the beach stop becomes the payoff.
If you’re trying to fit this into a tight day—cruise port, limited shore time, or a “one big thing” afternoon—this duration is manageable.
What This Tour Is Best For (and Not For)
This cycleboat experience is a strong match if you want:
- A fun alternative to a standard sightseeing boat
- A social, music-driven outing with a relaxing beach finish
- A day where you don’t have to pedal the whole time
It’s also a good choice when your group has mixed energy—some people want to do more, some people want to chill, and the motor assist plus party setup helps both sides.
Who might feel less thrilled:
- If you want quiet nature time and minimal social energy, the onboard party vibe may feel like too much.
- If you’re not comfortable with moderate physical fitness needs, you may want to skip anything that involves pedaling stations even with motor help.
Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother
Based on how the trip is set up, here are the practical things to focus on:
- Bring your preferred drinks for BYOB and plan to use the provided coolers & ice.
- Plan snacks since snacks aren’t included.
- Wear swim-ready gear if you want to make the most of Honeymoon Beach, since the main stop includes swimming.
- Keep your phone handy for the mobile ticket and any check-in steps.
Also, keep group size in mind. With a maximum of 16 travelers, you’ll likely feel like it’s still “your group,” not a massive crowd. That matters for getting a better vibe and keeping the ride fun.
Should You Book St. Thomas Cycleboats to Water Island?
If you’re deciding between a traditional boat tour and something more playful, I’d say this is worth a look—especially when your group wants both motion and beach time.
Book it if:
- You want rum punch included and a BYOB setup that doesn’t feel complicated
- You’d enjoy the novelty of pedaling while staying in control thanks to the motor
- You’re excited about Honeymoon Beach and want around 2 hours there
Skip it if:
- You’re trying to keep things strictly low-energy, quiet, or ultra-passive
- You don’t want any physical involvement at all, even with motor assistance
- You prefer a beach trip where drinks and snacks are fully handled for you
FAQ
How long is the St. Thomas Cycleboats Water Island trip?
It’s about 3 hours total, with around 2 hours spent at Water Island’s Honeymoon Beach.
What does the $95 price include?
You get rum punch, coolers and ice, Bluetooth stereo onboard, bottled water, and the tour experience itself.
Can I bring my own drinks?
Yes. Alcoholic beverages are BYOB, so you can bring your preferred beer, cocktails, or rosé. Rum punch is also included.
Is there food included?
Snacks are not included. You can bring snacks with you if you want something to munch on.
Where do we meet, and does the tour end there too?
You start at Tickles Dockside Pub in Crown Bay Marina (8168 Crown Bay Marina #308, St. Thomas). The tour ends back at the same meeting point.
What are the limits on fitness and group size?
The activity asks for a moderate physical fitness level, and it has a maximum of 16 travelers.
Final Verdict: Fun, Beachy, and Built for Good Vibes
I’d book this if you want a St. Thomas day that feels like a party but still delivers a real beach stop at Honeymoon Beach. The combo of motor assist, included rum punch, and Bluetooth music makes it easy to have fun without turning the trip into hard exercise.






















