Looking for a great snorkel beach spot to go next march. Coming on a cruise ship and don't want to book thru cruise line. Have been to STT many other times on cruise so already have done the island tours, Magen's Bay, St Johns, shopping. Any suggestions for a party of 12?

Try a daysail on a private charter like the 1956 wooden yawl Nightwind - good snorkeling and/or beach stops - food and drinks included - just your party of 12 on board - customized itinerary and stay in the USVI so no passport/Customs etc to deal with.

<a href="Vhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147404-d1464838-Reviews-Yacht_Nightwind-St_Thomas_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html" target="_blank">Vhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147404-d1464838-Reviews-Yacht_Nightwind-St_Thomas_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html</a>

I have no vested interest in any way in this vessel but have sailed aboard many times.

Great suggestion by LocalSailor. If you're tight on time with the cruise ship and can't do something like that try Secret Harbour for snorkeling. I'd grab a cab and have them take you directly there. You can rent chairs from the dive shop for the beach and the snorkeling is quite good there. Also there is a beach bar/restaurant that you can hit for lunch.

I concur with LocalSailor. I have sailed with Captain Rick 3 times and plan to do at least 2 more when down there next year. Great sailing,food and drink. Fantastic 7 hours onboard and in the water. Works well with cruise ship times. We stay 5 minutes from where he moors his boat.

Link didn't work for review ( me anyway). Just do a search via tripadvisor.

vessel link -- https://www.stjohndaysail.com/

On St.T, for fish viewing the area around Sapphire Beach is pretty good, but you may have been there as cruise ships hit this place. Coki Beach is way too crowded with cruise ship people and others. Secret Harbor is pretty good, but smaller. Leinster is just past Sapphire about 1-2 miles, snorkeling may be fair, but the crescent beach is unbelievable. My now more ammenities may have been added as the parks managment may hope to turn it into another Magen's Bay. Leinster is the beach is all the insurance commericals with the horse or goat talking.

But then the bar at Secret is pretty good, and good Happy Hour specials, but not sure if cruise shippers have the schedule for being around for HH.

Lindqvist/Smith Bay is the beach with "Hannah and her horse". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

I think you mean Smith Bay beach or Lindqvist Beach as it was known for years - It is satellite TV that does the ads and if you only remember the goat and horse I feel bad for you - as Hannah Davis, a Virgin Islander, looks way better during those commercials!
At business school they told us if you can't remember what the commercial was selling it certainly wasn't done right.

Leinster Bay is located on St John.

Lindqvist was my sons favorite beach when he lived on island. Sunday was a locals pot luck lunch, lots of fun.

That must have been before the Magens Bay Authority started with their long list of rules and regs.

On Google Maps, the beach between Coki and Sapphire along Smith Bay Road is by some called Smith Bay Beach, by those developing it, it is called Lindquist. Leinster beach is on St.John as far as I recall. As to the insurance commericals of Hannah and her horse and goat, this was done at Lindquist - I was there for the filming and have photos, which security wasn't too pleased with at the time.

Lindquist is beautiful views but fish viewing is not as good as along Sapphire.

So, yes, I mixed up two beaches from two different islands. I meant to say Lindquist not Leinster. I think I even called Lindquist - Leinster when I was on the beach itself. At least I got the USVI and the letter L correct.

He left island 2 years ago. The picnic we went to was mostly Captains and crew of day trips.

NightWind is a tricked out Classic! I saw her sailing last February coming south from Lavango Cay strong reaching looking fast and pretty <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Link to Nightwind's photo library
https://www.stjohndaysail.com/photos-of-nightwind/