FAQS

There are two differences between the half day and the full day trip. 1. We normally use the sailing catamaran for the full day and the power catamaran for the half day. 2. The full day includes a beach lunch (hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled fish, veggie burgers, punch, rum punch and assorted chips).

The Renegade holds 35 passengers. The Adventure holds 40 passengers.

Please come with your swimsuit on, have a towel and sun protection.

Yes.

Yes. As long as the parents are comfortable with their children in the water,  we are comfortable with children on board.

No, we provide all the gear. If you would like to bring your own gear you are welcome to do so.

No. There is a dive shop up the street that sells prescription masks but they don’t rent them out.

In the winter it can get down to 76 degrees and in the summer it can be up to 85 degrees.

We are located at the bottom of Queen Cross Street where it meets the boardwalk.

There is a parking lot on the corner of Strand Street and King Cross Street. Just past Crucian Gold jewlery store.

We highly recommend sun protection and a rash guard is an excellent choice.

If there are only passing showers, we still go out. However, if there are more severe weather conditions, the Captain may decide to cancel the trip. If that happens, we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know. If we cancel the trip due to weather, we will either offer to reschedule your tour or provide a full refund.

Our cancellation policy requires at least 48 hours’ notice prior to your scheduled departure time. Cancellations made 48 hours or more in advance will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the departure time are eligible for a 50% refund. Same-day cancellations and no-shows are non-refundable.

You can snorkel at the beach on the west end of Buck Island for approximately 45–60 minutes, as well as at the reef on the east end of the island. The main reef snorkeling session also lasts about 45–60 minutes.

The best snorkeling is at the East end of Buck Island at the reef where the Underwater Trail is located. You can also snorkel off the beach at the West End.

Average depth is 10-15 feet at the reef.

We don’t have lockers. Most people just leave their things in their bags on the seats. The Captain stays on the boat while people are at the beach and at the reef snorkeling.

If you leave things in the trunk where they are not visible, then yes. We recommend you take your things with you on the boat.

You may bring a camera on board, but please keep in mind that by doing so, you are doing it at your own risk.

No — smoking is not permitted on the boat, and no recreational drugs of any kind are allowed at any time. Cigarette smoking is only permitted at the beach. Please make sure to properly dispose of cigarette butts by bringing something to store them in, such as an empty plastic water bottle. Do not leave cigarette butts on the beach.

Each person is different. Chances of getting seasick are higher if you are prone to motion sickness such as car sick or air sick. When in doubt, take preventative measures!

Take a seasickness preventative beforehand. While on the boat, make sure to have access to fresh air, and make sure you can see the horizon at all times. Also avoid the restroom if you are feeling ill. Please inform our Captain and crew if you are feeling ill.

Yes, we sell Dramamine and Motionease in our store.

There is no proven preventative to be better than the other, but our captains recommend taking Dramamine (the night before and morning of) or Motionease. Ask your doctor what is best for you.

On the full-day trip, veggie burgers are available, though they may contain an egg binder. You are also welcome to bring your own food, and you may use the cooler on board to store it.

There are no age limits for the tours. As long as your child is comfortable on a boat and in the water, the decision is entirely up to you.

Yes, we run tours every day of the year, with the exception of a few select holidays when we may be closed.

It is possible but they are wild animals and we cannot guarantee this.

We occasionally see turtles throughout the day, but we cannot guarantee them.

Maybe — the turtles are wild and not kept in captivity, so sightings are never guaranteed. If you do see a turtle, you are welcome to swim nearby, but please do not touch turtles or any other sea creatures.

Lots of tropical fish like parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish, damselfish, wrasse, jacks, snappers, trumpetfish, and many more.

There is nothing to buy on the boat or island. If you would like to leave a tip for the crew then please bring cash.

We don’t allow any shoes on board unless you have a medical condition and need to wear shoes. Please inform the store staff at check in and captain during boarding if this is the case.

Yes. You can purchase one in the store if needed.

Yes.

No.

Lunch is served generally around 1:30pm.

There is always a chance of getting splashed, especially near the front of the boat. Please ask the captain for the best place to stay dry on our tours.

Yes.

Yes but please nothing in glass. We have a cooler on board for your use.

Yes but please nothing in glass.

Yes. On the sail boat Renegade there is space for about 8 passengers under cover and you can also be in the shade of the sail. On the power boat Adventure there is a large area under cover with shade.

It is highly recommended to wear and bring reef safe sunscreen on our tours. We do not allow the spray sunscreen on board any of our vessels as it can make the surfaces of the boats slippery and dangerous. Cream sunscreens are encouraged on board.

Yes, we love to sail! While we need to use motors part of the trip there is almost always great sailing conditions for the rest of the trip.

About 30 minutes by car.

From South shore? (Divi Hotel) 35-40 minutes by car.

West end? (Fredriksted) About 30 minutes by car.

East end? If you are all the way out East by Point Udal about 30 minutes by car.

Please give youself a little extra to find parking.

We take a maximum of 49 passengers on our half-day tours and up to 39 passengers on our full-day tours. However, we also maintain lower operating caps of 40 and 35 respectively to help ensure a more comfortable experience on board.

We do not provide any drop off/pickup/shuttle service. You will need to find your own transportation to downtown Christiansted where our trips depart.

We do provide instruction on how to snorkel and use the snorkel gear. We also provide the required snorkel vests which aid in flotation, and our crew members takes you on an orientation tour of the reef.

Yes, you can still enjoy our tours even if you don’t know how to swim.

If you are comfortable in water over your head with a flotation device, we may be able to get you into the water.

Yes. Let us know when making the reservation.

Yes. Let us know when making the reservation.

Yes, as long as you can board the vessel safely. We ask passengers with reduced mobility to remain seated while the boat is under way.

We do not require you to wear life vests while the vessel is underway, but if you would like to, you may.

We take payment at the time of booking.

Our local number is 340-773-4482. Our store is open to walk ins and phone calls from 8am to 6pm Monday – Saturday and 8am to 5pm on Sunday (Atlantic time). Our website is www.bigbeards.com and we encourage our guests to check out our pictures, videos, boat information and tour descriptions on our website. If you would like to email us or share photos or feedback, our email is [email protected]. Our store is located at the bottom of Queen Cross Street where it meets the board walk in downtown Christiansted.