Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach, St. Thomas: Review
For guests on the far east end of St. Thomas, the Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard the Breakaway is the most convenient sunset cruise in St. Thomas, sailing right out of Sapphire Beach Marina. It's a two-hour catamaran cruise with an unlimited open bar, appetizers and a champagne toast, rated 4.8 across more than 780 reviews. Here's how the evening runs and who it suits best.
The Cruise at a Glance
Why Sail from Sapphire Beach
The Breakaway leaves from Sapphire Beach Marina at the eastern tip of St. Thomas, which makes it the natural choice if you're staying at Sapphire or anywhere on the east end. Check-in is 4:30 pm and the boat departs at 5:00 pm sharp. From Sapphire the route runs past St. Thomas and the outer keys, giving you a slightly different set of views than the boats sailing out of Charlotte Amalie.
Reviewers repeatedly praise the crew for their knowledge of the islands and for keeping the drinks flowing. It carries up to 30 guests, so it's social but a touch smaller than the biggest party catamarans.
What You Get on the Cruise
The two hours center on the open bar, the appetizers and the outer-keys views. On board:
- Unlimited drinks from the open bar
- A glass of champagne for the sunset toast
- Appetizers served on deck
- Views of the St. Thomas coastline and the outer keys
- Island commentary and history from the crew
What's Included — and What's Not
The roughly $130 price covers your drinks and food for the evening.
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Unlimited open bar | Gratuities (bring cash for the crew) |
| Champagne sunset toast | Transport to Sapphire Beach |
| Appetizers | A full dinner |
| Restroom on board | A layer for after dark |
How the Two Hours Run
Times shift with the season to match the sunset; the flow is consistent.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 4:30 pm | Check in at Sapphire Beach Marina |
| 5:00 pm | Depart the dock — first drinks poured |
| ~5:20 pm | Cruise past St. Thomas and the outer keys |
| Golden hour | Champagne toast as the sun nears the horizon |
| After sunset | Relaxed cruise back to Sapphire |
| ~7:00 pm | Return to the marina |
Good to Know Before You Book
A few practical notes:
- Check in by 4:30 pm — the boat leaves at 5:00 pm sharp
- If arriving by taxi, schedule your ride ahead; Sapphire is on the east end
- Bring a light layer for the cooler breeze after dark
- Bring cash for crew gratuities, which are not included
- Maximum 30 guests — book ahead in peak season
What to bring
Beach-casual clothes, a thin layer for after sunset, flat shoes, a phone or camera, and a little cash for tips.
- Light layer for after dark
- Flat, non-slip sandals
- Phone or camera for the sunset
- Cash for crew gratuity
Departure Point — Sapphire Beach Marina, St. Thomas
Who This Cruise Is For
This is a strong pick for a particular traveler:
- Guests staying at Sapphire Beach or the far east end
- Groups and couples who want a social but not overcrowded boat
- Travelers who want unlimited drinks and outer-keys views
- Anyone who likes crew that share island history along the way
Consider another cruise if
You're near the cruise port downtown (the Charlotte Amalie boats are closer), want a full dinner (the Harbor Lights dinner sail), or want an intimate charter (the semi-private cruise caps the group at 12).
Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach — FAQ
Where does the Breakaway cocktail sunset cruise depart from?
It departs Sapphire Beach Marina in Smith Bay, on the eastern tip of St. Thomas. Check-in is 4:30 pm and the boat leaves at 5:00 pm sharp, returning to the same marina around 7:00 pm. If you're arriving by taxi, schedule your ride in advance.
Is the open bar unlimited?
Yes. The cruise includes unlimited drinks from the open bar for the full two hours, plus a glass of champagne for the sunset toast and appetizers on deck. Gratuities for the crew are not included, so bring a little cash.
How big is the boat?
The Breakaway carries up to 30 guests, so it's social but smaller than the largest party catamarans. Reviewers describe an upbeat, friendly atmosphere with knowledgeable crew.
How does this compare to the Margaritaville sunset sail?
Both are east-end open-bar sunset sails from the same operator. The Breakaway leaves from Sapphire Beach Marina and cruises past the outer keys, while the Champagne Sunset Sail departs Margaritaville in Smith Bay. Choose whichever marina is closer to your hotel.
What should I wear?
Beach-casual clothing with a light layer for after dark, when the breeze cools down. Flat, non-slip sandals are best on the deck, and bring a phone or camera for the sunset.
What Travelers Say
What a beautiful way to see all the islands along the Caribbean. Jack and Nick were amazing, informative and fun hosts. We had a variety of cocktails, beer and appetizers. I highly recommend this sunset cruise!
Unlimited drinks and very tasty appetizers. The crew was excellent and gave a lot of information about where we were traveling and the history. An incredible experience — highly recommend!
We went for our honeymoon. Four wonderful courses of snacks and any drinks we wanted, plus champagne. The staff taught us history and showed us the sights until the sunset. I'd highly recommend this tour!