St. Thomas Kayak Tour to Cas Cay and the Red Point Blowhole: A Unique Eco-Adventure

Our 3-hour St. Thomas kayak tour paddles through the protected Mangrove Lagoon to uninhabited Cas Cay, then follows an easy nature walk of about eight minutes to Red Point, where ocean swells force water and air up through the rock. Tide pools, seabirds, and long Caribbean views come with it. Gear and instruction are included, and beginners are welcome.

What Is the Mangrove Lagoon Like on a St. Thomas Kayak Tour?

Calm and shallow. You leave the developed coastline behind within minutes and enter clear water, small islands, and mangrove forest. Paddling is easy enough for people who have never held a paddle, and we give full kayaking instruction before anyone launches.

Under the surface, the submerged roots shelter juvenile fish and other small marine life. These waters work as a nursery habitat where young animals feed and stay out of reach of bigger predators, and the roots interlock to buffer the shoreline against storms. The lagoon is a designated Wildlife Sanctuary and Marine Reserve, and that shapes how we paddle it: an unhurried pace, no fins, and guides trained to read the habitat.

You may see brown pelicans, blue herons, night herons, egrets, yellow warblers, and hummingbirds on the way. Pelicans get everybody's attention, dropping from height to fish while your guide explains what they are hunting.

How Long Is the Walk Across Cas Cay?

About eight minutes. It is an easy nature walk rather than a strenuous hike. You beach the kayaks on the uninhabited cay and cross to Red Point at a relaxed pace, with your guide pointing out plants, wildlife, and features of the island as you go.

There is a shallow beach and a mostly flat trail along the base of the island. Our tours are designed so everyone in your group can find a version of the walk they feel comfortable with. Andrea I. wrote on our tour page that our guides were "very friendly, knowledgeable, and patient with us as beginners," and that "the water was calm and not too deep."

What Is the Red Point Blowhole?

At Red Point, ocean swells push into openings in the rocky shoreline and force water and air upward through the rock. That is the blowhole, and because it depends on the sea, no two visits look quite the same.

Tide and swell decide how big it gets. Rough seas send up a big spray, and calm days are subtler. Check out more photos of it in action.

What Lives in the Tide Pools at Red Point?

More than a glance suggests. The pools among the rocks are miniature marine ecosystems, and a guide helps you notice the small animals that live in them.

Chitons hold tight to the rock, armored marine mollusks whose ancestors have been around for hundreds of millions of years. Brittle stars and other small creatures shelter in the crevices. Our guides show you where to look, and we observe rather than handle, so the animals stay where they live. Debbie W. wrote that her guides Elvin and Slim kept an eye out for unusual sea creatures and made sure everyone got a chance to see them.

What Seabirds and Views Can You See From Red Point?

Look up and out. The waters and small cays around Cas Cay support a lot of Caribbean seabirds, and depending on season and conditions you may spot American oystercatchers, terns, magnificent frigatebirds, and brown boobies.

Frenchcap Cay sits roughly five miles offshore and is an important seabird habitat and nesting area. Closer in you can see Buck Island and Capella Island, whose waters hold several known shipwreck sites.

On a clear day the view goes much further. Looking south you can pick out St. Croix around 40 miles away, including the highlands around Blue Mountain.

Why Do the Two Sides of Cas Cay Feel So Different?

Water movement. At Red Point you watch swells run across the reef and meet rock. Minutes later you are back on the calm blue-green water of the lagoon.

Those two places are connected. Ocean water moving across the reef helps exchange water with the protected lagoon, and the mangrove roots along its shores shelter the young fish that water supports. Within one short paddle you get two dramatically different Caribbean habitats that depend on each other.

What Do You See Snorkeling on the Cas Cay Tour?

The snorkel happens in the shallow, protected water of the lagoon, where you may see spotted eagle rays, stingrays, parrotfish, pufferfish, octopus, lobster, starfish, barracuda, and the occasional nurse shark. Nothing is guaranteed on any given day.

One thing to know before you get in: we do not provide or use fins here. Fins can damage this delicate ecosystem and stir up sediment, so our guides show you how to snorkel comfortably without them. Kayak and snorkel gear and full instruction are included, and the tour runs mornings and afternoons daily.

How Do You Get to the Cas Cay Kayak Tour, and What Is Included?

How to find us is one of the most common questions we get, so here are the details. We launch from the Mangrove Lagoon at 6526 Estate Nadir #2, a tenth of a mile from the intersection of Routes 30 and 32 heading toward Red Hook, on the right-hand side. Look for the green trailer with the large sign that says Kayak, Hike & Snorkel.

Driving time runs about 15 to 20 minutes from the Havensight dock and Frenchman's Reef, about 35 minutes from the Crown Bay dock, and about 8 to 10 minutes from Bolongo Bay, Sapphire Beach, Secret Harbor, and Elysian. If you are taking a taxi, ask for "the kayak place on the East End," since some drivers do not know us by company name.

The Cas Cay Kayak, Hike & Snorkel Adventure runs 3 hours and includes a sit-on-top kayak with backrest and paddle, snorkel and mask, life jacket, bottled water, a full safety briefing, and kayaking and snorkeling instruction. Dressing rooms, lockers, and restrooms are on site.

Ready to Paddle to Cas Cay?

Book the Cas Cay Kayak, Hike & Snorkel Adventure. Three hours, mornings and afternoons daily, gear and instruction included, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Want more time out there? Best of Cas Cay runs 5 hours with a picnic lunch. Prefer to skip the walk? Cas Cay Kayak & Snorkel is 2.5 hours of paddling and snorkeling. Browse all our St. Thomas tours to find the right adventure for your group, or call or text (340) 779-2155 if you would rather talk it through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Walk Across Cas Cay Difficult?

No. It is an easy nature walk of roughly eight minutes at a guide-led pace, on a mostly flat trail. Climbing around the volcanic rock near the point is optional for anyone who wants it.

Do I Need Kayaking Experience?

No. We offer full kayaking instruction before the tour begins, and the lagoon is calm and shallow. Children, adults, and seniors all do it. Beginners are welcome.

Will the Blowhole Be Active When I Visit?

It depends on tide and swell that day. Rougher seas make a bigger blast. It is a natural feature, so we cannot promise it.

Can I Do the Cas Cay Tour on a Cruise Port Day?

Often, yes. The tour runs 3 hours and our launch site is about 15 to 20 minutes from the Havensight dock and about 35 from Crown Bay. Check the tour start time against your ship's schedule and leave time for transportation each way before you book.

Is This Tour Good for Families?

Yes. The lagoon water is calm and shallow, the walk across Cas Cay is short and mostly flat, and we teach kayaking before anyone launches. Our guides point out tide pool life and hermit crabs along the way. Youth pricing is available, and our life jackets fit children from 30 pounds. If you’re traveling with a younger or smaller child, contact us before booking so we can confirm flotation for their size.

What Should I Bring?

Swimwear, clothing that can get wet, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses, footwear that can get wet, and a towel. There is no dry storage in the kayaks, so bring a waterproof case if you want your phone. Our packing guide covers the rest.

What Happens If It Rains?

Tours run rain or shine, with lightning as the exception. If weather affects your tour, we’ll contact you about any changes. In the rare case that weather prevents us from running the tour, we will gladly provide a full refund.