The Ghosts of Piracy Past - Tropical Treasure Hunt
Back at the ship by about 2:00 pm, 2 h 30 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 1 h 30 min to spare.
Safety margin
- 8:00 amShip docks in St. Thomas20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
- 8:20 amLeave the pierAbout 20 min to the start point
- 8:40 amEarliest tour startTour runs 4 h–5 h; we plan for 5 h. Latest sensible start: 10:10 am.
- 1:40 pmTour ends20 min back to the pier
- 2:00 pmBack at the gangway2 h 30 min before all aboard
- 4:30 pmAll aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours
Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.
Our verdict
This tour fits a typical St. Thomas call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs up to 5 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 2:00 pm — 1 h 30 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.
Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 3:00 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.
We don't have a verified start point for this tour yet, so we assume 20 min each way from the pier — the typical ride in St. Thomas. Check the meeting point on the booking page.
Among the 346 St. Thomas shore excursions we track, this is one of the longer ones (the median runs 3 h); 82% of them fit a typical call.
Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical St. Thomas call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.
About this tour
Experience our new spooky nighttime treasure hunt for a frighteningly fun evening! Use our lanterns and other tools to search for buried treasure while encountering a ghost of piracy past. We have partnered with Virgin Islands Eco Tours to provide your crew kayaks and a guide to explore the eerie St. Thomas mangroves to find clues during the adventure. Also take in the scenic sunset while experiencing a significant historical monument in Bluebeards Castle and the historical artifacts on display.
Imagine the best of an escape room (solving clues as a group) but rather be stuck in one room, the island becomes your boundaries on a 4 to 5 hour adventure! This experience is 18 and up due to the spooky nature of the experience. No refunds will be given due to “scare factor” or the intensity of the attraction.
Private groups with at least 6 people is required to reserve the experience for your party.
Private tour English
What's included
- Use our Tropical Treasure Hunt adventure pack which includes tools to assist with solving clues during the adventure.
- Enjoy one locally brewed craft beer or equal value drink.
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Clients will enjoy an appetizer at the end of the experience. Snacks such as fruit snacks and oatmeal bars are included. Please eat dinner ahead of time.
- Pirate gear including hats and eye patches to get in the spirit are included.
- Tropical Treasure Hunt Map. Clients have the opportunity to take home our trademark map for memories
Not included
- Dinner is not included with the experience.
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Bug spray. On the mangroves there can be mosquitoes and other insects. Please plan accordingly.
- A treasure (gift) is not included at the conclusion.
- Towels will not be provided. You will get wet on the kayak excursion and will need a towel.
Itinerary
- 1Stop 1Clients will enjoy a night tandem kayak tour with a Eco Tours guide in the spooky St. Thomas mangroves. Visit it a small island to collect the next clue. Be careful, a ghost of piracy past may be lurking in the darkness. We can't provide all of the locations you will visit since part of the adventure is figuring out the next location based on the riddles provided.
- 2Bluebeard's TowerClients will experience a historical monument in the Bluebeards Tower built in the late 1600s by the Danes as a way to protect the island from enemy countries and pirates! The inside of the castle is now a small museum with amazing artifacts including some from the Golden Age of Piracy (approx. 1650 - 1725). You will have an experienced guide help you understand the history of St. Thomas while taking in panoramic, incredible views from the top of the tower during sunset. You will receive your first clue in the museum along with your adventure bag with tools to solve clues throughout the night including a lantern. The clue will have you use the historical artifacts to solve the riddles that will lead you on your spooky adventure!
- 3HavensightYou will visit a bar in Havensight to collect more clues to help lead you to the Ghost of Piracy's Past cursed treasure. Enjoy an adult beverage on us
- 4St. ThomasClients will conclude their experience at one of the beautiful St. Thomas beaches. Hunt for the buried treasure using your provided lantern. Also the beach is the location of a popular restaurant/bar where you can enjoy another adult beverage on us
Meeting point and getting there
Start point
We meet in front of the historic Bluebeards Castle. It is located at the top of Bluebeards Castle Resort which can be found on Google maps. There is a parking lot right below the castle where you can park throughout the evening. You will be returned to this spot at the end of the experience.
We meet in front of the historic Bluebeards Castle. It is located at the top of Bluebeards Castle Resort which can be found on Google maps. There is a parking lot right below the castle where you can park throughout the evening. You will be returned to this spot at the end of the experience.
From the cruise pier
About 20 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point
Good to know
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 18 & Up - Kayaking required
- Although you will not have to swim, you will be tandem kayaking for approximately 40 minutes round-trip.
- The Ghosts of Piracy Past is designed to be a spooky and immersive experience. It will be dark, and at one point during the experience you will be in tight quarters in a wooded outdoor area. Strobe lights and other disorienting props may be used. Live actors may spook you in various ways but will not touch your person or belongings.
- If you are afraid of heights the sky ride is 700 feet above sea level. You may sit out during that portion of the treasure hunt.
Traveler reviews
Operated by The Tropical Treasure Hunt Company. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.
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