If I were you, I'd just see if you can find a local fisherman to purchase some from considering you haven't even snorkled previously.

If you must attempt getting them on you own, use a snare, have good gloves and a mesh bag to put them in. Majority of St. John is national park waters and does not allow fishing in park waters. Lobsters have size limits, you're not allowed to gig or spear them and you cannot take females with eggs. Check with the national park service to see what's allowed and where. The rangers will fine you if they catch you.

Is it "possible"? Yes, but the odds of an inexperienced snorkeler being successful using either hands or a snare is next to nil! Lobsters don't sit around in plain view in shallow water but hunker down deep in reefs and even the most experienced snorkeler familiar with their habitat very rarely snags one. The majority are caught by local fishermen in traps set offshore accessed by boats.

But you'll love getting used to snorkeling and enjoying the array of undersea life to watch but not touch!

Thanks so much for the insight. I had read earlier that some local fisherman sell them for 7-10$ a pound. Are those numbers anywhere near accurate?

Yes.

Another option: Book a day with Captain Rick of Swashbucklin' Tours, and let him know that you want to try lobster snaring. We booked with him in '12 and regretted that we booked so late in the week, because we caught more fish than we could eat in the 3 nights we had left.

I contacted captain rick with swashbuckling tours and we have set up an appointment to go snare some lobster. Very cool fellow. Thank you all for the helpful advice