St. John Full-Day Lime Out Snorkel Taco Lunch & Open Bar – Westin

Tacos taste better on the water. This seven-hour cruise brings together two snorkel stops, a floating taco lunch at Lime Out, breakfast, sailing, and an open bar for $179 per person. I like the easy all-day format, and I especially like that the crew handles the food, gear, towels, and drinks while you focus on the sea.

I also like the spacious catamaran and the attentive service from crews led by captains such as Erin, Chris, Trent, and others. The main drawback is the water: rough conditions can make snorkeling less rewarding and getting in and out of the sea harder, especially for older people or anyone who gets seasick.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkel stops: The day includes a morning reef stop and another afternoon stop, though the focus is broader than snorkeling alone.
• Lime Out tacos are included: You receive two tacos, but drinks ordered directly from Lime Out cost extra.
• Breakfast starts the day: Expect a continental spread that can include fruit, croissants, donut holes, and vegetarian egg bites.
• Open bar follows snorkeling: Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are included on board after the morning snorkel.
• Bring sun and sea-sickness protection: The sun can be strong, and the ride may get choppy.
• A full boat day: The catamaran can hold up to 49 people, with room to sit, float, snorkel, and listen to music.

A seven-hour day from the Westin dock

The meeting point is the Westin St. John Resort Villas at 300B Chocolate Hole Road near Cruz Bay. You should be ready for the 8:15 a.m. departure, since this is a full-day outing rather than a short harbor ride.

The boat returns to the same point at the end of the day. That makes the trip simple if you are staying at the Westin, and the location is also near public transportation. You will not need to arrange a separate ride between the morning departure and the afternoon return.

The advertised maximum is 49 people. That is not a private sailing, but the catamaran is described as clean, well maintained, and spacious enough for a large family group. One family of 12 found plenty of room for adults and children, while another couple liked that the boat felt busy without being oversold.

That distinction matters. You are joining a social boat day, not booking a quiet sail for two. If you enjoy music, conversation, and meeting people on board, the size works in your favor. If you want a private, silent cruise, choose a smaller charter instead.

Breakfast while cruising South Shore

The day begins with a freshly prepared continental breakfast as the boat moves along St. John’s South Shore. The exact menu can vary, but the food has included fruit, croissants, donut holes, and vegetarian egg bites.

This is a useful start, not a full restaurant meal. I would eat a little before boarding if you need a large breakfast, and I would pack a small snack if you plan to drink later or tend to get hungry between meals. One person specifically found snacks helpful on such a long day.

The early cruise gives you time to settle in before the first snorkel stop. It also lets you enjoy views of St. John from the water without rushing straight into the main activity.

Bring a light cover-up or dry shirt. You will likely spend much of the day alternating between wet swimwear, shade, and open deck. A change of clothes is a practical idea, especially for the sail home.

The morning reef stop

After roughly an hour, the boat reaches a coral reef area for the first snorkel stop. The exact location depends on conditions, and the crew chooses among the reefs around St. John.

Reports from the trip include turtles, plenty of fish, and good underwater scenery. One outing at Lamshur was singled out as a strong snorkel stop. Other experiences found the sites pleasant but not exceptional, and one person saw little marine life at all.

That range is normal for a sea-based tour. You are visiting a living reef, not an aquarium, so visibility, wind, current, and animal activity can change the experience. The crew can choose a suitable location, but no operator can promise turtles or a particular fish sighting.

Loaner snorkel equipment is included, and towels are also supplied according to the trip details and on-board experience. The crew helps with equipment and keeps an eye on safety. Still, you should be comfortable entering the water from the boat, or speak with the company before booking if you have concerns.

The morning stop is a good fit if you want a relaxed introduction to snorkeling. It is less ideal if your only goal is spending most of the day underwater. Several people enjoyed the snorkeling but felt the trip’s true center was the combination of sailing, lunch, and floating time.

Lime Out brings the main event

After the first snorkel, the boat continues toward Lime Out, the Virgin Islands’ floating taco bar. This is the signature feature of the trip, and it gives the day a strong sense of place. You are not simply eating lunch back at the marina. You are surrounded by clear water, boats, swimmers, and the unusual sight of a restaurant floating offshore.

Your included meal is two tacos per person. The tacos receive some of the strongest praise in the feedback, with several people calling them delicious or saying they were the best part of the day.

There is one detail worth understanding before you arrive. You may eat the tacos on board or while floating in the water, and the tacos may be brought to the boat rather than served from one of Lime Out’s limited floating platforms. That can feel different from the picture some people expect.

In practice, eating on the boat may be easier. Lime Out is popular, and there is limited space at the floating dining area. You still get the setting, the swim-up access, and the chance to order a craft cocktail directly from the floating bar, but you may not sit at the restaurant itself.

Drinks purchased at Lime Out are not included. The on-board open bar is included after snorkeling, but Lime Out’s own beverages are separate. Bring a card if you want a cocktail, merchandise, or a Lime Out shirt.

The value of this stop depends on your expectations. If you see the tacos as a fun lunch in a memorable setting, the experience works well. If you expect a long restaurant meal or a private floating table, you may find the stop less impressive. One person considered the food overpriced, while most of the available comments praised the tacos.

Afternoon snorkeling and floating time

After lunch, the boat moves to a second stop for more snorkeling, floating, and lounging. This gives the day a useful rhythm. You start with breakfast, swim before lunch, eat, then have another chance to get in the water before sailing home.

The second stop can be especially welcome if you feel uncomfortable during the ride. One person who became seasick after lunch felt better once the boat reached the next snorkeling area. You can choose to snorkel, float, or stay on board, depending on how you feel.

The boat carries flotation devices, including tubes, and music helps fill the transit periods. People praised the crew for offering drinks, assisting with snorkeling, and answering questions without hovering.

Do not mistake this for a strictly scheduled snorkeling expedition. The boat day includes reef time, but also food, social time, drinks, and sailing. I would book it if you want variety. I would choose a more specialized snorkel charter if you want maximum time in the water and detailed instruction at each reef.

The open bar and the sail home

The open bar is included after snorkeling. That is a major part of the price, especially for anyone who expects to have several drinks during a seven-hour cruise. The drink service is often praised, and some people found the music and beverages made the ride between stops just as enjoyable as the planned activities.

Pace yourself. Sun, salt water, wind, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Eat breakfast and lunch, drink water when it is available, and remember that the afternoon ride may still be choppy.

If the weather cooperates, the return includes a leisurely downwind sail. This is one of the quieter pleasures of the day. You can dry off, watch St. John from the sea, listen to music, and let the crew bring you back to Cruz Bay without another transfer.

Sailing is not guaranteed in the strict sense. Weather conditions determine if sailing is safe and practical, so the route and pace may change. That flexibility is a good safety policy, even if it means your day does not match the exact picture you had in mind.

Crew service is a real strength

The crew receives consistent praise for being friendly, attentive, and helpful. Captains Erin, Chris, Trent, and others are mentioned by name, along with crew members such as Izzy, Sam, Riley, Brenden, Nick, Matt, Ryan, and Danny.

That personal service matters on a boat day. The crew serves breakfast, helps with snorkel gear, offers drinks, explains what is happening, and pays attention when someone feels unwell. One person dealing with seasickness and heat exhaustion was cared for by the crew, which is reassuring when you are far from shore.

The service is not perfect in every condition. During a choppy outing, some older people had trouble entering and leaving the water, and extra assistance at the ladder would have helped. If you have limited mobility, contact the company before booking and ask specific questions about boarding, the swim ladder, and water access.

Most people can participate, but that does not mean the trip is effortless. You need to manage a boat ladder, wet surfaces, sun, and moving water. Be honest about your comfort level before paying.

Is $179 a good value?

At $179 per person, this is not a budget beach day. The price includes a seven-hour catamaran outing, breakfast, two tacos, snorkel equipment, towels, fees, taxes, and an open bar after snorkeling.

That bundle gives the price real weight. If you paid separately for a full-day boat trip, snorkel equipment, meals, and several drinks, the costs could add up quickly. The included food also removes the need to find lunch while you are out on the water.

The value is strongest for you if you want a complete day with many moving parts handled for you. Families, couples, and groups who enjoy a mix of swimming, food, music, and drinks are likely to feel they received a fair deal.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, care little about Lime Out, or want a serious snorkeling program. In that case, you are paying for parts of the package you may barely use.

Gratuity is not included. Bring cash for a tip, especially if the crew helps with gear, drinks, safety, or a medical issue during the day. Food restrictions can be arranged with at least 72 hours of advance notice, though alternative items may cost extra.

Weather, seasickness, and what to pack

Weather is the biggest variable. Calm water can produce excellent snorkeling and a smooth ride. Choppy water can reduce visibility, make the reef stops less enjoyable, and make climbing in and out of the sea difficult.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual medication before the trip. The crew can help, but they cannot change the swell. Congestion may also make motion sickness worse, so take your own health into account.

Pack:

• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses with a secure strap
• A swimsuit and dry change of clothes
• Cash for gratuity
• A credit card for Lime Out drinks or merchandise
• A small snack if you need food between meals
• Any personal seasickness treatment

The boat supplies snorkel equipment and towels, but you should still bring the items that make you comfortable in strong sun and changing conditions.

The cancellation policy is fair but firm. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:15 a.m. start. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed for the tour is not reached.

Who should book this St. John boat day?

I would book this trip if you want one easy day that combines several classic St. John pleasures. You get reef snorkeling, a floating taco stop, open-bar drinks, music, views, and a chance to sail, all without planning separate outings.

It also suits families and mixed-age groups better than a highly athletic snorkel trip. Non-swimmers can stay on board during water time, while stronger swimmers can use both snorkel stops. The crew’s attentive style is another plus for a group with different comfort levels.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, struggle with ladders, or are highly sensitive to motion. I would also skip it if you want a small, quiet charter or a tour built almost entirely around underwater time.

FAQ

Where does the Lime Out snorkel cruise begin?

It begins at the Westin St. John Resort Villas, 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours and returns to the Westin meeting point.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A freshly prepared continental breakfast is served on board. Past menus have included fruit, croissants, donut holes, and vegetarian egg bites.

Are Lime Out tacos included?

Yes. Each person receives a two-taco lunch. You may eat on board or while floating in the water.

Are drinks included?

The on-board full open bar is included after snorkeling. Drinks purchased directly from Lime Out are not included.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is available for use, and towels are also supplied.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full St. John day, not just a snorkel session. The strongest combination is the attentive crew, spacious boat, tasty two-taco lunch, useful breakfast, and included drinks. The 4.8 rating from 289 reviews and 96 percent recommendation rate fit that picture.

Go in with sensible expectations. Lime Out may serve lunch on the boat, the floating dining area may have limited room, reef conditions can vary, and rough water can affect the whole day. If you prepare for sun and motion, and you like the idea of mixing snorkeling with tacos, sailing, music, and drinks, $179 is a reasonable price for an easy, memorable day on St. John.