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

Tacos taste better at sea. This seven-hour St. John cruise combines two snorkel stops, a floating taco-bar visit, sailing, and an open bar for $179 per person. I especially like the freshly prepared breakfast and the friendly Cruz Bay Watersports crew, who help keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.

I also like the boat’s roomy feel, useful for families and groups, plus the chance to enjoy St. John’s coves from the water instead of only seeing them from shore. The main consideration is the sea: choppy conditions can make snorkeling and getting in or out of the water harder, and the Lime Out portion may not work exactly as you picture it.

Key points to know before you book

• Breakfast starts the day: Expect fruit, croissants, donut holes, and egg bites before the first snorkel stop.
• Two snorkel stops are planned: The focus is a balanced day on the water, not a serious, all-day snorkeling expedition.
• Lime Out lunch includes two tacos: Tacos are included, but drinks ordered directly from Lime Out are extra.
• The boat’s open bar begins after snorkeling: Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are part of the package once the morning snorkel is finished.
• The group can be fairly large: The maximum is 49 people, though the boat has been praised for feeling spacious.
• Weather matters: Sailing plans and snorkel conditions depend on the day’s wind and sea state.

The Westin departure and a full day ahead

The trip begins at 8:15 a.m. at The Westin St. John Resort Villas, at 300B Chocolate Hole Road in Great Cruz Bay. It returns to the same point after roughly seven hours, so you should plan on giving this outing most of your day.

That timing works well if you want a proper boat day rather than a short morning tour. You get breakfast, a morning snorkel, lunch, an afternoon water stop, and a downwind sail back. The tradeoff is simple: you lose nearly a full day for other St. John plans, but you also avoid piecing together separate boat, lunch, and snorkeling arrangements.

The maximum group size is 49 people. That is not a private charter, but the boat has been described as clean, comfortable, and roomy enough for a large family group. One family of 12, including four children, found there was plenty of space for everyone.

I would arrive ready to board, with swimwear already on and anything you need for a long day outdoors within reach. Towels and snorkeling equipment are supplied, but sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes are smart additions. One useful tip from the boat is to bring dry clothing for the ride home. Sitting in wet swimwear for hours is less pleasant than it sounds.

Breakfast before the first reef

The day starts with a continental breakfast as the boat cruises away from Cruz Bay. The menu has included fruit, croissants, donut holes, and vegetarian egg bites. It is more than a token pastry and coffee stop, especially if you eat early before arriving at the Westin.

Breakfast serves two purposes. It gives you something in your stomach before snorkeling, and it helps pace the morning before alcoholic drinks begin. The open bar is included after snorkeling, not from the moment you board.

Still, I would not count on breakfast carrying you through the entire day. One participant found snacks useful, particularly after drinking and spending hours in the sun. If you know you get hungry, bring a small snack that can handle heat and boat movement.

The cruise along St. John’s south shore is part of the appeal. You see the island from a different angle, with the water providing the main view rather than a road or beach. The crew may also share information about the area and its past, though the amount of commentary can vary with the captain and sea conditions.

The morning snorkel stop

After about an hour on the water, the boat reaches a coral reef stop. St. John has many possible snorkeling areas, so the exact site can depend on conditions, safety, and what makes sense that day.

The trip generally includes two snorkel stops, one in the morning and one after lunch. That gives you two chances to see fish and other marine life, while also breaking up the time spent sitting on the boat. Equipment is provided, and the crew can help with snorkeling needs.

The best reports describe plenty of fish, turtles, and clear water. One outing included two turtles and many fish. Another had strong snorkeling at both stops. The locations can be excellent, but you should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a dedicated reef research trip, and marine life is never guaranteed.

Sea conditions are the largest variable. Calm water can make the snorkel stops memorable. Choppy water can reduce visibility, make swimming tiring, and make climbing back aboard awkward. One outing had rougher conditions that affected the snorkeling, while another had limited marine life despite a pleasant day.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual precautions before boarding. The trip includes long stretches of open-water travel, and several hours on a boat can feel very different from a quick harbor cruise. Heat exhaustion and seasickness can also combine, so drink water, use sun protection, and tell the crew if you feel unwell. The crew has been praised for helping people who needed extra care.

Lime Out tacos and the floating-bar reality

After the first snorkel, the boat heads toward Lime Out, the Virgin Islands’ well-known floating taco bar. This is the signature part of the day. The included meal is two tacos per person, and the tacos have received consistently strong praise.

There is an important detail here: you should not assume that you will spend the entire lunch seated on Lime Out’s floating platforms. The tacos may be brought to the boat, where you eat on board or while floating nearby. Lime Out has limited seating and can get crowded, so this arrangement keeps the group together and avoids a long wait for a lily pad.

That can feel like a small advertising mismatch if you imagined a full restaurant visit. On the other hand, eating on the boat gives you more room and lets you enjoy your lunch without competing for one of the limited floating spots.

You may swim up to the bar for a craft cocktail, depending on current health and safety rules. Drinks purchased directly from Lime Out are not included, so bring a credit card if you want one of those drinks or a souvenir shirt. The boat’s full open bar is separate and becomes available after snorkeling.

Lime Out is fun because the setting is unusual, not because it offers a long, formal lunch. You are eating tacos near a floating bar in clear Caribbean water, with the boat and St. John around you. If that sounds like your kind of lunch, the stop is a strong reason to book. If you mainly want quiet, slow dining, this is not that.

The afternoon water stop and sail home

After lunch, the boat makes another stop for swimming, floating, and relaxing. The afternoon is less structured than the morning. You can use the provided flotation equipment, lounge on board, or get back into the water for another swim.

The second snorkel stop is useful for anyone who had poor visibility or rough water earlier. Some people who felt seasick after lunch found that getting back into the water helped them feel better. Others may simply prefer to stretch out and enjoy the scenery.

The return trip is planned as a leisurely downwind sail when weather allows. That distinction matters. Sailing is not guaranteed, since wind and sea conditions determine whether it is safe and practical. On a good day, the ride home becomes a calm final chapter rather than just a motorboat transfer.

Music also helps make the travel portions enjoyable. The atmosphere is social, but the crew’s style appears to be attentive rather than pushy. Captains and crew members praised by name include Captain Erin, Captain Chris, Captain Trent, Captain Riley, Brenden, Izzy, Sam, Nick, Matt, Ryan, and Danny. Staffing changes, of course, but the repeated theme is helpful service, safety, and a willingness to answer questions.

How good is the value at $179?

At $179 per person, this is not a bargain-priced beach outing. It becomes a better deal when you count what is included: a seven-hour boat trip, breakfast, snorkeling gear, towels, a two-taco lunch, alcoholic drinks after snorkeling, taxes, and fees.

You are paying for convenience as much as food and drinks. A separate snorkeling trip, lunch stop, and sailing excursion could cost more and require extra planning. Here, the day is arranged around one boat and one crew.

The open bar is valuable if you plan to have several drinks, but less so if you do not drink alcohol. Gratuity is not included, so budget extra for a tip. Drinks from Lime Out are also separate, and that cost can add up if you want the swim-up-bar experience.

The price makes the most sense for couples, groups of friends, and families who want a complete day on the water. It is less compelling for a serious snorkeler who would rather spend every available minute at reefs, or for someone who prefers a quiet beach day with no fixed schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want variety. The day moves through several moods: breakfast and sightseeing, snorkeling, tacos, drinks, swimming, music, and sailing. You do not need to organize each piece yourself.

It also suits families and mixed-age groups. Children can snorkel or float, adults can enjoy the bar, and anyone who needs a break can remain on the boat. The roomy layout is helpful when a group includes people with different energy levels.

You should think twice if you dislike open-water travel, are highly sensitive to motion, or need guaranteed calm conditions. Older people and anyone with limited mobility may find boarding and ladder use difficult when the sea is choppy. The crew is helpful, but water access still requires care.

This is also not the best choice if Lime Out itself is your only goal. The stop is part of a broader cruise, and lunch may be served on the boat rather than on a floating platform. Book it for the full combination, not for a guaranteed seat at the bar.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Take seasickness precautions early: Waiting until you feel ill is usually too late.
• Bring dry clothes: You may spend much of the day wet, even if you do not snorkel twice.
• Pack extra snacks: Breakfast and two tacos may not be enough for seven hours in the sun.
• Use serious sun protection: The sun is strong on the water, and shade may not always be available.
• Bring a card for Lime Out: Its cocktails and merchandise are not part of the package.
• Carry cash for the crew tip: Gratuity is excluded.
• Tell the operator about food needs early: Alternative items can be arranged with at least 72 hours’ notice, and extra charges may apply.
• Ask about accessibility before booking: The operator asks people with concerns to call for specific information.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:15 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Lime Out snorkel cruise?

Book it if you want a classic, full St. John boat day with good food, drinks, friendly service, and two chances to snorkel. The crew receives the strongest praise, and the combination of breakfast, tacos, open bar, swimming, and sailing gives you plenty for the price.

Go in knowing what the trip is and what it is not. It is not a private charter, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or a snorkel-only excursion. Lime Out may serve as a floating lunch setting without giving you a dedicated floating seat, and rough water can change the quality of the snorkeling.

For most visitors staying near Cruz Bay, I think the $179 price is fair when you plan to use the included food and drinks. Bring sun protection, dry clothes, a snack, and a willingness to let the sea set the pace. If the weather cooperates, this is an easy way to turn one day in St. John into a mix of reef time, island views, tacos, and carefree time afloat.

FAQ

Where does the St. John Lime Out cruise begin?

It begins at The Westin St. John Resort Villas, 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Great 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 included. Items may include fruit, croissants, donut holes, and egg bites.

How many tacos are included?

Each person receives a two-taco lunch from Lime Out.

Are drinks included?

A full open bar is included after snorkeling. Drinks purchased directly from Lime Out are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use, and towels have also been supplied on the boat.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Sailing depends on weather and sea conditions. If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.