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

The main attraction here is a full day on the water built around Lime Out’s floating taco bar, not a rushed snorkel trip. You sail along St. John’s south shore, stop at coral reefs, eat two tacos, float with a cocktail if conditions allow, then cruise home with music and island views.

I like the generous mix of food, snorkeling, sailing, and drinks, plus the attentive crews led on different departures by people such as Captains Erin, Chris, and Trent. I also like that the spacious boat supplies snorkel gear, towels, breakfast, and lunch, though rough water can make the snorkel stops less rewarding and may trouble anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Lime Out is the center of the day: You receive two tacos per person, while drinks purchased directly from Lime Out cost extra.
• Two snorkel stops are planned: Fish and turtles are possible, but water, visibility, and marine life vary.
• Breakfast comes early: The boat serves a continental breakfast after the 8:15 a.m. meeting time.
• The open bar starts after snorkeling: Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are included onboard, but gratuity is not.
• The boat can hold up to 49 people: The catamaran is described as spacious, though this is not a private sailing.
• Bring sun and seasickness protection: Strong sun, choppy water, and a seven-hour day call for sunscreen, medication if needed, and a change of clothes.

A seven-hour St. John day with a clear purpose

This Cruz Bay Watersports outing works best if you want a complete boat day without having to plan every piece yourself. You meet at The Westin St. John Resort Villas in Cruz Bay at 8:15 a.m., then settle in for a long morning and afternoon at sea.

The price is $179 per person. That includes breakfast, snorkel equipment, a two-taco lunch, alcoholic drinks from the onboard open bar after snorkeling, and all fees and taxes. You still need to budget for gratuity and for anything you order directly from Lime Out.

I see the price as reasonable for a full seven-hour outing, especially because the package includes several items that can add up on a boat day. It is less compelling if your main goal is serious snorkeling, since the trip gives you time in the water but also puts major emphasis on lunch, sailing, socializing, and drinks.

Starting with breakfast on the way south

The day begins with a freshly prepared continental breakfast while the boat cruises along St. John’s south shore. The exact selection can vary, but the breakfast served on recent trips has included egg bites, croissants, donut holes, and fruit. Vegetarian egg bites have also been available on some departures.

This is a useful touch. You are not expected to begin a full day on the water with only coffee, and eating before the first snorkel stop helps make the morning more comfortable. If you plan to drink later, breakfast matters even more.

I would still pack a small snack if you tend to get hungry, especially if you do not eat much in the morning. One seven-hour outing can feel long in the sun, and the included breakfast is continental rather than a full meal.

The ride also gives you time to get settled before getting wet. Bring sunscreen and apply it early. A dry change of clothes is a smart addition, since you may spend the middle of the day moving between snorkeling, floating, and sitting on deck.

The morning reef stop off St. John

After roughly an hour on the boat, the first snorkeling stop takes place at one of the coral reefs around St. John. The crew provides loaner snorkel equipment, and towels are also supplied.

The exact reef depends on conditions. Some departures have used spots around Lamshur, while other stops are selected according to weather and sea conditions. That flexibility is helpful, since water conditions can change and the captain needs to choose a safe place to anchor.

At its best, this part of the trip delivers clear water, plenty of fish, and the chance to see sea turtles. Several people have reported seeing turtles and large numbers of fish, while other outings have produced less marine life. That contrast is worth taking seriously. Snorkeling is included, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The trip is also not designed as a technical or highly focused snorkeling expedition. You get two stops, but the day’s appeal comes from the full combination of activities. If you want long sessions, detailed reef interpretation, or several hours dedicated only to underwater viewing, a dedicated snorkel charter may be a better fit.

Water conditions are the biggest variable. Calm seas can make the stops easy and pleasant. Choppy water can reduce visibility, make swimming tiring, and make it harder to climb back aboard. Anyone who has trouble with seasickness should consider taking appropriate medication before departure, since the boat ride can be choppy even when the outing still runs.

Lime Out and the two-taco lunch

The boat then heads to Lime Out, the floating taco bar in the Virgin Islands. This is the most distinctive part of the day. You receive two tacos per person, with lunch served either on the boat or while floating nearby.

Do not assume you will sit at Lime Out’s limited floating seating. The taco bar can be crowded, and on some departures the tacos are brought back to the boat. That arrangement may sound less cinematic, but it gives you a comfortable place to eat and avoids waiting for one of the floating lily pads.

The tacos are a strong part of the experience. They are freshly prepared and have been praised as one of the best parts of the outing. Still, lunch is two tacos, not an unlimited meal, so bring a snack if you need more food during a long day.

Drinks at Lime Out are not part of the tour price. If you want one of the floating bar’s craft cocktails, you pay Lime Out separately. The swim-up bar is available based on current health and safety rules and sea conditions. Reaching it can be fun in calm water, but large swells can make the swim more difficult and less appealing for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

I like the way this stop breaks up the day. You get a memorable meal in a setting that feels tied to St. John’s boating culture, rather than simply eating a catered lunch below deck. The tradeoff is that Lime Out is popular, limited in space, and not always as relaxed as its photos may suggest.

Afternoon snorkeling and floating time

After lunch, the boat heads to a second stop. Depending on the conditions and the captain’s choice, you may snorkel again or spend more time floating and lounging in the water.

This second stop helps balance the day. If someone felt uneasy during the first snorkel, the later stop can offer a chance to get comfortable. One person described feeling better after getting back in the water following a bout of seasickness, though you should not count on swimming as a cure.

The crew can help with gear, drinks, and general questions. The strongest part of the service is its attention to people on board. Captains and crew members named on different departures include Erin, Chris, Nick, Izzy, Sam, Matt, Riley, Brenden, and Trent. The crew changes, but the consistent expectation is friendly help with snorkeling, safety, and drinks.

The boat is large enough for family groups and has been described as comfortable and spacious. With a maximum of 49 people, this is a shared excursion rather than an intimate private charter. That size can be a plus if you enjoy meeting people and having room to move around, but those seeking quiet solitude should keep the group setting in mind.

Sailing home with music and open-bar drinks

The open bar becomes part of the experience after the snorkeling stops. Drinks are served onboard during the later part of the day, and music helps fill the ride between stops. Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are included, though gratuity is not.

This is where the outing shifts from activity to vacation mode. You can sit back, dry off, look toward St. John, and let the crew handle the route. If the wind cooperates, the return includes a downwind sail, which is a pleasant finish and one of the more memorable parts of the trip.

The open bar is not a reason to ignore the basics. Drink water, use sunscreen, and eat enough. The combination of sun, wind, motion, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. I would also bring a dry bag or another way to protect phones and wallets from spray.

Music is part of the mood, but this is not a quiet nature cruise. People looking for a calm, low-key boat ride should know that the atmosphere can be social and lively.

What the $179 price really covers

At $179, you are paying for a long day rather than a single attraction. The package includes:

• Continental breakfast
• Two tacos from Lime Out
• Alcoholic drinks from the onboard open bar after snorkeling
• Snorkel equipment
• Towels
• All fees and taxes
• Two reef stops, weather and sea conditions permitting

That bundle compares well with booking separate breakfast, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a boat ride. It also removes much of the planning work. You do not need to arrange snorkel gear or decide where to stop for lunch.

The value drops if you do not drink, do not care about Lime Out, or want only a short snorkel outing. In that case, a smaller or more focused trip could suit you better. Remember that Lime Out’s own drinks and gratuity are extra.

The tour also requires good weather. If conditions prevent the trip from running, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful in the Virgin Islands, where wind and sea conditions can change the feel of a day quickly.

Who should book this St. John excursion

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and groups who want a social day with several activities built in. It is especially useful for people who want to see St. John from the water without organizing a private charter.

Families can make it work, and the boat has enough room for larger groups. Most people can participate, but the crew should be contacted ahead of time with accessibility questions. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, alternatives may be arranged with at least 72 hours of advance notice, possibly for an extra charge.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water. Choppy conditions can make the ladder or swim platform more challenging, particularly for older people or anyone who is not a strong swimmer. Ask the crew for help rather than trying to manage difficult conditions alone.

This is less suited to someone who gets severe seasickness, wants a quiet boat, or expects a full meal at Lime Out. It is also not the best pick if your only priority is seeing as much marine life as possible.

What to pack for the Westin departure

Keep your packing simple, but do not arrive empty-handed. I would bring:

• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses with a secure strap
• A swimsuit and dry change of clothes
• A small snack
• Seasickness medication if you need it
• A waterproof pouch for valuables
• Money or a card for Lime Out purchases
• Cash for gratuity

The meeting point is The Westin St. John Resort Villas, 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Cruz Bay. The activity returns to the same location after about seven hours.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:15 a.m. start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted unless the operator cancels because of poor weather or an unmet minimum, in which case you are offered another option or a full refund.

Should you book the Lime Out snorkel sail?

Book it if you want the easy pleasure of a full boat day: breakfast, two snorkel stops, Lime Out tacos, open-bar drinks, music, and a downwind ride home. The best parts are the friendly crew, the spacious catamaran, the excellent tacos, and the way the schedule gives you both activity and time to relax.

Skip it if you want a serious snorkeling trip, dislike shared excursions, or are highly sensitive to rough seas. The snorkeling can be good, but conditions vary, and the real draw is the mix of reef stops and the floating taco experience.

For most people looking for a relaxed St. John day on the water, this is a well-rounded choice. Pack sun protection, plan for motion, and treat the tacos and sailing as equal parts of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at The Westin St. John Resort Villas, 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:15 a.m., and the experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What food is included?

A freshly prepared continental breakfast is served onboard, and each person receives a two-taco lunch from Lime Out.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks from the onboard open bar are included after snorkeling. Drinks purchased directly from Lime Out are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Loaner snorkeling equipment is included, and towels are also supplied.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather or an unmet minimum causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.