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

The best part of this St. John day is the mix: you get two snorkeling stops, a floating taco lunch, sailing time, and drinks without having to plan each piece yourself. Lime Out gives the trip its local flavor, though the tacos may be served on the boat rather than at the floating bar itself when the small venue is crowded.

I especially like the fresh breakfast before the first reef and the open bar after snorkeling. Egg bites, croissants, fruit, and donut holes make the early start easier, while attentive crew members such as Captain Erin, Chris, Nick, and Izzy keep the day moving. The main caution is the sea. Choppy water can make snorkeling and getting in or out uncomfortable, so take seasickness medicine in advance if you need it.

Key points to know before you book

• Lime Out is the centerpiece: You receive two tacos per person, while drinks bought directly from Lime Out cost extra.
• Breakfast comes first: Expect a continental spread with items such as egg bites, croissants, fruit, and donut holes.
• Two reef stops are planned: Marine life can be excellent, but conditions affect visibility and comfort.
• The open bar starts after snorkeling: Alcoholic drinks are included onboard, with a full bar available during the later part of the day.
• The boat can hold up to 49 people: It is a social outing, but the catamaran is described as spacious rather than cramped.
• Plan for sun and spray: Bring sunscreen, dry clothes, and money for gratuity. A change of clothes is especially useful after swimming.

A full St. John day from the Westin dock

This excursion starts at the Westin St. John Resort Villas in Chocolate Hole at 8:15 a.m. The location is convenient if you are staying at the resort, and the tour returns to the same meeting point after about seven hours.

That timing matters. This is not a quick morning snorkel run with a rushed lunch. You spend much of the day on the water, with time for breakfast, reef stops, Lime Out, floating, and the sail back toward Cruz Bay. I would set aside most of your day and avoid scheduling another major activity afterward.

The boat carries as many as 49 people. That gives the outing a social feel, but the available information describes the catamaran as clean, comfortable, and roomy enough for family groups. One party of 12, including four children, found there was enough room for everyone to settle in.

You should expect a shared boat rather than a private charter. That is part of the value. You meet other people, hear music during the longer rides, and have a crew handling the food, equipment, drinks, and route.

Breakfast makes the early departure easier

The first practical win is breakfast. The crew serves a freshly prepared continental spread while the boat heads along the south shore of St. John.

The exact selection can vary, but egg bites, vegetarian egg bites, croissants, donut holes, and fruit have been served. It is a useful meal rather than a token cup of coffee and a cookie. Since you meet before 8:15 a.m., having food ready onboard saves you from finding breakfast before reaching the dock.

I would still pack a small snack if you tend to get hungry, especially if you plan to drink later. One long day on the water can feel different from a normal day at a resort, and alcohol, sun, swimming, and wind add up quickly.

The breakfast also gives you time to get comfortable before the first water stop. Use it to apply sunscreen, listen to the safety instructions, and keep anything you do not want wet in a secure place.

The first reef stop sets the pace

After cruising for roughly an hour, the boat reaches a morning snorkeling site near one of St. John’s coral reefs. Loaner snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask, snorkel, or fins.

This first stop is a major part of the day, but the trip is not built as a technical snorkeling program. The aim is a pleasant mix of reef time, sailing, lunch, and floating. Some outings have produced turtles, large numbers of fish, and clear water. On other days, marine life has been harder to find.

Weather and sea conditions make a big difference. Calm water can give you a relaxed look at the reef, while chop can reduce visibility and make climbing back aboard more difficult. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for help before entering the water and take your time when returning to the boat.

The crew has been praised for helping with snorkel gear, answering questions, and watching out for safety. That matters more than fancy equipment when the wind picks up. Still, you should be comfortable in open water before booking, since this is an active day with more than one swim stop.

Lime Out brings the unusual lunch stop

After the morning snorkel, the boat heads to Lime Out, the Virgin Islands’ floating taco bar. This is the feature that separates the trip from a standard catamaran snorkel cruise.

Your included lunch is two tacos per person. The tacos are freshly prepared and have drawn some of the strongest praise from the excursion. You can eat onboard or float nearby, depending on how the stop is arranged that day.

Here is an important detail: do not assume you will sit at Lime Out’s floating seating area. The venue has limited lily pads and can get crowded, so tacos may be brought back to the boat for everyone to eat there. You still get the setting, the swim-up atmosphere, and the chance to visit the bar, but the meal itself may not happen at a dedicated Lime Out table.

That arrangement is not necessarily a bad thing. Eating on the catamaran gives you more room, keeps the group together, and avoids waiting for one of the limited floating platforms. If your main goal is to sit at the taco bar itself, this tour cannot promise that.

Drinks purchased from Lime Out are not included. The included open bar is onboard and begins after snorkeling, while a cocktail from the floating bar costs extra. Bring a credit card if you want Lime Out merchandise or an additional drink.

The afternoon is made for floating

After lunch, the boat moves to another stop for more swimming, floating, and relaxing. Some descriptions refer to two snorkeling locations, while the afternoon stop may be more about carefree time in the water than inspecting another reef.

That balance is worth understanding before you book. If you want nonstop time with a mask in the water, this may feel too social and relaxed. If you want a full day that alternates between activity and rest, it works well.

The trip includes flotation equipment, and the boat provides a place to lounge between swims. Music is part of the atmosphere during the transit sections, with several crew teams praised for keeping the mood lively without losing their attention to safety.

The open bar becomes more useful here. Drinks are included onboard after snorkeling, so you can enjoy a beer, cocktail, or other available beverage while the boat rests or sails. Pace yourself. The sun is strong, and the combination of alcohol, heat, and salt water can catch up with you faster than expected.

The downwind sail home is part of the reward

The return is described as a leisurely downwind sail. This is when the day changes from an active water outing into a slow ride back toward the Westin.

You get views of St. John from the water, time to dry off, and a chance to talk with the people in your group. The sailing portion depends on wind and weather, since conditions determine if sailing is practical that day. If the boat cannot sail, the operator may use another approach to complete the outing.

This final stretch also shows why the tour is longer than a simple snorkel trip. You are paying for the whole day on the water, not just the two reef stops. For some people, this is the best part. For others, it may feel like too much sitting after lunch.

I would bring a light cover-up and dry clothes. A change of clothes keeps the ride home more comfortable, especially if you have been in the water twice and want to avoid sitting in a wet swimsuit.

Crew service is a real part of the value

The crew receives unusually consistent praise, with Captain Erin, Captain Chris, Captain Trent, Nick, Izzy, Sam, Matt, Ryan, Danny, Brenden, and Riley all singled out in individual accounts. Names may change with the departure, but the pattern is clear: the crew handles drinks, snorkel equipment, safety questions, and general comfort throughout the day.

That service matters on a large boat. You are not hiring a private guide who stays beside your group all day, but you should have help when you need equipment, want a drink, or need guidance entering the water.

The crew has also helped people dealing with seasickness and heat exhaustion. That is reassuring, but it does not make rough water harmless. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual medication before boarding and avoid waiting until you feel ill.

Older swimmers or anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator specific accessibility questions before booking. The activity involves boarding, moving around a boat, and entering and leaving the sea. The provider can give more details by phone.

What the $179 price really covers

At $179 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near St. John. The price includes breakfast, two tacos at Lime Out, snorkel equipment, onboard alcoholic beverages after snorkeling, fees, and taxes.

The value depends on how much of the package you would use. If you plan to snorkel, drink onboard, eat lunch, and spend the day sailing, the price is reasonable because you do not have to arrange several separate activities. Equipment rental, breakfast, a restaurant meal, and a boat outing are bundled together.

The two tacos are a modest lunch for a full day. If you have a large appetite, pack an approved snack or ask about food options before departure. Special food items can be arranged with at least 72 hours of advance notice, and extra charges may apply.

You also need to budget for gratuity. It is not included, and the crew’s hands-on service is one of the stronger reasons to consider tipping at the end.

The open bar adds value, but only if you actually want to drink. Non-drinkers are still paying for that part of the package, so a person who wants only snorkeling may find a shorter excursion better suited to the budget.

Weather and comfort can change the whole day

This outing requires good weather. Wind can affect the route, sailing, visibility, and how easy it is to get into the water. A beautiful sunny morning does not always mean calm conditions by the afternoon.

Several elements remain enjoyable in mixed weather, including breakfast, tacos, music, and the crew’s service. But rough water can make the snorkeling less rewarding. One difficult outing had strong swells that made the swim to Lime Out uncomfortable and caused trouble for some people getting in and out of the sea.

Pack the basics:

• High-SPF sunscreen and a plan to reapply it
• A hat or cover-up
• Dry clothes for the ride home
• A small snack if you need food between meals
• A credit card for Lime Out purchases
• Cash or another way to handle gratuity

Towels have been supplied on some departures, but I would confirm before relying on that. The listed inclusions specifically cover snorkel equipment, breakfast, lunch, drinks, fees, and taxes.

Who will enjoy this St. John cruise most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want one organized day that covers several St. John highlights. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mix of swimming, food, drinks, music, and scenery.

Families can make it work, since children have enjoyed the spacious boat and the crew is described as helpful. Parents should still judge each child’s comfort with open-water swimming, boat movement, and a long seven-hour day.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors who do not want to plan separate transportation, reef stops, lunch, and drinks. You meet once, stay with the same crew, and return to the Westin.

I would choose another activity if you want a quiet private sail, a serious reef-focused session, or a guaranteed meal at Lime Out’s floating platforms. I would also think twice if you get seasick easily, dislike group outings, or do not want to spend much of the day in direct sun.

Should you book the Lime Out snorkel sail?

Book it if you want the full St. John combination: breakfast on a catamaran, two reef stops, Lime Out tacos, floating time, and an open bar. The crew service, roomy boat, and variety make the $179 price easier to justify than a simple snorkel trip.

Skip it if the tacos are only a minor attraction and your priority is seeing as much marine life as possible. Sea conditions can limit both snorkeling and comfort, and the Lime Out meal may be served on the boat rather than at the floating bar.

For most people who want a social, all-day boat outing, this is a strong pick. Check the weather, prepare for sun and chop, and treat the day as a relaxed mix of experiences rather than a nonstop snorkeling expedition.

FAQ

Where does the St. John Lime Out cruise start?

It starts at The Westin St. John Resort Villas, 300B Chocolate Hole Road, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. The meeting time is 8:15 a.m., and the trip returns to the same location.

How long does the excursion last?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A freshly prepared continental breakfast is served onboard. Previous menus have included egg bites, croissants, donut holes, and fruit.

How many tacos are included?

Each person receives a two-taco lunch from Lime Out. Drinks purchased directly at Lime Out are not included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. A full onboard open bar is included after snorkeling. Gratuity is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.