St. Thomas Lime Out Snorkel with Taco Bar Lunch & Swim-Up Bar – Ritz-Carlton

The unusual heart of this day is Lime Out, a floating taco bar where you can eat lunch in the middle of St. John’s clear coastal water. Before that, you get two substantial snorkeling stops, each reported at about an hour, aboard a roomy catamaran with bathrooms, cushioned deck seating, floats, and a small slide for children.

I like two things right away: the day has a useful rhythm, with active water time before lunch and easy lounging afterward, and the price includes snorkeling gear, two tacos, breakfast, and a full open bar after snorkeling. The main consideration is timing. Seven hours and 15 minutes is a full day, and the Lime Out bar can get slow when its staff is serving a large crowd, so you may prefer to enjoy the boat’s included drinks while waiting for your tacos.

Key points at a glance

• Two St. John reef stops: Salt Pond and Tectonic reefs have been used on the route, with time for sea turtles, stingrays, fish, and coral.
• A floating taco lunch: Two tacos at Lime Out are included, with favorites such as the BBQ chicken taco receiving special praise.
• Room to spread out: The catamaran has cushioned sun chairs, two bathrooms, a large float, and a children’s slide.
• Open bar after snorkeling: Drinks include fresh-fruit cocktails and a broad selection of alcoholic beverages, though frozen drinks are not included.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The maximum group size is 32 people, not a packed party boat.
• Easy start at the Ritz-Carlton: The tour leaves at 8:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point, with on-site parking available for $25.

Why this St. John boat day works so well

Many boat outings ask you to choose between snorkeling and comfort. This one gives you both. You start with time in the water, then shift into a floating lunch stop and a relaxed afternoon on deck. That matters in the Virgin Islands, where the pleasure is not only seeing a reef but also having enough time to enjoy the ride between stops.

The catamaran is a strong part of the package. It is described as large, clean, and comfortable, with two bathrooms and cushioned sun seats. You can sit in the breeze and accept a little sea spray, or use the float when you want to rest without climbing back aboard. Families also get a small slide at the rear of the boat, which gives children something to do while adults trade turns in the water.

The maximum of 32 people helps keep the experience from feeling too crowded. It is still a social outing, and you will meet people from other groups, but the boat is not designed as a giant cruise excursion. That balance suits you if you want a lively day without spending seven hours shoulder to shoulder.

The crew is another major strength. Names associated with this outing include Captain Heather, Captain Jolene, Q, Danny, Phillip, Niko, Ben, and Tera. The service style is attentive without forcing constant entertainment. Crew members help with equipment, watch over the water stops, keep drinks moving, and make an effort to include children and less confident swimmers.

8:00 a.m. departure from the Ritz-Carlton

The meeting point is the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, at 6900 Great Bay in Nazareth. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., and the boat returns there at the end of the day. That simple out-and-back setup is useful if you are staying at the resort or arranging your own transport from elsewhere on St. Thomas.

On-site parking is available for $25, but it is not part of the tour price. The meeting point is also near public transportation, which gives you another option if you do not want to pay for parking. Since the tour lasts most of the day, I would plan your arrival carefully rather than cutting it close.

A light breakfast is provided when you board. The details of the breakfast are not specified, so treat it as a helpful morning bite rather than a full meal. You will appreciate it because the first main meal comes later at Lime Out, after the snorkeling stops.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You travel toward the north shore of St. John, leaving the busy shorelines behind and seeing coves and beaches that are easiest to appreciate from the water. Choppy conditions are possible, and the crew has been praised for handling rougher water in a way that kept the ride comfortable for adults and young children.

Two reef stops near St. John

The snorkeling is the most important part of the outing, and it deserves more attention than the taco gimmick. The route has included Salt Pond and Tectonic reefs, with about an hour at each stop. That is generous compared with tours that give you a quick twenty-minute swim before hurrying to the next attraction.

You may see sea turtles, stingrays, an eagle ray, tropical fish, and coral. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the marine life reported on this route can be excellent. One particularly strong day included more than six sea turtles and several rays at the first stop. Another included a whale spotted near St. John, prompting the crew to turn the boat around for a better look. Treat that as luck, not an advertised part of the trip.

Snorkeling ability levels can vary widely. Strong swimmers can make full use of the reef time, while casual swimmers may prefer to stay close to the boat or use the float. The crew is available to help, but the supplied information does not promise private instruction or a dedicated lifeguard, so you should be comfortable participating in an open-water activity.

Snorkel equipment is included. You do not need to bring your own mask, fins, or snorkel unless you prefer familiar gear. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The sun can feel strong on the water, and the ride back is more pleasant when you are not sitting in wet clothes.

The coral and animal life are the reason to book this rather than a simple floating lunch trip. Several descriptions of the outing place the snorkeling above the food and drinks. That is good news if you want a real reef experience, not just a boat ride with a restaurant stop attached.

Lime Out, the floating taco bar

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Lime Out, described as the only floating bar of its kind in the US Virgin Islands. The setting is wonderfully odd: you can swim, lounge, order drinks, and eat tacos while surrounded by St. John water rather than seated on a normal restaurant patio.

Two tacos are included with the tour. The BBQ chicken taco is a standout choice if it is available, and the kitchen has been praised for serving food that feels more carefully prepared than standard excursion fare. Other taco choices are not listed, so check with the crew or Lime Out staff on the day.

The food can arrive as a group delivery to the boat, which is convenient but may affect freshness. Tacos eaten immediately at the floating bar may be at their best, but ordering drinks directly at Lime Out can take time when the bar is busy. My practical advice is simple: collect your tacos, then decide if you want to wait at the floating bar for another drink. The catamaran’s bar is already included, and you may get faster service there.

The mood at Lime Out is casual and social. You can swim up to the bar, stay on the boat, or float nearby. The water is the main setting, so this stop is less about a long restaurant meal and more about turning lunch into an island activity.

Open bar, fresh cocktails, and time to relax

The full open bar is included after snorkeling. That timing matters because alcohol and open-water activities should not be mixed. You can focus on swimming first, then enjoy a cocktail once the active portion of the day is finished.

The drink selection includes fresh-fruit cocktails and a wide range of alcoholic beverages. One popular choice is the Dangerous, a strong-sounding cocktail that has been specifically singled out as worth trying. Frozen drinks are not included, according to the available details, so set your expectations around standard cocktails, beer, wine, and other bar options rather than resort-style blended drinks.

You do not have to drink to enjoy the afternoon. The deck, float, views, and swimming area give you plenty to do. If you are traveling with children, the slide and lily pad can keep them occupied while adults take turns snorkeling or relaxing.

The bar is also one reason this tour can suit mixed-age groups. A family can split the day between serious snorkeling, a taco lunch, and simple play in the water. A group of adults can focus on the reefs, cocktails, and deck time. The itinerary does not require everyone to be active at once.

What $179 really gets you

At $179 per person, this is not a cheap way to reach the water. It is also not just a snorkeling ticket. You are paying for roughly 7 hours and 15 minutes aboard a catamaran, two reef stops, snorkeling gear, a light breakfast, two tacos, an open bar after snorkeling, crew service, and all listed fees and taxes.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a snorkel charter, lunch, drinks, and access to a comfortable boat. It also saves you the work of piecing together transport, reef stops, and a meal. The two long snorkeling sessions are especially important. A short stop and a quick sandwich would make this price harder to defend.

The value is weaker if you do not snorkel, do not drink, or mainly want a quick visit to Lime Out. In that case, you may spend a lot for features you will not use. The tour makes the most sense for you if you want a complete water day and plan to be aboard for most of the schedule.

Do not forget the $25 parking charge at the Ritz-Carlton. Gratuity is also not included. Those extras are modest compared with the tour cost, but they belong in your budget.

Who should book this outing

I would point active families, couples, friend groups, and cruise visitors toward this experience if they want a full day away from crowded shore facilities. The clean boat, bathrooms, float, and slide make it easier for a mixed group to stay comfortable.

It is also a good fit for you if you care more about reef time than shopping or beach-hopping. Two stops, each lasting around an hour, give snorkeling a proper place in the schedule. You might see turtles and rays, but marine life is wild and sightings can change with weather and water conditions.

This is less ideal if you get seasick, dislike a long boat day, or want a quiet private charter. The maximum group is 32, so you will share the boat and the floating lunch stop. You should also be comfortable with boarding, swimming, and moving around a boat. Accessibility questions need to be addressed directly with the operator before booking.

Practical booking advice

Confirmation is provided when you book. The experience depends on good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions can result in a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local St. Thomas time.

Plan your food and sun routine around the schedule. Eat the light breakfast when you board, snorkel before drinking, and use the boat’s facilities rather than assuming every service at Lime Out will be quick. If you want photos, an affordable, high-quality snorkeling photo service has also been available on some departures, though it is not listed as included.

Should you book the Lime Out snorkel sail?

Book it if you want a full Caribbean day that combines serious snorkeling with an easygoing floating lunch. The two reef stops, roomy catamaran, strong crew service, included food, and open bar give the $179 price a fair case.

Skip it if you want a short outing, a private boat, or a guaranteed wildlife show. For most people who enjoy being on the water, this is one of the better all-day ways to connect St. Thomas with St. John, especially if tacos and swimming at a floating bar sound better than another afternoon at the resort.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, at 6900 Great Bay, Nazareth, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the boat leave?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The outing includes two snorkeling stops around St. John. Salt Pond and Tectonic reefs have been used on the route.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Two tacos at Lime Out are included. A light breakfast is also provided when you board.

Are drinks included?

A full open bar is included after snorkeling. Fresh-fruit cocktails and a broad selection of alcoholic drinks are available, but frozen drinks are not included.

Is parking included?

No. On-site parking is available at the Ritz-Carlton for $25.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.