Circle the Island of St. John | Lunch stop at Lime Out (Taco Boat)

The floating Lime Out taco bar is the star here. You cruise along St. John’s North Shore, stop to snorkel, then eat tacos while sitting on floats in the bay. It is an unusually good mix of sightseeing, swimming, lunch, and lazy Caribbean time.

I like the all-day boat format, which lets you see St. John from the water instead of spending the day on one beach. I also like the crew’s practical touches: snorkel gear, a restroom, drinks, mixers, snacks, and pizza are included. The catch is price. At $250 per person, lunch at Lime Out costs extra, and some passengers have found the trip expensive for that reason.

Key points to know before booking

• Lime Out is the centerpiece: Bring a card or cash for tacos and drinks at the floating restaurant.
• Snorkeling comes twice: Stops may include coral, a shipwreck, sea turtles, stingrays, and plenty of fish.
• Drinks are included: Beer, rum, soda, water, juice, and mixers are available on board.
• The boat has useful comforts: You get a restroom, private changing areas, snorkeling equipment, and crew members who remain on board.
• The day is social but relaxed: The tour is advertised as a small-group outing, though capacity information can vary, so confirm the boat size when booking.
• Weather controls the plan: The captain may change stops for sea conditions, or cancel the trip with a new date or refund.

Why this St. John boat day works so well

This is not simply a ride around an island. It is an eight-hour water day with several changes of pace. You get open-water cruising, beach views, snorkeling, a floating lunch stop, a drink at a resort beach club, and food brought back to the boat.

That variety matters. If one snorkeling stop is less exciting than expected, you still have Lime Out and the scenic cruise ahead. If you do not feel like swimming every time, you can stay on board, tan, listen to music, and enjoy a rum punch while others get in the water.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names mentioned by past passengers include Lacey, Sammy, Sierra, Brandon, Tara, Robyn, Cornelius, Jackson, Tyler, Heather, Grant, Captain Dave, and Captain Stormy. Crew assignments change, of course, but the pattern is clear: expect an attentive captain and first mate who refill drinks, help with snorkeling gear, explain the islands, and keep the mood easygoing.

One limitation is commentary. The engine and wind can make it hard to hear shouted information, and there is no promise of a formal island talk. If you want a detailed guided history lesson, this may feel light. If you mainly want scenery, swimming, food, and a friendly crew, the relaxed approach fits.

Cruising past St. John’s North Shore beaches

The morning begins around 9 a.m., with departure options from St. Thomas or St. John. From there, the boat follows the North Shore of St. John, where steep hills, bright coves, and beaches come into view from the water.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat tour rather than a beach transfer. You see several coastal areas in one day, without packing and unpacking your things at every stop. The view changes constantly as the captain moves along the shore, and you get a sense of how scattered and water-oriented the Virgin Islands are.

The captain chooses a calm, clear place for the first swim. That flexibility is useful. Sea conditions can change, so a fixed snorkeling location would not always be the best choice. The tradeoff is that the exact stop is not guaranteed.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and insect repellent. You can bring your own preferred snack or drink, though the boat already carries bottled water, soda, snacks, beer, rum, mixers, and juice.

The first snorkeling stop and Hansen Bay

The early water stop gives you time to test the sea before lunch. Depending on conditions, you might see coral, small fish, rocks, and other underwater life around one of the protected coves.

Hansen Bay is listed as a stop, with roughly 90 minutes set aside around the lunch portion of the day. The pacing is generous enough to avoid a rushed swim. You can snorkel, float, or simply enjoy the bay from the boat.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately. Crew members can help you get set up, and some crew stay aboard while you swim, so you do not need to leave personal belongings unattended on shore.

This is a good setup for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head out with their gear, while less confident swimmers can remain on the boat or take a shorter swim. Children are allowed, and the experience is described as suitable for most people, but every swimmer should be comfortable following crew instructions in open water.

Lime Out turns lunch into an event

Lime Out is not a normal restaurant stop. It is a floating taco bar, and you eat from the water, often while sitting on floats near the boat. That unusual setting is the main reason this lunch stop feels special.

The tacos are not included in the $250 ticket, so budget separately for lunch. This is the most important price detail to understand. You are paying for the full-day boat, crew, drinks on board, equipment, and the other stops, but Lime Out food remains your responsibility.

The stop lasts about 90 minutes. That gives you time to order, eat, swim around the floating restaurant, and enjoy the setting without racing back to the boat. Arriving at a good time can help you get a better place to sit, but conditions and crowds can affect the experience.

I would bring a credit card or cash for tacos, drinks, and any other purchase at Lime Out. The food has received some of the strongest praise attached to this outing, with particular enthusiasm for the tacos and the novelty of eating from a floating kitchen.

Still, keep your expectations practical. Lime Out is popular because the setting is fun, not because it is a quiet waterfront café. You are paying for the experience as well as the meal. If you want a low-cost lunch, this is not the right stop. If you like unusual food settings and want one memorable meal during your island stay, it makes sense.

Pizza Pi, shipwreck snorkeling, and sea turtles

After lunch, the boat heads to another water stop. This section is designed to add more wildlife and underwater interest, with a shipwreck area and the chance to see resident sea turtles and stingrays.

The planned time is about 45 minutes. That is shorter than the first swim, but enough for a focused snorkel if the conditions are good. You may see coral, fish, rays, and turtles, though wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Pizza from Pizza Pi is brought to the boat after the swim, with cheese or pepperoni listed as the snack options. This is a smart touch. After swimming, you may want something more filling than chips, and the pizza gives the afternoon a casual snack break.

If snorkeling is not your thing, you can stay on the boat. The outing is not built around forcing every person into the water. That makes it easier for couples or families with different interests to enjoy the same day.

Lovango Beach Club adds a final choice

The last listed stop is Lovango Resort and Beach Club, also for about 45 minutes. You can go ashore for a drink, a snack, or some shopping at the boutiques. You can also stay by the boat and snorkel around the nearby reef.

That choice is useful because the mood of the day may have changed by then. Some people will want one more swim. Others will prefer a drink, a look around the shops, or a dry break after hours in salt water.

The stop also keeps the afternoon from feeling like a single long return ride. You get one more place to stretch your legs and see a different side of the St. John area. Since time is limited, do not expect a long shopping visit. Think of Lovango as a short optional pause rather than a full resort day.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The ticket includes more than transportation:

• Captain and first mate
• Snorkeling equipment
• Restroom and private changing areas
• Beer, rum, soda, water, juice, and mixers
• Cheese or pepperoni pizza from Pizza Pi
• Snacks
• Stops at snorkeling areas and Lovango

Lime Out lunch is not included, and crew gratuity is separate. The boat also provides the drinks, but you may bring a preferred snack or drink if you want something specific.

At $250 per person, the value depends on how much of the day you use. I think the price makes more sense for someone who wants a full boat day with drinks, two swim stops, food, and several locations. It makes less sense if you plan to skip snorkeling, do not drink, and mainly want a short scenic cruise.

The included restroom and changing areas are especially helpful on an eight-hour outing. You do not need to return to shore between swimming and lunch, and you can keep the day moving without sacrificing basic comfort.

Group size, boat atmosphere, and service

The experience is promoted as intimate, with group sizes limited to 12 in some descriptions. Elsewhere, the maximum is listed as 45, so the actual size may depend on the specific vessel or departure. I would confirm this before paying if a small group is central to your decision.

The strongest service details are simple ones. Crew members refill drinks, help with masks and fins, keep an eye on the boat, and make sure people know when it is time to return. Past feedback also gives special credit to crew members such as Lacey and Sammy for looking after families and keeping the day on schedule.

Music is part of the atmosphere. This is not a silent nature cruise. You may get a lively soundtrack, easy conversation with other people on board, and plenty of time to sit in the sun.

That social setting suits couples, families, and friends who want a shared day. It may not suit you if you want a private charter, a quiet sail, or a highly structured lesson about St. John.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

The itinerary can change with weather and sea conditions. The captain may select different snorkeling spots, shorten a water stop, or adjust the route. In severe weather, the tour may be canceled, with a different date or a full refund offered.

The booking itself is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed for personal reasons. That makes travel insurance or a flexible vacation plan worth considering, especially during unsettled weather.

Service animals are allowed, the activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Since snorkeling takes place from the boat, you should be ready for open-water conditions and follow the crew’s directions closely.

Who should book this St. John cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want one well-filled day on the water and do not want to arrange separate snorkeling, lunch, and sightseeing plans. It is also a good fit for families or groups where some people swim and others prefer to relax on board.

You should especially consider it if these details appeal to you:

• Eating tacos from a floating restaurant
• Seeing St. John from the water
• Snorkeling near a shipwreck
• Looking for sea turtles and stingrays
• Having drinks included throughout the day
• Enjoying a friendly, social boat atmosphere
• Moving between several stops without arranging transport

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is a quiet sailing trip, a private boat, or a low-cost beach day. The added Lime Out bill also matters. The tour gives you plenty, but it is not an inexpensive way to spend a few hours.

Should you book it?

Book it if you see the day as a complete Caribbean outing rather than a simple boat ride. The combination of North Shore views, two snorkeling opportunities, pizza, included drinks, Lovango, and Lime Out makes the schedule varied and easy to enjoy.

Before booking, confirm the expected group size and set aside extra money for tacos and crew gratuity. If those points work for you, this is a strong choice for a full day around St. John, especially when you want food, swimming, and scenery in one package.

FAQ

Where does the Circle the Island of St. John tour depart?

You can choose a departure from St. Thomas or St. John. The start time is 9 a.m., and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is lunch at Lime Out included?

No. Lunch at Lime Out is not included in the ticket price. Bring cash or a credit card for tacos and any other purchases there.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Beer, rum, soda, mixers, juice, and bottled water are available on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for passengers.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a restroom and private changing areas.

Can I bring my own food or drink?

Yes. You may bring a preferred snack or drink, although the boat provides water, soda, snacks, alcoholic drinks, and juice.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children are allowed, and the experience is described as a good option for children.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, insect repellent, a towel, and cash or a credit card for additional purchases.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The itinerary may change based on weather and sea conditions. If severe weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.