Lime Out VI 2026: Floating Tacos on St. John & St. Thomas (Full Guide)

Lime Out VI is the Caribbean's most famous floating taco bar — a cluster of bright-green picnic tables and lily pads anchored just off the beach, where you swim up, climb on, and order fresh-pressed tacos and frozen cocktails without ever drying off. In 2026 it's still the single most photographed lunch stop in the US Virgin Islands, and the only way to reach it is by boat — either the original in Coral Bay, St. John (STJ) or the sister location in Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas (STT).

Where exactly is Lime Out?

There are now two Lime Out locations, and both are strictly boat-only access — no swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding from shore is allowed:

• Lime Out St. John (original) — floating in Coral Bay Harbor on the East End of St. John. Open Sunday–Friday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturdays). Happy hour BOGO from 2:30 pm to close.
• Lime Out St. Thomas — floating in Lindbergh Bay on the West End of St. Thomas, just off Emerald Beach. Open daily, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Always confirm with your captain which of the two locations your charter is heading to — the vibe is similar but the logistics (marina, ride time, snorkel pairings) are completely different. See current trips and prices for private boat charters in St. John.

The food: what's actually on the menu

The menu is short, fresh, and built for eating with wet hands. Expect three to five taco options served on locally pressed corn tortillas:

• Mahi Mahi taco — line-caught, blackened, with mango-habanero slaw. The signature order.
• Jerk chicken taco — Caribbean spice rub, pineapple salsa, lime crema.
• Pork al pastor — slow-braised, pickled onion, cilantro.
• Veggie taco — black bean, roasted corn, avocado (vegan on request).
• Chips & fresh guac — shareable, perfect with a Painkiller.

Drinks lean tropical: frozen Painkillers, Bushwackers, Lime Out's house margarita, plus cold Presidente and local Leatherback beer. Everything is priced in USD, and cards work via Starlink-powered card readers — bring a waterproof pouch. You can compare private boat charters from St. Thomas.

How to get to Lime Out St. John from STJ

Lime Out St. John floats in Coral Bay Harbor, so the shortest hop is from a Coral Bay departure — often just 5–10 minutes on the water. From Cruz Bay expect a 25–40 minute ride around the East End. Common options:

1. Private half-day charter from Cruz Bay — most St. John captains build Lime Out into a half-day East End loop with snorkel stops at Waterlemon Cay or Haulover. Best value for groups of 4–8.
2. Coral Bay water taxi or shuttle — short hop, ideal if you're already staying on the East End of St. John.
3. Private Coral Bay charter — the fastest way to arrive right at opening (10:30 am) and grab a picnic table before the lunch rush.

How to get to Lime Out St. Thomas from STT

Lime Out St. Thomas sits in Lindbergh Bay on the West End of St. Thomas, right off Emerald Beach. Options: Browse Lime Out boat tours.

• Taco Taxi shuttle from Emerald Beach (Lindbergh Bay) — the fastest, cheapest way. Direct boat ride out and back with two hours at Lime Out. Runs multiple daily departures between 10:00 am and 2:30 pm.
• Private half-day charter from West End marinas — Crown Bay, Frenchtown, or Yacht Haven Grande captains can reach Lindbergh Bay in 15–25 minutes, often paired with a snorkel at Buck Island or Saba Rock.
• Full-day USVI loop from Red Hook / Sapphire — figure on a longer 45–75 minute run across the south side, usually paired with 2–3 snorkel stops.

Prefer the original St. John location? The easiest budget route is the Red Hook → Cruz Bay car ferry (about 20 minutes, runs hourly), a taxi across St. John to Coral Bay, and a Coral Bay-based charter from there.

Best charters that include Lime Out in 2026

Lime Out St. John is closed Saturdays; Lime Out St. Thomas is open daily. Both close at 4:30 pm and can hit capacity by 12:30 pm on busy days — always confirm the day before. The QuestVI captains below build their itineraries around the schedule:

• Private St. John day charters — flexible 4–8 hour trips from Cruz Bay or Coral Bay.
• St. Thomas half-day charters — West End marina departures with Lime Out lunch and a snorkel stop.
• Shared excursions — per-person seats on group boats for travelers without a private group.

Browse St. John charters → · Browse St. Thomas charters →

What to bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen (required by USVI law)
• Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag for cards/cash
• Snorkel gear — the reefs near both bays are worth a stop before or after
• A rash guard if you burn easily; there's zero shade at the tables
• Cash for tipping the captain and the Lime Out staff (15–20%)

Insider tips from local captains

• Go on a weekday — Wednesdays and Thursdays are noticeably calmer than weekends.
• Arrive before noon — by 12:30 the picnic tables fill up and you'll be eating in the water (still fun, just wetter).
• Book the charter, not just Lime Out — Lime Out doesn't take reservations; your captain controls timing and seating priority.
• Pair St. John's Lime Out with Waterlemon Cay — arguably the best snorkel on St. John, 20 minutes away and part of a smart itinerary.
• Check the wind — north swell in Dec–Feb can make the tables choppy. A good captain will pivot to the STT location if conditions are better on the south side.

Lime Out FAQ

Do I need a reservation for Lime Out?

No — Lime Out is walk-up (swim-up) only. But your charter or shuttle must be booked in advance, especially in peak season (Dec–April).

Is Lime Out kid-friendly?

Yes. Kids love the swim-up novelty, and the picnic tables sit in chest-deep water. Bring floaties for small children.

How much does a Lime Out trip cost?

Food and drinks at Lime Out are realistically $25–$50 per person once you factor in a taco or two (~$13 each), chips, and a couple of frozen cocktails. The charter is the bigger expense — private St. John half-days start around $800–1,200 for up to 6 guests; shared per-person trips and the STT Taco Taxi start well below $150.

Is Lime Out open year-round?

Mostly yes. Lime Out St. John is closed Saturdays and takes an annual break in the slowest weeks of summer/fall. Lime Out St. Thomas is open daily. Always check the day before.

Can I get to Lime Out without a charter?

Only by boat. As of 2026 there is no swim, kayak, or paddleboard access allowed at either location. The cheapest boat option is the Taco Taxi shuttle from Emerald Beach to Lime Out St. Thomas.

Plan your Lime Out day

The single best way to experience Lime Out is on a half- or full-day charter that pairs the floating tacos with two or three of the USVI's best snorkel spots. Our local concierge team books only verified captains who know the conditions, the Lime Out schedule, and which of the two locations to choose based on the day's wind. Tell us your dates → and we'll match you to the right boat.