Skip to content

There's a New Swim-Up Taco Bar in the US Virgin Islands

March 26, 2019
4 min read
Lime Out VI
There's a New Swim-Up Taco Bar in the US Virgin Islands
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
New

Quick summary

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Some resorts have a swim-up bar attached to the pool, but the team behind the Lime Inn in the US Virgin Islands has taken the concept to a whole new level. On March 12, they opened an eco-friendly swim-up taco bar in the middle of the sea, and according to Coastal Living, it may be the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

(Photo by Dane Tarr/Lime Out VI)
(Photo by Dane Tarr/Lime Out VI)

Lime Out is floating 200 feet off of Hansen Bay Beach in St. John, so the owners recommend taking a boat or paddle board to get there. The lime green bar has one side that offers "drive-through-style" service for boats and a sea-level wooden bar with submerged bar stools on the other side.

(Photo by Cynthia Swan/Lime Out VI)
(Photo by Cynthia Swan/Lime Out VI)
(Photo by Cynthia Swan/Lime Out VI)
(Photo by Cynthia Swan/Lime Out VI)

In addition to popping bottles and pouring shots, bartenders shake up craft cocktails such as a grapefruit margarita and a Coco Colada with pineapple rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut. Complementing the drinks are a selection of tacos, including fresh tuna tacos, shrimp tacos, green curry chicken tacos and tacos featuring Lime Inn's famous rum ribs.

Basically, imagine a gourmet food truck, but floating in the gentle waves of the Caribbean.

(Photo by Cynthia Swan/Lime Out VI)
(Photo by Cynthia Swan/Lime Out VI)

As a bonus, Lime Out is solar-powered and only uses packaging that's biodegradable, recyclable or reusable. You won't find any straws or other single-use plastic here.

Take note of the reusable cups! (Photo by Sarah Swan/Lime Out VI)
Take note of all those reusable cups! (Photo by Sarah Swan/Lime Out VI)

Ready to book a trip? Delta, American Airlines and JetBlue regularly fly from the East Coast to St. Thomas, the largest island in the US Virgin Islands. From there, you can take a ferry to St. John.

Caneel Bay — the luxurious resort opened by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1956 — is still closed for post-hurricane renovations, but there are other great options in St. John. Consider staying at the Westin St. John Resort Villas, which reopened in January. It's a Tier 7 property, so you'll need between 50,000 and 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

None of the island's other properties have loyalty programs, but if you decide to stay at a resort like Gallows Point Resort or Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club, be sure to use your Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3x points on your reservation (or another card with a great return on travel purchases). Or, for the ultimate island-hopping adventure, charter a yacht by the Moorings and sail your way around the Virgin Islands. Moorings yachts come with a dinghy that will let you sail right up to Lime Out.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
(Photo by Sarah Swan/Lime Out VI)
Featured image by (Photo courtesy of Lime Out VI)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.