STT · On-The-Water Dining
Food Boats
Pizza Pi & Lime Out
Two floating, swim-up spots you can't reach by car — only by boat. Here's everything you need to know before you book.
Pizza Pi Location
Christmas Cove
Lime Out Locations
Lindbergh Bay & Coral Bay
Access
Boat Only, No Dock
Season
Check Before You Book
Some of the best food in the Virgin Islands doesn't come with an address. Pizza Pi and Lime Out are two of the most talked-about experiences in St. Thomas and St. John — floating bars and kitchens anchored in the middle of the water, reachable only by boat, where you swim up, raft up, and stay a while. If you've seen the photos of people floating on lily pads with a taco in hand or pulling a wood-fired pizza box off a sailboat, this is where those come from.
Before you book: Both Pizza Pi and Lime Out operate seasonally and close for a bit during hurricane season, typically reopening in the October–November window. Availability and hours can shift year to year, so confirm current status directly with the boat or your charter operator before locking in plans.
01 · What Is a Food Boat?
Exactly what it sounds like — a boat (or floating platform) permanently anchored in a protected cove, serving food and drinks to anyone who swims, sails, or motors up to it. There's no walk-up option and no road access. You either arrive on your own boat, book a day charter that includes a stop, or catch a shuttle from a nearby beach. It's a uniquely Virgin Islands experience, and part of the appeal is that getting there is half of the adventure.
02 · Pizza Pi
Pizza Pi is a floating sailboat pizzeria anchored in Christmas Cove, a protected marine sanctuary between St. Thomas and Great St. James Island frequented by sea turtles, starfish, and reef fish. It's been serving pizza, craft cocktails, and frozen drinks to boaters since 2014, and has been ranked the #1 restaurant in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tripadvisor. The vibe is exactly what it sounds like: swim up, raft up, order a wood-fired pie, and float in place while you eat it.
Good to know: Pizza Pi supports the VI Conservation Society and directs a portion of purchases toward protecting the marine sanctuary it floats in — worth knowing if you want to be a considerate guest in Christmas Cove.
Book a Trip to Pizza Pi
Since Pizza Pi has no dock of its own, the easiest way to visit is through a charter or excursion that includes a stop there:
03 · Lime Out
Lime Out's tagline says it best: "Come for the tacos, stay for the lily pads." It's a floating taco bar with inflatable lily pads anchored just offshore, where the food is only half the draw — the other half is spending the afternoon lounging on the water between bites. Lime Out operates two locations — Lindbergh Bay on St. Thomas and Coral Bay on St. John — so it's an easy add to a boat day no matter which island you're based on.
Local tip: The St. Thomas and St. John locations run on slightly different schedules. Confirm which location your charter is actually visiting before you go.
Book a Trip to Lime Out
Lime Out trips range from half-day taco runs to full-day snorkel-and-lime combos:
Circle St. John + Lime Out Taco Boat →
04 · What to Know Before You Go
- No dock, no walk-up: Every visit requires a boat — your own, a charter, or a shuttle. Plan your trip around a booking, not a drive.
- It's seasonal: Both spots close for part of the year. Confirm current operating status before you book anything around them.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen: You'll likely be swimming in a protected marine area at both stops — mineral-based, reef-safe formulas only.
- Cash helps: Bring small bills for tips to boat crews, even if the main purchase is by card.
- Hat & Rashguard: Limin' in the sun all day, you'll want some extra protection.
The Quick Take
☐ Pizza Pi = floating pizzeria in Christmas Cove, boat access only
☐ Lime Out = floating taco bar with lily pads, locations on both St. Thomas and St. John
☐ Neither has a dock — book a charter, shuttle, or bring your own boat
☐ Both operate seasonally — confirm current hours before booking
☐ Combo trips exist if you want to hit both spots in one day
Sources
Pizza Pi VI — pizza-pi.com
Lime Out — limeoutvi.com