Pizza Pi: The Caribbean’s Only Floating Pizzeria
If you have ever cruised with Island Roots Charters on a custom boat excursion through the Virgin Islands, there’s a good chance you anchored at Pizza Pi, the Caribbean's most iconic floating pizza restaurant. If you have not experienced it yet, this article is your invitation, and a guide to everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind slice of paradise.
A History of Pizza Pi
Before we dive into its history, Pizza Pi is a floating pizzeria permanently anchored in Christmas Cove, just off the coast of Great St. James Island in St. Thomas, USVI. Think of it as a food truck on the sea, a retrofitted 37-foot boat serving New York-style pizza from one fixed spot on the water. There is no walking up to the counter. The only way in is by boat.
Photo: Pizza Pi floating pizzeria in Christmas Cove, St. Thomas USVI — Credit: Island Roots Charters
In 1996, a British couple commissioned a boat they named Pagan, and sailed their new 37-foot G.L. Watson aluminum-hull vessel first in the Mediterranean, and then across the Atlantic where they landed in Antigua and Barbuda. It was here that the voyage ended with a lover’s quarrel and the vessel was left ashore. It sat for a full decade, until it was restored and fitted with a Perkins 4.236 engine.
The Pagan was then motor-sailed to the British Virgin Islands where Tara and Sasha bought it in June 2012 in order to fulfill their vision of creating a floating pizzeria.
However, the Pagan would spend nearly two years in the boatyard of Nanny Cay on Tortola being transformed into a fully functioning floating pizzeria. And, this doesn’t mean just adding a fridge for box pizzas. It took a lot of work to install the works: three ovens, two refrigerators, a freshwater maker, freezer, pizza prep station, a small bar, bathroom, and a storage cabin.
The Pagan was rechristened Pi. It was then sailed and finally anchored in Christmas Cove off the coast of St. Thomas. In November 2014, Pizza Pi fired up its ovens, and became the Caribbean's only floating pizzeria.
The business has since changed hands several times — 2018, 2022, and finally in May of 2023 when Chris and Katie bought it.
Under Chris and Katie's new vision Pizza Pi evolved from just being a quick drive-through floating pizza boat into a destination. Guests can enjoy themselves for longer now amid the large circular floating docks that accommodate up to 30 people. Instead of being an area with high turnover traffic, visitors are more likely to sit and stay a while, with their feet dangling in the warm, clear waters, or jump in and swim around the cove. The menu is loaded with fresh ingredients, and guests can also enjoy island-inspired cocktails and frozen drinks here.
The dinghy drive-thru is still there, because who can resist drive-through pizza when hunger strikes between destinations separated by miles of sea.
Photo: Customers eating Pizza Pi pizza slices — Credit: Island Roots Charters
A Sampling of The Pizza Menu As of 2026
| Pizza | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Castaway | Garlic white sauce, mozzarella, chicken, bacon, tomato, and green onion | $39 |
| Peachy Goat | Olive oil base, goat cheese, sliced peaches, fresh basil, balsamic glaze and honey | $38 |
| Little Italy | Pesto base, mozzarella, tomato, parmesan, fresh basil and balsamic glaze | $37 |
| Sunburnt Tourist | Half white garlic, half tomato basil sauce, pepperoni, sausage, green pepper and black olives | $39 |
| Island Supreme | Tomato basil sauce, pepperoni, sausage, black olives, green peppers, mushrooms and red onions | $44 |
| Mele Kalikimaka | Tomato basil sauce, mozzarella, ham, bacon and pineapple | $37 |
| Cheese | Classic 16" cheese pizza | $28 |
*The full menu can be found here.
The Best Pizza In The Virgin Islands
Pizza Pi does not just claim to be the best pizza in the Caribbean. The reviews back it up. Pizza Pi has earned a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award and with 625 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 rating ranks among the very top restaurants in St. Thomas and St. John.
Other notable pizza options in the Virgin Islands include Senor Pizza in Charlotte Amalie, the Ritz-Carlton Pizzeria, and Pirate's Bight on Norman Island in the BVI.
Guests regularly note that the pizza rivals or exceeds anything they have had back home, from New York to Chicago, and even Italy. The freshness of the ingredients, the perfect crust, and the floating paradise setting of the cove all come together into an experience that cannot be had anywhere else in the world.
This recent Google review highlights how Pizza Pi is a favorite stop for our guests, whether their private island charter trip hits stops in the USVI, or goes as far as the BVI:
Island Roots has become a regular part of every trip to St. John! On 3 trips we’ve found amazing snorkeling each time (better than what we do on the island), ate a lot of Pizza Pi, and discovered Jost van Dyke for the first time. We already scheduled our next charter! — Craig McChesney
Below is a table that shows how Pizza Pi’s reviews, pizza options, and atmosphere compares to other pizza places in the Virgin Islands:
| Restaurant | Location | Style | Rating | Price Range | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza Pi VI | Christmas Cove (floating), St. Thomas | NY-style on a sailboat | ★ 4.9/5 (TripAdvisor) | $$ | On-water floats, snorkeling, marine life |
| Señor Pizza | Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas | Traditional pizza | ★ 4.5/5 | $ | Casual boardwalk dining |
| Ritz-Carlton Pizzeria | St. Thomas | Upscale resort pizza | ★ 3.8/5 | $$$$ | Resort poolside |
| Domino's USVI | St. Thomas | Chain delivery | ★ 2.5/5 | $ | Takeout/delivery only |
| Lovango Rum Bar | Cruz Bay, St. John | Casual bar pizza | — | $$ | Laid-back rum bar vibe in Cruz Bay |
| Johnny Lime | Coral Bay, St. John | BBQ spot now serving pizza | — | $$ | Casual Coral Bay hangout |
| Bayhouse | St. John | Now serving pizza | — | $$ | Waterfront dining |
| Pirate's Bight (Norman Island, BVI) | BVI (by boat) | Casual waterfront | ★ 4.2/5 | $$$ | Beachside bar & grill |
Located In The Ecological Wonder That Is Christmas Cove
Pizza Pi naturally doesn’t have a street address. For anyone looking at Google Maps, the address comes up simply as Christmas Cove. While that might not immediately strike pizza lovers as anything special, this happens to beautiful marine sanctuary. Where else can someone get the best pizza and the best snorkeling in one place?
Photo: Snorkeling right off of Pizza Pi boat in Christmas Cove — Credit: Island Roots Charters
In a wanderlog review, Justin C. said on Jul 30, 2025 that the “pizza was WAY better than the Ritz-Carlton pizza!!! Amazing food and great service. The snorkeling right off the boat was incredible. We saw close to 10 turtles in the course of an hour or two.”
In addition to sea turtles, expect to see this cove teeming with starfish, conch, parrotfish, blue tang, angelfish, a resident puffy fish and even a occasional dolphin or two.
For anyone wondering what the story is behind how Christmas Cove got its name, local legend has it that Christopher Columbus anchored here on Christmas day in 1493 on his second trip to the New World to seek shelter from a storm. The cove is known for its calm waters, which is why in the following centuries pirates supposedly chose it as their hideout.
Try It Yourself
Come see why Pizza Pi keeps showing up in our guest reviews. Book a charter with Island Roots Charters and make it a stop on your next Virgin Islands adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pizza Pi VI
Where is Pizza Pi VI located?
Pizza Pi VI is permanently anchored in Christmas Cove, just off Great St. James Island in St. Thomas, USVI. As the only floating pizza restaurant in the Virgin Islands, it has no street address, and the only way to reach it is by water. By boat it’s only about five minutes from St. Thomas and 15 minutes from St. John.
How do you get to Pizza Pi VI?
Getting to Pizza Pi in St. Thomas requires a boat. When you book a private charter with Island Roots Charters, you can easily add Pizza Pi in as a stop on your custom excursion around the USVI.
What kind of pizza does Pizza Pi VI serve?
Pizza Pi USVI serves New York-style pizza, which is baked fresh daily. All specialty pizzas are 16 inches and range from classics like Cheese and Pepperoni to more creative options like the Castaway (garlic white sauce, chicken, bacon, and green onion) and the Peachy Goat (olive oil base, goat cheese, peaches, and balsamic glaze). Gluten-free vegan crust is available on any 12-inch pizza.
Is Pizza Pi the best pizza in the Virgin Islands?
Pizza Pi has earned a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award and holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating across more than 625 reviews, consistently ranking among the best pizza restaurants in St. Thomas. Guests regularly note that the pizza rivals anything they have had in New York, Chicago, or Italy.
Is there a Pizza Pi near St. John?
Pizza Pi VI is not located on St. John itself, but it is just a 15-minute boat ride, making it a popular stop on Island Roots charters departing from Cruz Bay. Many of our St. John guests consider it their go-to lunch stop on the water.
What is the history of this floating pizza boat?
The floating pizza boat that became Pizza Pi VI was originally commissioned by a British couple in 1996. After being abandoned in Antigua following a couple's quarrel, it sat ashore for nearly a decade before being restored and sailed to the BVI. Founders Tara and Sasha bought it in 2012 and spent two years converting it into a fully functioning floating pizzeria. Pizza Pi VI opened in Christmas Cove in November 2014 and is currently owned and operated by Chris and Katie, who took over in 2023.
Does Island Roots Charters include a stop at Pizza Pi pizzeria?
Pizza Pi pizzeria is one of our most popular charter stops. Our Golden Hours sunset charter regularly includes a stop at Christmas Cove, and any custom USVI day charter can be tailored to include a visit. Book a charter at islandrootscharters.com and let us handle the rest.