Shashamane experience private boat charter Marigot bay st lucia

From Marigot Bay, this private boat charter gives you a full day on St. Lucia’s southwest coast without a crowded deck or fixed group schedule. You can swim, snorkel, stop at beaches, and shape the day around your interests, with Denver or his daughter Ocean guiding the outing.

I like the personal scale and the useful mix of sea time and local stops. Snorkeling gear, water, soda, local beer, and rum punch are included, and pickup is available from the Castries cruise port or selected hotels with docks. The main consideration is cost: at $235 per person, this is a premium outing, and lunch, land taxis, and attraction fees cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for your group: You do not share the boat with a large tour crowd, and the route can be adjusted to suit your interests.
• Three strong beach stops: Anse Cochon, Anse Chastanet, and Sugar Beach offer swimming, snorkeling, shore time, and views of the Pitons.
• Denver and Ocean guide the outing: Denver is the main guide named in the information, and his daughter Ocean also leads some trips.
• Drinks are included: Water, soda, local beer, and rum punch come with the charter, but lunch does not.
• Optional Soufrière add-ons: You can visit the waterfall, botanical garden, and mud bath or volcano, with entrance fees and a short taxi ride added.
• Weather matters: Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

A private day from Marigot Bay to the Pitons

This is best understood as a flexible coastal day rather than a tightly scripted boat ride. The stated duration is about one day and seven hours, so you should plan for a long outing with several stops, not a quick morning cruise.

The private format changes the pace. You can spend more time snorkeling if that is your priority, or give more time to beaches and sightseeing if you prefer to stay dry. The guide can also explain the fishing villages, towns, beaches, and coastal sights as you go.

That flexibility matters in St. Lucia. A public excursion often has to keep everyone moving at the same speed. Here, your group can discuss the balance between swimming, sightseeing, and shore visits. It is especially useful for couples or families with different ideas about what makes a good day.

The boat leaves from the Marigot and Castries area, depending on your pickup arrangement. The meeting point is listed as Time Well Spent SLU in Marigot, Castries. Pickup and drop-off are offered at the Castries cruise port, and selected hotels with docks may qualify for hotel transfers.

What the first hours on the water feel like

Once aboard, the day begins with coastal sightseeing and an introduction to the area. Denver is named as one of the guides, and several experiences specifically praise his calm manner, local knowledge, and ability to adjust the day. Ocean, his daughter, also joins some trips.

You can expect the guide to point out fishing villages, small towns, beaches, and other coastal sights. The value here is not just getting from one beach to another. A local guide gives the coastline context, helping you connect the scenery with everyday life on the island.

Bring a light cover-up and sun protection, since a full day on the water can feel long even when the boat has shade. The provided details do not specify the boat’s seating arrangement or onboard toilet facilities, so those are sensible questions to ask before booking, especially if you are planning the full 7-hour-plus day.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Still, if you have a favorite mask or snorkel, you may prefer to pack it. The included drinks make the boat time easier: water, soda, local beer, and rum punch are provided.

Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet for swimming and snorkeling

Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet are among the main beach stops. Both are suited to a day built around swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore, though your exact timing can change based on the conditions and your group’s preferences.

Anse Cochon is a good place to settle into the rhythm of the outing. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or stay on the boat and take in the coast. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the guide early so the day can be adjusted around your comfort.

Anse Chastanet adds another popular coastal stop, with clear reasons to bring a mask and fins. The tour information does not promise a particular marine species or underwater feature, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Think of snorkeling here as a chance to explore the water at your own pace, with several locations available rather than one fixed site.

The private setup is useful at these stops. If the water feels rough or one person in your group wants more time on shore, you have more room to adjust than you would on a large shared excursion. On the other hand, the price only makes sense if your group values privacy and control. A solo visitor or a couple focused mainly on a short beach stop may find the per-person cost high.

Sugar Beach and the Pitons

Sugar Beach is the signature stop because it sits between the Pitons. The setting gives you one of the clearest chances to appreciate St. Lucia’s famous volcanic peaks from the water and from shore.

You can walk along the beach, swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, and take in the views. This is the part of the day where the private charter feels most worthwhile. You are not simply passing the Pitons on a boat. You have time to stop in the area and enjoy the setting.

Sugar Beach is also a practical place to slow the schedule. After sightseeing and snorkeling, some people will want a quieter stretch of sand and a drink. Others may want more time in the water. The guide can help shape the stop around your group.

Keep in mind that a beach stop does not mean every facility or meal is included. Lunch is not part of the charter. The information suggests a local meal option at about $20 per person, but you should confirm the exact choice and payment details before the day begins.

Optional Soufrière stops on land

The boat day can be extended with visits to attractions around Soufrière. The options listed are a waterfall, botanical garden, and mud bath or volcano. These are not included in the base price, and they require a short land taxi ride.

The attraction fees are listed in two ways. The itemized details give $3 for the waterfall, $7 for the botanical garden, and $10 for the mud bath or volcano. Another section gives a combined admission figure of $29 per person for the sulphur spring, waterfall, and botanical gardens. Because those figures do not match perfectly, confirm the current package and entrance costs before you go.

The taxi fee is listed as $50 for one to four people, or $12 per person for groups larger than four. That ride is separate from the boat transfer. Ask the guide how much time the land portion will take, since adding all three attractions could reduce time at the beaches.

The mud bath and volcano option will suit you if you want to add a more active, inland part to the day. The waterfall and botanical garden offer a different change of pace. If your priority is snorkeling and the coast, you may prefer to skip the add-ons and keep the charter on the water.

What is included, and what you still pay for

At $235 per person, this is not a budget beach transfer. The value comes from having a private boat, a flexible schedule, local guiding, several coastal stops, included snorkeling gear, and included drinks.

Pickup and drop-off from the Castries cruise port are included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available at selected hotels with docks. Since the transfer wording is specific, confirm your hotel’s dock access rather than assuming every hotel transfer is included.

Your included package covers:

• Private boat charter
• Snorkeling equipment
• Water and soda
• Local beers
• Rum punch
• Cruise port pickup and drop-off
• Pickup and drop-off at selected hotels with docks

You pay extra for lunch, land transportation to the Soufrière attractions, and entrance fees. The suggested lunch cost is about $20 per person. Optional attraction costs can add another $20 to $29 per person, depending on which sites and fee structure apply, plus the taxi.

I would compare the total cost with the size of your group. For a private family group or two couples, the price may feel reasonable once divided among several people, especially if everyone wants the same kind of day. For one or two people, it is a larger spend, so the ability to customize the route becomes central to the decision.

Why the guide can make or break the day

A boat charter depends heavily on the captain. The information names Denver and Ocean, and the strongest praise centers on Denver’s relaxed style, local explanations, and willingness to tailor the itinerary.

Before the trip, Denver may ask what you want from the day. Use that chance clearly. Say if you want three snorkeling stops, more time at Sugar Beach, a land visit to Soufrière, or a slower sightseeing day. The more specific you are, the easier it is to use the private format well.

The guide also provides a brief history of local fishing villages, towns, beaches, and coastal sites. That gives the cruise more substance than a simple ride between swimming spots. You will have a local point of view while you move along the coast.

A useful tip is to agree on the plan and extra costs before departure. Ask which attractions are open, how much time the land taxi will take, and whether the $29 admission figure applies to your selected combination. This avoids spending more time than expected on shore when your group really wants to snorkel.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups that value privacy. It also suits people who want both sightseeing and water time, rather than a beach day with no explanation of the coast.

The charter is a good match if you want to:

• Avoid a crowded group boat
• Choose between snorkeling, beaches, and sightseeing
• Visit Sugar Beach and see the Pitons from the coast
• Add Soufrière attractions if time and budget allow
• Have drinks included throughout the day
• Arrange cruise port pickup and return

It may not be the best choice if you want a simple, low-cost transfer, a short half-day trip, or a fully inclusive lunch-and-admission package. The published schedule runs Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so check that your preferred date fits those hours.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, but the day includes boat travel, beach access, swimming, and optional snorkeling. If you have mobility concerns, ask about boarding, shore access, and the land taxi before paying. The available details do not spell out those arrangements.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That is useful if you are traveling with family or friends and want to keep the day together.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. The tour also depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The booking pattern suggests people often reserve well ahead, with an average of 58 days in advance. If you are visiting from a cruise ship or have only one free day, book early and make sure the pickup time works with your ship schedule.

Should you book the Shashamane boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day that combines St. Lucia’s coast, snorkeling, Sugar Beach, and the Pitons. The strongest reasons are the small-group format, the named local guides, and the chance to decide how much time you spend in the water or on shore.

I would be more cautious if your budget is tight or if you dislike extra charges. Lunch, attraction fees, and the land taxi are outside the $235 price, and the conflicting admission figures deserve a quick check before booking.

For a group that wants a personal day rather than a standard sightseeing loop, this is a sensible choice. Tell Denver what matters most, confirm the extra costs, and keep enough time for Sugar Beach and the Pitons. Those details will determine how much value you get from the charter.

FAQ

How much does the Shashamane boat tour cost?

The listed price is $235 per person. Lunch, attraction admission fees, and the short land taxi ride to Soufrière attractions are not included.

What is included in the tour?

The private charter includes snorkeling equipment, local beer, water, soda, rum punch, pickup and drop-off from the Castries cruise port, and pickup and drop-off at selected hotels with docks.

Which beaches does the boat visit?

The stated beach stops are Anse Cochon, Anse Chastanet, and Sugar Beach, which is located between the Pitons.

Are the volcano, waterfall, and botanical garden included?

No. These are optional visits with extra entrance fees and a short land taxi ride. The listed entrance amounts include $3 for the waterfall, $7 for the botanical garden, and $10 for the mud bath or volcano, though another price section lists $29 per person for a combined set of attractions.

Who are the guides?

Denver is named as a guide, and his daughter Ocean also leads some outings. Denver may contact you beforehand to discuss the activities you want.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.