Pitons from a private boat beats the usual crowd. This Shashamane private charter out of Marigot Bay is a relaxed way to see St Lucia by water, with beach time, swimming, and included snorkeling gear. I really like the private setup (so your day feels more like yours) and the included drinks for the ride, but budget extra for food and optional Soufrière add-ons.

You’ll get an itinerary that’s flexible enough to match your pace, not just a cookie-cutter loop. Expect a guide who talks you through fishing-village life, secluded beaches, and the sights along the way, plus a focus on safety and comfort from start to finish. One thing to keep in mind: certain stops cost extra if you want the land activities.

Key things to know before you go

• Private boat day with limited group size so you get more personal control of the schedule
• Snorkeling gear and drinks included, so you can sail, swim, and stay refreshed without extra stops
• Sugar Beach (between the Pitons) is part of the main route, not an afterthought
• Several beach photo stops along the way, including Anse Coche and Anse Chastanet
• Optional Soufrière land stops (waterfall, botanical garden, mud bath/volcano) with clear extra fees

A private boat day from Marigot Bay that’s actually built for your pace

A day on the water in St Lucia can go two ways: either you spend it herded with a crowd, or you get real time to linger where you want. With Shashamane Experience, the big win is that you’re on a private tour, so the boat feels like a shared plan between you and the crew, not a strict timetable.

I also like how the day is described as customizable. You’re not forced into one “standard” version of the itinerary. If you want more swimming time, you can ask. If your priority is snorkeling, you can steer the day toward that. And if you’d rather slow down and just enjoy views and beach time, the plan is flexible enough for that too.

Possible drawback: the day can pick up extra costs if you add land activities in Soufrière. You’ll also want to plan for lunch, since food isn’t included in the base price.

Getting there: pickup, meet point, and how the day starts

Your day starts with pickup, and that matters more than it sounds. If you’re docking at Castries on a cruise, you’ll be picked up at the cruise ship port area. If you’re staying in a hotel, you’ll be picked up from the selected hotel and taken to the dock for boarding.

The meeting point is listed as Time Well Spent SLU (Marigot), Castries, St Lucia, and the tour ends back at that same meeting point. The schedule runs Monday through Thursday, roughly between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, so you’ll want to match your cruise or hotel plans to those operating days.

You’ll receive confirmation at booking time, and you’ll also have a mobile ticket. That’s handy if you want everything on your phone.

Pitons from the water, plus Sugar Beach right in the middle

Most St Lucia highlights feel best when you see them from the sea. This tour takes you past the parts of the island you usually only catch from photos, with the Pitons showing up as an ongoing backdrop as you move along.

The star beach stop here is Sugar Beach, the one located between the Pitons. That location gives you a “framed by towers” feeling—classic St Lucia, but seen at the speed of a boat rather than from a shoreline crowd. The tour gives you time to stroll along the shore, enjoy the views, and relax with drinks.

A good way to think about Sugar Beach on this tour: it’s not just a photo stop. It’s a real pause in the day, with time to put your feet in the sand and settle in.

Anse Coche and Anse Chastanet: beach time that feels less rushed

Along the route, you’ll stop at beaches such as Anse Coche and Anse Chastanet. These stops are great if you want a mix of:

• quick scenic moments from the water, and
• proper beach time when you’re ready to slow down.

Because the tour is private, you’re not fighting for space on a tight schedule. You can spend longer at the beach you like more, and you can skip the beach that’s not your mood. That’s a real value difference versus group tours that move like a conveyor belt.

One practical note: beach hopping sounds simple, but you still want to think about sun and comfort. The day is several hours long, so bring swimwear you’re comfortable re-wearing if you hop back on the boat between swims.

Snorkeling and swimming: what’s included and what you should plan for

This charter is built around water time. The plan includes swimming and snorkeling, and you’ll have use of snorkeling equipment. That alone saves you hassle on a day when you’re trying to enjoy views, not run errands.

Also included: local beers, water, soda, and rum punch. It’s not a huge party setup, but it is a nice touch for the ride and for that “we’re doing something special” feeling.

A detail I take seriously: safety and comfort are called out as top priorities. Your boat is captained by an experienced guide, and the day begins with a safety briefing and local context—history of a fishing village, the town, secluded beaches, and other sites you pass.

If you want a useful starting expectation: you can ask for more focus on snorkeling versus beach time, and the guide will tailor the day to your interests. In one example day with guide Denver and his daughter Ocean, the route included snorkeling at multiple spots and still kept a relaxing vibe. That’s the kind of balance you’ll likely enjoy if you tell them what you care about.

Optional Soufrière add-ons: mud bath, waterfall, and botanical garden fees

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants a little more than beach-and-water, the optional Soufrière land add-ons can fit in. The tour notes optional visits to:

• mud bath / volcano,
• waterfall, and
• botanical garden.

Extra fees are listed clearly, but they depend on what you add. Entrance fees you should budget include:

• Waterfall: $3 US
• Botanical garden: $7 US
• Mud bath / volcano: $10 US

There’s also a short land taxi fee once you’re in the Soufrière area. The land taxi cost is given two ways based on group size:

• $50 US for 1 to 4 persons
• $12 US per person for more than 4 persons

One more budgeting item: the not-included section lists admission for sulphur spring, waterfall, and botanical gardens as $29 US per person. If you’re trying to keep planning simple, treat the land day as a separate budget line and confirm what’s included in that $29 figure before you pay anything at the start of the land portion.

Tip that will save time: if you’re considering add-ons, decide early whether you want the land experience to be the main event or a quick add. Once you’re on the water, your guide can help shape the timing, but your decision affects how the day feels.

Price and value: $235 per person makes sense if you want flexibility

At $235 per person, this isn’t a cheap impulse purchase. But for a private boat charter with pickup, snorkeling equipment, and drinks included, the math can work out better than you might expect—especially if you’re traveling as a couple, two friends, or a small group.

Here’s what you get for the base price:

• private tour on a boat
• snorkeling equipment
• beers, water, soda, and rum punch
• pickup and drop-off from the Castries cruise port area
• hotel pickup and drop-off where dock access is available

What’s not included:

• Food (listed as $20 per person)
• meals (lunch is separate)
• entry/admission for optional attractions
• land taxi charges if you add Soufrière activities

So the value angle is simple: you’re paying for convenience and control. You’re not spending the day coordinating transport, hiring separate snorkeling rentals, or adding drinks and gear on top later. If you’re the type who wants a stress-light day with good water time, this price starts to feel reasonable.

If you’re a solo traveler or you rarely eat lunch on tours, you’ll still need to plan for food. The biggest way to protect value is to decide early whether you want optional land stops—and then budget accordingly.

Who should book this private charter?

This tour is a strong fit if:

• you want the Pitons and Sugar Beach from the water
• you care about snorkeling but don’t want to scramble for gear
• you like the idea of a guide who can tailor the day to your pace
• you prefer fewer people and more control over stops

It’s also a great choice if you’re traveling with people who want different things. You can tell the guide what matters to each person—snorkeling time, beach walking, or just relaxing with views—and the day can be shaped around those priorities.

On the other hand, if you want a packed itinerary with zero downtime, or if you only want one quick swim and then you’re done, you might feel like the day is too long. This is built for a full, unhurried outing.

Practical tips so your day runs smooth

A few small things make a big difference on a boat day like this:

• Pack swimwear and a light cover-up you’re comfortable re-wearing between stops.
• Bring sunscreen and consider a hat you can keep on in breeze.
• If you’re adding land stops, bring a plan for cash or cards for entrance fees and taxi costs.
• Eat before you go or plan your lunch. Food isn’t included, and a boat day can run on island time.

One more planning note: the experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s typical for water activities, but it’s still worth checking forecast and building in a little flexibility.

Final call: should you book the Shashamane private boat charter?

If you want a St Lucia day that feels personal—real beach time, Pitons views, and snorkeling without extra gear hunts—this private charter is an easy yes. The combination of pickup convenience, included snorkeling equipment, and included drinks makes the day feel complete without a long list of add-ons.

I’d book it especially if you’re traveling as a couple or small group and you like options: beach time if you want it, snorkeling if you want it, and Soufrière land add-ons if you’re in the mood for mud baths and gardens. Just do your homework on the optional fees and lunch cost so the day stays fun, not stressful.

FAQ

How long is the Shashamane boat charter?

The tour is listed as approximately 1 day and 7 hours.

What does the price include?

The included items are use of snorkeling equipment, local beers, water, soda, and rum punch, pickup and drop-off at Castries cruise ship port, hotel pickup and drop-off selected hotels with docks, and the private tour.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Time Well Spent SLU in Marigot, Castries, St Lucia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is food included?

Food is not included. Lunch is not included, and food is listed at $20.00 per person.

Are there optional land activities?

Yes. You can add optional visits to mud bath/volcano, a waterfall, and a botanical garden, each with extra entrance fees.

How much do the Soufrière add-ons cost?

Entrance fees listed are $3 US for the waterfall, $7 US for the botanical garden, and $10 US for the mud bath/volcano. A short land taxi fee is also listed: $50 US for 1 to 4 persons, and $12 US per person for more than 4 persons.

Do I need to pay for entry if I add attractions?

Yes. Admission/entry is not included. The not-included section lists $29.00 per person for sulphur spring/waterfall/botanical gardens, and there are also the separate entrance fees listed for waterfall, botanical garden, and mud bath/volcano.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

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