Shashamane experience private boat charter Marigot bay st lucia

The best part of the Shashamane private boat tour is its freedom. You are not locked into a crowded group schedule. Denver, or Denver and his daughter Ocean, can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and the views from the water. You can also add a short land visit around Soufriere.

I like the small private setting, which makes the day better for couples, families, and groups with different energy levels. I also like the local touch: Denver shares stories about fishing villages, towns, beaches, and island life rather than simply pointing at the coastline.

The main consideration is cost. At $235 per person, this is a serious excursion expense before lunch, attraction fees, and some land transport. The value improves when several people share the boat and make full use of the long day.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for your group: You are not sharing the experience with strangers.
• Pitons and Sugar Beach: The boat visits Sugar Beach, set between St Lucia’s famous Pitons.
• Three types of snorkeling stops: You can request several sites, including Anse Chastanet and Anse Cochon.
• Drinks included: Local beer, water, soda, and rum punch are provided.
• Optional Soufriere stops: Add a waterfall, botanical garden, and mud bath or volcano visit for extra charges.
• Guide-led and flexible: Denver and Ocean can adjust the day to your interests, subject to weather and timing.

A private day on St Lucia’s southwest coast

This tour is built around the coast between Marigot Bay, Castries, and Soufriere. It combines a boat ride with stops for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing. If you want, you can add attractions on land near Soufriere.

The exact pace is one of the tour’s strengths. You might spend much of the day on the water, stopping often for swims and photos. Or you can use the boat to reach the Pitons and then add a short taxi trip to see a waterfall, botanical garden, or mud bath.

The advertised duration is about one day and seven hours, though the operating hours listed for the experience are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. That makes it important to confirm your exact departure and return time when booking. The tour begins at Time Well Spent SLU in Marigot, Castries, and pickup is offered from the Castries cruise port and selected hotels with docks.

Why the private format matters

A private boat changes the feel of a day on St Lucia. You do not have to keep pace with a large party or spend the morning waiting for people who want different things. If you want to snorkel longer, take a quiet beach break, or focus on sightseeing from the water, the guide can shape the schedule around your group.

That flexibility is especially useful for couples in their 60s, families, or mixed groups. One person can swim while another stays aboard with a drink. You can also ask for more sightseeing and less activity if you mainly want to see the island from the coast.

The boat is described as well equipped, with snorkeling gear supplied. Safety and comfort are presented as priorities, and an experienced captain guides the trip. Still, this is a boat day with swimming and beach access, not a fully structured resort outing. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water and following the captain’s instructions.

Leaving Marigot Bay for the coast

Once aboard, the guide gives you an introduction to the area and points out local fishing villages, towns, secluded beaches, and other coastal sights. This opening section matters because St Lucia is best understood from the water. The steep hills, small settlements, and coves make more sense when you see how the coast connects.

Denver is the main guide named for this experience, and Ocean may also join the day. The personal connection is part of the appeal. You are not simply being taken to a photo stop. You have a local guide who can explain what you are seeing and adjust the route to your interests.

Bring a phone or camera, but keep it protected from spray. The supplied details do not specify a dry-storage system, so it is sensible to bring a waterproof pouch for electronics and money.

Snorkeling at Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet

Snorkeling is a major part of the outing, and the tour includes equipment. The listed beach and snorkeling areas include Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet, both useful stops if you want to see more than just the coastline.

You may be able to visit several snorkeling sites. One couple specifically arranged a day with three snorkeling stops, which shows how much the schedule can be shaped around the water. If snorkeling is your priority, tell Denver before the trip so he can plan the day accordingly.

Anse Cochon offers a quieter beach setting and a chance to combine a swim with a stop on shore. Anse Chastanet is known here as both a beach destination and a snorkeling area. The tour does not promise specific marine life or water conditions, so keep your expectations practical. Visibility and comfort can change with weather.

If you are not a strong swimmer, say so before setting out. The activity information confirms that most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed accessibility plan or describe flotation equipment. The captain can explain the conditions at each stop.

Sugar Beach between the Pitons

Sugar Beach is one of the main highlights. Its location between the Pitons gives you the classic St Lucia view, but the boat adds a better sense of scale than a quick roadside stop. From the water, the twin volcanic peaks rise sharply above the coast, and the beach feels like a natural pause in the day.

You can swim, walk along the shore, enjoy a drink, and take in the view. Local beers, water, soda, and rum punch are included, which makes the beach stops easier and more relaxed. Food is not included, however, so do not mistake the drinks for a full meal.

Sugar Beach can be a particularly good stop for anyone who wants a scenic break without filling the entire day with activities. You get time to look around rather than simply arriving, taking a photo, and leaving.

The optional Soufriere add-on

The boat portion can be paired with a short land trip to attractions around Soufriere. The optional choices listed are a waterfall, botanical garden, and mud bath or volcano visit.

These additions change the day from a coastal outing into a broader introduction to St Lucia. They also add cost and coordination, so ask for the complete price before choosing them.

The stated admission figures are:

• Waterfall entry: $3
• Botanical garden entry: $7
• Mud bath or volcano: $10
• A separate price summary lists combined admission at $29 per person

The transport details also vary in the supplied information. One figure gives a short land taxi fee of $50 for one to four people, or $12 per person for groups larger than four. Another section lists the taxi cost as $12 per person. Because of that difference, confirm the current total for your group and the exact attractions you want.

The mud bath or volcano stop is the most distinctive option, but it will not suit everyone. You may prefer the waterfall or garden if you want a calmer land visit. The waterfall has the lowest listed admission cost, while the botanical garden offers a more relaxed stop for anyone who would rather walk than bathe in volcanic mud.

Lunch, drinks, and the real trip cost

The tour price is $235 per person. That includes the private boat, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and listed pickups and drop-offs. It does not include lunch, which is listed at $20 per person, or the optional attraction and taxi fees.

The price makes more sense for a group that wants privacy and a full day on the coast. A couple paying for two people will spend $470 before lunch and add-ons. A larger private group may find the cost easier to justify, especially if everyone wants the same pace and activities.

Lunch is described as a good-value local option rather than a formal included meal. The exact restaurant is not specified, so ask the guide what is available that day. If you have dietary needs, raise them before departure.

The included drinks are a useful practical benefit. Water and soda cover the basics, while local beer and rum punch give the outing a distinctly Caribbean feel. You should still confirm whether you want to bring any personal snacks, since the food arrangement is not detailed.

What the guide can change for you

The strongest personal detail attached to this outing is the role of Denver. He contacted one couple in advance to ask what they wanted to do, then adjusted the day to fit those interests. That is exactly the sort of preparation that makes a private tour worthwhile.

Denver is also described as easy to spend time with and well informed about the island. Ocean may accompany him, giving some groups a family-led experience rather than a large commercial operation.

I would send your priorities before the day:

• More snorkeling
• More beach time
• A focus on the Pitons
• A visit to Soufriere attractions
• A slower sightseeing pace
• Less time on land

The tour can be flexible, but flexibility works best when you communicate clearly. Do not assume that every optional stop will fit comfortably alongside several snorkeling sites and long beach breaks.

Who will enjoy this boat charter most

I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to see St Lucia from the sea and dislikes rigid group tours. It suits couples seeking a relaxed day, families who want control over the pace, and groups that can share the cost of a private boat.

It is also a good fit if you care more about the overall day than checking off a long list of attractions. The combination of coastline, swimming, snorkeling, beaches, drinks, and local stories gives you a broad look at the island without requiring a separate booking for every activity.

You may want another option if your main goal is a formal land tour, a guaranteed meal, or a tightly published schedule. The tour is flexible, but the supplied information does not provide a minute-by-minute route, boat size, or detailed accessibility information.

The activity is open to most people, but weather matters. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Practical details that affect your day

Pickup is offered from the Castries cruise ship port and selected hotels with docks. The listed meeting point is Time Well Spent SLU in Marigot, Castries, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

The advertised operating period runs through December 15, 2026, with hours listed Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Confirmation is received when you book. Since the stated duration and operating hours do not line up neatly, confirm the exact schedule, especially if you are visiting from a cruise ship.

The tour is private, so only your group participates. That is a major advantage for anyone concerned about timing. It also means your group needs to agree on the balance of swimming, snorkeling, beach stops, and land attractions.

The experience is booked, on average, 58 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful warning if you have fixed cruise or hotel dates. Booking early gives you a better chance of matching the day to your plans.

Should you book the Shashamane experience?

Book it if you want a private, locally guided boat day with the freedom to choose between snorkeling, swimming, beaches, Piton views, and optional Soufriere sights. Denver’s advance planning and the possibility of having Ocean along add a personal quality that large excursions rarely provide.

Before paying, confirm the exact departure time, pickup point, boat details, lunch arrangement, and the current cost of the optional land visits. If you are happy with those terms, this is a strong choice for a relaxed and flexible day on St Lucia’s southwest coast.

FAQ

Where does the Shashamane boat tour start?

The listed meeting point is Time Well Spent SLU in Marigot, Castries, St Lucia. Pickup is also offered from the Castries cruise ship port and selected hotels with docks.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $235 per person. Lunch, optional attraction admission, and some land transport are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately one day and seven hours. The listed operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so confirm your exact schedule when booking.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes local beers, water, soda, and rum punch.

Which beaches and snorkeling areas can you visit?

The listed stops include Anse Cochon, Anse Chastanet, and Sugar Beach, which is located between the Pitons.

Can you visit a waterfall, botanical garden, or mud bath?

Yes. These are optional additions around Soufriere and require extra admission and land transport fees.

How much are the optional attraction fees?

The listed prices are $3 for the waterfall, $7 for the botanical garden, and $10 for the mud bath or volcano. Another price summary lists admission at $29 per person, so confirm the current total based on the stops you select.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is listed at $20 per person, with a local-priced option recommended.

Can most people participate?

The activity states that most people can participate. Detailed accessibility information is not provided, so ask the operator about your specific needs before booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.