Private Custom Coastal Cruise St. Lucia Full Day

St. Lucia’s best views arrive from the water, and this private cruise gives you a front-row seat to the Pitons, fishing villages, beaches, and open Caribbean sea. You can set the pace instead of following a fixed group schedule, with the crew adjusting the day around swimming, snorkeling, fishing, wildlife watching, and shore stops.

I like the private boat format and the fact that the price covers up to six people. I also like the mix of time on the water and time ashore, especially the chance to visit Diamond Waterfalls and the drive-in volcano near Soufriere. The main thing to consider is cost: $1,290 is a serious outlay for a small group, and lunch, waterfall admission, volcano admission, and some extra drinks cost more.

Key points to know before you book

• A full day on your own boat: You get about eight hours for your group, rather than sharing the ride with a large crowd.
• Two boat sizes are available: Choose a 31-foot boat or a larger 47-foot vessel, with a maximum of six passengers on the 31-foot boat.
• Strong wildlife potential: The crew can take you looking for dolphins, and one outing also spotted pilot whales, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.
• Soufriere adds variety: Visit Diamond Waterfalls and optionally stop at the world’s only drive-in volcano.
• Drinks and gear are included: Soft drinks, mineral water, rum punch, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and snacks are provided.
• Lunch is not included: You can buy lunch on the boat or eat at a café in Soufriere.

A private day along St. Lucia’s western coast

This is the sort of outing that makes sense if you want St. Lucia to feel less like a checklist and more like your own day at sea. The western coast gives you a mix of mountain views, beaches, small bays, and clear water, while the private setup lets you spend more time on the parts your group actually cares about.

The standard start is 9 a.m. at Hackshaw’s Boat Charters on Seraphine Road in Castries. Pickup and return transportation from the cruise ship port are included, which is useful if you are visiting St. Lucia for the day by ship. At the end, you return to the same general meeting point.

Your crew handles the boat and helps shape the route. The experience is not simply a ride from one fixed stop to another. You can ask for time to snorkel, fish, watch for dolphins, or pause at a beach. The exact balance will depend on the weather, sea conditions, and what your group wants to do.

That flexibility is the biggest reason to book a private cruise. If half your group wants to snorkel and the other half would rather look for dolphins or enjoy the views, you have room to adjust. A standard group excursion rarely gives you that freedom.

Choosing between the 31-foot and 47-foot boats

You can select a 31-foot, 9-meter boat or a larger 47-foot, 14-meter boat. The supplied details specify a maximum of six passengers on the 31-foot powerboat, and the overall tour limit is six people.

For six adults, the larger boat may be worth asking about. More space can make a long day on the water easier, especially if you are carrying towels, bags, snorkeling equipment, and lunch. The larger vessel also appeared in one outing as the Lady Anne, described as a luxury power catamaran.

The smaller boat may suit a couple or a compact group that wants a more direct, simple ride. Before paying, confirm which boat is available for your date and how the layout fits your group. The price is per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply when you fill all six places.

At the full six-person capacity, the advertised price works out to $215 per person. That is not cheap, but it can compare well with six separate fares once you account for private transportation, crew, drinks, equipment, and a full day on the coast. For only two people, the price becomes much harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are your top priorities.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is an important part of this experience. Names connected with the outings include Jay, Jason, and Jade, and the company has also identified Jason and Jade as a strong team. One trip used a boat called Bandit, while another used Lady Anne.

You should expect the crew to manage the boat, help with the water activities, and take care of practical details such as drinks and photos. A group on one outing had pictures taken while aboard, which is a small but useful touch when everyone wants to appear in the frame.

The wildlife side can be especially rewarding. The route may include dolphin watching, and one recorded outing saw two types of dolphins and pilot whales before continuing toward the Pitons and Sugar Beach. That is a reminder to keep your eyes open during the longer stretches between stops.

Still, wildlife is never guaranteed. Treat dolphins and whales as a welcome bonus, not the main reason to pay for the cruise. The coast, mountain views, snorkeling, and private pace are the reliable parts of the day.

Diamond Waterfalls: a short shore stop

Diamond Waterfalls is listed as a 30-minute stop. It gives you a break from the boat and adds a natural attraction to a day that could otherwise be almost entirely marine.

Admission is not included, so bring money for the entrance fee. Thirty minutes is enough for a focused visit, but it is not a long walk or a leisurely afternoon at the site. You will want to keep the stop moving if you also hope to spend time snorkeling, fishing, watching for wildlife, and visiting Soufriere.

This short timing is worth noting for anyone who likes slow sightseeing. The cruise is designed around variety, not long visits at every attraction. I like that the waterfall is included as an option without taking over the whole day, but you should not expect an extended visit.

Soufriere and the drive-in volcano

The optional stop at La Soufriere Drive-In Volcano is another 30-minute visit. It is described as the world’s only drive-in volcano, giving you a chance to see one of the island’s best-known geological sights without committing to a long inland excursion.

Admission is not included. The stop is optional, which is helpful if your group would rather stay on the water or spend more time at a beach. It also means you should make your priorities clear early in the day. If you want both the waterfall and volcano, along with snorkeling and a possible wildlife search, the schedule can fill quickly.

Soufriere also offers the chance to buy lunch at a café. That may be the easiest choice if your group wants a proper meal and a short break on land. The other option is lunch served on the boat, but lunch still costs extra either way.

Snorkeling, fishing, and time on the water

Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included, so you do not need to arrange those separately. Soft drinks, mineral water, rum punch, and snacks are also part of the package.

The word custom matters here. You are not being promised a long snorkeling session, a successful fishing trip, or a particular wildlife encounter. Instead, the crew can work these activities into the day as conditions and timing allow.

If snorkeling is your main goal, say so when you board. If fishing matters more, make that clear as well. A private cruise gives you a better chance of shaping the day around your interests, but the boat still has to work around sea conditions, shore stops, and the return schedule.

The open bar is useful, though you should read the details carefully. The included choices are soft drinks, mineral water, and rum punch. Extra drinks and beers can be requested for an additional cost. The minimum drinking age is 18.

The Pitons, beaches, and Marigot Bay

The western coast is the visual heart of the cruise. From the boat, you can see the Piton Mountains rising above the sea, a view that is far more dramatic from the water than from a roadside lookout.

The cruise can also include a beach stop, with Sugar Beach mentioned as part of one memorable route. Marigot Bay is another highlight, where you can have a cocktail on the beach. These stops help break up the boat ride and give you a chance to stretch your legs.

The itinerary also refers to a beautiful historical bay, though the supplied details do not identify it by name. Do not assume every listed area will receive the same amount of time. The route is adjustable, and your final plan depends on your group, the weather, and the boat crew.

This is a good fit if you like scenery with room to breathe. You can sit back during the coastal runs, ask for a swim or snorkel stop, and spend time at a beach without being tied to a large group’s schedule.

Lunch, drinks, and the real cost

The $1,290 price covers the private cruise for up to six people, port pickup and return, crew, snacks, soft drinks, mineral water, rum punch, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment. Lunch is not included, and entrance fees for Diamond Waterfalls and La Soufriere are also extra.

That means your final cost will be higher than the headline price. Add food for the group, attraction admission, and any extra beer or drinks you want. The company offers lunch on the boat or the option to eat at a café in Soufriere.

I would calculate the cost by group size before booking. Six people sharing the boat makes the rate more reasonable. A small group of two or three will pay much more for privacy, but that may still suit you if a private boat is the main point of the day.

The open bar should also be understood as a limited included drinks package rather than unlimited access to every drink. Rum punch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and gear are covered. Other beverages cost more.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this for families, couples traveling with friends, and cruise ship visitors who want a private day rather than a standard shore excursion. It also suits groups with mixed interests, since one person can focus on snorkeling while another prefers beaches, fishing, or coastal views.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a low-cost boat trip or a tightly scheduled cultural tour. The price is high for a small party, and the day includes several optional expenses.

You should also be comfortable with a full day on a motorboat. The tour lasts about eight hours and operates in all weather conditions, so dress for changing conditions and bring whatever sun protection you normally use. The provided information says most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

For cruise ship passengers, provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when booking. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Final call: book it for flexibility, not for a bargain

I would book this cruise if your group can share the cost and wants to see St. Lucia from the water without surrendering the day to a fixed schedule. The strongest points are the private boat, the Piton views, the chance to look for dolphins, included equipment, and the mix of sea time with Diamond Waterfalls, Soufriere, a beach, or Marigot Bay.

I would pass if you mainly want the cheapest way to reach one attraction, or if your group is unlikely to use the boat for most of the day. Ask about the exact boat, decide how important lunch and the volcano are, and confirm the route you want before departure.

For a group of six, this can be a well-rounded and practical way to experience the western coast. For two people, it is a luxury choice. Either way, the value comes from having the boat and crew focused on your group, not from the lowest possible price.

FAQ

How long does the private coastal cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 9 a.m.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Hackshaw’s Boat Charters on Seraphine Road in Castries, St. Lucia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup from the cruise ship port included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship port are included.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of six people. The 31-foot powerboat also has a stated maximum of six passengers.

What drinks are included?

Soft drinks, mineral water, rum punch, and snacks are included. Extra drinks and beers can be requested at an additional cost.

Is lunch included?

No. You can purchase lunch to eat on the boat or have lunch at a café in Soufriere.

Are snorkeling and fishing supplies provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included.

Are admission fees for Diamond Waterfalls and the volcano included?

No. Admission tickets for Diamond Waterfalls and La Soufriere Drive-In Volcano are not included. The volcano visit is optional.