St Lucia: Private Boat Tour to Soufriere & Snorkeling Beaches

Summary

Boat along St Lucia’s coast past fishing villages, reefs, black sand beaches and Marigot Bay with plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling

You’ll cruise St Lucia’s west coast by private boat with stops for snorkeling at Anse Chastanet Reef, relaxing on Sugar Beach’s white sand, and drifting through Marigot Bay with a cold drink in hand. Local guides share stories along the way. Expect hotel or port pickup and plenty of chances to swim or just watch life unfold along shore.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how bright the colors looked from the water — not just the sea, but those tiny houses in the fishing villages between Castries and Soufriere. Our captain, Andre, waved to someone onshore (I think he knew half the island) while explaining how each village had its own story. The engine hummed under us, but mostly I remember the slap of waves against the hull and this smell — part salt, part something sweet from land. We stopped at Anse Chastanet Beach and Reef; I’d never seen black sand before. It felt gritty but soft under my feet. My mask fogged up right away when I tried snorkeling (classic), but Andre just laughed and fixed it for me.

Snorkeling there was wild — all these darting fish in neon colors I can’t name, plus a reef that seemed to move if you stared long enough. Sugar Beach was next, white sand this time, totally different vibe. There were families splashing around and a couple of locals selling fruit from a bobbing boat (I bought some mango slices — sticky fingers for hours). We drifted into Marigot Bay later, which honestly looked like a movie set with all those palm trees leaning out over the water. Someone handed me a cold Piton beer; I’m not much of a drinker but it tasted right in that moment.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed just floating there with strangers who didn’t stay strangers for long. The sun kept shifting behind clouds — sometimes hot on my shoulders, sometimes just warm enough that you forget about time passing at all. When we finally turned back toward Castries harbor (Andre said it’s the deepest in the eastern Caribbean), I found myself wishing we could stretch out the day a bit longer. The ride back was quieter; maybe everyone else felt it too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private boat tour to beaches and snorkeling

• Depart from Castries harbor
• Pass fishing village near Anse La Raye
• Visit Sugar Beach for beach and snorkeling
• Stop at Anse Chastanet black sand beach
• Snorkel at Anse Chastanet reef
• Enjoy another great snorkel site and beach
• Relax and swim at Marigot Bay
• Return to ship

Top questions

How long does the private boat tour in St Lucia last?

The tour lasts up to 6 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is snorkeling gear included on this St Lucia boat trip?

Yes, snorkel gear is provided for all guests during the tour.

Where does pickup happen for cruise passengers?

Pickup is available at Castries terminal, Rodney Bay Marina, or Pigeon Island port.

Are drinks included on board?

Bottled water, soda, beer, and local rum are included during your trip.

Can infants join this private boat tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; strollers are allowed too.

Which beaches do we visit during this St Lucia boat tour?

You’ll stop at Anse Chastanet Beach and Reef, Sugar Beach, plus other scenic beaches along the route.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included but snacks or fruit may be available for purchase from local vendors at some stops.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup (from Castries terminal, Rodney Bay Marina or Pigeon Island), all snorkel gear so you don’t have to pack your own mask or fins, bottled water plus local beer and rum for refreshment breaks between swims—then drop-off back where you started before your ship leaves or your evening plans begin.