Boat days in St. Lucia are different. This private full-day powerboat cruise lets you set your own pace along the Western coastline, with an open bar and a crew ready to tailor stops near the Piton views and Soufriere area.

What I like most is the mix of “do it your way” and “we handle it.” You get a small group (up to 6 on the 31-foot boat), snorkeling and fishing gear on board, and crew who focus on making the day smooth from pickup to drop-off.

One thing to think about: some of the big-ticket moments have extra costs on your own, like admission at Diamond Waterfalls and the optional La Soufriere drive-in volcano. Lunch also isn’t included, so build that into your budget.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Up to 6 people keeps the vibe private and relaxed, especially on the 31-foot boat
• Your itinerary is flexible, so the cruise doesn’t feel stuck in someone else’s schedule
• Diamond Waterfalls (30 minutes) is a planned stop, but admission tickets are not included
• La Soufriere drive-in volcano is optional (30 minutes) and you’ll pay the admission ticket if you choose it
• Open bar includes rum punch plus soft drinks and mineral water, with extra drinks (like beer) available for an additional cost
• You may be hosted by crew members like Jay, Jason, or Jade, and the staff takes time for group photos

A Full-Day Private Coastal Cruise That Starts With the Right Kind of Flex

This is the kind of St. Lucia day that works best when you want the freedom to roam a bit without planning everything yourself. You’re on a private boat (not a cattle-call day trip), and the itinerary can be shaped around what you care about most—scenery, wildlife watching, snorkeling time, or simply cruising and taking photos from the water.

The day runs about 8 hours, starting at 9:00 am, with pickup and drop-off tied to your cruise ship schedule. That timing matters in St. Lucia, because port days can get tight. Here, the plan is built around getting you from the ship to the boat and back without the usual scramble.

If you’re the type who likes options, you’ll also appreciate that you’re not locked into one “script.” There’s structure (you know the main areas), but you get room to adjust.

Boat Choice: 31-Foot for Intimacy or 47-Foot for Extra Space

Hackshaw’s Boats uses two main boat sizes: a 31-foot (9-meter) powerboat or a 47-foot (14-meter) option. The smaller boat is capped at 6 passengers, which is perfect if you want a true private feel and easy conversation with the crew.

The upside of choosing a bigger boat is simply comfort. More deck space usually means easier lounging, more room to move around for photos, and less “we’re all crowding one spot” energy. The trade-off is that larger boats can sometimes feel less intimate, depending on your group.

Either way, you’re going out along the Western coastline, where the views of the Caribbean Sea and the Piton Mountains are a big part of why people choose this day on the water.

Crew + Open Bar + Snacks: The Day Feels Hosted, Not Sold

What makes this tour feel good is how much it’s built around a hosted experience. You’re not just dropped at a boat and left to figure things out.

The crew is included, and you’ll have soft drinks, mineral water, and rum punch available. Snacks are also part of the package. If you want something extra—like beers—you can request it, but it’s at an additional cost.

There’s also a practical edge here: when you’re drinking and staying out for hours, it helps that you’re not constantly paying for basic refreshment. And since the minimum drinking age is 18, you’ll know the bar setup is aimed at adult travel days.

One more small detail that matters: the crew reportedly takes photos of your group during the ride. That’s one of those “you’ll be glad you did it” extras, especially if you’re visiting with friends or family and you don’t want to spend the whole day handing your phone back and forth.

The Planned Coast Stops: Historical Bay and Mountain Views

Your day begins with time in a Beautiful Historical Bay before you continue along the coastline. The key here isn’t a museum-style stop—it’s the change of scenery and the chance to settle in on the boat right away. Bay time is also where you can get comfortable with the boat rhythm before you start doing the more active parts like snorkeling.

You’ll also pass by Majestic Mountains along the route. Even without a set “tour” at each viewpoint, mountain scenery from the water is its own kind of show. Boats give you angles you won’t get from a roadside pull-off, and you can usually stop for photos when the light is right.

In practical terms: if you like taking pictures, treat this as your “get the good shots” window early in the day. Once you’re settled into stops and activities, you’ll be busy.

Diamond Waterfalls: 30 Minutes, a Real Waterfall Moment

Diamond Waterfalls is one of the anchors of the day: an Amazing Natural Waterfall with a scheduled visit of about 30 minutes. Admission tickets are not included, so plan for that extra spend.

In half an hour, you can do the basics well:

• See the falls from the main viewing areas
• Take photos without rushing your whole group
• Get a quick feel for the water and the surroundings before moving on

What to keep in mind is that a 30-minute waterfall stop isn’t for long hikes or “wander forever” energy. It’s designed to give you a meaningful look and then get you back on the water for the next part of the cruise.

Also, bring your common-sense safety gear for wet areas. Comfortable water-friendly footwear helps, because waterfall zones can be slippery.

La Soufriere Drive-In Volcano: Optional, Short, and Ticketed

After the waterfall stop, you have an optional swing for the La Soufriere Drive-In Volcano, described as a world’s only drive-in volcano. The scheduled time is about 30 minutes, and again, the admission ticket is not included.

This is the kind of stop that can be worth it if you like seeing unusual sights with minimal walking. A drive-in style visit is built for people who want the “only in this place” experience without turning the day into a long hike.

You’ll want to decide based on your group:

• If you love “one-off” sights and don’t mind paying an extra admission ticket, this fits the day’s rhythm.
• If your group prefers more time on the water (snorkeling, relaxing, or wildlife watching), you might skip it and keep the schedule lighter.

Either way, it’s good that it’s optional. That gives you a way to match the day to your interests rather than forcing everyone into the same activity.

Marigot Bay Beach Time and Cocktail Moments

One of the nice touches of this cruise is the promise of a beach cocktail in Marigot Bay. This is the “slow down” segment, where you get the payoff of a long day without everything turning into frantic activity.

Marigot Bay is a classic St. Lucia setting for relaxing: you’re on the water, the coastline is right there, and you get a change of pace after stops inland.

If you’re keeping your day photo-focused, this is also a great time to grab shots of the boats near the shoreline and soak up that “this is why we came” mood.

Snorkeling and Fishing Gear: Included, So You Actually Use It

This is one of the most practical reasons to book a private cruise like this: snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included.

That means less time sorting rentals and more time doing the thing. If snorkeling is on your list, it’s a straightforward win—gear is already there when you’re ready, and you’re not negotiating prices or schedules with a separate provider.

Fishing equipment included also suggests the crew can help you get set up without treating fishing like a complicated add-on. Even if you don’t catch fish, having the option changes how you experience the cruising time. You can spend the ride a bit more actively rather than only passively watching the coastline.

If wildlife watching is a priority, keep an eye on the water during the cruise. In at least one real day, people saw multiple dolphin types and pilot whales before heading toward the Piton area and Sugar Beach. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the fact that sightings happen tells you it’s not a dead, “no animals ever” kind of outing.

Lunch on Your Terms: Boat Lunch or Soufriere Café

Lunch is not included, but you do have options. You can purchase lunch in a café in Soufriere, or you can have lunch served on the boat for an extra cost.

This flexibility is actually pretty helpful. If your group wants to keep the day smooth and stay in one rhythm, boat lunch may feel easier. If you want a land break and a chance to look around Soufriere briefly, the café option fits better.

Just remember: if you want lunch included in your overall budget, you’ll need to plan for it, because you’re paying for it separately.

Price and Value: $1,290 for Up to 6 Makes Sense for Small Groups

The price is $1,290 per group (up to 6). That’s not cheap if you’re traveling solo, but value jumps when you divide it among a small group.

Here’s the math in plain terms:

• With 6 people: about $215 per person
• With 4 people: about $322 per person
• With 2 people: about $645 per person

So who gets the best value? Friends, couples traveling together, or families who want privacy and don’t want to spend a day herding through a shared tour.

Also, you’re getting several things that add up fast on island time: crew, private boat time, pickup/drop-off tied to your cruise schedule, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and an open bar (rum punch, soft drinks, and mineral water). Those included items are exactly where “price feels fair” tends to happen.

If you’re the type who wants a lot of activities packed into one day, a private cruise like this can be a smart use of vacation dollars—especially when the included gear removes friction.

Practical Tips That Make the Day Easier

A few details can help you get more out of your 9:00 am start and full-day schedule:

• Bring sunscreen and a light layer. Open sea days can mean strong sun plus a breeze.
• Expect extra costs at stops. Diamond Waterfalls and the optional volcano have admission tickets not included.
• Plan for timing around your cruise ship. The tour is set up for cruise port coordination, so don’t treat this like an optional “maybe.”
• If you snorkel, set aside time early. It’s easier to do the gear and swim part while everyone has energy.
• Choose your alcohol expectations. Rum punch, soft drinks, and mineral water are included, but extra drinks like beer cost extra.

If your group is sensitive to motion, you’ll feel better if you prepare ahead (water, food, and your preferred motion-sickness tools). Since the tour operates in all weather conditions, dressing right matters too.

Who This Cruise Fits Best

This is a strong match if you:

• Want a private St. Lucia day instead of a shared excursion
• Care about seeing St. Lucia from the water (especially Piton-area scenery)
• Want included snorkeling gear and the option to fish
• Like the idea of an open bar without constant add-on fees for basics
• Are traveling with a small group where splitting the boat cost makes sense

It may be less ideal if you:

• Are traveling alone or with one person and don’t want to pay for an entire group boat price
• Strongly prefer fully included attractions and meals (since lunch and admission tickets aren’t included)

Should You Book This Private Coastal Cruise?

I’d book this if your priority is a hosted, flexible day on the water with real included value—private boat time, open bar basics, snorkeling and fishing gear, and planned stops near the St. Lucia highlights.

I’d hesitate only if you’re trying to squeeze the trip into a tight “everything included” budget, because Diamond Waterfalls admission, the optional drive-in volcano ticket, and lunch are all extra.

If you’re traveling in a group of up to 6 and you want St. Lucia to feel personal instead of scheduled and crowded, this is the kind of cruise day that makes the rest of your trip feel even more relaxed.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the St. Lucia private coastal cruise?

The tour runs for about 8 hours.

How many people can be on the 31-foot boat?

The maximum on the 31-foot powerboat is 6 passengers.

What’s included with the open bar?

Soft drinks, mineral water, and rum punch are included. Extra drinks such as beer can be requested for an additional cost, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Are snorkeling and fishing gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. You can purchase lunch, either at a café in Soufriere or with an extra-cost boat lunch option.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before the start time does not get refunded.