Sea Excursions
A day sail or sea cruise from Rodney Bay or Vigie Cove to Soufrière and the Pitons is a wonderful way to see Saint Lucia and a great way to get to the island's distinctive natural sites. Prices for a full-day sailing excursion to Soufrière run about $110 per person and include a land tour to the Diamond Botanical Gardens, lunch, a stop for swimming and snorkeling, and a visit to pretty Marigot Bay. Add ziplining, if you wish! Half-day cruises to the Pitons, three-hour whale-watching tours, and two-hour sunset cruises along the northwest coast will cost about $50 per person.
Captain Mike's. With 20 species of whales and dolphins living in Caribbean waters, your chances of sighting some are very good on these 3½-hour whale- and dolphin-watching trips ($55 per person) aboard Captain Mike's Free Willie, a 60-foot Defender. Vigie Marina, Ganthers Bay, Castries, Castries Quarter. 758/452–7044; www.captmikes.com.
Carnival Sailing. Carnival Sailing has eight party catamarans that accommodate from 30 to 170 passengers and they run a variety of trips along the coast to Soufrière—tours, entrance fees, lunch, and drinks included. Prices vary for the menu of day tours, adventure tours, sunset cruises, and private charters. Reduit Beach Ave., Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet. 758/452--5586; carnivalsailing.com.
Mystic Man Ocean Adventures. The glass-bottom boat, sailing, catamaran, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and/or whale- and dolphin-watching tours are all great family excursions; there's also a sunset cruise. Most trips depart from Soufrière. Bay St., Soufrière, Soufrière. 758/459–7783; 800/401–9804; www.mysticmantours.com.
Sea Spray Cruises. Sail down the west coast from Rodney Bay to Soufrière on Mango Tango (a 52-foot catamaran), Jus Tango (a 65-foot catamaran), Go Tango (an 80-foot double-deck catamaran), Calypso Cat (a 42-foot double-deck power catamaran), or Tango (a 78-foot power catamaran). The all-day Tout Bagay (a little bit of everything) tour includes a visit to the sulfur springs, drive-in volcano, and Morne Coubaril Estate. The view of the Pitons from the water is majestic. You'll have lunch and drinks onboard, plenty of music, and an opportunity to swim at a remote beach. Rodney Bay Marina, Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet. 758/458–0123; www.seaspraycruises.com.
