Review - Pitons Experience :
Exodus Charter Boat - Margot Bay - Gros Inlet
I'm Patricia Blackstock owner and webmaster of FunBeaches.com My husband and I have been taking vacations at at all-inclusive resorts since 1997. Although the Sandals Grand St. Lucian (review)was out 3rd visit to St. Lucia, we had never opted to take an outside excursion, other than those offered by our Sandals.
However, this year we selected the Exodus Adventure in St. Lucia I searched the web for reviews including "best way to view the Pitons" "Charter Boats visiting the pitons" "Full day charters from St. Lucia" and we talked with other Sandals guests who told us to "Watch for the Exodus guys wearing red shirts and strolling on the beach."
I was torn between a sunset cruise to the Pitons (offered through Sandals Resort) and a tour that would include other stops and more options. The Exodus guys wore red shirts and their photos convinced us that we would enjoy this Charter boat experience with Exodus Charter Adventure more. They offered better views than we would see on the Sunset Cruise we earlier considered through the Sandals Resort. Exodus includes snorkeling, an up-close visit to the Pitons, a beautiful waterfall, a locally prepared Creole lunch, and a "power shop" at a local "general" store that lasted all of 15 minutes. The price was the same as Sandals - $100. per person - and they were conveniently docked for pickup and delivery at the back of our room.
We left at 9 A.M.and we returned to the dock around 3:30.
The Exodus Charter adventure to St. Lucia turned out to be even more fun than we expected, and we certainly got our money's worth. It was professionally conducted and filled with history that was educational and sometimes humorous. "Do you know why our palm trees grow so strong and study?" We guessed due to the West Indies location and the ability to withstand strong winds. But the answer was simple: "to protect their nuts."
Exodus Charter Boat Adventure: The Pitons
Seeing The Pitons was our #1 reason for taking this cruise. The pitons are on of St. Lucia's most iconic attractions and a must for excursions in St. Lucia. They are located just South of Soufrière and can be seen from the sulfer springs as they stand over the bay.
We had about an hour to snorkel at the base of the Pitons. The Jalousie offers visibility of 20 - 50 feet, making it perfect for snorkeling. The dramatic coral is home to hundreds of neon-colored fish such as parrot fish, red snapper, and many more. The beauty here is amazing!
Exodus Adventure St. Lucia We stopped at the base of the volcano. I am not sure of the exact location of the beach, but the chairs/lounges where we stopped were in miserably deplorable condition, some with missing seat bands, rendering them impossible to use. The bathroom was abominable and there was a powerfully bad odor coming from toilets that would not flush.This filth overran and and oozed onto the floor where many people were in their bare feet. I guess they never have Health Inspections here! The unhygienic and unsanitary beach area was a contradiction to the awesome beauty of the Caribbean waves that lapped on the shore. It was difficult to think that so much grime could co-exist along with such beauty. The stench made my stomach woozy. It would have been much better to snorkel off the boat. I hope in the future the Exodus Charter Adventure will steer clear and exclude this so-called beach! Please seek out another place to stop. Or better yet, encourage your fellow travelers NOT to leave the boat. If your boat arrives at this stopping place, and if the situation has not improved, I suggest you return to the boat, express your concerns and then refuse to get off the boat.
After leaving the snorkeling area, the Exodus Charter Adventure St. Lucia visited the volcano where we were invited to a sulfur mud bath, guaranteed to After the mud bath, everyone rised off at the Piton waterfall, which boasts a drop of about 30 feet. The weather here is warm...and bathing under the falls is invigorating. Enlarge photo of Wally at the waterfall. The photos show it all...but be careful of your feet! The bottom is covered with sharp stones!
Exodus Adventure St. Lucia Lunch The local buffet was very good. It offered local dished including spices, garnishes, fruits, fish and meats that are all local to St. Lucia. We enjoyed an excellent variety of Creole dishes.
While the shopping trip was not long, and it was fun to see (and purchase) handmade items that caught my eye.
Exodus Adventure St. Lucia return trip to the resort: We were offered a variety of refreshing drinks throughout the cruise including Cokes, bottled water, rum drinks, fruit juice and more. At the end of the cruise we were all offered Vodka shooters.
For the most part, we loved our Exodus Adventure! It's perfect for anyone who wants a close-up view of the Pitons or wishing they could visit more local sites suring a St. Lucia vacation. With the exception of the grungy stinky beach mentioned above, they provided exactly what they promised. Here's the website for Exodus Adventure!
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Sandals St. St. Lucia is a beautiful Sandals Resort, filled with with a wonderful Sandals Staff.
It is the only sovereign nation to be named after a woman. Her visitors alwats find themselves reluctant to leave this gorgeous island, and anxious to return.
1. The beautiful view on the left was featured on the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie 2. Local Creole dishes.
3. Shopping in Soufrière
Patricia Blackstock Visit my website (it's all about beaches!) FunBeaches.com