Saint Lucia offers a good selection of yacht charters and includes bareboat charter, luxury crewed yacht charter, skippered yacht charter, monohull and catamaran charter, and sailing and motor yacht charter.
Saint Lucia was first visited by Europeans around the year 1500 and was first successfully colonized by France, who signed a treaty with the native Caribs in 1660. Britain took control of the island between 1663 and 1667 before entering at war with France fourteen times. The British finally took full control of the island in 1814. On February 22, 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations. The island nation celebrates this every year with a public holiday.
Saint Lucia is a small, lush tropical island that is still relatively unknown. Twin pythons rise over 200 feet from the sea and protect the rainforest below. They are located between Soufrière and Choiseul on the western side of the island. The diversity of white sand beaches and lush green mountainous terrain make the St. Lucia cruise area a wonderful place to charter a yacht. St. Lucia will charm visitors with spectacular mountain scenery, tropical jungles, waterfalls, and secluded beaches. Farther inland, tropical rainforests are home to wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise. You can visit Soufrière, the world’s only vehicular-access volcano, or relax in the rejuvenating warmth of the earth in the sulfur pools at Diamond Baths. Other tourist attractions include the Botanical Gardens and Pigeon Island National Park, which is home to Fort Rodney, a former British military base.
Winds of 10 to 20 knots from the northeast prevail on St. Lucia during the summer months. Winter will see 15-20 knots generally from the east. The trade winds are constant and make chartering a yacht at any time of the year a pleasure.
Saint Lucia’s main airport is Hewanora International. It has daily flights from London and weekly from Dusseldorf and the USA via Miami. US dollars and the euro are used. Major credit cards may be accepted at hotels, restaurants, and some stores. English is the official language and is widely spoken in Saint Lucia.
Marigot Bay offers a pristine and unspoiled landscape. You may recognize Marigot Bay from the 1960 film Dr. Doolittle. Although it has undergone significant changes since then, the beauty remains intact. Marigot has 24/7 security and is a port of entry to the island. A first-class resort and spa is located here, as well as many yacht charter companies. Opening to the Caribbean Sea, Marigot Bay is conveniently located 20 minutes south of Castries, the island’s capital, 45 minutes south of Pigeon Island National Park, and 60 minutes north of the majestic Pitons.
Rodney Bay is a well protected lagoon and a good anchorage for yachts. There are plenty of opportunities for provisions, fuel and water, boat repairs, and anything else a sailor might need. Even clothes delivery service is available. Rodney Bay is also a customs checkpoint and the marina offers moorings for this purpose. The holding ground is not the best in the lagoon and many sailors have reported anchor dragging in the middle of the night. Some of the best beaches are just a short boat ride away. There is also a car rental agency for those who want to spend the day exploring the interior of Saint Lucia. Visit Pigeon Island National Park, home to Fort Rodney, a former British military base. Don’t miss the amazing Friday night jump-up at Gros Islet in Rodney Bay. The most popular local drink in Saint Lucia is rum punch, also called “Rocket Fuel”, “Jungle Juice” or “The Baby Maker”.
Vieux Fort is located in the southernmost part of Saint Lucia. It is the second largest city on the island and a popular anchorage for yacht charters. A new modern part of Vieux Fort has been erected in recent years, but if you walk down Clark Street and its surrounding streets, you will still see what is known as “The Old Town”. On Fridays stroll through the open market where you can buy local produce such as fruit, ground groceries, and spices. It is also home to the largest fish market in St. Lucia, where you can buy some of the best and tastiest fish in the world, from coral fish to tuna.
One-way yacht charter options are available to Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, or Grenada. Check with your charter company for details.
Diving: St. Lucia’s warm, clear waters and numerous spectacular reefs and marine life offer a perfect environment for both beginners and experienced divers. Many hotels offer diving facilities and snorkel equipment, and there are several independent dive centers offering short boat dives, night dives and a variety of diving courses.