St Lucia is where vast mountainous ranges meet the deep blue sea, where vibrant, colourful resorts offer luxury and where a laid back culture welcomes tourists with wide smiles, open hearts and open arms. It may be said that St Lucia is a destination of two islands – islands that are of stark contrast – Rodney Bay, in the north, provides for relaxation and all the welcome trappings of modern life, while Soufrière, in the south-west, offers exotic flora and fauna, secret beaches and a rich backdrop of ancient plantations, yacht charters in St Lucia offers adventure to St Vincent and the Grenadines to the south or Martinique to the north.
Located between Martinique and St Vincent, St Lucia is the largest of the Windward Islands, serving as a destination favoured by sailors for centuries. Those exploring St Lucia by water can look forward to a rich array of bays – each as beautiful as the last. St Lucia proactively promotes yachting, and for decades have been dedicated to out pipping other Caribbean islands as the stunning go-to island for sailors.
Key anchorages
Rodney Bay Marina is a wonderfully well-resourced marina, with electrical and mechanical contractors, many of whom actually work for large service companies and manufacturers.
Castries is a well-sheltered port and, marketplaces as the capital of the island of marketplaces and awe-inspiring views of Morne Fortune (a 2795ft mountain).
Soufrière Bay is a stunning marina that’s overlooked by The Grand and Petit Piton; the seafront is busy and the historic and natural sights so many in number that this region easily demands a two-night stopover.
Exploring the St Lucia coastline
St Lucia offers no less than 98 miles of stunning coastline to be explored – along with the way you may want to have an overnight stop at Leatherback, where turtles lay their eggs between March and August.
The waters that surround St Lucia are brimming with coral and dolphins alike (in fact, there are more than 20 differing species of whales and dolphins).
From every angle, St Lucia offers sweeping valleys and sky-scraping mountain ranges, although with many hidden coves to be discovered northbound, you may want to make this region your first port of call (and if you’re a diver, you may wish to visit Pigeon Island, where coral begins at 15 feet and extends downwards to 60 – along the way you’ll experience eagle rays, green morays, and barracuda).
St Lucia ashore
Whilst on your St Lucia yacht charter, become a part of the culture with the special events and festivals that are pre-planned each season. These take place throughout the island, with sporting events, national holidays, music festivals, religious celebrations and the ubiquitous Carnival all drawing tourists and locals in their droves.
Look forward to a round of golf amongst scenery unlike anywhere else in the world – the three key courses on St Lucia include the Sandals Resort’s 9-hole course, St. Lucia Golf and Country Club and the Sandals St. Lucia La Toc Golf.
Cast off in waters where game fishing is welcomed – with a wide variety of fish species found throughout the waters that surround the island. As a fisherman, you’ll be in good company in St Lucia, as fishing is very much a way of life here.
St Lucia yacht charter not only offers great local sailing, St Lucia is a strategic location to head up islands to Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe, as well as, a very convenient one way charter option with a convenient downwind sail to St Vincent and the Grenadines, before pressing on at leisure to Carriacou with a final stop and handover in Grenada.