St Lucia luxury yacht charter
For Caribbean flavour, colourful history, world-class diving and lush tropical scenery, a luxury yacht charter in Saint Lucia (shortened to St Lucia) ticks all the boxes. A jewel in the crown of the beguiling Windward Islands, the country is home to azure bays, dazzling sands and volcanic spectacles, with the famous peaks of its Pitons mountains welcoming guests on arrival into Soufrière. St Lucia's bountiful natural assets, combined with the technicolour bays and cays of the neighbouring Grenadines, makes this a cruising haven for nature lovers, adventurers and sun-seekers alike.
St Lucia yacht season and weather
St Lucia’s climate is tropical with year-round temperatures rarely dipping below 27°C at sea level. The dry winter season runs from December to April. The official hurricane season is July to November and though the risk of hurricanes is small you may encounter tropical storms during this period.
St Lucia yacht charter itineraries
From buzzing Rodney Bay on the north west coast of St Lucia, charter yachts can head 30 nautical miles north to the French-Caribbean paradise of Martinique or cruise south along St Lucia’s majestic west coast, which is dotted with crescent beaches and sublime snorkelling sites.
Take the tender into Castries to visit the world’s only ‘drive in’ volcano. Visit the springs, mud baths and hike to the crater before slipping past more rainforested slopes en route to the natural harbour of Marigot Bay.
South of Marigot Bay, the emerald-cloaked twin peaks of the Pitons come into view. The marine park at Anse Chastanet boasts spectacular reefs for snorkelling and diving, while on shore the area between Anse Chastanet beach and Jalousie Plantation Beach is home to some of the Caribbean’s best hotels and spas.
On a one or two-week itinerary there is ample time to jump off to the magical Grenadines. It is a 50 nautical mile passage to the jungle-topped jewel of St Vincent where sun, sea and rainforest adventures abound. Cruise 20 nautical miles south to the white shores and piercing blues of Bequia and 10 nautical miles onto the exclusive enclave of Mustique.
The water-colour lagoons of Canouan lie 10 nautical miles south of beautiful Mustique, while a patchwork of bays, reefs and islets unfurl at the Tobago Cays Marine Park – a snorkel and scuba diving paradise. It’s a short hop to Carriacou, an island with more crystalline waters, show-stopping reefs and 200 rum shops. A leisurely 20 nautical mile trip from Carriacou, the “Spice Island” of Grenada boasts waterfalls, rainforests, and golden beaches along with fascinating cocoa plantations and friendly island vibes on shore.
Marigot Bay can accommodate yachts up to 85 metres, while IGY Rodney Bay Marina has berths for yachts up to 86 metres. Secret Harbour in Grenada takes yachts up to 60 metres.
St Lucia by superyacht
Getting to St Lucia
St Lucia has two main airports; Hewanorra International Airport and the smaller George F L Charles Airport. Both handle commercial and private jets. George F L Charles Airport predominantly handles flights to and from other Caribbean destinations and is located 2 kilometres north of Castries.
Helicopter charters operate from Hewanorra and George F L Charles to facilitate swift transfers between the north and south of the island.
Maurice Bishop International Airport on Grenada island handles commercial and private jet aircraft. Lauriston airport on Carriacou also handles private jets.
Legal requirements
Charters must clear customs as they pass through each country in the Windward Island chain. Fees for the clearing process tend to vary. A Customs and Immigration department is conveniently situated within the Marigot Bay marina facilities.