St Lucia Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for St Lucia

Charming and lush, St Lucia boasts tropical rainforests, pastoral landscapes, immaculate beaches and refreshing trade winds. A unique blend of Caribbean, British and French cultures, the island is also home to the world-famous UNESCO heritage site of the Pitons, two volcanic peaks in the south. Its laidback ambiance draws many travelers, including newlyweds.

COORDINATES: 13º09N, 61º00W

LANGUAGE: English (official); Creole French (spoken)

CAPITAL: Castries

WEATHER: Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds. Dry season is from December through May, rainy season is June through November. Average daytime temperatures are around 29C (84F), nighttime sees an average of 18C (64F).

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: December-April

AIRPORTS: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) near Vieux Fort Quarter in the south is the larger of the island's two airports. Some of the destinations are: Barbados, Grenada, Port of Spain; Miami, New York, Toronto; London
Airlines include: Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic

TIME: UTC-4

CURRENCY: East Caribbean dollar (XCD); USD accepted in many establishments but change given in XCD. Visa and MasterCard accepted in major establishments such as resorts and restaurants. ATMs available in banks.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V, 50 Hz

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan New Year's Day
22 Feb Independence Day
Mar/Apr Good Friday
Easter Monday
1May Labor Day
May/Jun Whit Monday
Corpus Christi
1 Aug Emancipation Day
1st Mon in Oct Thanksgiving
13 Dec National Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS: Rodney Bay Marina, Castries;
Marigot Bay

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: Reduit Beach, Plantation Beach, Choc Beach, Vigie Beach, Anse Cochon, Laborie Beach, Sandy Beach

CULTURAL: Locals are very friendly and welcoming, encouraging visitors to enjoy their leisurely island lifestyle. Beachwear is strictly confined to the beach, some restaurants and hotels encourage a more formal dress for dinner. Wearing camouflage clothing (including children) is taken as an offense.