Lush CaribbeanSaint Lucia

A surprising island with mythical peaks, lush vegetation, charming fishing villages
and a festive atmosphere.

In brief

Just 40 km south of Martinique and 32 km north of St. Vincent, beautiful St. Lucia is part of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and, more generally, of the Commonwealth.

The emblem of the island and the backdrop for your anchorages, the Pitons, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, dominate the entire south-west coast and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lush vegetation, flora and fauna and exceptional seabed make for superb diving and walking. At sea, admire the coral gardens , turtles, moray eels, parrot fish and seahorses. On land, follow the paths that take you to the heights for panoramic views of the West Indian beaches. The sand ranges from golden in the north of the island to silver and black in the more volcanic southwest.

In addition to its magnificent natural beauty, Saint Lucia cultivates the art of celebration with its renowned music festivals and lively Friday nights, where Caribbean music and dance mingle with the flavors of grilled fish.

By catamaran, departing from Marigot Bay or Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia can be combined with other islands such as Martinique or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Information before you leave

Formalities

French nationals from mainland France, Martinique and Guadeloupe may be exempted from the passport requirement when entering Saint Lucia, provided they are able to present a valid identity card.

For other nationalities, please contact the relevant authorities.

Minors must carry their own valid document.

Please note that a passport may be required for air travel. Also, if you plan to visit other islands such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines, you'll need a passport valid for 6 months after your return date. What's more, if you're traveling via the United States, you'll need to fill in the ESTA electronic travel authorization form before departure.

Passengers bound for Saint Lucia arriving by air are invited to complete the electronic entry form prior to arrival: https: //travelslu.govt.lc/

Administrative formalities France Côte d'Azur

Boating license

No sailing license is required to sail in Saint Lucia.

However, in order to rent a catamaran without a skipper, a nautical CV will be requested at the time of booking.

To know more

Currency and exchange: The local currency is the East Caribbean dollar (EC$). The US dollar is accepted everywhere, as are international payment cards.

Time difference: GMT -4 hours. The time difference with France is 5 hours less in winter and 6 hours less in summer.

Language: English is the official language of Saint Lucia. French is also widely spoken on the island, as is Creole, a unique combination of European and African settler influences. Creole is considered the nation's "native" language.

Electricity: The standard in force in the country corresponds to the European standard: 220 volts, 50 Hz. Sockets are of the American type. In hotels, you'll need an adapter for G-type sockets.

Important contacts: Police: 911 or 999 / Fire brigade: 911 or 999

Getting to Saint Lucia: From France, access is via Martinique, Guadeloupe and possibly London. There are 2 airports on the island: Castries airport (SLU) in the north and Hewanorra international airport (UVF) in the south.

Saint Lucia and neighbouring islands in pictures

Traditional Houses, Saint Lucia, West Indies

Mayreau Beach, Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, West Indies

Admiralty Bay, Bequia Island, West Indies

The itineraries and anchorages we suggest are given for information only.

They can be adapted to suit your desires, weather and anchorage conditions (crowds, accessibility) and your departure base.

In the case of a skippered charter, the skipper, who is responsible for the smooth running of your cruise, will decide on the best navigation options in exchange with you.