Island Guide
St. Lucia
The most dramatic scenery in the Caribbean, and the island that surprises first-time cruisers the most.
Where the ship docks
Pointe Seraphine or La Place Carenage in Castries. Some smaller ships anchor off Soufriere instead, which puts you much closer to the Pitons.
Language
English is the official language. Many Saint Lucians also speak Kweyol, a French-based creole.
Currency
East Caribbean dollar (XCD). US dollars are widely accepted, though change often comes back in EC.
Terrain
Mountainous and green. Roads are steep and winding, so getting from Castries to Soufriere takes far longer than the distance suggests - budget the time.
Worth your day ashore
- Gros Piton and Petit Piton - a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Sulphur Springs at Soufriere, billed as a drive-in volcano
- Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and its mineral waterfall
- Marigot Bay - a sheltered harbour often called the prettiest in the Caribbean
- Snorkelling and diving at Anse Chastanet, right beneath the Pitons
- The Friday night street party at Gros Islet, if your ship stays late
Good to know
- The Pitons are on the far side of the island from Castries. If seeing them up close matters to you, choose an excursion that goes by boat - it is faster, and the view from the water is the postcard one.
- Those winding mountain roads affect anyone prone to motion sickness. The catamaran route avoids the worst of it.
- The sulphur springs smell exactly as advertised. It passes quickly, but do not wear anything you love.
St. Lucia brochure
Katie's printable guide to this port. Coming soon — drop the PDF at
assets/downloads/st-lucia-guide.pdf and this becomes a download
button.
Sailing to St. Lucia?
Katie will tell you which itineraries call here, how long you get ashore, and whether the excursion is worth booking through the ship.