Saint Lucia – Yachting from Mediagistic Inc on Vimeo.
St Lucia has five (5) official port of entry:
Castries & Ganter’s Harbour
Marigot Bay Marina
IGY Rodney Bay Marina
Soufriere Harbour
Vieux Fort Harbour
Most cruising visitors will first enter the magnificent Rodney Bay. It was Admiral Nelson’s first choice anchorage and was in fact named after Admiral Rodney. Today there is access to two inner lagoons, one of which includes the marina that plays host each year to the ARC transatlantic yachts which arrive in December after crossing from the Canary Islands.
In the bay you can find watersports of all kinds, para-sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, dinghy sailing and fishing.
Mariners needing to stretch their legs will mount Pigeon Point to visit the fort and take in the wonderful view from the top. It is easy to imagine great square-rigged armada of fighting ships anchored in the bay awaiting the call to arms.
The many facilities available will meet the needs of most yachtsmen, from marine hardware to cool beers and good food.
Some seven miles to the south of Rodney Bay lies the deep inlet known as Marigot Bay. Completely sheltered, it provides a secure anchorage or mooring with attractive facilities ashore. This is a good base for day boaters, for there are many secluded beaches and coves within easy reach, and local boats for hire.
The coasts of St Lucia provide a rich and exciting venue for boating of all kinds. For the visiting yachtsman there are deep and sheltered bays for anchoring, and for the day boat enthusiast, beaches and coves suitable for swimming or picnicking.
Marine Guidelines
ALL VESSELS must proceed directly to a port of entry, no crew or passenger should embark or disembark prior to reporting the vessel to Customs (Castries, Vieux Fort, Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay or Soufrière.)
DO NOT land ashore any animals, except with the permission of the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Any Vessel remaining in Port in excess of seventy-two hours (72 hours) MUST obtain a separate clearance prior to departure.
The use of, and trafficking of Narcotics are strictly prohibited.
DO NOT land ashore any fruits, plants or plant parts without the permission of the Plant Quarantine Officer.
DO NOT flush your toilets or holding tanks within at least one mile from shore.
DO NOT dump any garbage or sewage in our waters or along our shoreline. Find an appropriate garbage container to dispose of your wastes.
DO NOT buy or collect live or dead coral. It is illegal to buy, sell or collect coral of any kind (black coral, white coral, skeletons, sea fans etc.) If you buy a conch shell, make sure it has a “flared lip” extending out from the main shell.
DO NOT damage coral or coral reef areas by standing or bumping into coral, or placing your anchor on a coral area.
DO NOT use a speargun within the national waters of Saint Lucia (only licensed nationals are permitted to do so). You are required to obtain a license from the Department of Fisheries to do any type of fishing in the waters of Saint Lucia. However, trawling a line behind a vessel is tolerated.
DO NOT anchor in any area designated as a Fishing Priority Area.
This includes: Roseau Bay, the northeastern corner of Soufrière Bay, the north and southern flanks of Malgretoute, the inner Jalousie Bay (Anse des Pitons), and Anse L’Ivroigne. You may anchor in the following Fishing Priority Areas at Trou l’ouranger and Anse Cochon from 9 am to 5 pm, however, you must give way to fishing if asked to do so.
DO report the presence of large fishing vessels fishing within the marine waters of St. Lucia to the Marine Police or the Department of Fisheries. St. Lucia has not given permission for any foreign vessel to operate within her waters.
DO NOT dive within a Marine Reserve (this includes the reef between Anse Galete and Anse Cochon, the reef from Anse Chastanet to the southern side of Grande Caille, reef from just west of Rachette Point eastward to Bat Cave, reef around Petit Piton and around Gros Piton) without the required permit. Dives within reserves must be made with a licensed local dive operator. Individuals who have chartered yachted equipped for scuba must purchase a dive permit from the SMMA offices, they must also employ the services of an authorised dive guide, recognised by the SMMA.
DO report any fishing gear which has been sighted on coral reef areas to the Marine Police to the Department of Fisheries (who are authorized to remove such gear). Under no circumstances should you remove or interfere with such gear yourself.
DO report any defective or inoperative aids to navigation to the local coast guard radio station, Vigie Lighthouse or Moule à Chique Lighthouse via VHF Channel 16.
DO enjoy our beautiful beaches and coastal waters. With your help we can make sure that they are here to stay for a long time. Keep it Clean!
