yachting

Official Publication of the St Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association


	ISLAND YACHTING

yachting CASTRIES HARBOUR

Vigie Creek (near GFL Charles Airport) and Castries City are the harbour's two main anchorages. Services include repair and replenishment facilities, hardware shops, restaurants and the capital's open-air market. Vigie is the more secluded of the two anchorages.
When entering Castries Harbour, it is necessary to avoid the shoal that extends to the west of Tapion Peak. Vigie Hill has a light that flashes twice every 10 seconds, allowing you to easily identify the harbour at night.
Castries does have Customs officials, but it is easier for yachtsmen to clear through Rodney Bay or Marigot. Officials insist that yachts entering the harbour come directly to the Customs' dock (if there is no room, anchor east of the Customs buoy). It is wise not to ignore this directive as a huge fine could be incurred.
The Vigie Marina at Ganters Bay is to become a new maritime terminal reserved for regional passenger vessels. This will also be an official port of entry.

Facilities at Castries Harbour:

Harbour/Yacht Services
Pointe Seraphine Cruise Ship and Harbour 452-3036
8 am to 5 pm Duty-free shopping

St. Lucia Yacht Services
452-5057 or VHF 16 8:30 am - 4 pm
Car rentals; water; fuel; electricity; 10-20 berths.

Restaurants

Froggie Jacques Tropical Bistro
458-1900, Mon. to Sat., Lunch & Dinner

The Coal Pot
452-5566, Mon. to Fri., 12 pm to 12 am;
Saturday 6 pm to 12 am

Café au Lait
All week 7 am to 8 pm
Castries Yacht Centre 452-6234 or VHF 16 8 am to 4 pm

SOUFRIERE

Home of the island's most famous twins, the Pitons, Soufrière offers dramatic backdrops for visiting boats. While Soufrière itself is an official port of entry, anchorages can also be found at Anse Chastanet, just north of Soufrière Bay, and off the Hummingbird Beach Resort north of Soufrière town. The Soufrière Marine Management Area issues Coral Conservation Permits to all vessels anchoring within the management area. The cost of the permit depends on vessel size and length of stay. Authorised members of the Soufrière Water Taxi Association will help tie stern lines and are available for any kind of water transfer service. Rates are standard and they will also provide watchman services when boat owners are ashore. In Soufrière, there are plenty of sights to be explored both above and below the water line.

RODNEY BAY

Rodney Bay is over a mile long with a man-made causeway at its northern end that connects Pigeon Island to the mainland and shelters the whole bay. Within the bay is a large, completely protected inner lagoon, accessed via a man-made channel between Reduit Beach and the town of Gros Islet. This lagoon, dredged to 15ft., is the home of Rodney Bay Marina. It is also the ARC's (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) Caribbean home.

Within the Marina's complex there are restaurants, boutiques, banks with ATM facilities, public telephones, a supermarket, and car rental agency. The services of a well-stocked, duty-free chandlery, banks, showers and bathroom facilities are also available. Visitors can also take advantage of the many fine restaurants, shops and hotels in the vicinity. Rodney Bay Marina (VHF 16) is an official port of entry to St. Lucia. If you're planning to stay at the Marina, you must dock at a berth and walk to the Immigration and Customs office.

If you're planning to anchor out at Reduit Beach, Gros Islet or Pigeon Point, the Marina is the most convenient port of entry into St. Lucia. A Customs' slip is located approximately two-thirds of the way down the outer dock at Rodney Bay Marina and is marked by a yellow post. Use of the Customs slip is free of charge. Immigration and Customs are usually open daily from 8 am to noon and from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Facilities at Rodney Bay Marina:

The Rodney Bay Marina offers a range of services. Official services are offered at the Customs & Immigration Office (452 0235), open Saturday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The RBM Office is also open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Additionally, you have access to charters, restaurants and cafés, shops, banks and a range of miscellaneous services. Fuel, water, phones, dry dock and transportation are all available at Rodney Bay Marina.

VIEUX FORT

Home to St. Lucia's main international airport, Hewanorra, and the island's second-largest town, Vieux Fort is nevertheless still somewhat off the beaten track as far as most tourists go. Sporting one of the longest stretches of soft, sandy beach and offering the island's first (proposed) National Park, this official port of entry offers a more unspoiled version of the island's charm. Anchorages are off the town's big ship dock, where Customs can be found, or beside the brandnew Fisheries Complex. The town offers basic mechanical services, two well-assorted supermarkets/shopping malls and a great selection of fresh fruits, fish and vegetables on the Saturday market. Anse de Sable Bay, on Vieux Fort's reef-protected Atlantic coast, is proving to be one of the Caribbean's finest windsurfing locations, with state-of-the-art equipment for rent.
For more information on St. Lucia's marine laws, follow the marine guidelines included here (traduit en français) or check with the Department of Fisheries at 452-3987/2611, ext. 2811.


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