Castries, St. Lucia Port Guide
caribbean port guide
Explore St. Lucia Cruise Port: What You Need to Know
Nestled in the eastern Caribbean Sea, St. Lucia Cruise Port is a well-regarded port and one of the sought-after “St.” islands itinerary, often called the “Saint” islands. People know these islands for their beautiful beaches, vibrant cultures, diverse activities, and, of course, having “St.” in their names.Along with St. Lucia, these also include St. Thomas, Sint Marten, St. Kitts, and others.
St. Lucia is a relatively small island, just 238 square miles, with two cruise ports. The main cruise port is in Castries, which is well-equipped to handle large cruise ships and offers a range of amenities for visitors and Soufrière. While the latter can also accommodate cruise visitors, it is primarily used for smaller vessels or as a tender port, so if you’re cruising to St. Lucia, chances are you’ll be docked at Castries.
The Castries cruise port in Saint Lucia accommodates up to four large cruise ships simultaneously, making it very crowded when at capacity. It’s not a tender port, and has a short pier, so it’s convenient for cruisers to easily get off the ship and to the terminal area.
About the St. Lucia Cruise Port
The St. Lucia cruise port, located in the vibrant city of Castries, is a prime destination for several major American cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The Castries cruise port features two main terminals: Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage.Cruise passengers primarily use Pointe Seraphine, the larger of the two, which offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and amenities.
St. Lucia’s cruise port is notable for its proximity to some of the island’s top attractions, making it a convenient starting point for exploring. The city of Castries, right where cruise ships dock, has a population of approximately 20,000 residents and is a gritty working community.
It’s important to note that, like many other Caribbean nations such as Curaçao and Antigua, civilians in Belize are prohibited from wearing camouflage, so leave that at home (or back on the ship). The legal drinking age here is 18..
From St. Lucia Cruise Port to the City Center
The St. Lucia cruise port is conveniently located just 1.5 miles from the city center of Castries. While it’s walkable (about 30 minutes), I don’t recommend it. As noted above, Castries is more of a working community, and there’s not much to do or see here, nor is it exactly scenic.
If your itinerary calls on Castries, your best bet is to take a taxi to a nearby beach (there are many) for a great beach day or book an excursion. If you do want to explore the town on foot, notable sites include Derek Walcott Square, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries Market, and La Place Carenage.
Taxis in St. Lucia
Ride-share services like Uber are available in Castries, but there are plenty of other ways to get around. Minibuses are the primary mode of transport for locals and are often the most affordable option. Taxis, identifiable by their light blue TX plates, are readily available with fares depending on the destination and number of passengers. I don’t recommend renting a car here, especially as car rentals require a special temporary driving license.
A taxi stand is located right outside the cruise terminal area, but be cautious to avoid scams. In my experience, a driver offered me a fare of $15 per person one way for a shared shuttle ride to nearby Vigie Beach. When I balked at that price, and walked away, they chased me down and the price magically became $5. So unlike other cruise ports like Falmouth, Jamaica, where taxi prices are set, and clearly marked on signs, pricing here seems a bit more… loose, shall we say. So be sure to negotiate.
Beaches at the St. Lucia Cruise Port
The Castries, St. Lucia cruise port does not have direct beach access, nor are there any beaches within feasible walking distance. Vigie Beach is the closest, and one could technically walk there in about 30 minutes, but I don’t advise doing that in the hot Caribbean sun. Fortunately, many great beach options are nearby and are easily accessible by taxi or shared shuttle service.
Vigie Beach
Located just 1.5 miles from the port, Vigie Beach is the closest to the cruise port, and offers a beautiful sandy beach. This is the beach that I chose on a recent visit to St. Lucia, and I really liked it. The shuttle ride was short, and the beach wasn’t overly crowded.
Also, taxis are readily available to take you back to the cruise port, and local vendors are on hand to rent loungers and umbrellas to those who want them. It’s a free public beach with nearby amenities such as beach bars and restaurants, so it’s a great spot that I recommend.
La Toc Beach
La Toc Beach is another great nearby beach option, located approximately 2.2 miles from the Castries cruise port. Like Vigie, this is a picturesque beach with golden sands and clear waters. The beach is public and free to access, although only guests of Sandals La Toc, which fronts the beach, can use the nearby resort facilities. People regard this beach as beautiful and clean and appreciate that it doesn’t get overly crowded.
Malabar Beach
Malabar Beach is just 2.5 miles from the cruise port and is known as a serene public beach offering free access. Cruisers give it positive marks for its clean, soft sand and clear waters, providing a peaceful retreat away from crowded tourist spots. While this beach offers a nice, relaxed vibe, note the limited amenities, such as bars and restaurants.
Things to Do in Castries
As noted above, there isn’t much to do at or near the St. Lucia cruise port, other than typical cruise port shops and restaurants. The main thing cruisers do when visiting this port is a beach day, but if that’s not your thing, here are some other popular options.
Soufrière and the Pitons
Located 27 miles from the port, the town of Soufrière (French for “sulfur”) is home to the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Pitons are twin volcanic spires and are a must-see and a popular excursion for cruisers visiting Castries. Tours to the Pitons often include visits to the nearby Sulphur Springs and Botanical Gardens. These sites are generally offered as a combo excursion by the cruise lines and independent tour operators, like this .
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
At approximately 26 miles from the port, the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens offer a tranquil retreat with lush flora and a stunning waterfall. Entrance fees are about $7.50, and you can explore the gardens at your own pace. The site is approximately a 50-minute drive from the port. Given this distance, I recommend booking it as an excursion through the cruise line to ensure you return to the ship on time. You can also book this as an independent excursion, which includes mineral and mud baths.
Pigeon Island National Landmark
At 7 miles from the port, Pigeon Island National Landmark is a great attraction that’s much closer to the port, and combines history and natural beauty. It’s a 20-minute taxi ride away, with an entry fee of $10 USD for adults and $3 USD for children aged 5-12. Children under 5 can enter for free. This historic site offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance, featuring hiking trails, military ruins, and stunning viewpoints. Some independent operators offer coastal bike tours to Pigeon Island.
Rodney bay
Rodney Bay is a vibrant village and marina not far from the cruise port (about 6 miles) and is known for its excellent restaurants, shops, and a beach with a splash park. It offers a ton of options for cruisers, such as zip-lining, ATV rides, horseback riding, aerial tram tours, waterfall hikes, mountain biking, and even Segway tours. There’s so much to do here that it’s a great option to fill a port day.
Language and Currency
In Castries, the official language is English, making it easy for visitors to communicate and navigate. Additionally, Saint Lucians often speak Saint Lucian Creole (Kwéyòl) and widely use it in informal settings. During my visit, every local I encountered spoke fluent English.
People use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) as currency and commonly accept it alongside the US Dollar (USD), providing convenience for international travelers. The exchange rate is generally stable, with approximately EC$2.70 equating to 1 USD. During my visit, every vendor and transportation provider accepted US currency, so converting currency wasn’t necessary here.
Note that in many Caribbean ports of call, vendors generally accept US currency, but they might not if the bills are overly worn, contain marks, or are torn or damaged. In this case, they may provide change back in the form of the local currency.
People widely accept credit cards, but they are not universal. In most locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is common. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
St. Lucia Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The St. Lucia cruise ship schedule can be found at Cruisemapper.
Climate and What to Wear
St. Lucia enjoys great weather with a tropical climate and average temperatures ranging from 77°F to 86°F.The island experiences a dry season from December to May and a wet season from June to November. I recommend wearing lightweight, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and swimwear for beach visits.
Time Zone
Tracking time zones can complicate cruising, especially on itineraries with multiple time zone changes during one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to keep your phone or watch set to ship time. As for the port, St. Lucia operates on Atlantic Standard Time (AST). Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially ensuring you stay coordinated with ship time.
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