Boating, Yachting and Ports of Entry
Last updated: September 2007

Free Spirit boat charters Free Spirit is an opportunity for the more discerning guest to sample St.Lucia from the sea. Get away from the crowded catamarans and white rum punches and loud boom boom music! Instead enjoy a personal and private day out with the best of food, drinks and service. :: View profile page ::
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Captain Mikes Sport Fishing & Whale Watching Sport fishing in St Lucia is a rewarding experience with Captain Mike's friendly and experienced crew. This company is the oldest and most well established sport fishing outfit on the island. Try your luck for : Sailfish, Wahoo, King Fish, Dorado, Mackerel, Baracuda, Tuna, and of course Marlin ! Learners Welcome. ☎. (758) 452 7044 www.captmikes.com
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Exortic Tours Start your day of adventure with a relaxing boat ride from Castries to the charming west coast of St Lucia, this is your opportunity to savour some truly spectacular scenes, as we ease our way along the coast. Experience serene bays, historic fishing villages, sandy shores, attractive seaside resorts, our world famous twin peaks - the Pitons and much more... www.exortictours.com ☎. (758) 452 5051 | (758) 720 6277
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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.

St Lucia has five (5) official port of entry:

Castries & Ganter’s Bay

Castries and Vieux Fort are the main commercial marine ports in St Lucia. The island has several marinas and harbours catering to yachts and ferryboats from around the world. Services include repair and replenishment facilities, hardware shops, restaurants and the capital’s open-air market with vendor archade near by.

When entering Castries Harbour, it is necessary to avoid the shoal that extends to the west of Tapion Peak. Vigie Hill has a lighthouse light that flashes twice every 10 seconds, allowing you to easily identify the harbour by night.

Castries Harbour 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 fine could be incurred.

Facilities at Castries Harbour include Harbour/Yacht Services; Pointe Seraphine Duty-free shopping; Cruise Ship & Harbour (758) 452-3036 open from 8 am to 5 pm; St. Lucia Yacht Services (758) 452-5057 or VHF Channel 16, available from 8:30 am - 4 pm;
car rental facilities; water; fuel; electricity; 10-20 berths. The bay also hold a number of enjoyable restaurants including -
Jacques Waterfront Dining (758) 458-1900 Mon to Sat, The Coal Pot - Vigie Marina - Ganter's Bay  (758) 452-5566 opened Mon. to Fri., 12 pm to 12 am; Saturday 6 pm to 12 am.

Ganter’s Bay in Castries, is a marina for yachts and sail boats; the Castries port has a recently renovated pier for the large ferryboats that come in regularly from Martinique. This bay also houses Point Seraphine, the stop off point for all cruise ships stopping through our beautiful port.

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Marigot Bay

Marigot Bay, this completely sheltered anchorage is a breathtaking bay with a small marina, this is the anchor point for some chartered boats and catamarans; Also frequently used as a hurricane hole. Lies approximately one mile south of the Hess Oil depot at Cul de Sac Bay.

When entering Marigot Harbour, stay to the southern side of the channel. Anchor anywhere in the inner harbour (the holding is fair in soft mud), then make your way to Customs & Immigration. Marigot Harbour is an official port of entry.

Dock Facilities

The docks in the south east corner of the bay can accommodate yachts up to a 16ft draft, and have already seen yachts in excess of 160ft LOA using the facilities. Stern-to and alongside berthing available.

The docks themselves are managed by The Moorings with 60% of the berths designated specifically for visiting yachts. Rates start at US$0.62 per foot per day for yachts up to 100ft and US$1 per foot for yachts over 100ft. Water and electricity [110v / 220v~240v - 50 Hz] are available with a high-pressure re-fueling facility planned for early 2006.

The bay itself benefits from Customs and Immigration services giving it the status of an official Port of Entry, plus 24 hours security.

For more information about this marina go to: The Marina Village

Rodney Bay Marina

Rodney Bay Marina is the largest yacht and sail boat marina of the island; it is also our own marina lagoon. Located in the north of the island of St. Lucia, the Rodney Bay Marina is situated in a well-sheltered lagoon making it safe and secure. A short dinghy ride from most exotic beaches and tourist spots on the island, the Marina is designed to provide for all the needs of travel-weary yachtsmen and far, far more!

SERVICES / TENANTS
 
Art Galleries

Caribbean Art Gallery

Banking

First Caribbean International Bank Banking services (formerly Barclays Bank)
Royal Bank of Canada

Car Rental

Candida's Car Rental
TJ's Car Rental Rental cars

Vacation / Corporate

Communication/Internet Cable & Wireless Caribbean Cellular CellPhone Sales

Computer Design

Scribble Designs
Computer Repairs/Servicing/Parts Simply Digital

Concierge Desk

Barefoot Holidays

Duty Free

Drop Anchor 
Island Water World Chandlery 

Boatyard

Fuel: Diesel/ Gas
Electrical Repair Regis Electronics Sales & Service 
Fiber Glassing Mermaid Repairs
Floral Arrangements Flower Shack
Laundry/ Propane Gas Suds Laundry

Liquor/ Supermarket

G’s Marine Mart
Bryden & Partners - House of Wines Liquor store 
Masseuse Soothing Touch Massage

Marine Services

Marina or Boatyard Office 
Priority Mail FEDEX

Restaurants/ Café/ Bars

Boatyard Pub
Bosun's
Café Olé  
The Bread Basket Coffee Shop & Patisserie
Scuttlebutts
 
Sail Repairs

The Sail Loft

Taxi

Rodney Bay Taxi

Tours/ Travel Agency

Air Caraibes
Channel Shuttles
Seaspray Cruises
Watersports World
Barnards Travel Travel Agency

Utilities

Lucelec 
Welding ARC Dynamic

Yacht Charters

DSL Charters Yacht charter company 
Destination St. Lucia (DSL)

Government Services

St. Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority (SLASPA)
Customs and Immigration

For more information about this marina go to: Rodney Bay Marina Website

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Soufriere

Home of st Lucia's famous twin peaks, 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.

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Vieux Fort

This official port of entry offers a quiet, laid-back and authentically local venue for st Lucia yachting. Anchorages are off the town's big ship dock, where Customs can be found, or beside the 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. A beautiful white sand beach with windsurfing and kitesurfing stations is located nearby, as well as several restaurants, shops, and attractions.

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.