St. Lucia Travel Information & Planning Guide

Find everything you need to prepare for a charter in St. Lucia. From important base information to required documents for international travel, you can use this information as your guide before and during your charter. Don’t forget to pack a copy to take with you.

Plan

Before you go

Address
Rodney Bay Marina
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, West Indies

Base hours
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week with (evening staff to cover until all flights have arrived).                                                       

Time zone
UTC/GMT -4 hours

What to bring

Customs + immigration
Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Visit Travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Sailing licenses
No sailing licenses are required for cruising in this region. We strongly advise that you take any sailing certification on holiday with you as this is useful should you be contacted by Customs or Port Police. 

The skipper and first mate will be required to fill in a sailing resume prior to arrival at the base to confirm that they have the necessary skills to sail in this region.

Luggage + packing list
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht. The base has no facilities for holding luggage. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list below for required and necessary items to bring.

• Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag*
• Passport and other travel documentation
• Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities
• Light-colored, light-weight clothing
• Formal wear for upscale dining establishments
• Swimwear and cover-up
• Hats and sunglasses
• Sandals and flip-flops
• Athletic shoes and hiking boots
• Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products
• Bug spray and OTC pain relievers/ointments such as motion sickness relief
• 12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**)
• 12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices

*We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt, and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do. 
**All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a “car” outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations.

Drones
The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-saint-lucia/.

Currency
Local currency – Eastern Caribbean Dollar

US dollars and US dollar traveler’s cheques are also used throughout the Windwards. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted in most places. AMEX is accepted as well but may incur a 3 to 4 percent charge per transaction.

We cannot exchange any money or traveler cheques at the base.

Gratuity
Gratuity is appreciated and the amount of tip is typically 10 to 15 percent of the final charter cost.

Security deposit
A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or Master Card and is refundable at the end of your charter subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.

What’s onboard

Coolers
Cool boxes are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge. Please sign these out and return them clean and undamaged otherwise you will be charged for replacement. Only one per boat.

Mobile phones
Check with your service provider for information about cell coverage in this region. Card and coin phones can be found all over the island. You can buy phone cards in post offices and some shops.

Music + iPods
While most of our newer boats have Bluetooth capability, we cannot guarantee all boats are outfitted with this equipment. For your convenience, we highly recommend you bring an AUX cord so you can listen to music from your mobile devices.

Electricity
The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. Electricity in St. Lucia is 110 volts AC, 50Hz, and uses the standard US 2-pin plug. In order to use electronic equipment that is 220 volts, you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter.

For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here.

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Go

How to get there

Airport
George Charles (Vigie) Airport is about 15 minutes from the base.

Hewanorra International Airport is about an hour and a half-hour from the base, depending on traffic. Guests may take a ferry from Martinique, which takes about 90 minutes.

Transfers
From George Charles (Vigie) Airport it takes about 15 minutes. It costs approximately USD 25 for the first three people, and USD 10 for each extra passenger each way.

From Hewanorra International Airport it takes about an hour and a half. It costs approximately USD 90 for the first three people, and USD 25 per person for each extra passenger each way.

Boarding time + checking out

Boarding time
6:00 PM

You will not be able to leave the dock until the next day.

Late arrivals
If you arrive after our office closes, a letter will be left on the office door and a sign with your name will be placed on your designated boat. 

Check out time
11:00 AM

A debriefing and final walkthrough will be done upon return so please allow enough time to complete this before the charter end time.

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Sail

About the marina

Marina facilities
A fully serviced marina including a hotel, restaurants, and a bank.

Water
Showers
Pool
Garbage disposal
Provisioning
Accommodation
Bar and restaurants
Money change (limited amounts)

Sailing grounds

Experience level
Level 3

Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. View here for more information.

Sailing area restrictions
Outside our cruising grounds would be Barbados, the US Virgin Islands, and the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Rest of the Caribbean: no further than 20 miles out from Puerto Rico to Grenada,
excluding Saba, Montserrat, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago.

There are some other restrictions throughout the whole Caribbean, which are detailed in the Caribbean Introduction section.

It is strictly forbidden to sail alone, we require a two-person minimum on board.

Night sailing
You must be moored at least one hour before sunset. Night Sailing is not allowed without permission from the base manager. The decision to allow night sailing is based on your skill level and can be requested in advance. 
You will need to fill out the Sailing resume for the base to review but we cannot guarantee approval.

Charts + pilot books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.

Cruising + sailing guides

Download Sunsail’s St. Lucia Cruising Guide.

Download Doyle Guide’s Cruising Guide for The Windward Islands.

Sailing permits + taxes
St. Lucia cruising permit
USD 7.50-20

St. Vincent cruising permit
USD 0.75/ft

Grenada cruising permit
Up to 40 feet: USD 20
40-60 feet: USD 29
60-80 feet: USD 39
80 feet and over: USD 58

Skippered Charters
There are several different countries represented within the cruising grounds of the Windward Islands and each of them requires customs/immigration clearance upon arrival and departure. Fees vary based on the country, yacht, number of passengers, itinerary etc. All charters with a skipper are encouraged to provide the skipper with an initial $500 at the beginning their charter. This money will be used to cover costs for customs fees as well as mooring ball fees for the duration of the charter. The total amount needed may be less or it may be more. At the end of the charter, the skipper will return any remaining funds along with receipts for all money spent. ATMs are limited in the cruising grounds so it’s important to plan ahead for these fees.

Moorings fees + taxes
St. Lucia
USD 12-16

St. Vincent
31-51 feet: ECD 100
51 feet and over: ECD140

Grenada
USD 6-22

Payable when clearing at customs.

The Windward Islands are four separate countries:

Martinique (part of France)
St. Lucia (south of Martinique)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (south to PSV)
Grenada (including Carriacou and Petit Martinique)
Mooring facilities are provided in some areas for overnight stays. These are managed by local restaurants and bars or marinas. Charges are variable but start at USD 20 a night.

A marine park fee for Tobago Cays is ECD 10 per day, per person. This can’t be purchased in advance at our base; it will be done at the marine park facility.

Health + safety

Travel advice
St. Lucia is generally risk-free of contagious disease. Current travel, health, and safety information can be obtained by visiting gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Travel Insurance
Sunsail offers comprehensive travel insurance for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Sunsail holiday. Visit here for more details.

*Please note country entry/exit and vaccination/immunization requirements can and do change. Sunsail is not accountable for these requirement changes and we advise visiting the destination’s authority website to receive the latest updates.

Swim Safe 

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents, and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets, and Diver Down flags are all available on board. 

Children:

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth, and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

Look out for others

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party, and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

Do not overestimate your ability

• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming techniques.
• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open-water swimming can be very different.

Safety

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat onboarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are traveling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.  

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy. 

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Eat

Provisioning

Sunsail Provisioning
This destination offers online provisioning. All provisioning orders should be placed no later than 7 days prior to the charter start date. Visit store.sunsail.com to order.

For more information, visit here for our different provisioning options.

Supermarkets
Small supermarket in the marina, but there is a larger supermarket 5 minutes away from the base.

Dining

Restaurants
Cafe Ole
Bosum Restaurant
Rituals Sushi Restaurant

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Shop

Around the base

Accommodations
Harbor Club Hotel
Bay Gardens Beach
Bay Gardens Hotel
Bay Gardens lnn
Coco Palm Hotel
Marina Haven
Blu, Ginger Lilly, and Harmony Suites

Banks
A 1st National Bank is located in the Marina Village and is open Mon-Thurs from 8am-2pm, Friday 8am – 4pm and on Saturdays from 8am-12pm and is closed on Sunday. There’s also a 24-hour ATM machine beside the bank.

There are other banks in Rodney Bay with similar opening hours, although they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Play

Things to do

Tours
Hiking,  horseback riding, ATV tours, Botanical tours, visit mud baths, and whale watching.

Water toys + sports

For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base but please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our water sports options here.

Scuba diving
Scuba diving packages are available. Please contact us for more information on diving.

Snorkeling
Sunsail provides snorkeling gear, but at this time will not be supplying snorkels or masks only flippers. Children’s sizes are very limited; you may wish to pack your own snorkeling gear.

Fishing
A range of fishing gear is available. Please contact us for more information. Seasonal catches include mackerel, king mackerel, white marlin, barracuda, kingfish, and sailfish.

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For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here.