Port of St Lucia Cruise Ship Terminals in Castries

You can take a hike into Edmund forest reserve, which is accessible from St. Jacques, or hike the mile-long trail through Barre de Isla forest reserve, which is closer to Castries. When doing a hike in St. Lucia, you are provided a guide who leads you through scenic trails, where you can explore beautiful tropical flowers, plants, and even animals. Soufriere is located south of Castries, and it takes about 75 minutes to get there by road. The way to the town is on a windy road, and the journey can be tiring. Marigot Bay features big resorts and private residences and bears a laid-back vibe to it that is just perfect for vacation. There is plenty to eat here, and one of the most popular restaurants is the “Hurricane Hole.” It serves delicious St. Lucia cuisine as well as international favorites.

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The silvery sands of Anse Chastanet Beach and the abundance of swaying palm trees make this beach a nice escape. The picnic tables on the beach are great for having picnic lunches while enjoying the coast and views of the island of Martinique in the distance. Book a Whale watching tour and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience on a whale-watching ride along the ledge to Soufriere. Once at the French capital, you can take a vehicle ride back to Marigot Bay or Castries.

Castries, St Lucia Cruise Port Guide Info

Here at the cruise terminal, you’ll find a dedicated hub for tourists and shoppers alike. As you disembark, friendly taxis await just outside the terminal, ready to whisk you away to your chosen adventure. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your visit to St Lucia.

Top Things to Do in Castries

Boat rides are also a popular method to getting to Soufriere, and are quicker than taking the route via car. On a cruise to Castries, car rentals are available too for those who would like to drive to the winding roads of St. Lucia. Prepare to be enchanted by Castries, the picturesque capital of St. Lucia. Explore the majestic Pitons, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Marigot Bay, or embark on a scenic hike through the lush rainforests.

It was built in the 19th century, and with its beautiful façade, bell-tower and sumptuously decorated interior is a lovely place to visit and worship. Vigie Beach – Situated within a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the Castries port, Vigie Beach ranks among the most visited and popular beaches for cruisers. Its long, sandy stretch of beach, turquoise waters, a lot of natural shade, and a variety of beach facilities make it attractive for visitors of all ages.

THE BEST Cruises from Port Canaveral to St. Lucia (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE BEST Cruises from Port Canaveral to St. Lucia (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:46:44 GMT [source]

Guests are usually offered refreshments and banana chips, a local delicacy. Castries is a major port and the capital city of Saint Lucia Island - a Commonwealth country in Eastern Caribbean Sea, part of Lesser Antilles (archipelago). The island is located northeast of St Vincent island, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. The island has land area approx 617 km2 (238 mi2) and total population around 180,000. Oranjestad – the capital and cruise port of Aruba – is a very neat city, clean, well kept that embraces you with a sense of relaxed safety. Along the northern west coast, there are a few other wonderful beaches such as Choc Beach (20-minute taxi ride), Reduit Beach (on Rodney Bay) and Pigeon Island Beach (between US$20.00 and US$30.00 each way by taxi).

Indulge in the flavors of grilled seafood, gourmet pizzas, sushi, or enjoy a fine dining experience with breathtaking ocean views. St Lucia offers a diverse range of shopping and dining experiences that allow you to indulge in both local flavors and international cuisine, and discover unique souvenirs and crafts. Whether you’re a food lover or a shopaholic, St Lucia has something to satisfy every palate and retail craving. To the right of the port the cruise traveler will find higher end shops (more about shopping below), the exit to town, the parking for tour buses and a taxi dispatch just before the gates that open to the main road. St. Mark’s Colonial House – St. Mark’s Colonial House is a 150-year-old Colonial house situated only a 10-minute drive from Castries port.

You may find a few local vendors along the way but unlike what happens in many a Caribbean island none will be harassing you. Some small and luxurious cruise lines like Seadream, Windstar or Seabourn also call at Soufriere - instead of Castries - anchoring and tendering passengers to the old capital of St. Lucia. Both Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay (Pigeon Island) are also alternative anchoring ports of call. GPH is known worldwide as a reliable partner of governments and cruise line brands around the world.

When is the best time to cruise to St Lucia?

This beautiful and picturesque bay with a deep natural harbor is also known as the Hurricane Hole on account of it being protected from strong winds by the surrounding forested hill peninsulas. The best way to get there is with a shore excursion or a private transfer/taxi, as they are located a bit less than 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive from Castries. There are boat and hiking tours as well, so you can see the Pitons in the way you prefer.

Longer international flights arrive at the island's second international airport Hewanorra Airport (Vieux Fort), with drive time to Castries ~1,5 hours. Optional helicopter service between both airports is also available. Vigie Airport is just 2 km (1 mi) north of Castries Town and has annual passenger traffic ~400,000. The airport serves Air Antilles, Air Caraibes, Air Sunshine, Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean Airways, and LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport). Pointe Seraphine and Place Carenage cruise ports have indoor waiting areas with seating. You could do more adventurous activities, like touring the island via boat or road, hiking in the Edmund forest reserve, ziplining, snorkeling and beyond.

Of course, you have to try traditional St. Lucian food, including saltfish and green banana, the region’s signature dish. This ride happens on a suspended open-ended gondola that slowly takes you on a tour of the forest’s canopy with a guide who explains the local tropical flora and fauna. Enjoy this activity as you get panoramic views of the rainforest and its inhabitants.

At Place Carenage, Wi-Fi is only available at one of the restaurants on-site. Discover where cruise ships dock, how to get to town, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Cabbage or Junkanoo. Cruise ships dock at Pointe Seraphine, just outside the city centre. Like most ports, you can find jewelry stores, souvenirs, etc, but the goods here are duty free. You can also find a car rental location, tour companies, and a few restaurants and bars.

Do not take the public transportation unless time is on your side and you are up for the ride. With close to 5 million passengers per year the Cruise Port of Miami is the busiest in the World - disembarking/embarking can be at times frustrating but there are some good insiders tips to discover. Inside the terminal, on the first floor, the cruise traveler will also find the very popular the Caribbean Pirates Restaurant & Bar. Unfortunatelly, it has been closed since the pandemic but there are rummors that it will open soon. Through the formation of a consultative committee comprised of representatives of relevant stakeholder groups, the St. Lucia Cruise Port team will work with the community to ensure that our common goals are achieved.

Cruise ships offer excellent tours but if you wish to explore the island on your own the taxi services are very good alternatives. Undoubtedly, Reduit Beach is the most popular - the scenery, sand, water clarity and many activities offered are major attractions for the cruise traveler. And also the proximity to the Rodney Bay Marina (with a few nice restaurants), the Splash Island Water Park which is great for families and the Bay Bay Gardens Resort offering a beach day pass. Besides the already mentioned landmarks in Castries (within walking distance) both terminals are close to other attractions, in particular, for those looking forward to spending some time basking in the sun.

Or try the popular chocolate tea, which is nothing like hot chocolate but hot water added to grated chocolate sticks with sugar. Of course, the one attraction that you shouldn’t miss on the island is the Pitons. These volcanic fangs rising out of the sea make for an incredibly picturesque scene. It’s no wonder they are the island’s most iconic features and are a world heritage site. Most people just admire these green hills from lookout points, but some go climbing.