Castries : Profile

Clearance

Yachts clearing in must come straight to customs dock or, if there is no space, must anchor in the quarantine anchorage to the east of the customs dock. Failure to do so could result in a fine. Customs and Immigration officials are available during office hours.

Customs
Tel:452 3487
Opening Hours: 0800-1215, 1330-1545 weekdays

Docking

Vigie Creek (near GFL Charles Airport) and Castries City are the harbour’s two main anchorages. The facilities at Vigie are somewhat run down but basic yacht repair and replenishment facilities may be available. The main advantage of the Harbour anchorage is its close proximity to the capital of St Lucia. Note that there may be up to 5 cruise ships in port and anchoring may not be suitable during busy cruise ship periods.

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. Vigie Creek can be rolly in northerly swells.

Castries Harbour does have Customs officials but is a commercial port and not geared towards yachts. Therefore it is easier 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.

Yachts can anchor in front of Castries Town or in Vigie Creek.

Rodney Bay Marina & Boatyard PO Box 1538, Castries, St Lucia, West Indies Tel:(758) 452-0095, Fax:(758) 452-0185, VHF Channel 16, 68 Rodney Bay Marina & Boatyard Noonsite Page, www.igy-rodneybay.com, rbmarina@candw.lc Full facility marina, expanded and improved in 2008/2009, with shops, restaurants and internet cafe. The boatyard has a 50-ton travelift and extensive dry storage facilities and a wide range of repair services. Is possible to anchor in the lagoon here, however space is limited. Yachts are encouraged to contact Rodney Bay Marina on VHF prior to entering the channel, to get information on possible obstacles on the approach and to arrange for a slip.

[Show additional 2 entries for this category]

Page Sponsor

Related Reports

Caribbean Clearance ESeaClear - Does it really work? (22 Jan 2010)

Island Theft - Our Thoughts (14 Aug 2009)

Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, Navigation Hazard (15 May 2009)

Caribbean Cruising, St. Lucia to Antigua (05 May 2009)

Caribbean, St. Lucia, Soufriere - Robbery (23 Jan 2009)

Caribbean, St. Lucia - Rodney Bay: Security Fears After Horrific Attack (21 Jan 2009)

Caribbean: St. Lucia, Soufriere - Robbery (14 Jan 2009)

Caribbean: Reported Crime Incidents Against Yachts, 2005-2008 (26 Aug 2008)

Soufriere Petty Theft (21 Aug 2008)

My First Atlantic Crossing (10 Jul 2008)

Cruising from St. Lucia Southwards (02 Jul 2008)

Grenada to the Virgin Islands, A Cruising Guide to the Lesser Antilles: Book Review (23 May 2008)

Caribbean, St. Lucia to Maine, USA (14 May 2008)

Credit Card Fraud In Caribbean Alert (29 Apr 2008)

Island Nations Support Commercial Whaling (05 Jul 2006)

Caribbean Island Updates 2003 (23 Jun 2004)

Marigot Bay Water Patrol 100% Effective (08 Dec 2003)

Report from Vieux Fort, October 2003 (14 Oct 2003)

Related News

The 25th ARC set to be the most popular rally yet as World Cruising Club signs up the 200th entry (03 Mar 2010)

ARC 2010 On Course as World Cruising Club signs up the 150th entry (17 Feb 2010)

St. Lucia, Marigot Bay - Cruisers Robbed in Street (28 Nov 2009)

Rudder loss on ARC Racing Yacht (24 Nov 2009)

Light Winds for Start of ARC 2009 (22 Nov 2009)

Countdown to the Start of ARC2009 (19 Nov 2009)

A truly international ARC fleet gear up for departure later this month (09 Nov 2009)

NEW – Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System (17 Jan 2009)

First ARC Arrivals at Rodney Bay after a slow crossing (08 Dec 2008)

ARC 2008 News (21 Nov 2008)

ARC Fleet Gears up for Departure (12 Nov 2008)

The Highs and Lows of ARC 2007 (10 Jan 2008)

Yacht Attacked At St Vincent (04 Jan 2008)

Yacht Attacked At St Vincent: Comments (03 Jan 2008)

Spectacular Start for the 22nd Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (27 Nov 2007)

Caribbean Marine Association Lobbies for the Interim Suspension of the Advanced Passenger Information System for Yachts (01 Nov 2007)

Atlantic Rally for Cruisers 2007 On Course For A Record Entry (03 Oct 2007)

New Visa Requirements For St Lucia (24 Sep 2007)

Delivery Yachtsman freed in Gibraltar (12 Aug 2007)

ARC 2006 News Final - Records are set in the 21st ARC (23 Dec 2006)

Maxi Capricorno sets a new ARC course record (08 Dec 2006)

Port of the Month: Rodney Bay Marina, St Lucia (01 Dec 2006)

21st ARC Starts In Spectacular Style (27 Nov 2006)

Caribbean Tourism Ministers Voice Concern Over Security Issues (16 Oct 2006)

ARC Unaffected By Demise Of Challenge Business (13 Oct 2006)

Caribbean Marine Association Formally Launched (27 Feb 2006)

NEW! Las Palmas De Gran Canaria: Port Of The Month (01 Dec 2005)

ARC 2005 Event Website Launched (08 Nov 2005)

Caribbean Marine Association Close To Launch (10 Mar 2005)

Cruising News from the southern Caribbean (03 Nov 2003)