Description:
Marigot Bay is located mid-way along the NW coast of Saint Lucia. It lies approximately 3.4 miles to the SSW of Castries Harbour. It is a small inlet almost completely invisible from the sea until you are almost upon it.
James A Michener, the US Novelist, is famously quoted as describing it as “The Most Beautiful Bay in the Caribbean”, it is also a historic landmark has played a roll in a number of battles between the French and Royal Navy. Legend has it that a British admiral hid his fleet from the French here by tucking themselves inside the bay and tying palm fronds to their masts to camouflage them.
It is famed as the setting for the 1967 film version of Hugh Lofting’s classic Doctor Dolittle books, which starred Rex Harrison and Anthony Newley. The bay is used for the scenes involving the shipwreck, the fictional Great Pink Sea Snail and the construction of the harness for the Giant Lunar Moth.
Consequently, Marigot is the most visited bay on St. Lucia and popular with tourists, excursion boats and yachts alike.
When watching for the entrance, keep an eye open for the prominent house with the bright red roof on the cliff top at the southern entrance. The channel is lit with port and starboard markers (IALA B – American buoyage system – red right returning).
This port is a well known hurricane hole.
Cruiser Notes or Cautions:
Incidents of theft and attempted theft, at night and when owners are ashore or away from the boat, have been reported over the past few years and continue to be reported to both CSSN and noonsite (see reports adjacent).
It is recommended you remove all unsecured items of value from the deck/cockpit before entering the bay, and keep a record of serial numbers/photos stored in a secure place for purposes of investigation and proof of ownership should a theft occur. Be sure to properly secure all hatches and doors when leaving the boat unattended or asleep, hide all valuables, and secure your dingy and outboard at all times.
Position:
13°58.1′N, 61°01.8′W (harbor entrance)
Last updated: December 2018
Next Section: Profile: Clearance
Related to following destinations: Marigot Bay (St. Lucia), St. Lucia
Port Navigation
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We cleared in to St. Lucia here, arrived on Sunday just before 4pm when the customs was closing. Checked in on Monday and didn’t then have to pay overtime rate. Had to pay 40 EC cruising tax to the Port officer. No other fees.
Customs and immigration are supposed to open at 8 am, but they are rarely there at this time. Sometimes one authority is there and not the other.
Mooring is stern-to with a bow line passed to you from a buoy at the front of the boat. We were also given another bow line which was tied onto the boat next to us. You have full use of the hotel facilities and can charge everything to your boat, so you can pay when you leave. The dock staff helped with lines on arrival and when it was time to leave as well.
There is a terrible smell from the drains that are below the hurricane hole bar/ restaurant. When I asked the waitress she said it was when the tide was low it makes it smelly, not true, it is definitely from the drains. We were moored directly outside the marina office and there was no smell near our boat.
13 December – from http://www.safetyandsecuritynet.com
CSSN has received a first-hand account from a cruiser anchored In Marigot Bay, St. Lucia.
It was a particularly windy day on Saturday, December 10, 2016. After a strong burst, a cruiser looked topside to check if anyone was dragging and noticed a boat in front that was, and its crew was obviously not onboard. He jumped in his dinghy and got the attention of another nearby cruiser and they were able to tie the dragging yacht too, and then haul it up close, on a nearby mooring. An hour later he noticed the owners had returned and were sorting out the slack anchor chain. He went over to explain what had occurred and in conversation learned that a local (who was nowhere to be seen while they were securing the boat) had come by demanding money for “saving” the boat. The owner gave him what he described as “a lot of money.” Someone was quick to monetize another’s misfortune while providing no assistance.
CSSN NOTE: There have been 4 incidents of theft and attempted theft reported to CSSN so far this year, both inside and outside the lagoon in Marigot Bay, St. Lucia. The most recent in November. When reported to local authorities the police indicated to the victims that the “problem in Marigot happens a lot” and offer no indication of any plan to change things. It seems some there are in fact keeping a close watch, but likely not with cruiser interests in mind.