Saint Lucia: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
13 harbours
Saint Lucia: 13 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: East Caribbean dollar
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Ports of entry for yachts: Rodney Bay Marina, Marigot Bay and Soufrière, plus Castries and Vieux Fort. Clear in within 24 hours, nobody leaves the boat before; bring: ship's papers, clearance from the last port, passports. Hours according to the tourism authority Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:30, Friday 8:00 to 18:00, weekends and public holidays 8:00 to 16:30. Advance notice via SailClear, and for every person the online entry and customs form from 72 hours before. On moorings outside the ports of entry only with permission.
Ausreise: Clear out before departure; according to sailors you then have 72 hours to leave (charter boats 24 hours).
Documents: Passport valid beyond the day of departure; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days, extension in Castries (EC$ 100 per 21 days). Boat papers, insurance. Weapons including flare pistols only with an import permit; pets with microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate and titre test.
Fees: Clearance under 40 ft EC$ 5, above EC$ 15, pratique under 100 GT EC$ 10; overtime at weekends and after office hours (amount contradictory). Soufrière Marine Management Area moorings per night up to 70 ft EC$ 54 (USD 20), up to 120 ft EC$ 270, above EC$ 540.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Between Marigot Bay and the Pitons (Soufrière Marine Management Area) almost only moorings, anchoring heavily restricted.
Nature: Soufrière Marine Management Area from Marigot Bay to the Pitons: use the moorings, do not anchor on coral; on moorings outside the ports of entry only with permission.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October. The port authority considers Marigot Bay very safe in storms, plus the Rodney Bay lagoon with its boatyard. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: VHF channel 16; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France (CROSS Antilles-Guyane) +596 596 70 92 92, plus the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force +1 758 456 3870.
Sources: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority: Navigation and Clearance, SLASPA: Yachting, Noonsite: St. Lucia, SARcontacts: St. Lucia, Auswärtiges Amt: Saint Lucia, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
St. Lucia (Rodney Bay, Castries, Marigot Bay, Soufrière, Vieux Fort)
Frequently asked questions
Saint Lucia: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Ports of entry for yachts: Rodney Bay Marina, Marigot Bay and Soufrière, plus Castries and Vieux Fort. Clear in within 24 hours, nobody leaves the boat before; bring: ship's papers, clearance from the last port, passports. Hours according to the tourism authority Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:30, Friday 8:00 to 18:00, weekends and public holidays 8:00 to 16:30. Advance notice via SailClear, and for every person the online entry and customs form from 72 hours before. On moorings outside the ports of entry only with permission.
Saint Lucia: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid beyond the day of departure; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days, extension in Castries (EC$ 100 per 21 days). Boat papers, insurance. Weapons including flare pistols only with an import permit; pets with microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate and titre test.
Saint Lucia: What fees apply?
Clearance under 40 ft EC$ 5, above EC$ 15, pratique under 100 GT EC$ 10; overtime at weekends and after office hours (amount contradictory). Soufrière Marine Management Area moorings per night up to 70 ft EC$ 54 (USD 20), up to 120 ft EC$ 270, above EC$ 540.
Saint Lucia: What is the emergency number at sea?
VHF channel 16; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France (CROSS Antilles-Guyane) +596 596 70 92 92, plus the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force +1 758 456 3870.
Saint Lucia: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 13 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.