Explore St. Lucia Cruise Port: What You Need to Know
Nestled in the eastern Caribbean Sea, St. Lucia Cruise Port is a well-regarded port and one of the sought-after “St.” islands itinerary, often called the “Saint” islands. People know these islands for their beautiful beaches, vibrant cultures, diverse activities, and, of course, having “St.” in their names.Along with St. Lucia, these also include St. Thomas, Sint Marten, St. Kitts, and others. St. Lucia is a relatively small island, just 238 square miles, with two cruise ports. The main cruise port is in Castries, which is well-equipped to handle large cruise ships and offers a range of amenities for visitors and Soufrière. While the latter can also accommodate cruise visitors, it is primarily used for smaller vessels or as a tender port, so if you’re cruising to St. Lucia, chances are you’ll be docked at Castries. The Castries cruise port in Saint Lucia accommodates up to four large cruise ships simultaneously, making it very crowded when at capacity. It’s not a tender port, and has a short pier, so it’s convenient for cruisers to easily get off the ship and to the terminal area. About the St. Lucia Cruise Port The St. Lucia cruise port, located in the vibrant city of Castries, is a prime destination for several major American cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The Castries cruise port features two main terminals: Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage.Cruise passengers primarily use Pointe Seraphine, the larger of the two, which offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and amenities. St. Lucia’s cruise port is notable for its proximity to some of the island’s top attractions, making it a convenient starting point for exploring. The city of Castries, right where cruise ships dock, has a population of approximately 20,000 residents and is a gritty working community. It’s important to note that, like many other Caribbean nations such as Curaçao and Antigua, civilians in Belize are prohibited from wearing camouflage, so leave that at home (or back on the ship). The legal drinking age here is 18.. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. From St. Lucia Cruise Port to the City Center The St. Lucia cruise port is conveniently located just 1.5 miles from the city center of Castries. While it’s walkable (about 30 minutes), I don’t recommend it. As noted above, Castries is more of a working community, and there’s not much to do or see here, nor is it exactly scenic. If your itinerary calls on Castries, your best bet is to take a taxi to a nearby beach (there are many) for a great beach day or book an excursion. If you do want to explore the town on foot, notable sites include Derek Walcott Square, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries Market, and La Place Carenage. Taxis in St. Lucia Ride-share services like Uber are available in Castries, but there are plenty of other ways to get around. Minibuses are the primary mode of transport for locals and are often the most affordable option. Taxis, identifiable by their light blue TX plates, are readily available with fares depending on the destination and number of passengers. I don’t recommend renting a car here, especially as car rentals require a special temporary driving license. A taxi stand is located right outside the cruise terminal area, but be cautious to avoid scams. In my experience, a driver offered me a fare of $15 per person one way for a shared shuttle ride to nearby Vigie Beach. When I balked at that price, and walked away, they chased me down and the price magically became $5. So unlike other cruise ports like Falmouth, Jamaica, where taxi prices are set, and clearly marked on signs, pricing here seems a bit more… loose, shall we say. So be sure to negotiate. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Beaches at the st. lucia cruise port The Castries, St. Lucia cruise port does not have direct beach access, nor are there any beaches within feasible walking distance. Vigie Beach is the closest, and one could technically walk there in about 30 minutes, but I don’t advise doing that in the hot Caribbean sun. Fortunately, many great beach options are nearby and are easily accessible by taxi or shared shuttle service. Vigie Beach Located just 1.5 miles from the port, Vigie Beach is the closest to the cruise port, and offers a beautiful sandy beach. This is the beach that I chose on a recent visit to St. Lucia, and I really liked it. The shuttle ride was short, and the beach wasn’t overly crowded. Also, taxis are readily available to take you back to the cruise port, and local vendors are on hand to rent loungers and umbrellas to those who want them. It’s a free public beach with nearby amenities such as beach bars and restaurants, so it’s a great spot that I recommend. La Toc Beach La Toc Beach is another great nearby beach option, located approximately 2.2 miles from the Castries cruise port. Like Vigie, this is a picturesque beach with golden sands and clear waters. The beach is public and free to access, although only guests of Sandals La Toc, which fronts the beach, can use the nearby resort facilities. People regard this beach as beautiful and clean and appreciate that it doesn’t get overly crowded. Malabar Beach Malabar Beach is just 2.5 miles from the cruise port and is known as a serene public beach offering free access. Cruisers give it positive marks for its clean, soft sand and clear waters, providing a peaceful retreat away from crowded tourist spots. While this beach offers a nice, relaxed vibe, note the limited amenities, such as bars and restaurants. Related: Don’t forget your beach towels! Here’s what you need to know. Things to Do in Castries As noted above, there isn’t much to do at or near the St. Lucia cruise port, other than typical cruise port shops and restaurants. The main