5 months ago
209
Much like Greek mythology’s Helen of Troy, Saint Lucia is breathtakingly beautiful. In both past and present, the island has stolen the hearts of many with merely a first glance. Green, pristine, and bountiful, the island has a history punctuated by a tug of war between the French and British, each vying for commandership of the island’s chief Fort, located at Morne Fortune. Whoever controlled this Fort controlled the island.
Also read: The 40 best things to do in Saint Lucia.
Nowadays people speak less of past battles and speak more about how much a now-independent Saint Lucia has grown to become one of the most popular Caribbean destinations in the world. If you’re planning a trip to Saint Lucia it is important to know what to avoid when on Saint Lucian shores, and when to visit for optimal weather.
Saint Lucia has two seasons, wet and dry. The best time to visit Saint Lucia is in the high season, from Mid-December to Mid-April. During this season, you'll experience the most sunshine. If you are looking for a more laid-back vibe, the 'wet' season might be your pick during the months of June to November. Often you'll find accommodation at a lower rate.
Before you click the purchase button for your ticket, read on to find out more!
In this article on the Sandals Blog:
The best time to visit Saint Lucia: Seasonality
You’ve made up your mind to visit Saint Lucia, but you’re not quite sure when to go. Keep in mind that when it comes to planning a vacation in Saint Lucia, it’s good to know the high, shoulder, and low seasons, all offering its own benefits.
High season
Mid-December to mid-April marks the high season in Saint Lucia, which means an increased number of visitors, and low flight and accommodation availability. This is also the best time to visit Saint Lucia for a beach vacation.
In Saint Lucia, the months of December, January and February are often cooler than any other time of year, which is great for beach days.
Insider tip: Make sure to book your vacation well in advance to guarantee availability at the best all-inclusive resorts in Saint Lucia.
Picture: Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the largest of three Sandals resorts in Saint Lucia.
Shoulder season
In between the high and low season, travel in the shoulder season has its perks. On the upside, if you decide to travel during the shoulder season, which includes the months of Mid-April to June, chances are you’re going to get the best of both worlds. You’ll find it relatively easy to secure airfare and accommodation as you’ll be traveling at a time with moderate amounts of activity on the island, which also means you won’t have to battle with the crowds! The weather is still great and you will find top accommodation at lower rates.
Low season
Low Season in Saint Lucia often corresponds with the wet season, which spans from June to November. Lots of people take advantage of travel in the low season because of the associated discounts and fare cuts. Some resorts offer reduced rates during the low season, which means you can probably book more nights for your trip! The low season is ideal for last minute travel or travelling on a budget.
Insider tip: October to February is the best time for whale watching in Saint Lucia. If you are planning to see some whales and dolphins, but at the same time want to avoid hurricane season, the best time to visit Saint Lucia would be in the months of December, January or February.
Figure 1: Average monthly tourist arrivals in Saint Lucia
Summer versus 'winter' in Saint Lucia
Though there are no real winters in this territory, there is a slight temperature change that is noticeable towards the end of the year, and into the start of a new year. Typically temperatures start cooling down from November and into February with breezier than usual days, and chillier than normal nights.
Insider tip: If you’re visiting during this time be sure to pack some lightweight, warm clothing options that you can wear when heading out at night.
Wet Season
Saint Lucians believe that the island is divinely protected against tropical storms and other weather phenomena, and for good reason. If you head to this island, know that you’re more than likely to run into fair and sunny weather!
The weather in Saint Lucia
The hottest months in Saint Lucia are May through September with 86°F, during the wet season. January and February mark the lowest temperatures annually with 71.6°F.
April and May are the best time for swimming in Saint Lucia, with recorded water temperatures of 82°F. This is when the water is a bit warmer, the beaches are less crowded, but the wet season has yet to start.
Figure 2: Average monthly temperatures in Saint Lucia.
Figure 3: Number of rainy days in Saint Lucia annually.
Figure 4: Average monthly humidity in Saint Lucia
Figure 5: Daylight and sunshine hours and sea temperatures in Saint Lucia
Figure 6: Average monthly windspeed in Saint Lucia
Best time to visit Castries, Saint Lucia
Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia is bustling with activity from Monday to Friday. If you’re travelling via cruise ship, it is possible to make your way off the ship to explore the modest city. A better possibility is to book one of the all-inclusive luxury resorts near Castries.
You’ll find a mixture of regular people and peddlers, the latter of which you can avoid by simply letting them know you’re not interested in whatever it is that they’re selling and move along. In Castries, you can check out the Vendor’s Arcade, the Castries Market, or La Place Carenage, all of which are relatively easy to find. It is possible to take a ferry from the Vendor’s Arcade in Castries across to the nearby Point Seraphine, for more souvenir shopping opportunities. You’ll also find jewelry and other gift shops at Point Seraphine. The best time to explore Castries is from 10 AM, when the streets are less crowded. It’s best to avoid being in Castries after 3 PM when the city is most congested. Sundays are the day with least traffic and people in Castries, so it is best to go then if you want to take your time and explore the city!
Major events in Saint Lucia
There’s a lot going on in Saint Lucia throughout the year, but the Saint Lucia Summer Festival is the biggest event happening on island which includes the St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, Carnival, Roots & Soul, the Food & Rum Festival, and Creole Heritage Month.
Saint Lucia Jazz – Held on May 4-12 at the scenic Pigeon Island National Landmark, Saint Lucia Jazz is one of the oldest festivals in Saint Lucia and features local and international acts, and smooth jazzy beats.
Carnival – Witness color and splendor among the streets of Castries as part of Saint Lucia’s biggest party of the year. There are lots of carnival bands to choose from for this event, which climaxes in July.
Jounen Kweyol – Part of Creole Heritage Month, Jounen Kweyol, or Creole Day in English, is an annual event that pays homage to Saint Lucia’s Creole roots. It is one of the largest events on island, and showcases the best of Saint Lucian food, music, and fashion. This event is usually held at the end of October.
Food & Rum Festival – Lots of food, lots of rum, and most of it made in Saint Lucia. The Food & Rum Festival, held on September 19 – 22, is the perfect opportunity to try various dishes from top chefs in Saint Lucia.
Roots & Soul Festival – The Roots & Soul Festival was created with the intention of adding something fresh and unique to the roster of activities available on island. It is held on August 23-25 and highlights artistes in the reggae, conscious hip-hop, Afro-punk and R&B categories.
Gros Islet Street Party – Held every Friday of the year, the Gros Islet Street party is always a good time. From about 7 p.m. onwards on a Friday evening, the event offers barbequed meats, music and street dancing. A similar event happening on island is Fish Fridays in Anse La Raye.
The Pitons
Towering, magnificent and ever-present, the twin peaks known as the Pitons in Saint Lucia are a World Heritage Site. The two are mountainous volcanic plugs, and one of the peaks, Gros Piton is located near the community of Soufriere, while the smaller of the two, Petit Piton, is in Choiseul. The Pitons are connected by the Piton median ridge. There are several viewing points on the island which offer stunning views of the Pitons. It is also possible to have great sightings of the Pitons by sea.
Insider tip: For incredible photo memories, take up the offer of your Tour Company or resort for a sunset cruise, or boat ride to Soufriere for an unforgettable view of the Pitons.
Lush, green and beautiful!
On the decent into Saint Lucia from the air, and on the drive from Saint Lucia’s main Hewannora airport in the south, the one thing that will hit you right away is how much greenery there is. You’ll be struck by the vibrant plant life, particularly between December and February, when the island is most beautiful! Despite recent property developments and the addition of new hotels and resorts, the island remains as green as ever.
The island of love
Something about Saint Lucia makes it perfect for destination weddings. So much so that the island has received numerous Honeymoon Destination of the Year Awards, as couples flock to the island to exchange their vows. What is clear, is that this island was made for love! People choose St. Lucia because of the endless wedding locations the island offers – from gorgeous beach side venues, to romantic churches and peaceful national parks. Saint Lucia gives couples the opportunity to get away from it all and focus on each other, which is the number one ingredient for building love that lasts!
Picture: Rondoval Suites on the beach at Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
Insider tip: The best time to come to Saint Lucia for your destination wedding is between the months of November to February when temperatures tend to be milder. Resorts like Sandals Grande Saint Lucian offer amazing honeymoon suites for the most romantic time of your life!
From friendly people and a laid-back lifestyle, to breathtaking natural beauty, there’s a lot to love about Saint Lucia. The island is a perfect choice for a Caribbean escape, and we hope this article helps you figure out the best time to visit Saint Lucia.
English (US) ·