CHARTER · ST LUCIA

Chartering a boat in St Lucia: licence, rules and safety

Last verified:

EMERGENCY AT SEACall 911. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.

Licence and charter rules

Charter: Commercial yachts (including charter boats) operating in Saint Lucia need an occasional or annual licence, priced by length.

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority ▾
stlucia.org (2026-10-14): “Licenses are required for commercial yachts operating in Saint Lucia.”

Arriving by boat

Clear Customs within 24 hours of arrival; nobody may leave the yacht before clearance. Clearance points are listed at Rodney Bay Marina, Castries, Marigot Bay and Soufrière. Vessels may stay up to three months.

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority · Saint Lucia Tourism Authority ▾
stlucia.org (2026-10-14): “Customs clearance must be obtained within 24 hours of arrival, and no one should leave the yacht before clearance is granted.”
stlucia.org (2026-10-14): “Vessels arriving in Saint Lucia may remain for up to three months.”

Season and weather

Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November; it often brings heavy rain.

NOAA National Hurricane Center · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November.”

Hazards and warnings

Around Soufrière the marine park (SMMA) manages moorings and anchor zones; a permit from Customs is needed to moor at places that are not ports of entry.

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority · Saint Lucia Tourism Authority ▾
stlucia.org (2026-10-14): “Soufrière Marine Management Association (SMMA) Responsible for marine park management, including moorings, anchor zones, snorkeling and diving permits.”
stlucia.org (2026-10-14): “A permit is required to moor at locations that are not designated ports of entry.”

Check the alert level of the submarine volcano Kick 'em Jenny off Grenada and observe any maritime exclusion zones.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Check the alert level of the underwater volcano ‘Kick ‘em Jenny’, located 5 miles off the coast of Grenada. Observe any maritime exclusion zones and follow the advice of the local authorities if there is increased activity or an eruption.”

On the radio

Vigie Lighthouse (Castries) is listed as a contact on VHF 16, telephone +1 758 452 5939.

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority ▾
stlucia.org (2026-10-14): “Vigie Lighthouse: +1-758-452-5939 (VHF 16)”

Charter bases in St Lucia

St Lucia — Rodney Bay

Before you sail

All rescue numbers for St Lucia Print an emergency card Person overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerThunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doRan aground? What to do

Frequently asked

What are the rules for bareboat charter in St Lucia?

Commercial yachts (including charter boats) operating in Saint Lucia need an occasional or annual licence, priced by length.

When is the best time to sail in St Lucia, and when is storm season?

Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November; it often brings heavy rain.

How do I clear in when arriving in St Lucia by boat?

Clear Customs within 24 hours of arrival; nobody may leave the yacht before clearance. Clearance points are listed at Rodney Bay Marina, Castries, Marigot Bay and Soufrière. Vessels may stay up to three months.

What is the emergency number at sea in St Lucia?

Call 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Other charter countries

CroatiaGreeceTürkiyeItalySpainFranceMaltaPortugalBritish Virgin IslandsSaint-MartinSint MaartenSt Vincent & the GrenadinesGrenadaMartiniqueGuadeloupeBahamasThailandMalaysiaSeychellesFrench PolynesiaNew CaledoniaFijiSwedenNorwayDenmark

Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.