St Lucia

St Lucia's defining image — the twin volcanic spires of the Pitons, rising sheer from the sea on the south-west coast — provides one of the Caribbean's great anchoring experiences. The bay between Petit Piton and Gros Piton, near the town of Soufriere, is deep and dramatic, with mooring balls set by the marine reserve. The volcanic geology continues ashore: sulphur springs, hot mud baths, and a botanical garden sit within walking distance of the waterfront. Rodney Bay, at the island's north-west tip, is the primary charter base. The marina handles bareboats, and the bay provides a well-protected anchorage with a long beach, restaurants, and provisioning. The passage from Rodney Bay south to the Pitons covers roughly 25 nautical miles along the west coast, passing the capital Castries, the fishing village of Anse la Raye, and Marigot Bay — a narrow, mangrove-lined inlet that served as a hiding place for British naval vessels and now shelters a marina and a small resort. The west coast of St Lucia is in the lee of the island's mountainous interior, which rises to nearly 1,000 metres. This creates a significant wind shadow — the trade winds accelerate at the island's north and south tips but drop in the centre, requiring motorsailing along some stretches. The flip side is calm water and protected anchorages. St Lucia sits between Martinique to the north and St Vincent to the south. Charter itineraries often incorporate it as a waypoint in a multi-island passage rather than as a standalone destination. The channel between St Lucia and St Vincent is 21 miles wide and more exposed than the island's west coast, with trade-wind seas building through the day. Provisioning at Rodney Bay is adequate — a supermarket in the bay complex covers basics, and the Castries market provides fresh produce and spices. Fuel and water are at the marina. Eating ashore in Soufriere and at the beach restaurants in Anse la Raye and Marigot Bay is part of the experience — the Friday night fish fry at Anse la Raye draws both locals and visiting sailors.