Beaches · Saint Lucia
The best beaches in and near Saint Lucia
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Caribbeandy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Reduit Beach (In Rodney Bay, about 15 minutes north of Castries). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
In Rodney Bay, about 15 minutes north of Castries · Families and watersports
1.Reduit Beach
A long, calm stretch of pale sand in Rodney Bay with watersports, beach bars and hotels.
About 10 minutes south of Soufrière by car or water taxi · Piton views and snorkelling
2.Sugar Beach (Anse des Pitons)
White sand between the two Pitons, with a reef in the marine reserve just offshore.
About 10 minutes north of Soufrière · Snorkelling and diving
3.Anse Chastanet
A dark-sand bay with one of the island's best reefs close to shore and a dive centre.
At the north end of Rodney Bay · History and swimming
4.Pigeon Island beaches
Two small beaches within the national landmark, combining swimming with forts and trails.
About 20 minutes south of Castries · Calm water
5.Marigot Bay beach
A small palm-lined sand spit inside the sheltered bay, reached by a short water taxi.
Next to Hewanorra airport in Vieux Fort · Kitesurfing
6.Anse de Sables
A long, windy Atlantic beach at Vieux Fort, a hotspot for kitesurfing with views of the Maria Islands.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for budget, quiet stays and beach
Vieux Fort
Vieux Fort, at the island's southern tip, is next to Hewanorra International Airport and the long, windy Anse de Sables beach, popular with kitesurfers. It has a few hotels and guesthouses and is about 45 minutes from Soufrière.
- Good
- Minutes from the international airport; Kitesurfing beach; Lower prices
- Watch out
- Far from Rodney Bay; Fewer restaurants and sights
- Nearby
- Hewanorra Airport, Anse de Sables, Maria Islands
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Privately run minibuses run fixed routes between towns, such as Castries to Gros Islet or Vieux Fort, departing when full.
- Car — Rental cars allow freedom to explore, but roads are narrow, steep and twisting, and driving is on the left.
- Boat — Water taxis connect Soufrière with Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet, and boat tours from Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay sail down the coast to the Pitons.
- Ferry — A high-speed ferry links Castries with Martinique and other neighbouring islands on scheduled days.
Beach-weather months
Air temperatures rarely reach classic beach weather here: the warmest month, April, averages 31°C (88°F).
Beach safety
Petty theft and persistent vendors are the most common issues; keep valuables secure and use licensed taxis at night. Swim on the calmer west coast, as Atlantic beaches on the east coast have strong currents, and hike steep trails with a guide. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Saint Lucia have beaches?
Yes: Reduit Beach, Sugar Beach (Anse des Pitons), Anse Chastanet, Pigeon Island beaches, Marigot Bay beach and Anse de Sables.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Saint Lucia?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Saint Lucia?
Reduit Beach: A long, calm stretch of pale sand in Rodney Bay with watersports, beach bars and hotels.