Catamaran and Sunset Cruises in Saint Lucia

Why the west coast suits catamarans

The Caribbean side of Saint Lucia is sheltered from the Atlantic swell, so the water is usually calm and the distances between anchorages are short. A catamaran sits flat and steady, with plenty of deck for shade, sunbathing and moving about, which is why these boats are the favourite for families, couples and groups of friends. You do not need any sailing experience, and you can sit back while the crew do the work.

The coastline itself is the show. Cliffs covered in forest drop straight to the sea, small coves sit between headlands, and in the south the Pitons rise out of the water. If you want the general picture of boat options first, start with our sailing and boat trips guide.

Day cruises

A day catamaran trip follows the west coast and usually stops in sheltered coves, often near Soufrière or in Marigot Bay. You get time to swim and snorkel, a long stretch of sailing in between, and refreshments on board. Many boats serve lunch and keep a bar going, so check what is included when you book rather than assuming.

Trips tend to leave from the north around Rodney Bay or from the south, and the length of the day depends on where you start. Starting in the south means less time on the water getting to the Pitons and more time at the stops. Ask the operator which pickup arrangements apply to your hotel.

Sunset cruises

Sunset cruises leave in the late afternoon and are built around the light. The sky turns amber, then violet, and the coast goes soft and dark. Expect shaded seating, music, cocktails or rum punch and a relaxed pace, with the boat positioned for the best view of the horizon rather than for covering distance.

From Rodney Bay the sun drops straight into open water, which is hard to beat for pure sunset. In the south, couples often choose a cruise so they can see the Pitons change colour from the sea. Our guide to beach bars and sunsets lists good places to carry on the evening on land.

Private charters and snorkelling stops

A private charter gives you the boat, the crew and the route. It suits a family day, a birthday, a proposal or simply a wish to avoid a crowd. You choose the pace, agree the swimming stops, and can often arrange food on board. Always confirm the route, duration, inclusions and what happens in poor weather before paying a deposit.

Many cruises pause at reefs, such as the water off Anse Chastanet or the base of Petit Piton, and the crew hand out snorkel gear. If you want more reef time, read our diving and snorkelling guide.

Safety, comfort and what to bring

Licensed operators run with experienced captains and trained crew, give a safety briefing, carry life jackets and check sea conditions before leaving. Follow the crew's instructions, take care when moving about on deck, and tell them in advance about any medical condition or if you get seasick.

• Sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and a light layer for the breeze.
• Swimwear, a towel and reef-safe sun protection for snorkel stops.
• A waterproof pouch for your phone and some cash for tips.
• Flat, soft-soled shoes that are safe on a wet deck.

Best time and how it fits your trip

Seas are generally calmer in the drier months, covered in our best time to visit guide, and routes can change on the day if the weather turns. A cruise slots neatly into a rest day between more active ones. Pair it with a visit to Pigeon Island if you are based in the north, or build it into a southern day with the Sulphur Springs. For wider planning, see the trip planning page and the sea tours guide.

What is a catamaran cruise like in Saint Lucia?

A catamaran cruise in Saint Lucia is a relaxed day sailing along the sheltered west coast, with swimming and snorkelling stops, lunch and drinks on board, and views of the Pitons on southern routes. The day begins on the quayside, where the crew greet you, show you where to leave your bag and hand you a first cold drink. The boat is wide and stable, with shaded seating and a lot of open deck, and within minutes of leaving the harbour the pace of the day settles. There is nothing you need to do except choose where to sit, and most people head for the spot where the breeze is strongest and the view is widest.

The first stretch of sailing is unhurried. The west coast slides by, with forested hillsides dropping to the water and small villages tucked into bays. The coast here is sheltered, so the water is usually calm, and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority describes the day as a relaxed mix of sailing, swimming and coastline viewing, with an open bar between stops on day cruises. Children tend to love the open deck, and adults tend to love having nothing to organise. Quiet moments are part of the appeal. Between stops you can read, doze in the shade or watch the coast change, and the crew are usually happy to answer questions about the villages and headlands you pass. If you want to see the Pitons from the water, ask before booking whether your route passes them, as northern routes do not.

Then comes the swimming stop, usually in a calm and clear cove. Day cruises typically anchor in the sheltered coves around Soufrière or at Marigot Bay, and snorkelling stops such as the water off Anse Chastanet or the base of Petit Piton have volcanic reef with tropical fish and coral. Snorkel kit is provided on guided stops, and the crew will help if you are nervous. After the swim there is usually lunch on board, followed by a lazy sail back with salt on your skin. Snorkelling stops suit all ages, but weaker swimmers should use a flotation vest and stay close to the boat. Check the weather with the crew before you jump in, as currents differ from bay to bay. The cruise is also a good place to try snorkelling for the first time, with help close at hand.

Is a sunset cruise in Saint Lucia worth it?

A sunset cruise in Saint Lucia is worth it if you want a calm, romantic evening on the water, with boats leaving in the late afternoon and timing the sail to the golden hour. It is a shorter and quieter trip than a day cruise, built around a single event, when the heat has softened and the sea turns from blue to silver. The boat moves slowly along the coast while the sun lowers, with island music playing and cocktails in hand, and conversation tends to drift into silence as the sky changes. The colours vary from night to night, from pale gold to deep orange and violet.

Couples often choose this trip for a proposal, an anniversary or the first evening of a honeymoon. If that sounds like you, our guide to a honeymoon in Saint Lucia sets out more ways to build a romantic stay, and a cruise can be paired with dinner afterwards at your resort or in a waterfront restaurant. Ask the operator whether a private cruise for two is possible if you want complete peace. Pack for a golden-hour evening. A thin wrap, a camera with a good low-light setting and a small bag for essentials are plenty. Operators generally supply the drinks and music, so you can concentrate on the view. Booking the earlier departure on shorter winter days helps you catch the full colour show.

Families can enjoy a sunset sail too, although younger children may tire before the sun goes down. Pack a light layer, because the breeze cools once the light fades, and bring a camera that copes with low light. Try not to spend the whole time looking through a lens. The most vivid memory is often the moment just after the sun has gone, when the sky holds its colour for a few minutes longer than seems possible. Think about who will enjoy it. Couples on a honeymoon, friends celebrating a birthday and families with older children all do well on a sunset sail, while very young children may find it a long evening. Ask the operator about age limits and whether a quieter, private option exists for a special occasion.

Should you sail from the north or south of Saint Lucia?

Sail from the north around Rodney Bay for beaches and wide sunset skies, or from the south near Soufrière to pass beneath the Pitons, which is the more dramatic option for first-time visitors to Saint Lucia. In the north, the marina area around Rodney Bay is the main base for sailing, and the coast you see is gentler, with long beaches, headlands and wide skies over open water. These trips suit people staying in the resort strip, and they often end with the sun dropping into the sea. In the south, trips set out near Soufrière and pass beneath the Pitons, a more dramatic and photogenic setting for those who prefer mountains to horizons.

If your time allows, you could try one of each. A south coast day gives the full effect of the volcanic landscape, and a north coast sunset gives the classic Caribbean ending. The two feel entirely different, which is why many repeat visitors book both. For more ways to see the island from the water, our sea tours guide describes other kinds of outing, and the water adventures guide adds activities for those who want something more energetic. The west coast between Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay is a gentle stretch of water, and Marigot Bay itself is a sheltered harbour that many boats use as a swimming or lunch stop. It is worth asking whether your trip calls there, as the bay is one of the prettiest anchorages on the island.

A private charter is a third option, with the guest setting the pace and route, secluded swimming spots and personalised dining on board. When you book, ask how many guests will be aboard, what food and drink are included and whether transfers from your hotel are arranged. Booking early in the busy winter months is wise, particularly for sunset departures, which tend to fill first. In the south, the water beneath the Pitons is deep and clear, and the sense of scale is hard to convey in photographs. Leave your camera in your lap for a moment and simply look up. Many guests say this is the part of the day they remember best, long after the cocktail has been forgotten.

The coast from the water

A cruise shows the island as early sailors saw it. The geography guide explains the bays and headlands you pass, and French and British rule tells why this coast mattered to naval powers.

Below the hull, marine life and coral reefs describes what lives in the water, and climate and hurricanes helps you judge the best conditions.

Where to stay and how to plan

Most visitors fit this into a holiday in St Lucia, so choose your base first. Compare places to stay in St Lucia by area and style, and read our guides to luxury hotels in St Lucia and all inclusive resorts in St Lucia if you are choosing between a boutique stay and an all in package.

Then set your dates with the best time to visit St Lucia, book flights to St Lucia and pick days out from our St Lucia itineraries. Couples can also read about a honeymoon in St Lucia or weddings in St Lucia.

Questions travellers ask