St. Lucia Cruising Conditions

With its location in the Northeast trade belt, the Windwards are blessed with almost perfect weather for 12 months a year. Sea state in the passages between the islands can be moderate, rarely rough.
 
St. Lucia's temperature ranges from 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C) from December to May and 75 to 95°F (23 to 35°C) degrees from June to November. The winter is relatively drier as well. Visitors should bring cool, comfortable clothing. While jacket and tie are rarely requisite, overly casual beachwear is rarely appreciated off the beach. Water temperature is fairly constant at 83°F (28°C).

 
Historical Weather (Averages by month):

Climate
St. Lucia has a tropical climate that is influenced by sea winds and the prevailing NE trade winds. The wet season is from June to September and the dry season from February to May. Average annual precipitation varies from 1,500 mm to 1,750 mm (59 to 68 inches) on the north and south coasts to 4,000 mm (157 inches) in the interior rain forest. The average temperature is 77°F (25°C) all year round.

Sailing Conditions
The Windward Islands promise lively sailing. Winds blow from the northeast in winter months and from the southeast during the summer at 10-25 knots, strengthening around the northern ends of the islands and in squalls. This itinerary also offers sailors the opportunity to make a few longer, open-water passages between islands. Some sails can take 7 to 10 hours and one can experience open ocean swell conditions of 3 to 6 feet and more in stronger winds.

Current between the islands is generally setting towards the west at about 0.5 to 2 knots and the swell is mainly northeast to east, but can occasionally be north during the winter months.

Forecasts
The base provides a weather forecast for the next 24 hours. Guests have to consult the ‘Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands’ for AM/FM stations from Martinique to Trinidad. There are locations at Blue Lagoon St.Vincent, Tyrell Bay, Clifton Harbor and Bequia where forecasts are posted daily. Radio reception can be very poor in the islands. Reports can also be obtained by calling the Moorings bases by cell phone. Hurricane season technically lasts from June to November, with the peak being around August and September.

The Dominant Winds

The winds are nearly always from northeast to southeast at 10 to 25 knots. The winds tend to strengthen around the northern ends of the islands.

Tides
In the Windward Islands the tide range is very small: 30 cm to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) including the variation of level due to atmospheric pressure and dominant winds.