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Much like Helen of Troy in Greek mythology, Saint Lucia is breathtakingly beautiful. Both in the past and present, the island has stolen hearts at first sight. Lush, green, and bountiful, its history is marked by a tug-of-war between the French and British, each battling for control of the island’s key stronghold—Morne Fortune. Whoever held the fort, held the island.

These days, past battles take a backseat to Saint Lucia’s rise as one of the most sought-after Caribbean destinations. If you’re planning a visit, it’s good to know the best time to go and what to keep in mind while exploring the island.

Saint Lucia has two seasons—wet and dry. The best time to visit? The high season, from mid-December to mid-April, when sunshine is at its peak. Looking for a more laid-back vibe? The wet season, from June to November, offers a relaxed atmosphere and often lower accommodation rates.

If you’re just about ready to book your vacation, read on to find out more about the best time to go to Saint Lucia!

Picture: Sip just as many of your favorite cocktails on the beach as you’d like at the all-inclusive Sandals Grande St. Lucian!

In this article on the Sandals Blog:

Seasonality in Saint Lucia.
Summer versus winter in Saint Lucia.
Wet Season.
The weather in Saint Lucia.
Best time to visit Castries.
Major events in Saint Lucia.
The Pitons.
Lush, green and beautiful!
The island of love.

The Best Time to Visit Saint Lucia: Seasonality

You’ve made up your mind to visit Saint Lucia, but you’re not quite sure when to go. Keep in mind that when it comes to planning a vacation in Saint Lucia, it’s good to know the peak, shoulder, and low seasons, each offering their own benefits.

High season

Mid-December to mid-April marks the high season in Saint Lucia, which means an increased number of visitors, and low flight and accommodation availability. This is also the best time to visit Saint Lucia for a beach vacation.

In Saint Lucia, the months of December, January and February are often cooler than any other time of year, which is great for beach days.

Insider tip: Make sure to book your vacation well in advance to guarantee availability at the best all-inclusive resorts in Saint Lucia.

Picture: The beachfront Sandals Regency La Toc, one of three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia.

Shoulder season

In between the high and low season, travel in the shoulder season has its perks. On the upside, if you decide to travel during the shoulder season, which includes the months of Mid-April to June, chances are you’re going to get the best of both worlds. You’ll find it relatively easy to secure airfare and accommodation as you’ll be traveling at a time with moderate amounts of activity on the island, which also means you won’t have to battle with the crowds! The weather is still great and you will find top accommodation at lower rates.

Low season

Low Season in Saint Lucia often corresponds with the wet season, which spans from June to November. Lots of people take advantage of travel in the low season because of the associated discounts and fare cuts. Some resorts offer reduced rates during the low season, which means you can probably book more nights for your trip! The low season is ideal for last minute travel or travelling on a budget.

Insider tip: October to February is the best time for whale watching in Saint Lucia. If you are planning to see some whales and dolphins, but at the same time want to avoid hurricane season, the best time to visit Saint Lucia would be in the months of December, January or February.

Figure 1: Average monthly tourist arrivals in Saint Lucia

Summer Versus ‘Winter’ in Saint Lucia

Though winter isn’t a thing in the islands, there is a slight temperature change that is noticeable towards the end of the year and into the start of a new year. Typically temperatures start cooling down from November and into February with breezier than usual days, and chillier than normal nights.

Insider tip: If you’re visiting during this time be sure to pack some lightweight, warm clothing options that you can wear when heading out at night.

Wet Season

Saint Lucians believe that the island is divinely protected against tropical storms and other weather phenomena, and for good reason. If you head to this island, know that you’ll more than likely run into fair and sunny weather. Though there can be rainy days, especially during the wet season from June to November, sunny skies are always around the corner!

The Weather in Saint Lucia

The hottest months in Saint Lucia are May through September with temperatures around 86°F. With figures in the region of 71.6°F, January and February mark the lowest temperatures annually.

April and May are the best time for swimming in Saint Lucia, with recorded water temperatures of 82°F. This is when the water is a bit warmer, the beaches are less crowded, but the wet season has yet to start.

Figure 2: Average monthly temperatures in Saint Lucia.

Figure 3: Number of rainy days in Saint Lucia annually.

Figure 4: Average monthly humidity in Saint Lucia

Figure 5: Daylight and sunshine hours and sea temperatures in Saint Lucia

Figure 6: Average monthly windspeed in Saint Lucia

Best Time to Visit Castries, Saint Lucia

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Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia, buzzes with energy from Monday to Friday. If you’re arriving by cruise, you can step out and explore this charming city. But for a more relaxing stay, consider booking one of the all-inclusive luxury resorts near Castries, where the Caribbean vibes are in full swing.

As you wander through the city, you’ll meet a mix of locals and street vendors. If you’re not interested in what they’re offering, a polite “no thanks” will do the trick. Must-visit spots include the Vendor’s Arcade, the lively Castries Market, and La Place Carenage—each easy to find and full of island charm. From the Vendor’s Arcade, you can even hop on a ferry across to Point Seraphine, a great spot for souvenir shopping, jewelry, and gifts.

The best time to explore? Around 10 AM, when the streets are still quiet. By 3 PM, traffic picks up, so it’s best to wrap up your visit before then. Want a slower-paced experience? Sunday is the quietest day, perfect for strolling at your own rhythm.

Major Events in Saint Lucia

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There’s quite a lot of things to do in Saint Lucia throughout the year. Some of the major events happening on the island include the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, Carnival, the Food & Rum Festival, and Creole Heritage Month. Here’s what you need to know about these and other popular island events:

Saint Lucia Jazz – Held on May 4-12 at the scenic Pigeon Island National Landmark, Saint Lucia Jazz is one of the oldest festivals in Saint Lucia and features local and international acts, and smooth jazzy beats.

Carnival – Witness color and splendor among the streets of Castries as part of Saint Lucia’s biggest party of the year. There are lots of carnival bands to choose from for this event, which climaxes in July.

Jounen Kweyol – Part of Creole Heritage Month, Jounen Kweyol, or Creole Day in English, is an annual event that pays homage to Saint Lucia’s Creole roots. It is one of the largest events on island, and showcases the best of Saint Lucian food, music, and fashion. This event is usually held at the end of October.

Food & Rum Festival – Lots of food, lots of rum, and most of it made in Saint Lucia. The Food & Rum Festival, held on September 19 – 22, is the perfect opportunity to try various dishes from top chefs in Saint Lucia.

Roots & Soul Festival – The Roots & Soul Festival was created with the intention of adding something fresh and unique to the roster of activities available on island. It is held on August 23-25 and highlights artistes in the reggae, conscious hip-hop, Afro-punk and R&B categories.

Gros Islet Street Party – Held every Friday of the year, the Gros Islet Street party is always a good time. From about 7 p.m. onwards on a Friday evening, the event offers barbequed meats, music and street dancing. A similar event happening on island is Fish Fridays in Anse La Raye.

The Pitons

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Towering, magnificent and ever-present, the twin peaks known as the Pitons in Saint Lucia are a World Heritage Site. The two are mountainous volcanic plugs, and one of the peaks, Gros Piton is located near the community of Soufriere, while the smaller of the two, Petit Piton, is in Choiseul. The Pitons are connected by the Piton median ridge. There are several viewing points on the island which offer stunning views of the Pitons. Scoping the Pitons by sea is a Saint Lucia vacation must!

Insider tip: For incredible photo memories, take up your tour company or resort’s offer for a sunset cruise or a boat ride to Soufrière—you’ll get an unforgettable view of the Pitons!

Lush, Green and Beautiful!

On the decent into Saint Lucia from the air, and on the drive from Saint Lucia’s main Hewannora airport in the south, the one thing that will hit you right away is how much greenery there is. You’ll be struck by the vibrant plant life, particularly between December and February, when the island is most beautiful! Despite recent property developments and the addition of new hotels and resorts, the island remains as green as ever.

Best Time to Visit Simply Spectacular Saint Lucia

The best time to visit Saint Lucia is now! We’re only half kidding—you’ll need some time to plan! This island is great for any type of vacation, but destination weddings in particular stand out. There’s good reason for this. Saint Lucia has earned numerous Honeymoon Destination of the Year awards, drawing couples from around the world to say “I do” in the Caribbean. And that for sure can be all the inspiration you need to book your next getaway!

If you’ve got a Saint Lucia vacation in mind, you can look forward for serene beachfront suites, scenic national parks, and enough stand out natural attractions to help you hit the reset button. More than just a destination, this island is a place to escape the world and focus on what truly matters—living fully, and appreciating every moment!

Picture: Check into a Rondoval Suite with ocean views at the all-inclusive Sandals Grande St. Lucian.

Good to know: The best time to visit Saint Lucia for a destination wedding is between the months of November to February when temperatures are milder. Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia offer well appointed all-inclusive honeymoon suites for an intimate getaway you can cherish.