Marigot Bay in depth: the bay, the marina and the west coast

About Marigot Bay in depth: the bay, the marina and the west coast

By the ULTIMATE St Lucia Editorial Team

Marigot Bay is often described as one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean: a deep, green-walled inlet with a palm-fringed spit across its mouth and yachts at anchor. Here is how to make the most of it.

The bay

Marigot Bay lies just south of Castries on the west coast, framed by steep, forested hills. Its inner harbour, the Hurricane Hole, is protected by those hills and a narrow entrance, and has long been used as a safe anchorage in storms; the tourism authority calls it one of the Caribbean’s best natural harbours. Across the mouth of the bay runs a spit of sand and palms with a small, calm beach, reached by a short ferry from the marina side.

The marina

Marigot Bay Yacht Haven is one of the island’s two main marinas, and customs and immigration are at the Yacht Reception Facility in the Marina Village, so yachts can clear in here. The resort beside it, once Capella Marigot Bay, is now listed as Zoëtry Marigot Bay. The tourism authority’s viewpoint over the bay, looking down on the marina and anchored yachts, is one of the most photographed on the island.

A bay that draws inward, where the sea seems to pause.

Eating by the water

Chateau Mygo, on Mama Sheila Drive, is a family-run restaurant right on the water, where Chef Rambally carries on a family tradition of Caribbean cooking. Across the bay, Doolittle’s at Marigot Beach Club has entertainment on Wednesday and Saturday nights, and Roots Beach Bar is one of the tourism authority’s picks for a sunset drink.

On the water

Bateau Mygo, a third-generation local company, sails private charters from the bay on catamarans and classic yachts; Oasis Marigot arranges villas and sailing; and most west-coast catamaran days from Rodney Bay stop here for a swim. Marigot Beach Club has its own dive centre.

Nearby

Just south, Saint Lucia Distillers runs its Rhythm of Rum tour in the Roseau Valley, Monday to Friday. Further down the coast, the fishing village of Anse La Raye holds its fish fry on Friday nights, and Anse Cochon, below Ti Kaye, is one of the best snorkelling and diving bays on the island, with two wrecks offshore. Canaries is home to Cacoa Sainte Lucie, a small chocolate maker with a café.

Getting there

Marigot Bay is about 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Hewanorra, and much closer to Castries and George F. L. Charles Airport. Water taxis and catamarans also stop here.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Marigot Bay in depth: the bay, the marina and the west coast before you go.