Marigot Bay
Go for a calm, sheltered bay with a yacht marina, waterfront dining and a quiet pace on St Lucia's west coast.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Marigot Bay is a small, sheltered bay on St Lucia's west coast. Mangroves line parts of the shore, and a yacht marina sits inside the bay, so the waterfront feels like a harbor. Film crews shot the musical Doctor Dolittle here in 1967. The village is small, and most visitors walk between the marina and the waterfront restaurants. Visitors come for the marina, the mangroves and the easy pace, not for nightlife.
Go for a slow stop rather than a packed itinerary. Many travelers break a drive along the west coast between Castries, the capital, and Soufrière. The bay is about 30 to 40 minutes by car from Castries. Others stay a night or two to eat by the water, take a boat trip or watch the boats. The drier months, December to April, are the most comfortable time to visit. Hurricane season runs from June to November. Plan one to two days for the bay.
Marigot Bay in five
- Set up an eSIM before you landDigicel and Flow are the two main mobile networks on St Lucia. Buy a data plan before you fly so you can message and check maps on the drive from the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Carry East Caribbean dollarsCard machines at small shops and taxi stands are often unreliable, and change is usually given in East Caribbean dollars. Withdraw some cash before you reach the bay.Money and costs
- Price the transfer from HewanorraMost international flights land at Hewanorra (UVF) in the south, a long drive from Marigot Bay. Agree the taxi fare or book a transfer before you leave the arrivals hall.Getting around
- Check entry rules before you bookEntry rules depend on your passport, and many visitors enter without a visa for short stays. Check with the St Lucia government or your nearest embassy before you buy flights.Visas and entry
- Buy insurance that covers boat tripsSome standard policies exclude boat trips, snorkelling and jet skis. Read the activity cover line by line and save a copy of the policy on your phone.Travel insurance
Things to do in Marigot Bay
See all attractions in Marigot BayNeed to know
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar (XCD); US dollars often taken at hotels
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check yours before you book
- Emergency
- 999 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Often included; check the bill, otherwise about 10 percent
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, busy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDry, warm
- AprilDry, hot
- MayShowers, warm
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHurricane peak
- SeptemberHurricane peak
- OctoberHurricane season
- NovemberHurricane season
- DecemberDry season starts
Right now in Marigot Bay
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Castries
04:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°24°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue29°24°73%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Wed30°24°37%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Thu32°23°57%Thursday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Fri32°23°73%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sat31°23°39%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun31°22°40%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated 01:45 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.7 XCD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Castriesabout 30 to 40 min by carThe island capital, with its central market and waterfront shops; go in the morning.
- Soufrière and the Pitonsabout 1 hour by carTwo volcanic peaks rising from the coast; the road is slow and winding.Read the guide
- Pigeon Island and Rodney Bayabout 30 to 45 min by carBeaches and the Pigeon Island national landmark, with easy lunch options.
Before you go to Marigot Bay
Rules for Marigot Bay, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport with the St Lucia government or your nearest St Lucian embassy before you book flights or a hotel.
- Taking coral, shells or other marine life from the bay or reef is restricted. Ask your boat or dive operator before you snorkel or collect anything.
- Carry your passport or a photo ID when you go out. Police can ask to see it, and hotels may keep a copy of your details.
- Drug possession is a serious offence in St Lucia, and penalties are severe. Do not carry anything for someone else through customs.
Plan around Marigot Bay
Compare bay-side stays and budget rooms before you choose a base.
Read the guideGetting around St LuciaTaxis, rental cars and transfers from the airports to the west coast.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and what a day in the bay typically costs.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport and what to check before you fly.
Read the guideSt Lucia travel guideIsland-wide planning: regions, transport, money and entry in one place.
Read the guideAll of the CaribbeanOther islands and routes if St Lucia is one stop on a longer trip.
Read the guideMarigot Bay FAQ
Is Marigot Bay worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a sheltered bay with a marina and a quiet base on the west coast. It is known as a filming location for the 1967 film Doctor Dolittle. It suits a few relaxed days better than a nightlife trip.
How many days do you need in Marigot Bay?
Two or three nights cover the bay, one boat trip and a day in Castries. Add a day for the Pitons in Soufrière if you have a car and want a longer drive.
Can you visit Marigot Bay as a day trip?
Only from a base elsewhere on the island, and the drive takes time both ways. Stay at least one night if you want to see the bay in the evening.
When is hurricane season in St Lucia?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the peak in the late summer and early autumn. Check the forecast before you book flights, boat trips and refundable stays.
Do I need a car in Marigot Bay?
A car gives you the most freedom for the rest of the island. Taxis work for short trips from the bay, but agree the fare first.