All About St Lucia Weather
St Lucia Weather: Your Ultimate Weather Guide
Updated August 9th, 2023
Hello My Friend, Hello!
…and Welcome to this comprehensive post on St Lucia Weather I’ve put together just for you.
You see, in talking to visitors about their upcoming trip to St Lucia the question I get asked the most is: “So Kirk what kind of weather can we expect in (whatever the month is that they are visiting)?”
So being such a popular question I decided to reach out to the Saint Lucia Met Office and requested 10 years of weather stats. This info has allowed me to share all sorts of St Lucia weather info that you simply will not find anywhere else on the internet.
I hope you find it an invaluable resource as you plan your St Lucia vacation and I hope it brings you as much delight getting to know our weather better as it brought me pleasure creating it for you!
Because there’s a lot of content in this post I have split it up into multiple sections with a Table of Contents below to help you navigate through the post. Click on any of the links in the Table of Contents to go directly to that section. Then when you get to the individual months each month links to a separate page that tells the deeper story of that month’s weather.
So dig in, enjoy and be sure to post a comment or ask a question on anything more you’d like to know. Or shoot me a private message to discover more about our custom designed Private Island Experiences that folks are raving about over on TripAdvisor
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Table of Contents
What You Will Learn From This Post
Dreaming of an island getaway that’s nothing short of paradise?
Well, look no further than Breathtakingly Beautiful St. Lucia – the Paradise I have the pleasure of calling home! But before you pack your sunblock and flip-flops, let’s talk about something that’s vitally essential for a perfect vacation: St. Lucia Weather!
In this Ultimate St. Lucia Weather Travel Guide, we’ve got you covered with all the insider details to make your trip nothing short of Spectacular. We will touch on St Lucia temperature, St Lucia climate, St Lucia rainy season, St Lucia hurricane season, as well as some general thoughts on experiencing the best of Saint Lucia.
By the end of this post you will have a clear appreciation for weather in St Lucia and what you can expect during your visit. I will also provide a brief overview of weather in St Lucia for each month of the year and each of these overviews will be linked to a more detail post for that month.
But seeing as how a picture is worth 10,000 words here’s a little video that speaks volumes and is the perfect warm up to your visit
Okay So Who Exactly is Kirk Elliott, and Why Should I Listen to Him Anyway?!
I’m guessing by now you must be asking yourself these questions so I thought I’d answer them for you and set your mind at ease…
I am the creator of the award winning St Lucia Photo Tour where we take visitors on an amazing journey of mastering their digital cameras.
Ever since Covid we switched to offering Private Experiences rather than the group excursions we offered before. This was out of an abundance of caution for your health and safety as by going private we reduced your risk of catching Covid while on tour with us. These private experiences were such a hit that we simply never looked back.
As you read through this weather report you will see banners inviting you to explore our Private Experiences which folks have been raving about on TripAdvisor.
Shoot us a message via the chat button or the Book Consultation below if you’re loving the info we are sharing and you’d love to have the FULL Kirk Elliott Experience – because if you think this article gives you a feel for who we are and the way we care, just wait till we take you on one of our Authentic St Lucia Private Experiences…
St Lucia Climate
At a distance of 1558 km from the equator and 8442 km from the north pole St Lucia has a tropical climate with an average high temperature of about 30° C/86° F at sea level and an average low temperature of roughly 24.6° C/76° F. Further inland at higher elevations temperatures go down to an average of around 18° C/ 64.4° F.
Being part of the Windward Island chain St Lucia enjoys cooling northeasterly blowing Trade Winds that help keep the island refreshingly cool despite these high temperatures. As a result the weather in St Lucia is enjoyably warm except for the very short times when humidity is extremely high and the winds are low. At these times the air can be muggy and air conditioning is most welcomed.
Being this close to the equator the length of daylight hours on the longest day is only about an hour or so more than the daylight hours during our shortest days and unlike more northerly and southerly places that have 4 seasons St Lucia only experiences a wet and a dry season.
Dry Weather in St Lucia
Hold on to your sunblock and out with the flip flops as St. Lucia switches things up with the dry seaontwo main seasons. Say hello to blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and the perfect weather to work on that beach tan
During the dry season there usually isn’t much rain and this is a popular, though more expensive time to visit Saint Lucia. When the rains come down during the dry season it’s usually a quick burst that generally lasts for like all of 10 minutes and such showers are quite often welcomed as they serve to cool things down.
So get this: during the dry season, St. Lucia is all about spoiling you with its enchanting weather spells. Picture this—hardly any rainfall to interrupt your sunbathing sessions or those leisurely walks on the beach. It’s like the heavens themselves are on vacation, making way for your ultimate island adventures, and there’s plenty that we have in store for you.
St Lucia Rainy Season
The St Lucia rainy season is June to November and this is also the hurricane season. By the time June comes round the earth can sometimes be quite scorched and the hillsides can be a dingy brown with all the dry leaves crying out for water. The rains tend to come in gently at first, usually with showers early in the morning while you will likely still be asleep.
As June progresses into July the rains tend to come more often and with increased intensity. However, the downpours generally last for about a ½ hour or so and I often recommend simply having another drink or two and by the time you’re done the rains will be over too!
St Lucia Meteorological Office stats show an average annual rainfall of 1449 mm/57 inches of rain, with September being the wettest average month and February being the driest. All told St Lucia climate can be considered as typical Caribbean and ideal for a vacation getaway.
St. Lucia Hurricane Season: Weathering the Storms with Knowledge and Preparedness
When it comes to St. Lucia weather, there’s one topic that’s the elephant in the room: Hurricanes and how one can wreak havoc on your vacation. Now, we know this might sound a bit daunting, but fear not, as we’re here to shed light on what you can expect during this time and how to navigate it like a seasoned adventurer who is not easily spooked.
What is St. Lucia’s Hurricane Season?
St. Lucia’s hurricane season officially runs from June to November, same as the rainy season as earlier stated. During these months, the Caribbean region is known to experience tropical storms and hurricanes. But before you hit the panic button, let’s put this into perspective.
A Stormy Tale: Understanding St Lucia’s Hurricane Weather Patterns
First things first, hurricanes are relatively rare occurrences for St Lucia compared to the northern Caribbean islands. St. Lucia’s location in the eastern Caribbean puts it at a lower risk compared to other islands further north as weather disturbances tend to not be fully developed should they reach us.
Additionally, the Caribbean is such a large area that we are hardly ever impacted by the full brunt of a storm or hurricane as you can see in this image of the path of Tropical Storm Elsa back in 2021. Plus, thanks to advanced weather monitoring and communication systems, you’ll have significant advance warning of any pending weather systems. And resorts and private villas generally have proven storm risk mitigation protocols that kick in during a storm or hurricane.
So though the potential exists for a hurricane to hit St Lucia the actual probability is quite low.
Prepare and Embrace: Tips for Navigating Hurricane Season
However, we’re all about being prepared, so let’s dive into some handy tips for a smooth hurricane season vacation to Saint Lucia:
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather updates from reliable sources. Local authorities and hotels will also provide essential information.
- Flexible Plans: If you’re traveling during hurricane season, consider flexible travel dates and travel insurance for peace of mind.
- Pack Wisely: Bring essential items like a flashlight, first aid kit, and extra supplies, just in case. If you are on any medication we recommend that you travel with an extra week’s supply over and beyond the length of your stay. Not that we expect you to be stuck in St Lucia for that long should a hurricane strike, but rather simply because we want to totally eliminate the anxiety of running low on important medication.
- Trust the Locals: The locals are well-versed in handling hurricanes, so follow their advice and seek shelter if needed.
- Stay Safe: If there’s a hurricane warning, prioritize your safety above all else. Stay indoors and away from the coast until the all-clear signal is given.
The Silver Lining of St Lucia Hurricane Season: Lower Prices and Serenity
Believe it or not, there’s a silver lining to visiting St. Lucia during hurricane season—lower prices and fewer crowds! If you’re a seasoned adventurer who embraces the beauty of the unexpected, this might be the perfect time for you. Plus, the island’s lush landscapes get an extra dose of green during this time due to the rains, making for beautiful vistas as you travel about.
Weathering Stormy St Lucia Weather with Confidence
So, don’t let St Lucia’s hurricane season cast a dark cloud on your escape to paradise. Armed with knowledge and preparedness, you can experience the beauty of this tropical paradise while staying safe should the weather become a little stormy.
Remember, every season has its own charm and character, and a magical time awaits you in St. Lucia no matter when you choose to visit.
Weather in St Lucia By Month
This is a great time to give an overview of the weather by month for the entire year. To learn even more just click the link for each month for a more detailed review.
St Lucia Weather in December
Though this is the last month of the year I thought it was the perfect place to start. November marks the end of the rainy season so St Lucia weather in December brings visions of less rain as well as the joys of the festive season. Though we have moved into the dry season December often features a fair degree of rain, however it is unlikely to rain for the entire day as can happen in the preceding months.
St Lucia Weather in January
For St Lucia weather in January you can expect lots of sunshine, beautiful blue skies and cooling breezes from the North East Tradewinds. Early morning showers are common and don’t panic if the early morning skies look rather ominous as by 9:00 AM the skies are likely to be beautiful with no trace of the early morning make belief storm clouds.
St Lucia Weather in February
This is now the third month of our six month dry season so it should come as no surprise that St Lucia weather in February features the month with the lowest rainfall. February is also the month with the lowest daytime and night time temperatures, which should come as no surprise either, considering that this is the dead of winter in the northern hemisphere. The trade winds are even stronger than in January and this is a popular time for kite surfing at Cas en bas Beach on the northern end of the island and also down on Sandy Beach in the south.
St Lucia Weather in March
St Lucia weather in March features more of the same like in February and in March there is still little rainfall. In fact March is usually the 2nd driest month of the year and you get an idea of this just from watching the trees on the hillsides where you can see that they are struggling from lack of water. At this time we are often impacted by dust in the atmosphere which has blown across the Atlantic Ocean, having originated from dust storms in the Sahara Dessert over in West Africa. This dust makes the hillsides look a dinghy gray and can also make the horizon become indistinct when looked at across the ocean.
St Lucia Weather in April
So now we are into the penultimate month of the dry season and St Lucia weather in April can literally find us marking time as we anxiously await the arrival of the rains. By this time the average maximum temperature has increased by 1° C/2° F, which is also half of its annual variation. By April the average minimum temperature has also increased and all of this happens in part because day after day the land is being scorched without any rain to cool things down. However you are likely to love this weather as what’s there not to love about beautiful blue cloudless skies and no signs of rain.
St Lucia Weather in May
St Lucia weather in May is hot and dry. May has the third hottest average monthly temperatures and how early in the month the rains start to come gives an indication about what the rainy season may have in store. The northern and southern ends of the island are quite dry and over on Pigeon Island there can be bush fires sometimes from spontaneous combustion! However the center of the island tends to remain quite green as it enjoys some relief rainfall. This happens as air coming off the Atlantic Ocean hit the mountains, rise upwards causing moisture in them to condense and fall as rain on the western side of the island.
Daylight in May is longer as we approach June which has the longest day and shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
St Lucia Weather in June
May marks the end of the dry season and June is the beginning of the rainy season. So with St Lucia weather in June you can expect more rain. However the rains don’t suddenly come pouring out of the sky, but rather gradually ease in. So you can expect more days with rain, but generally not so much that your vacation will be ruined.
June also marks the start of the hurricane season, however hurricanes usually appear later in the season and not this early on.
St Lucia Weather in July
St Lucia weather in July generally sees more rain coming down. By now the hillsides may have started to recuperate from the dry period and beautiful vibrant greens start returning to the leaves of the trees on the mountainsides. Average July high temperatures are about the same as June and May with this three month period being the third hottest months of the year with only August, September and October being hotter. By July the average rainfall is twice what it was in May. At this time of year the rains tend to come early in the mornings and again during the early afternoons. By now we have a fair idea of how active the hurricane season is likely to be based on the weather systems that have developed to date. However as stated earlier in this article, with St Lucia being as far south as it is we are less susceptible to hurricanes than the islands north of us.
St Lucia Weather in August
We are now into the third month of the rainy season and it’s no surprise that St Lucia weather in August features more rain than the months preceding. In fact on average August is the fourth wettest month of the year. With all of this rain August can also be humid. It is also the second hottest month of the year with an average temperature of about 31° C/ 88° F. Now the rains are likely to come both in the mornings and evenings and quite often at night as well. But as always there isn’t sufficient rain to ruin a holiday.
St Lucia Weather in September
St Lucia weather in September comes with more rain with data showing that this is the second wettest month of the year and also the hottest month of the year. So little surprise that the high
humidity continues in September. During this month it is not unusual to have 2 to 3 days in the month where it rains for most of the day. However these days are not necessarily back to back. In unusually wet years by September we down here are looking forward to the coming months when the rains begin to taper off. As a result of all of this rain September on average is the month with the second shortest number or hours of bright sunshine. This doesn’t mean that you will be in darkness, but rather that there’s a lot of overhead cloud that blocks out the sun.
St Lucia Weather in October
By October we are fast approaching the end of the rainy season, however there are some years when you would hardly know this. St Lucia weather in October finds the island lush green due to the rains of previous months. There tends to be lots of cloud cover and the days can be a bit muggy due to higher humidity compared to the dry season. There is a high probability of rain most days, however the rain tends to come as rain showers which usually clear up quickly so there’s no need to fear that your days will be ruined by rain. A twelve year rainfall study (2005 – 2016) showed October to be the month of the year with the most rainfall. Due to all of this rain and cloud cover October also features less bright sunshine than 8 other months in the year. On the upside of all of this October offers some really great accommodation and other local deals as this is usually a slow period for visitor arrivals.
St Lucia Weather in November
St Lucia weather in November signals the end of the hurricane season as well as the end of the rainy season. Officially these seasons end November 30th, however the rains don’t suddenly stop, but rather continue, though with less and less intensity and frequency but well into December. November is the month with the least number of hours of bright sunshine and also by this time the days are getting noticeable shorter with the sun setting closer to 6:00 PM rather than around 6:30 PM in the summer. By November St Lucia has come out of the spell of high humidity associated with earlier months as we are now impacted more by the North East Trade Winds. These trade winds often bring over dust from dust storms in the Sahara Desert over in West Africa and the dust can hang like a thin sheet of translucent paper over the hillsides for weeks on end. But with the weather as nice as it can be in November you probably won’t even notice this
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Discover The REAL St Lucia
Rodney Bay St Lucia
Rodney Bay Village is a popular term you are likely to encounter when researching a St Lucia getaway. The “Village” starts at Rodney Bay Marina in the north and extends south to the Baywalk and JQ Charles Shopping Mall area. Rodney Bay Marina is a modern full service marina facility owned and operated by International Global Yachting. It comprises over 250 slips, berthing facilities for 32 mega yachts, bars, restaurants, banking and more…
Further south in the Rodney Bay mall area you will find banking, shopping, pharmacies, a casino and more restaurants than you could dine at even if you picked one or two a night over a 2 week stay. Rodney Bay St Lucia is the hip place to hang out while on the island.
Marigot Bay St Lucia
Sticking with yacht anchorages brings us to Marigot Bay St Lucia. Just south of Castries this hurricane hole is one of the safest anchorages in the entire Caribbean. The bay features a double harbour, a phenomenon that makes the inner bay really sheltered and safe should a hurricane strike. Marigot Bay is home to some beautiful vacation rental properties perched on the hillsides adjoining the bay as well as some restaurants right down on the bay that are truly worth visiting.
Map of St Lucia
One of the best ways to get an appreciation of St Lucia is from a map of St Lucia so I have included one here to help you find your bearings. International flights land on the southern end of the island and most visitors must trek up to the northern end of the island which is where most of the resorts are located.
Options for getting from the airport to the northern end of the island include taxi, a rental vehicle or St Lucia Helicopters
A map of St Lucia is also quite handy for helping you get your bearings. Most of the islands’ scenic delights are on the west. Check out the quaint little fishing village of Anse La Raye. It provides great photographic opportunities, especially in the morning when the sun shines straight across onto the ocean in a way that allows you to get stunningly vibrant colours.
To get this level of vibrance a circular polarizer is a must…something I get into detail on during The St Lucia Photo Tour…
Sulphur Springs St Lucia Soufriere & The Pitons
No trip to Saint Lucia is complete without a visit to Soufriere. Prepare to be blown away by the majestic awesomeness of The Pitons of St Lucia. Then there is the collapsed volcanic crater – The Sulphur Springs – St Lucia, which is touted as the world’s only Drive-in Volcano… not that I can figure why anyone would want to drive into a volcano!
The mineral mud baths at the Sulphur Springs is a must…go in feeling like 40 and come out feeling 18! Go in feeling 60 and come out feeling 24. And if those older ages mean nothing to you because you are way too young and way too cute, just imagine how you’re gonna feel after experiencing the therapeutic mud baths 😉
Pigeon Island St Lucia
While I’ve taken you down St Lucia’s west coast no introduction to St Lucia is complete without mentioning of Pigeon Island. Pigeon Island St Lucia with its military ruins dating back to the fighting between the English and the French must be one of the most historically significant military ruins in St Lucia, if not the Caribbean. With the English and French separately taking possession of Saint Lucia a total of 7 times each the island holds a record for the largest number of nationality changes of all the islands in the Caribbean.
Because Martinique, which has always been French, is a mere 25 miles north of Pigeon Island the island featured prominently as a strategic offensive and defensive position back in those days of Caribbean lawlessness, piracy and plunder. Today however the only remnants of those bygone days are names like the English – Fort Rodney which sits on the lower of the two peaks on the island; and Jambe de Bois (Peg Leg) Restaurant, named after the French privateer Francois le Clerc who reputedly used Pigeon Island as his hideout during the 16th century.
Today Pigeon Island is a Saint Lucia National Trust Landmark and a great place to “chill out” for half a day or so.
St Lucia Tours
With so much scenic beauty St Lucia is a great island for soft adventure. Trip Advisor St Lucia is a great place to discover things to do in St Lucia and the nicest thing about this is your ability to learn what folks who came before you really thought of their island experiences. Your most meaningful St Lucia Tours will most likely be those that give you a deeper appreciation of St Lucia’s uniqueness as opposed to being just another destination of sun sea and sand.
Best Beach in St Lucia
When thinking of St Lucia beaches a question I’m often asked is “What is the best beach in St Lucia?”
Well St Lucia is blessed with a variety of beautiful beaches and you are likely to find your favourite one based on the things you fancy.
So there are Cas-en-bas Beach on the northern end of the island and Sandy Beach in the south which are both great for kite surfing. Both of these beaches are on the Atlantic or eastern side of the island. For the kite surfers the weather in St Lucia is always an important consideration as they must know when the Northeastern Trade Winds are strongest so they can determine when they are likely to have the best wind action.
Then there is the ever popular Reduit Beach over in the Rodney Bay Village. With four hotels on this strip of beach, as well as it being popular with cruise ship passengers, this beach is oftentimes a hive of visitor activity.
In recent times Vigie Beach, just across from St Lucia’s small airport (G. F. L. Charles Airport) has become quite popular. The creation of a new food and drink vendors’ facility has cruise ship passengers flocking to this beach. This crescent shaped beach is about a mile and a half long which means that there is plenty of room for you to come and pick your spot.
Conclusion
St Lucia has long been considered one of the most exotic Caribbean islands. Being further south than many of it’s neighbor islands makes it more challenging to get to. But for those who make the effort to come St Lucia is such a welcomed treat. I hope that this overview of weather in St Lucia and all the other insights I shared have been helpful for you in planning your very own St Lucia getaway!
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See You Soon,
Hi Kirk. We are heading to sugar beach for our honeymoon in August 27th! How’s the weather looking. I am ignoring the forecast per your instructions. Has it been overly rainy?
Hey Nicholas, First off – Congratulations on your upcoming wedding … or has it already happened?
Weather so far for this rainy season has been wonderful, though I must confess that we have had more rain than is seasonal. Cool thing though is that so far this year we haven’t had an entire day of nonstop rain.
Also Sugar Beach is such a nice resort that rain, even if it comes along, is hardly likely to spoil your fun.
When you get in I’d love for you to shoot me off a quick follow up to let me know what you think.
Enjoy…
My husband and I were supposed to be leaving tomm for St. Lucia. We looked at the weather forecast on about 5 different weather forecast sites and they were all saying a lot of rain and clouds/overcast the entire time we were there, with the days following, being sunny! Are they having a bout of rain going on? We didn’t want to be there with tons of rain and overcast!
Is the end of May a better time to go?
Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
Ignore the weather forecast as it is misleading. Our dry season is December to May so it is unlikely that your vacation in May will be ruined by rain.
Having said this I must confess that the rains have started coming. But this is a welcome thing as they are bringing back green to the hillsides. Now before you get all worried about this I am quick to add that it hasn’t been raining all day, nor is it likely to. So you might have half hour of overcast skies followed by 15 – 20 minutes of rain, then beautiful sunshine for 2 hours, then overcast again with no rain.
Now because we are closer to the equator where the sunlight is more direct you must still be careful as you can suffer sunburn even on an overcast day.
I will be going out in a bit so I’ll take my camera with me and shoot a couple of pictures which I’ll email to you so you can see what I mean by not worrying about what the forecast says.
Now if you were coming in September I’d be telling you a different story! So let me state with every confidence – Please IGNORE those weather reports!!!
Hi Kirk…
I’ll be visiting St. Lucia May 2 thru May 14. I’ve looked at the 10 day forecast and it shows rain all the way through May 8, and most precipitation at 60%. I know you comment that most times it doesn’t rain all day, but with that high of precipitation, I can’t see how it can’t.
I’ll be staying at the Hideaway Royalton from 5-2 thru 5-6, and then leaving for the Oasis Marigot. One of my concerns, going to the Oasis Marigot, is that I have the option to get a unit with AC, for a pricey amount, and I’m debating whether I should take it or not. My concern is that it’ll be humid and warm at night, and even though there are ceiling fans, it may not be enough. I see the lows dip down into 76, but I’m worried about the humidity. Any thoughts on this? You would think it may be a “no brainer” just get it and be done, but I think of what cool extra excursion I can take with that money..
Thanks for your input. I looking forward to seeing your beautiful island!
Jean
Hi Jean,
First off Thank You for choosing St Lucia and rain or no rain you will have a BLAST!
So the Royalton is on the northern tip of the island where the rainfall is considerably lower than our national average. I am therefore confident in saying that rain is not likely to adversely impact you.
Will there be rain? Probably. Now will the rain ruin your stay? No…
Down at Marigot you are likely to experience more rain than at the Royalton, however at this time of year I have never experienced vacation ruining downpours for days on end.
Now the humidity can be a factor to contend with and it can actually be more of a bother than the rain.
Earlier this April I experienced some humidity that was quite oppressive during one of my St Lucia Photo Tours and I was very quick to whisk the Photo Tour participants off to a nearby village where they got amazing scenes to photography, and thankfully the humidity was far less there.
With the humidity this high I recommend that you strongly consider the A/C option. Can you book a non-A/C room, try it for 1 night and upgrade while you are here?
Bear in mind that you will be here in the middle of St Lucia Jazz so changing rooms could be a challenge … http://www.stlucia.org/jazzfestival/schedule/
Hope you find this helpful and remember that what some call rain is actually Liquid Sunshine!!
Hey Kirk,
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to the Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia (La Toc). Still haven’t set a date but are interested in either visiting early July or early September. We were wondering what time of year you would suggest visiting out of the two and the difference in weather patterns (rain, temperature, risk of hurricanes/tropical storms).
Thanks,
Drew
Hey Drew,
I’d pick July. This is only the 2nd month of the rainy season and the rains as well as hurricanes tend to come later in the year. Fortunately most hurricanes miss us due to how far south we are.
You can read up on the individual months here https://www.stluciabykirk.com/st-lucia-weather-in-july/ and here https://www.stluciabykirk.com/st-lucia-weather-in-september/
Either way expect to have a blast!
Hi, my fiance and I are looking into Sandals Resorts for the wedding/honeymoon… I’ve been looking into Saint Lucia. We want calm, romantic…To enjoy ourselves. But we wanna do it in March 2017 (we are looking into booking in 2days) what is the weather like? And if you can give me any info on this place, like can we use debit or do we need cash, & is it usually packed with ppl or not …I just want to know the scoop on this place! Also how do we get there from airport also lol I don’t travel much especially like this maybe drive to a state over but that’s it! Thanks so much! I greatly appreciate it!!
Thanks, Tiffany
Hey Tiffany,
Hope you found my St Lucia weather article helpful! St Lucia weather in March is spectacular as you will be visiting during our dry season which is from December to May.
Sandals is a popular resort for weddings and honeymoons. This means that there can be lots of other weddings the day you marry. Some Sandals packages include airport transfers so verify with the resort on this. Alternatively you can hire a taxi at the airport or even rent a car – if you are up to driving on the “wrong” side of the road!
Hope these answers help and for any further questions you may have just shoot me a message at Kirk@KirkElliott.com
Hi Kirk,
I stumbled across your post and found it extremely insightful and it also made me feel much better considering we arrive on your beautiful island on Saturday to celebrate our honeymoon. We are staying at the Sandals Halcyon Beach resort for two weeks and my wife would be very upset should we get the rain that appears to be forecasted on most websites! She is a sun worshipper and I talked her out of going to the Maldives in favour of your island!
Cannot wait to arrive and thanks once again.
Rob
Hey Rob, Congratulations on your recent wedding and Thank You for choosing St Lucia…especially over a location as beautiful as the Maldives.
If this is your first time to the Caribbean you will find a lot of cool things about our weather beyond its warmth.
During your 2 weeks you will get some rain and I have found this to be one of the wettest Novembers on record. But before you get all flustered let me assure you that it never rains for long, the rain keeps us beautifully lush and green, and best of all, though wet – our rain is always warm.
Truth be told – It never rains down here in Paradise. Instead what we have is bouts of Liquid Sunshine!
BTW the Halcyon is very dear to me as I was their resident photographer for a number of years.
Speaking of photography – If you love photography and have a digital camera why not join me on a St Lucia Photo Tour. I’m transitioning to a more culturally leaning tour where I introduce visitors to Authentic St Lucia and would love to have you and your lovely wife come out with us, if for no other reason than to ensure that she absolutely doesn’t miss the Maldives!…
We are planning a vacation in Jan 2017… And are stumped as to where to stay… Our choices are Viceroy SugarBeach or up further north. We will have our college kid with us and would like to do some excursions such as hiking, ATV or day cruise… We also want our child to enjoy some young adult fun as well.. We want to be able to choose different dining options at night if possible… A lot to ask for, but can you help us in determining, accommodations in Souferiere or up north as our best option… Sunshine would be a plus too!!! Can’t wait to visit St. Lucia!
Hi Elizabeth,
I absolutely love receiving requests as simple as yours: “Sunshine would be a plus too!!!” … Well consider it DONE! 🙂 You will have all the sunshine your heart desires … GUARANTEED 🙂 🙂
Truth is January is a fantastic month to visit. While it is cold up north the average daytime temperature down here is 29° C/ 84° F and the average monthly rainfall is 3 inches of rain … or in layman’s terms – Hardly a drop in the bucket!
You see our dry season ( we only have a wet and a dry season) is from December to May so by the time January rolls round we boast beautiful blue skies, hardly any rain, the ocean is warm and inviting and the tropical cocktails are sheer delight!
Regarding places to stay – Sugar Beach is an excellent choice. The exclusive Photo Safari that I run with them is very popular and one of their 5 or so Signature Tours so I am quite familiar with the resort.
There is more activity to partake in up north so your son (did I get that right???) may enjoy it more. Based on your choice of Sugar Beach I have a few ideas for places to stay up north, however tell me which ones have caught your eye and I will provide some additional insights…
Hi Kirk, thanks for the info in this article, it was really helpful and has put my mind at ease somewhat. My new husband and I will be spending our honeymoon in vieux fort from 7 November. the weather reports are saying thunderstorms and heavy rain for the next couple of weeks (!!!). I think I’ll cry if it’s bad the whole time! Is it really that bad there at the moment? Also, what activities do people do if it does rain forever? Many thanks, Kirby.
Hi Kirby-Marie,
Apologies for not responding sooner 🙁 Gosh I swear that sometimes 24 hours simply aint enough in a day!
Regarding the weather – HAVE NO FEAR!! Simply ignore all the doom and gloom reports as you’ll be just fine.
Here are a couple of reasons why:
1. Our rainy season is June to November so as you can imagine by November the worst of the rains are over
2. While you may read a report that says 80% chance of rain what those reports fail to report (no pun intended 🙂 is that what we generally have are short rain showers rather than all day deluges
3. Vieux Fort is on the southern end of the island and because of St Lucia’s shape that area receives far less rainfall than the mountainous center of the island.
4. I could give you 5 or 6 additional assurances, but I’m sure you get the drift
And finally – Regarding your question about what to do should it rain forever: You’re on Honeymoon Right??!!!
Anyhow Enjoy and at the end of your stay please post an update to let me know if I can have the job of St Lucia Weather Forecaster…
Hey there
We are considering going to Sandles in St. Lucia in and around October 20 2016. Our concern is the rainy month of October and don’t want to get stuck inside the whole week. You think we will only deal with some afternoon showers?
Thanks.
Hey Jonathan,
Rainy Season is June to November however it rarely ever rains all day so don’t even sweat it. You’ll be just fine!
Hello!
Thank you for you’re helpful info. We are looking to go for a big birthday celebration as a family in October but getting really worried about info on the rainfall! Can you tell me roughly in October if it’s likely to rain all day, or just showers but then it’s nice and sunny after? I know you said it’s nice and warm even when it rains, which is great, however living in England we are used to the rain and so will expect but may have to re think the holiday if it will be more rain than sunshine! 🙂
Many thanks
Hey Lizzy,
Plan for your BIGGEST Birthday Bash EVER because the weather is more than likely to be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT and I’m willing to bet my best camera on this…
Don’t think about rainfall and don’t think about the way it rains in the UK. St Lucia’s rainy season is June to November so you can imagine that by October the most intense periods of rain are usually over.
Also something else to bear in mind is that in St Lucia it hardly ever rains for the entire day but instead the rain tends to come down in short bursts and I have found the best cure for this is for you to have another drink 😉
… and by the end of your second drink you won’t even care whether it’s raining or not 🙂
How much rain you experience will also depend on where you stay on the island. The extreme north and south of the island get far less rainfall (there’s that word again!) than the centre – like down in Soufriere.
However as I started out saying – October is a great month for your birthday bash.
Now Lizzy I know it’s a long way from October and anyone reading my reply may think that I’m just saying what I’m saying to make you feel better. However everything I’ve said in this reply comes from my knowledge of local weathered. You see, so much of my photography is of visitors just like you in the outdoors causing me to know better than most just what to expect.
So to prove the point of my reply I’d love it if you would come back and make a post of your St Lucia weather experience after your birthday bash to let other readers know how accurate my predictions were.
In fact why not shoot me an email at Kirk@KirkElliott.com so we can stay in touch…and I’ll be happy to help you with anything else you’d like to know about St Lucia – weather or not!
Ok thank you very much! We are getting it booked up and I will let you know how we found it. I’m sure we will have a fantastic time as I’ve heard such great things about St. Lucia. Thank you again!!
Hi Kirk! My fiancé and I will be visiting St. Lucia very soon. We arrive on November 9Th. There is rain in the forcast everyday. Doesn’t it rain all day every day? Or is it just short showers throughout the day? Thank you so much for your post! We both can’t wait for the trip!
– Corie
Hey Corie,
So happy that you found my post helpful. In fact your comment has inspired me to start a monthly post that will run for the next 12 months and in those posts I will discuss the weather for that month.
I would love to know what you think of this idea and also is there anything else that you think it would be nice for me to write about that vacationers just like you really want to get the real scope on.
By now you should be in St Lucia and you will see first hand that it hardly ever rains for the whole day. And over the course of your vacation you’ll discover that there’s no need to stop for rain.
Hey while it is wet it’s so very warm – hence the reason why we call it “Liquid Sunshine”!
Hey Steph,
Hope you found my take on the weather helpful and your comment has inspired me to create a monthly post over the next year in which I’ll feature pictures during the month followed by a write up on the weather for that month.
Our rainy season officially starts June 1st. This is also the start of the hurricane season, though we are sufficiently south in the Caribbean that we hardly ever get hit.
Now it hardly ever rains for the entire day down here and even when it rains life never stops. Just think of rain in St Lucia as being Liquid Sunshine since while wet, it is always warm!!!
The north of the island does get less rain, however don’t let this govern where you decide to stay. Think instead of what vacation activities are most important to you and let this be your guide.
Interesting that you should wish to climb the Pitons as I have been recently recommended to work with The folks who conduct the hike and my mission is to help them take the climbing experience there to great new heights (every pun intended 🙂
So please stay in touch so that I can share more info as things progress since I hope to be fully onboard with them down there before you arrive in July.
And as for the Photo Tour – We’d love to have you come hang with us and we’ll even share some pointers for Photography When Climbing The Pitons!
See You Soon…
One Love,
Kirk
Hello!
I have read so many different websites about the weather in St. Lucia in early July and it has become a tad overwhelming sorting through it all! My fiancé and I will be traveling July 5th- July 12th for our honeymoon. We have looked at quite a few resorts and still can’t decide on one. (We do like the Sandals grande). Are we likely to experience a lot of rain in St Lucia in early July? Does it make a difference if we stay far north on the island (sandals grande)? I read that the north doesn’t get as much rain. Another issue is that we really want to hike one of the pitons! That’s kind of far from the sandals grande. Any help in what the weather is like in early July and where you suggest staying to avoid rains as much as possible would be helpful! I also realize there are lush greens on the island and that rain in short bursts is common. I am more concerned about all day rains! Thanks! Oh! I am also interested in your photographer tour.
Steph B
Thanks for the info, we are going to Coco Palms on the 8th of October for my 50th birthday on the 10th, this information has probably been the most helpful out off all on the web!!! Very excited x
Hey Karen,
Happy Birthday…and what a wonderful milestone 50 is!!!
I’m elated that you found my blog post that helpful as it is comments such as yours that inspire me to keep up these posts.
Be sure to say hello to Peppy (my big sis) when you get to Coco Palm.
Enjoy St Lucia,
One Love,
Kirk
Send me information on the best tour on the island the most important things to see and are any weekly festivals weekly.
Hey Rena,
The best tour on the island and most important things to see will depend on what you enjoy and your personality. Probably our most popular weekly event is the Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party
My husband and I are visiting st lucia this December. To celebrate our 25 th wedding anniversary we are staying at the grand st lucian thank you for the information you provided it was most helpful ..
Hey Laura,
Congrats on 25 … Hope you had a blast!
Hello,
My husband and I are thinking to go to Sandals St. Lucia this January 1, 2018..That is not too cold for the beach or swimming or water sports right? and January is not hurricane season right? It will be our 19 years anniversary so do you have any recommendation?
Hey Marietta
First off congratulations on your upcoming 19th wedding anniversary and congratulations again on choosing St Lucia as the place to celebrate!
Now to the matter of the weather… Considering that the average January temperature is 29°C/84°F you will absolutely love it!
Hurricane season is June to November so you will be perfectly fine in January
Check out my complete weather post for January in St Lucia by clicking the link below and you should be all set.
https://www.stluciabykirk.com/st-lucia-weather-in-january/
Now regarding things to do in St Lucia – why don’t you let me know some of the things you enjoy and some of the things your hubby enjoys and I’ll offer a few suggestions.
Best way to proceed is to shoot me an email at Kirk@KirkElliott.com and I’ll get right back to you.
And if you include a telephone number and a good time to call I’ll give you a holler as I always find the telephone so much easier than emails back and forth
Please add 305.394.8100 to your contacts as that’s the FL number I will call you from
One Love,
Kirk
I’m going to be arriving Saturday the 24th 2017 And I am super excited and lil worried bc of hurricane Cindi. And I hope it doesn’t rain the all time but your article was very helpful! I am staying at the Sandals Grand St Lucian it looks amazing!
Hey Kristie,
Glad you found the article helpful.
It is all too easy to get caught up in the hype of the rainy season/hurricane season and what I’ve attempted to convey is for visitors like you to not get caught up in the hype.
Now could you experience a hurricane and have your vacation ruined??? Well the answer is definitely YES! But will you actually have this unfortunate experience? And the answer is – Most likely NO!!
So I’d really love for you to post a follow up review after your St Lucia vacation, relating a first hand commentary of your actual experience as this more than anything else will prove the merits, or demerits of this weather article.
So here’s wishing you a smashing St Lucia vacation as I look forward to reading and sharing your update with the world…