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ISLAND YACHTING |
RODNEY BAY MARINA Rodney Bay is over a mile long with a man-made causeway at its northern end that connects Pigeon Island to the mainland and shelters the whole bay. Within the bay is a large, completely protected inner lagoon, accessed via a man-made channel between Reduit Beach and the town of Gros Islet. This lagoon, dredged to between 10 - 12ft., is the home of Rodney Bay Marina. It is also the ARC's (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) Caribbean home. Rodney Bay Marina is well-known throughout the Caribbean as a first-class, full service facility. Concrete docks and berths that offer water and electricity (220 volts/50 cycles) with transformers are available to yachtsmen. Rodney Bay Services, a subsidiary of the Marina, provides auxiliary facilities such as same-day laundry, ice and the refilling of propane gas cylinders (the only place in the English-speaking Caribbean to do so). Rodney Bay Services can also put yachties in touch with all types of marine specialists. FACILITIES AT RODNEY BAY MARINA OFFICIAL SERVICES RBM Office/Marina - 452-0324 CHARTERS Chandlery Rodney Bay Marina Boatyard - 452-8215 RESTAURANTS & CAFES Bread Basket - 452-0647 Coconut Willie - 458-0506 SHOPPING Bryden & Partners Ltd./Liquor - 452-8221 Colletta's II/Boutique - 452-8054 Dockside Trading Co. Boutique - 452-8985 The Drugstore/Pharmacy - 452-0202 Le Marché de France Groceries - 452-8484 Pieces of Eight/Boutique, Gifts - 452-0456 BANKING Barclays Bank PLC - 452-9384; Royal Bank of Canada - 452-9921 Miscellaneous Services Caribbean Cellular/Communications - 453-9900 CTL Car Rental - 452-0732 T.J.'s Rent-a-Car - 452-0116 Rodeo Rentals/Scooter Rentals - 452-0189 RMB Marine Services & the Sail Loft/Marine - 452-0324 Regis Electronics (St. Lucia) Ltd. - 452-0205 Buddies Scuba - 452-9086/450-8406 , 584-3914 (M) Toucan Travel - 452-0896 Rodney Bay Marina Taxi Services - 452-9957 CASTRIES HARBOUR Vigie Creek (near GFL Charles Airport) and Castries City are the harbour's two main anchorages. Services include repair and replenishment facilities, hardware shops, restaurants and the capital's open-air market. Vigie is the more secluded of the two anchorages. Harbour/Yacht Services Pointe Seraphine Cruise Ship Harbour - 452-3036 St. Lucia Yacht Services - 452-5057 or VHF 16 RESTAURANTS Froggie Jack's - 458-1900 The Coal Pot - 452-5566 Café au Lait. All week 7 am to 8 pm Castries Yacht Centre - 452-6234 or VHF 16 SOUFRIERE Home of the island's most famous twins, the Pitons, Soufrière offers dramatic backdrops for visiting boats. While Soufrière itself is an official port of entry, anchorages can also be found at Anse Chastanet, just north of Soufrière Bay, and off the Hummingbird Beach Resort north of Soufrière town. The Soufrière Marine Management Area issues Coral Conservation Permits to all vessels anchoring within the management area. The cost of the permit depends on vessel size and length of stay. Authorised members of the Soufrière Water Taxi Association will help tie stern lines and are available for any kind of water transfer service. Rates are standard and they will also provide watchman services when boat owners are ashore. In Soufrière, there are plenty of sights to be seen both above and below the water line. MARIGOT HARBOUR Marigot Harbour is completely sheltered and another one of the Caribbean's spectacularly beautiful anchorages. It lies approximately a mile south of the Hess Oil depot at Cul de Sac Bay, which is a conspicuous landmark even by night, as it is brightly lit. When watching for the entrance, keep an eye open for the prominent house with the bright red roof at the southern entrance. You cannot miss it. The Moorings Yacht Charters VIEUX FORT Home to St. Lucia's main international airport, Hewanorra, and the island's second-largest town, Vieux Fort is nevertheless still somewhat off the beaten track as far as most tourists go. Sporting one of the longest stretches of soft, sandy beach and offering the island's first (proposed) National Park, this official port of entry offers a more unspoiled version of the island's charm. Anchorages are off the town's big ship dock, where Customs can be found, or beside the brandnew Fisheries Complex. The town offers basic mechanical services, two well-assorted supermarkets/shopping malls and a great selection of fresh fruits, fish and vegetables on the Saturday market. Anse de Sable Bay, on Vieux Fort's reef-protected Atlantic coast, is proving to be one of the Caribbean's finest windsurfing locations, with state-of-the-art equipment for rent. |
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