If you’re visiting St Lucia soon then you might be wondering how safe the ocean waters are.
You’re not the only one, I was wondering the exact same thing before I visited. That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate guide which includes all the information you need.
In this guide I’ll cover everything you need to know about swimming in St Lucia including how safe it is, which beaches are safest and even the average water temperatures.
Is Swimming In St Lucia Safe?
I’m generally a very overly cautious person and have always had a big fear of the ocean (I mean, it’s huge!) so I was a little nervous about heading to St Lucia because I didn’t know what to expect.
After spending a whole week soaking up the sun in St Lucia and swimming in the ocean pretty much every single day, I can say without a doubt that it is perfectly safe to swim in St Lucia.
The ocean is pretty calm in most areas, there’s very few dangerous animals in the water and the sand is super soft.
I did a ton of research before I arrived to make sure that I was remaining as safe as possible and there are definitely a few things to bear in mind.
What You Need To Know
The beaches on the western side of the island are the calmest. These beaches face the Caribbean Sea and you’ll find the water to be super calm and perfect for all levels of swimmer.
On the other hand, the beaches on the eastern side of the island are less calm. These beaches face the Atlantic Ocean and you’ll find that the water is much wilder and choppy.
One of the hotel staff members warned me to be careful about swimming on the eastern side of the island.
She said it’s only suitable for really strong swimmers and you should never go swimming there alone.
Due to the strong waves, the eastern-side beaches are a popular surfing spot in St Lucia so you’ll likely see people surfing or windsurfing here.
There are a few designated areas on the eastern coast that are safe for swimming such as in front of the Coconut Bay Beach Resort.
It’s recommended that you only stick to these designated areas for swimming on the eastern coast.
Make sure you look out for signs that will tell you whether or not it’s safe to swim and always obey them.
The eastern-side beaches are still fun to explore but I’d recommend joining a horseback riding tour or an ATV tour to enjoy them rather than swimming.
As a general rule, the beaches on the Caribbean side are the safest however you should be aware that the currents at Anse Chastanet Beach can be stronger.
If you’re planning on visiting this beach then you don’t need to worry. The currents aren’t strong at all close to the shore but they do get stronger as you get further out into the ocean so just be wary.
Anse Chastanet is a popular snorkeling spot so if you choose to snorkel here then just be careful not to go out too far on your own and never go out swimming alone.
Summary: It’s safe to swim in the ocean in St Lucia and the beaches on the western side of the island are the safest.
Best Beaches For Swimming In St Lucia
I personally really loved Reduit Beach the best for swimming, it’s located in Rodney Bay which is one of the main tourist hotspots.
This beach is ideal for all levels of swimmers as it’s located on the western, Caribbean side of the island where the water is less choppy.
The currents are super calm here due to the fact that the beach is sheltered by nearby Pigeon Island which protects the bay from strong currents.
You can see what I mean on the map below:
This beach is over a mile long meaning there’s plenty of room for everyone however it is one of St Lucia’s most popular beaches so it does get busy at times.
My favorite thing about Reduit Beach is the stunning views of Pigeon Island which features magnificent green scenery.
Watersports are popular at this beach and you’ll see people taking part in a range of activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and more.
Snorkeling in St Lucia
If you want to go snorkeling in St Lucia then I’d recommend booking onto a snorkeling tour.
This ensures that you’ll be as safe as possible as you’ll head out into the ocean with a certified guide.
Your guide will also know the best places to find tropical fish without fail and did you know there are also turtles in St Lucia?
Snorkeling is one of my favorite things to do in St Lucia as the marine life is super vibrant and varied.
Average Water Temperature In St Lucia
It’s great to know that the water is warm enough to swim all year round in St Lucia.
Over the year, the average water temperature in St Lucia ranges between 81ºF (27ºC) in the winter to 86ºF (30ºC) in the summer.
Check out the image below to see the average water temperatures by month in St Lucia:
As you can see, there is no bad time to go swimming in St Lucia!
Are There Lifeguards In St Lucia?
One thing I noticed in particular when I visited St Lucia was that there are no lifeguards at all on any of the beaches.
If you’re staying at a resort then you might find that they have some staff members that will keep an eye on you but they’re not specific lifeguards.
This means that, whether you’re staying at a resort or not, you need to be careful when swimming in the ocean.
If you’re swimming on the western side of the island then you have little to worry about. Just don’t go too far out into the water and you’ll be absolutely fine.
You need to be much more cautious if you’re swimming on the eastern side as the water is much wilder here.
Never go out swimming alone and avoid this side of the island if you’re not a strong swimmer.
Are There Any Dangerous Animals In The Ocean?
There are no sharks in St Lucia but you may come across jellyfish from time to time so be wary of this although they are still pretty rare.
I personally never saw any jellyfish and I went in the ocean every single day. I also never heard of anyone else getting stung.
Although you won’t find them in the ocean, there are also snakes, scorpions and spiders in St Lucia but it’s unlikely that you’ll even see one. If you do happen to see one, steer clear to avoid any injuries.
And that’s it! I hope you now have everything you need to have the best vacation ever.
When it comes to swimming in the ocean, you have very little to worry about at all.
If you’re looking for non-water based activities then have you considered taking a day trip to Martinique which is another Caribbean island located nearby.
Need more help planning your St Lucia vacation?
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