Beaches near Castries cruise port

Can anyone recommend a beach close to the port or a short taxi ride away. We've toured the island previously and fancy a chill day on the beach. Our ship does a trip to Reduit beach for 25 uk pounds but only for a few hours. Any information and taxi fares who be appreciated. Thank you. Maggie :)

Vigie beach is about a 10-20 minute walk, give or take. Minimal services (no chairs or umbrellas) but lovely long stretch of beach with lots of shade trees, some rum and local food shacks down near the airport entrance.

Choc beach is about 15 minute cab ride, has one restaurant and some chairs/umbrellas.

Reduit Beach is about 30 minutes cab ride- chairs/umbrellas, watersports for hire, loads of beach bars and restaurants, etc. Most popular choice by far.

Enjoy your visit.

Hi - I like the sound of Vigie beach - is it a straight forward walk? - and would there be taxis for the return journey if we felt too hot to walk?

Hopefully there would be other people from the cruise ships walking so we would not get lost.

Vigie is a pretty straightforward walk - head left out of either cruise dock/port area along the main highway. follow the main highway till you come to the airport runway, turn right, follow up around the end of the runway, loop around and walk back down the runway past the cemetery, towards the entrance to the airport. Rum shacks and shade trees all along near the entrance to the airport, bathroom at the airport, etc. Taxi can be found at the airport for return if you want - about $10US one way. any local can point you in the right direction.

Enjoy.

Hi

We are looking for just a couple of hours at the beach and Vigie Beach sounds good. I did read on this Board of a couple who had been harassed on a beach nearby the Rendezvous Hotel and wondered if anyone had recent experience of Vigie Beach and also if there is public access to the beach by the Rendezvous as we may feel more assured near a hotel. We have been to the Rendezvous before as guests and it was very good but given we just want a short time on the beach don't want to pay the day pass rate.

Hi

 

We are looking for just a couple of hours at the beach and Vigie Beach sounds good. I did read on this Board of a couple who had been harassed on a beach nearby the Rendezvous Hotel and wondered if anyone had recent experience of Vigie Beach and also if there is public access to the beach by the Rendezvous as we may feel more assured near a hotel. We have been to the Rendezvous before as guests and it was very good but given we just want a short time on the beach don't want to pay the day pass rate.

All stretches of beach in St. Lucia are public, so if you choose to use a stretch near the resort, feel free. Keep in mind - that will put you a long, long walk/distance from any facilities (restrooms, bars, etc) which are all down at the airport entrance end.

how long ago was the incident you read about? It is very rare to be hassled on any of our beaches, but if someone does give you a hard time, you can report it to the security guards at Rendezvous, or if you are down near the airport end, to the airport police.

Enjoy your visit, wherever you end up.

Thanks ReedPrincess I appreciate your comments and think we'll go with Vigie Beach. I'm sure we'll enjoy St. Lucia as much as ever.

Be careful of vigie beach, a Canadian tourist was killed there http://stluciastar.com/police-react-to-canadian-vistors-death/.

hi ReedPrincess: what is the difference between Choc Beach, Vigie Beach and Malabar Beach? Is is all on the same stretch? From what I am reading - starting from the airport...it starts vigie, malabar, then choc all within walking distance?

hi ReedPrincess: what is the difference between Choc Beach, Vigie Beach and Malabar Beach? Is is all on the same stretch? From what I am reading - starting from the airport...it starts vigie, malabar, then choc all within walking distance?

Vigie beach and Malabar beach are the same stretch - Vigie beach is the locals name for it as it stretches to the Vigie peninsula. Malabar is the "official" name, and refers mainly to the end that Rendezvous resort uses.

Choc beach is further north, not walking distance from Vigie/Malabar. It is up north through the city of Castries at the Choc/Union round-about. It is closer to the beach area where Sandals Halcyon is located, and also the beach in front of where Villa Beach Cottages are located - about 15 minute drive from the port area. You can't walk along the coastline, as a) it would be way long, and b) there are several river mouths along the way, along with some portions where the beach disappears into a bit of swamp, and some hills. Simply not possible. Sorry. A taxi would be involved for sure, about $20Us one way.

Choc is a nice beach for a swim, however no facilities on Choc beach - actually less options than at Vigie/Malabar. No rum shacks or beach eats, etc. There is the Wharf restaurant - when they are open, or you can walk further up the highway to the Mega J/Caribbean Cinemas complex area for a bite from the Mega J snack bar or Rituals Coffee House or Domino's Pizza at the Cinema area.

For the day, walking distance from the port, your only beach option is Vigie/Malabar. Enjoy your visit.

Be careful of vigie beach, a Canadian tourist was killed there http://stluciastar.com/police-react-to-canadian-vistors-death/.

Yes, that did happen, in Nov of 2012. The ones who perpetrated the crime were caught and charged, and are in prison. There have been no other incidents at this beach, or any others for that matter.

thanks reedprincess....I now have a clearer picture...can't wait to be there.

Hi- I'd love to try choc beach, but am worried I won't be able to get a cab back. Is it easy to get a cab back to the port where Carnival is docked?

Thanks,

Ann