Long a haven for international superyachts, Marigot Bay Marina in St Lucia is looking forward to bumper yachting season
The marina located on the scenic leeward side of the Caribbean island is anticipating a busy 2019/2020 season with the number of visiting yachts expected to top those seen in previous seasons
Marigot Bay Marina
The full-service marina whose coordinates are 14° N, 61° W is attached to the five-star Marigot Bay Resort and Spa. Open year round, it is Saint Lucia’s foremost yachting destination and provides a haven for yachts and their owners or guests who are looking for a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere to unwind in the Caribbean.
Recognised as one of the Caribbean’s most secure anchoring spots, Marigot Bay provides protection to ships during the roughest of seas. The bay is known as a “hurricane hole” due to its location on the west side of the island, where it is surrounded by mountains and experiences minimal tidal changes. Indeed, several major maritime insurance companies routinely recognize Marigot Bay as a true safe harbour.
Affording convenient access to the Caribbean, Marigot Bay Marina is a favorite starting and drop off point for yacht charters due to the unmatched service provided and the convenience of direct flights to and from both the US and the UK.
“We have been working hard to increase awareness of the fantastic atmosphere and world class facilities on offer at Marigot Bay Resort and Marina, and these efforts appear to be paying dividends,” said Marigot Bay Marina Manager, Troy Blanchard.
Record number
According to Blanchard, with Hurricanes Irma and Maria impacting the northern Caribbean in 2017, many superyachts headed further south visiting islands and marinas not normally on their charter itineraries. That year, Marigot Bay Marina saw a record number of visiting vessels, many of which were moored in the bay for the very first time.
“Once they saw the natural beauty of the bay and experienced our hospitality on the docks, many yacht captains and owners vowed they would return, and that has certainly been the case,” he said.
Between December 2018 and March 2019, Marigot Bay Marina welcomed 220 yachts per month varying in size from small sailing vessels to the 74 metre Naia, with her celebrity charter guests.
“The motoryacht Naia (ex Pegaso) is the largest yacht by volume and length that we have welcomed to the bay so far and they have vowed to return,” Blanchard said, adding that continued outreach to the key yacht charter companies and recent familiarisation trips to the bay for major charter players is expected to see the number of larger yachts coming into Marigot Bay increase.
Popular with yacht captains
“We have always been popular with yacht captains and owners, but now we are on the radar of the large charter companies who are attracted to Marigot Bay Marina as the perfect place to start and finish charters because of the beauty of the bay, the personalised service on the docks, and the fantastic international flight connections Saint Lucia enjoys,” he said.
Key to the continued success of the marina is the attention to detail the Blanchard and his team enlist to ensure every need of the yacht crews and their guests are met, coupled with the personal touches and authentic Saint Lucian hospitality that make visitors feel special.
Marigot Bay Marina provides a particularly warm welcome to yachts over 24 metres who are met on arrival at the dock with a bucket of perfectly chilled Piton beers (the local lager), a large
bouquet of tropical flowers, and freshly baked cookies courtesy of Marigot Bay Resort’s executive chef.
This in addition to the following highlighted facilities:
- Use of the five-star facilities of the adjacent Marigot Bay Resort and Spa, and Marina Village
- 20 mooring buoys in the inner part of the bay with a maximum weight capacity of 70 tons
- 42 berths with a maximum length of 280ft and draft of 20ft
- Fixed mega-yacht docks
- On-site Customs and Immigration clearance
- High speed dock and on berth fuelling
- Complimentary wireless internet access and cable TV
- Access to yacht provisions and dockside concierge services
Always enthusiastic supporters of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the Marigot Bay Marina will be working closely with the event organisers again this year and have introduced special concessions and events to encourage ARC participants to visit the bay and experience facilities first hand.
“We are looking forward to the coming season and welcoming old friends as well as making new ones. We are confident this will be our best season ever,” Blanchard said.
The marina pricing policy divides the year up into two arbitrary halves coinciding with the active superyacht charter season from December to May and the “Slow Season” from June to November.
Rates at Marigot Marina include the following services:
- Wi-Fi
- Black Water Pump out
- Use of the facilities of the 5 Star Marigot Bay Resort amenities
- Berths are both stern-to and alongside, and serviced with Electricity, potable water and complimentary Wi-Fi and CATV.
- The marina can accommodate yachts up to 85m in length with a draught of up to 6m.
Berths are both stern-to and alongside, and serviced with Electricity, potable water and complimentary Wi-Fi and CATV.
The Marina has recently completed a full upgrade which includes a brand-new Marina board walk, a redesigned bridge that connects the Marina to the resort, and a brand-new Marina restaurant called Hurricane Hole. The Marina Village is able to offer a complete range of shopping services including a full provisioning service available by advance order.