The Best Time to Visit St. Lucia

The best time to visit St. Lucia is in mid-April through early June, after the tourists have departed (and prices have dropped) and before the increased rainfall that occurs during the summer wet season. Though St. Lucia is a gorgeous destination to visit any time of year, sun-worshippers should plan their trips for the first half of the year. The wet season in St. Lucia officially begins in July and lasts through November, though visitors should expect an uptick in rainfall beginning in June. The peak tourist season in St. Lucia occurs in December as tourists begin to arrive for the holidays, and lasts through mid-April, once the last Spring Break visitors have returned home. Read on for major holidays and monthly events in St. Lucia, and get ready to begin planning your next trip.

Weather in St. Lucia

The dry season begins in December and lasts through early summer. Though the wet season occurs in July through November, there is a higher chance for tropical storms beginning in June. Aside from the increased rainfall (which is at its peak in October with an average of 10.2 inches), the temperature in St. Lucia is relatively consistent all year-round, with an average temperature ranging from 79 degrees F (26 degrees C) to 83 degrees F (29 degrees C) for the entirety of the year. Come prepared for your outdoor activities by reviewing the weather and climate in St. Lucia beforehand. (Hint: pack a raincoat for tropical showers.)

Peak Tourist Season in St. Lucia

Peak season in St. Lucia occurs from December through mid-April and is at its most expensive during the holiday season. If interested in saving money on airfare and hotel costs, travelers should consider booking their stay during the off-season of summer or fall, or (our recommendation), the brief window of mid- to late spring. Sun-worshipping (and cost-conscious) tourists are advised to book their flights between mid-April to mid-May when the weather is clear, and prices are (relatively) low.

Key Holidays & Festivals in St. Lucia

The St. Lucia Jazz Festival is one of the biggest, most popular and well-known events on the island. But St. Lucia also has a lively Carnival celebration in the summertime. Visitors traveling to the island at any time of year should check to see if their visit overlaps with any Catholic feast days or national holidays, as there are celebrations year-round in St. Lucia. Of these events, Creole Day is especially popular and occurs in October with cultural events and demonstrations.

January

January is one of the more popular months to visit St. Lucia, as it is during the dry season and welcomes many holiday visitors. Culture-seeking travelers should tailor their trip to coincide with Nobel Laureate Week, in which guests can expect panels, workshops, and exhibitions celebrating the island's two Nobel Laureates, Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott.

Events to check out:

• Nobel Laureate Week occurs in St. Lucia every January to celebrate the two Nobel Laureates who hail from St. Lucia: Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott.

February

Independence Day is celebrated on Feb. 22 and is one of the most exciting activities to occur on the island (and coincides with one of the most beautiful, albeit expensive, times to visit.)

Events to check out:

• Independence Day is celebrated in St. Lucia on Feb. 22 and features an array of parades and celebrations.

March

March is the last full month of peak tourist season and it's an ideal time for visitors to frequent the island if they are lovers of marine life. St. Lucia is famous for its humpback whales that breach and swim in the Caribbean waters off the coast of the island, and March is the peak season for whale watchers to appreciate this annual display.

Events to check out:

• Whale watching season is at its peak in March for visitors who want to check out the Humpback Whales off the coast of St. Lucia.

April

The beginning of April is the last of the peak season, as the final holiday tourists depart from the island in mid-April after Spring Break festivities have concluded. April and May are also the last dry months before the rains begin in the summertime. The final holiday tourists depart in mid-April after spring break.

Events to check out:

• Catholic traditions are practiced during Holy Week in April, to coincide with the Easter holidays, including mass services and religious meals.

May

May is a fantastic time to visit as it is before the wet season in St. Lucia, and is after the last of the tourists have departed during the peak season (culminating in Spring Break). Visitors should note that, although the wet season doesn't officially start until June, May can also become quite rainy towards the middle of the month, so pack an umbrella.

Events to check out:

• The Saint Lucia Jazz Festival occurs every May and is considered among the very best jazz festivals in the Caribbean.

June

June is also a great time to visit, though guests should expect an increase in rainfall (though it is not as heavy as it will be later in the summer). There are also many cultural celebrations, beginning with the Fisherman's Feast. Fisherman's Feast is a celebration that includes church services and activities all over the island, as well as the start of Carnival.

Events to check out:

• Each year, St. Lucians celebrate Fisherman's Feast (or Fete Peche) on the last Sunday of June.
• One of the top Caribbean Carnivals, the St. Lucia Carnival occurs in June and July.

July

Although July falls in St. Lucia's wet season, there are still plenty of cultural events and parades occurring on the island to entice the would-be travelers. St. Lucia Carnival runs from June into July, culminating with the most significant events towards the end of the season. Hence, July is an excellent time to visit for travelers looking to celebrate Carnival in St. Lucia.

Events to check out:

• St. Lucia Carnival, which began in June, continues into July.

August

Thousands of people come from Martinique, Guadeloupe, and all around the world for Mercury Fest, a two-day beach party on Pigeon Island National Landmark. Expect boats and beaches and live concerts. August is also the time of the La Rose Flower Festival. Expect glorious displays of roses and many outfits decorated with hints of red.

Events to check out:

• Mercury Fest is known as the ultimate beach party and is one of the most popular events of the summer.
• La Rose Flower Festival is the first of two annual Flower Festivals held in St. Lucia to celebrate the rich cultural history of the island.

September

Early fall is a great time to visit for divers and snorkelers, who are looking to visit when the classic dive sites on the island are being celebrated the most. Saint Lucia Dive & Adventure Week occurs every year in September and is a must-do experience for underwater adventurers.

Events to check out:

• Saint Lucia Dive & Adventure Week celebrates the scenic dive sites and snorkeling available just offshore on the island of St. Lucia.

October

October is the wettest month, though there are plenty of events to appeal to travelers, including Creole Heritage Month and La Marguerite Flower Festival. The Flower festivals commemorate a historic rivalry between two communities who sing the praises of their flowers.

Events to check out:

• Creole Heritage Month is one of the most exciting times to visit St. Lucia, and it occurs in October. The first celebration took place in 1981, and it culminates on the weekend of Oct. 25, with various celebrations held around the island.
• La Marguerite Flower Festival is the second annual Flower Festival, following "La Rose," which occurs in August.

November

November is the last month of the rainy season and is also the last month of the year to capitalize on lowered prices, as the cost of airfare and hotels will begin to increase with peak season in December. Visitors should check out the Mango Bowl Regatta when visiting this month, as the three-day event is not to be missed.

Events to check out:

• Mango Bowl Regatta is a three-day sailing regatta held every year in Rodney Bay.

December

December marks the beginning of the peak tourist season, as visitors arrive on the island to celebrate the holidays. Horse-lovers should check out the Caribbean Equine Culture Festival (CECF), a two-day festival at the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club that includes thoroughbred racing and a live concert on the grounds. Celebrations for Saint Lucia Day start the first week of the month and come to a head on the eve of Saint Lucia Day, Dec. 12, in which a Parade of Lanterns marches down the streets of Castries, the Capital City.

Events to check out:

• Caribbean Equine Culture Festival is a two-day horse-racing event that is held at the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club every December.
• National Day Festival of Lights & Renewal is an event that is held on Dec. 13 to celebrate the Feast of Saint Luce, the Patron Saint of Light.