Soufrière Bay
Soufriere Bay · SMMA Yacht Zone · Below the Pitons
13°51.4'N 61°03.5'W
Mooring Only — Anchoring Prohibited
This anchorage is in the SMMA zone. Anchoring is strictly prohibited — use designated mooring buoys only (white/blue for yachts; never use red buoys). SMMA Coral Conservation Permit: EC$54 (US$20)/night. Hail SMMA Rangers on VHF 16 on arrival.
Depth
10–25m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m on SMMA mooring buoy — radius reflects mooring scope. Mooring only — no anchoring. Mooring buoys are permanently installed and rated for yacht use. Confirm mooring size rating with ranger. Bay open to south and SW — can become uncomfortable in southerly conditions; leave for Anse Chastanet if south wind builds.
About This Anchorage
Soufrière Bay beneath the twin Piton peaks is the most dramatic anchorage in St. Lucia — and arguably in the entire eastern Caribbean. Gros Piton (798m) and Petit Piton (743m) rise almost vertically from the sea as twin volcanic plugs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. The bay is managed by the Soufrière Marine Management Area (SMMA) — anchoring is completely prohibited; all yachts must use designated mooring buoys. White and blue buoys are for yachts; red buoys are reserved exclusively for dive boats. A Coral Conservation Permit is mandatory: EC$54 (US$20) per night. SMMA Rangers patrol by boat and VHF and issue permits on arrival. Ashore: Soufrière village with provisions, the drive-in Sulphur Springs volcano (bubbling mud, steam vents), and the Toraille Waterfall. The overnight experience below the Pitons — illuminated by stars — is unforgettable.
Protected From
N · NW · NE
Exposed To
S · SE · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Anchoring PROHIBITED. SMMA Coral Conservation Permit: EC$54 (US$20)/night, EC$320 (US$120)/week for vessels to 70ft. Crewed charters: EC$1,350 (US$500)/year.
- Maximum stay
- 14 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Hail SMMA Rangers on VHF 16 or 68 on arrival — ranger will come alongside to collect permit fee. White/blue buoys for yachts; NEVER use red buoys. Hummingbird Beach area CLOSED since 1984 (Fishing Priority Area). Rachette Point has 5 alternative moorings.
Restrictions: No anchoring anywhere in SMMA. No swimming outside moored area without SMMA permission. No discharge in SMMA zone. Red buoys are dive boats ONLY — do not use. Mooring mandatory — rafting on one mooring buoy not permitted.
Hazards
- !Anchoring STRICTLY PROHIBITED in SMMA — significant fines; SMMA rangers enforce
- !Red mooring buoys are for dive boats ONLY — never attach to red buoy; fines apply
- !Bay open to south and SW — can become very uncomfortable in southerly weather
- !Bay deepens very rapidly — deep water close to cliff; mooring scope important
- !Boat boys and local vendors will approach — negotiate firmly; agree price before accepting any service
Skipper's Tips
- →Hail SMMA Rangers on VHF 16 immediately on arrival — they will come to you to collect the permit and assign a buoy
- →White/blue buoys only for yachts — confirm buoy colour before attaching
- →Stern line to shore ring is common practice here — SMMA rangers or local helpers will assist
- →Drive-in Sulphur Springs is 3km from Soufrière — taxi easily arranged from village quay
- →Night below the Pitons with a full moon is one of the great experiences of Caribbean sailing — the volcanic peaks are luminescent
Facilities
Hummingbird Beach Hotel restaurant by dinghy. Soufrière village restaurants (short dinghy/walk). No fuel at anchorage — nearest fuel Marigot Bay or Castries.
Nearest provisions: Soufrière village (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. SMMA mooring available year-round. Busy December–March with cruising yachts. Open to south — southerly weather windows (rare) make the bay uncomfortable.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
Even on SMMA mooring buoys, chafe and current can cause movement overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — critical when moored close to Piton cliff faces in the dark.
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