Rodney Bay Marina
IGY Rodney Bay Marina · ARC Finish Marina
14°04.8'N 60°57.5'W
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for good holding in enclosed marina lagoon. If anchoring outside (south of marina), use 80m radius. Set firmly — sandy mud bottom generally holds well. Marina walls provide complete shelter; anchor alarm still recommended for chain chafe monitoring.
About This Anchorage
Rodney Bay Marina (IGY) is St. Lucia's premier sailing hub and the official finish line of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) — the world's largest trans-ocean sailing rally, with 200+ boats arriving from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, in early December. The marina has 253 slips with full marina services: a 75-ton travel lift, high-speed fuel dock, Budget Marine duty-free chandlery, laundry, showers, repair services, and 24/7 CCTV security. Customs and Immigration are on-site — contact on VHF 16 for slip assignment and clearance. The surrounding complex includes a supermarket, liquor store, restaurants, a pool bar, and a weekly fresh produce market. ARC arrival month brings two weeks of celebration with bands, local cuisine, and island-wide festivities. This is the island's most complete port of entry with the best provisioning.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S · NE
Exposed To
E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina berth: approx US$60–120/night depending on size. Outer anchorage: free. Navigation licence: EC$200–400 depending on vessel size.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- SailClear pre-registration recommended (sailclear.com). Customs within 24 hours. VHF 16 for marina assignment. Navigation licence paid at Customs.
Restrictions: Do not go ashore before clearance. ARC period (Nov–Dec): extremely busy — advance booking essential. Customs hours: Mon–Sat 0800–1800, Sun/holidays 0800–1600, lunch break 1200–1330.
Hazards
- !ARC finish (November/December): marina completely full — book berths months in advance or plan to anchor south
- !Shallow bar at marina entrance — follow buoyed channel; minimum 2m at low water
- !VHF 16 mandatory for entry — do not enter marina without clearance from dock master
- !Do NOT go ashore before Customs and Immigration clearance — fines apply
- !Hurricane season June–November: not a recognised hurricane hole — monitor closely
Skipper's Tips
- →Pre-register at SailClear (sailclear.com) before arrival — dramatically reduces clearance time at Customs
- →Call marina on VHF 16 at least 30 minutes before arrival for slip assignment
- →Budget Marine duty-free chandlery is one of the best-stocked in the eastern Caribbean
- →If arriving during ARC (early Dec), anchor south of the marina in the outer bay — good sand holding in 3–5m
- →Weekly fresh market on Wednesdays — local spices, vegetables, and fruit; best provisioning of the voyage
Facilities
Multiple restaurants in marina complex. Fresh market weekly. Budget Marine duty-free chandlery. Supermarket and liquor store on-site.
Nearest provisions: Rodney Bay Marina complex (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
November–April (dry season, trade winds settled). ARC finish peaks early December. Year-round sailing possible but July–October is hurricane season — not a safe hole during major systems.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
Trade wind gusts and ARC fleet traffic in Rodney Bay can cause anchor drag overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — wake up before you are aground.
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