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Destination comparison

Brazil vs Saint Lucia

Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.

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Quick Comparison

Dimension Brazil Saint Lucia
Region South America & Galápagos Caribbean
Peak season Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Shoulder Apr, Nov Nov, May
Sailing difficulty moderate moderate to difficult
Recommended level intermediate intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer) 15 / 10 kn 18 / 14 kn
Hurricane risk None Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency BRL (Brazilian Real) XCD (pegged to USD)
Mid-tier price (7 days) $16,000 $10,000
Luxury tier price $75,000 $38,000
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At a Glance

South America & Galápagos
Brazil

Brazil's charter belt runs from Angra dos Reis south of Rio up to Bahia. December-March is the sunny, settled season; June-November trade winds freshen on the north-east coast - the window for Noronha and Abrolhos. Crewed catamarans dominate, with a growing bareboat scene out of Paraty.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 3 must-visit anchorages
  • • 8 boats in our fleet database for this region
Caribbean
Saint Lucia

Northern end of Windward chain; longer passages. Pitons protected area. Strong Atlantic swells December-April.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region

Sailing Conditions

Brazil averages 15 knots in winter and 10 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.

Saint Lucia averages 18 knots in winter and 14 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.

In terms of sailing difficulty, Brazil is generally rated moderate and Saint Lucia is moderate to difficult. The difference matters: Saint Lucia asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.

Cost Comparison

For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):

Brazil
  • Low season: $6,000
  • Mid season: $16,000
  • High season: $38,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $75,000+
Saint Lucia
  • Low season: $3,800
  • Mid season: $10,000
  • High season: $19,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $38,000+

Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.

Anchorages & Must-Do

Brazil
  • Fernando de Noronha — UNESCO marine park with Brazil's clearest water and strict daily visitor caps
  • Ilha Grande & Paraty — Colonial town, rainforest-clad islands and 300+ beaches inside a sheltered bay
  • Abrolhos Marine National Park — Whale nursery June-November and the South Atlantic's richest reef system
Saint Lucia
  • Pitons (UNESCO) — Twin volcanic peaks; iconic St Lucia
  • Soufrière — Drive-in or anchor; sulfur springs
  • Marigot Bay — Dramatic hurricane hole
  • Anse Cochon — Sheltered cove

Which Should You Choose?

If you've never chartered before

Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Brazil or Saint Lucia.

If you want warmer / tropical water

Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Brazil vs Saint Lucia. Read the must-visit lists above.

If you want history / culture / food

Brazil has 0 cultural anchorages vs Saint Lucia's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.

Captain's Take

"Think of Brazil's charter coast in two halves. December-March is Paraty and Angra: warm, sheltered, party-lite island hopping between green mountains. June-November is the north-east trade-wind season and the window for Fernando de Noronha - clearer water but you earn it with a 300nm offshore leg from Recife. For most first-timers to Brazil, Paraty is the right introduction."

— Captain E. (2Hulls editorial charter captain), local captain · year_round note · verified 2026-09-09

Timing and Budget: Brazil vs Saint Lucia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brazil or Saint Lucia better for a first-time charter? ▾
Neither is a "first-charter" pick — both lean intermediate. Consider starting in BVI or Greece before tackling Brazil/Saint Lucia.
Which is cheaper to charter — Brazil or Saint Lucia? ▾
Saint Lucia is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$10,000/week vs ~$16,000/week for Brazil. Bareboat low-season starts around $3,800 in Saint Lucia vs $6,000 in Brazil.
When is the best time to visit Brazil vs Saint Lucia? ▾
Brazil: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar; shoulder Apr, Nov; off May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Saint Lucia: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder Nov, May; off Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Both are Caribbean-style (peak = Dec–Apr).
How do sailing conditions compare — Brazil vs Saint Lucia? ▾
Brazil: typical winter winds 15 knots, summer 10 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. No hurricane season. Saint Lucia: typical winter winds 18 knots, summer 14 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate to difficult. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Which has better flight access — Brazil or Saint Lucia? ▾
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (GIG) / São Paulo (GRU), also Salvador (SSA) for Bahia; Recife (REC) for Fernando de Noronha. Saint Lucia: Hewanorra (UVF) / George F.L. Charles (SLU), also Connection through SJU.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Brazil or Saint Lucia? ▾
Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.
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