2Hulls
Get a Quote

Within the same region

Saint Barthélemy vs Saint Lucia

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

Get Quotes for Both Skip to Verdict

Quick Comparison

Dimension Saint Barthélemy Saint Lucia
Region Caribbean Caribbean
Peak season Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Shoulder Nov, May Nov, May
Sailing difficulty moderate moderate to difficult
Recommended level intermediate intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer) 18 / 13 kn 18 / 14 kn
Hurricane risk Aug, Sep, Oct Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency EUR XCD (pegged to USD)
Mid-tier price (7 days) $22,000 $10,000
Luxury tier price $90,000 $38,000
Detail page View → View →

At a Glance

Caribbean
Saint Barthélemy

Most expensive Caribbean charter destination. Suited to crewed charters; bareboat limited. New Year's / Christmas fully booked 6+ months in advance.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 31 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

Saint Barthélemy averages 18 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.

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

In terms of sailing difficulty, Saint Barthélemy 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):

Saint Barthélemy
  • Low season: $8,000
  • Mid season: $22,000
  • High season: $40,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $90,000+
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

Saint Barthélemy
  • Gustavia — Red-tin-roof harbor town
  • St Jean beach — Iconic landing strip beach
  • Colombier Beach — Hike-in or anchor; pristine
  • Pointe à Lézard — Turtle and reef
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 Saint Barthélemy 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: Saint Barthélemy vs Saint Lucia. Read the must-visit lists above.

If you want history / culture / food

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

Timing and Budget: Saint Barthélemy vs Saint Lucia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saint Barthélemy 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 Saint Barthélemy/Saint Lucia.
Which is cheaper to charter — Saint Barthélemy or Saint Lucia? ▾
Saint Lucia is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$10,000/week vs ~$22,000/week for Saint Barthélemy. Bareboat low-season starts around $3,800 in Saint Lucia vs $8,000 in Saint Barthélemy.
When is the best time to visit Saint Barthélemy vs Saint Lucia? ▾
Saint Barthélemy: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder Nov, May; off 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 — Saint Barthélemy vs Saint Lucia? ▾
Saint Barthélemy: typical winter winds 18 knots, summer 13 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct. 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 — Saint Barthélemy or Saint Lucia? ▾
Saint Barthélemy: Gustaf III (SBH), also Connection through SXM. Saint Lucia: Hewanorra (UVF) / George F.L. Charles (SLU), also Connection through SJU.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Saint Barthélemy or Saint Lucia? ▾
Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.
Keep Exploring
→ Saint Barthélemy detail → Saint Lucia detail → All comparisons

Choose Between Saint Barthélemy & Saint Lucia

Tell us your dates and group. We'll recommend the right one — honestly.

Get a Free Recommendation