Saint Lucia is much more than just a honeymoon destination, it’s also a fantastic place to go as a family. With plenty of things to do and see, as well as a range of family-friendly hotels, you’ll find plenty for those of all ages. But when is the best time to go to Saint Lucia for families? While there are times you might want to avoid (such as the rainy season in September and October) the other months can vary depending on what you’re looking for in your break. In this article we take a look at when is the best time to go to Saint Lucia for families.
Why Visit Saint Lucia as a Family?
There are so many reasons to visit Saint Lucia as a family, whether as a one-off celebratory holiday, or if you’re just looking to go somewhere different. You can soak up the culture of West Indian life, witness some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen, as well as get involved with a range of activities such as abseiling, rainforest zip-wiring, snorkelling and boat trips.
There’s a fantastic foodie scene here too. You can introduce your children to fresh local seafood that you eat to the sound of the waves, or head to one of the many local cacao producers where you can find out about how chocolate is made and sample local produce. The Castries Marker is a brilliant place to visit, where you can immerse yourselves in the real local feel of the island, sampling local fruits, spices and dishes, while most smaller towns have markets of their own which are well worth a visit.
Home to a range of diverse landscapes, Saint Lucia lends itself to family hikes and adventures. You can head to Sugar Beach for stunning, direct views of the volcanic Pitons, visit the Caribbean Sulphur Springs where you can have a mud bath and wash in the sulphurous springs, take a pirate-themed cruise to Pigeon Island, or go to the Treetop Adventure Park for zip-lining and rope challenges. And of course, you can’t visit Saint Lucia without delving into the underwater world. With crystal clear waters and an abundance of aquatic life, a snorkeling or diving adventure is an experience you and your family will never forget.
When is the best time to visit Saint Lucia for Families?
For families the best time to visit Saint Lucia tends to be December to April. This is the island’s dry season where you can enjoy reliable sunshine, calmer seas, lower humidity and the perfect conditions for boat trips, beach days and different excursions. If you’re travelling with school-age children, some of the best times to go (depending on what you’re after) are:
February to April – This is often considered the best time to visit Saint Lucia for families as you’ll experience warm weather, less rain and fewer crowds than you would over Christmas and New Year. The prices might also be lower too (especially if you have children who are either younger or older than school age and you can travel outside of the school holidays.)
May and Early June – This time of year is great for families wanting better hotel prices while still getting mostly good weather. The island is lush and quieter before the wetter summer season begins, but you can still enjoy everything Saint Lucia has to offer. It can also be a better time if you have younger children and don’t want the temperatures to be at their peak when out and about.
Christmas and Easter Holidays – Christmas and Easter are great times to visit the Caribbean as a family and there is always plenty to see and do during this period. The only caveat is that they’re the busiest and most expensive times, so it’s worth taking this into consideration when booking.
Months to consider carefully: September and October – These months are typically the wettest and sit right within the Caribbean hurricane season. Not only is there an increased storm risk, but also higher humidity levels and greater chances of excursions being called off and being unable to use the pool or beach due to the weather.
How to get to Saint Lucia from the UK?
Getting to Saint Lucia from the UK is easy as there are a number of direct flights which take around 8.5 to 9 hours, arriving straight into Hewanorra International Airport in the south.
Saint Lucia is 5 hours behind the UK during the British Summer Time and 4 hours behind on Greenwich Mean Time. You might experience a little jet lag, but it will probably be worse on the way home so factor in taking a couple of days to relax and readjust once you land back in England!
Transfer times are another thing to consider in your journey. Some northern resorts can take 90 minutes or more by road. With younger children, many families either stay in the south for shorter transfers or split the trip between north and south. There are also helicopter or water taxi transfers which are much faster than a typical coach or taxi so some people do decide to book these instead.
Saint Lucia is a fantastic destination with so much for all ages to do. By choosing to visit at the right time of year, you can really enhance your experience, making it smoother all-round for the whole family. Remember to embrace the chaos that can come with family travel, expect things to not always go as planned, but know you’ll be making memories that will last a lifetime.
