Very early planning but very important

[PhilipH]

We are planning on doing the ARC in 2009 and some of our friends who plan their holidays well in advance are already checking out renting a villa in St Lucia to meet us when we arrive. Clearly this will be very nice. However, there is a small matter of timing. We will not be under any particular time pressures but then we do not want to spend too long in one place so that it starts to pall. We were thinking that with a departure date of 22nd November from Las Palmas (it seems to be getting earlier each year) it would be prudent to allow 21 days (give or take a couple) which puts us into St Lucia around 13th December. Crew changes will take place and some crew spouses will fly out too for the parties. We were thinking of staying for say another week with family flying in to spend a week or so with us over Christmas.

We understand that some people move on from St Lucia quite quickly, but since we have never been it's hard to judge what would be appropriate. I know we are all different with different pleasures but how would a week or two in St Lucia rate:

1 My God how quickly can we get out of here and never coming back.

5 This is quite nice for a stay of about a week to 10 days

10 This is absolute paradise and how will I ever tear myself away? And, when I do it will be a must re-visit place.

All advice greatly received as our friends can be a bit headstrong and will have a villa booked for a month before we know it.
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[longjohnsilver]

tcm's yer man to ask, just been there and done that.

 

[Seven Spades]

Been twice and a week is plenty.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Don't bother with the ARC. Just leave from another island a day or two before them and then gatecrash all the parties. TCM will be able to give you full details of how its done. Actually, it's easy, so I'll tell you. Once you're in St Lucia, just walk into the ARC office and ask for the events info sheet. Wallah - pissed as a coot before sunset.

You can also speak to ScillyPete about this tactic. He didn't do the ARC, but finished on an ARC boat after being rescued mid-pond - which proves the sailing with companionship works.

The only advantage of doing the ARC is that you might be lucky to get a berth in the marina. That is not really a benefit because you'll probably be parked next to that septic boat that thinks it cool to let the entire Caribbean list to his crappy choice of music. Ask them to turn it down a tad.... ah, just forget it. Anchoring in Rodney Bay is very easy and pleasant and there are no mozzies.

 

[Troutbridge]

Getting back to your question, allowing 21 days is sensible, assuming you have a boat that can make around 150nm per day (given reasonable Trade Wind conditions, unlike last year). A day or so to recover/sort out the boat, a couple of days of 'party party', maybe a couple of days sightseeing or if you're unlucky waiting for spares/repairs to be done.....I would have thought a week to ten days could be bearable, although I'd agree with anchoring out in Rodney Bay, the marina gets expensive (well, it did 12 years ago and I don't suppose it's got cheaper! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Not sure I'd like to stay there for a month but planning to stay for up to ten days should be no great hardship.

 

[rallyveteran]

Stingo
Presumably, on the same basis, youl'd advocate shoplifting over the expensive and tiresome use of money in shops.

Encouraging people not to join the ARC is one thing, but openly advocating being such a leech is something else.

 

[snowleopard]

I'd say move on pretty soon. Xmas in Bequia is a favourite and Martinique has better food and less crime. We were stuck there for repairs for a while and had definitely had enough of the place.

 

[AndrewB]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd say move on pretty soon. Xmas in Bequia is a favourite and Martinique has better food and less crime. We were stuck there for repairs for a while and had definitely had enough of the place.

[/ QUOTE ]Agreed. Both offer interesting local cruising as well. I'd vote for Martinique if your friends want a pleasant shore based holiday, and its no more than a half-day sail from Rodney Bay. There are day cruises from Martinique to St Lucia if they want a quick look round.

 

[PhilipH]

Many thanks for all these suggestions - the anchoring in Rodney Bay seems a must (I don't like marinas that much) and the few days to sort out/repair and few days to party sounds about right.

As far as not paying for the ARC and then gatecrashing - not my style.
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[BigART]

Agree with the majority that there is no need to spend too much time in the marina - though it was very nice to relax there for a couple of days drinking rum and doing 3 weeks worth of laundry. I'd highly recommend anchoring over by Pigeon Island - yes, it's a long dinghy ride over to the "bright lights" of Rodney Bay marina, but that's more than compensated for by Jambe de Bois, an absolutely superb laid back bar/restaurant/cafe/internet cafe/bookswap/live music venue.

No-one has mentioned the other bays on St Lucia - we found Marigot Bay to be a building site (will be bay surrounded by a hotel by now), but Soufriere was great for the scenery and the snorkelling. You need to pick up a mooring, but the location is magical - and you snorkel on the reef directly below your boat.

We found Bequia to be over-rated - too much like "Caribbean Disney". There is very little space to anchor in the main harbour, and services were definately priced towards charterers on a two week holiday.

Wherever you end up, hope you have a safe passage accross and enjoy the Caribbean.

 

[PhilipH]

Very many thanks - sooooo helpful.
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