Soufriere
From CruisersWiki
Soufrière (Port of Entry)
GPS: 13°51.2′N, 61°03.8′W
Background
Soufrière is a port of entry. The small town is in a large beautiful bay. The whole bay is Sea park and anchoring is prohibited to protect fragile the coral. There are, however, several laid moorings where one can tie for $40 ECD (about $25 USD) for 2 nights. Find a free mooring and secure your boat, an attendant comes with a launch and collects the fee. Do not be deceived by the free roaming young men who will rush to assist you. Any assistance, no matter how trivial, cost a minimum of $10 ECD.
If you want to snorkel you must purchase a permit for for $3 ECD, the coral reefs are full of small fish; some parrot fish, large schools (over 600) of tiger fish, sponges, coral formations, etc. But the visibility is not like the Aegean's, it is less than 5 m (16 ft.).
Charts
See St. Lucia.
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Submit details of local radio Nets.
The approaches to Soufrière are straightforward.
Check-in facilities
You can tie temporarily to the main dock while clearing the formalities. Right next to the customs is the office if the Sea Park where you can obtain a diagram of their moorings. Find a free mooring and secure your boat, an attendant comes with a launch and collects the fee (about $40 ECD).
Anchorages
There are many small coves where the Sea Park has laid moorings. Consult the diagram obtained form their office.
 Soufrière Bay |
 The Customs Dock at Soufrière |
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
A visit to Piton Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage is a must. It is a truly unique place.
The place I have enjoyed the most is the Botanical Gardens near Soufrière. It is full of exotic tropic flowers of many colors and shapes. Soufrière is a run down but picturesque town with many old colonial buildings. The walk through the town however, is not pleasant. You are hassled all the time by people who want to sell you fruits, bread, take the garbage, sign you up for a tour, use their taxi etc. These people are at the dock, the streets, and in the sea with various boats.
In addition to the gardens there are two near-by attractions: the waterfalls, the volcano. The waterfalls are not very impressive but the walk through the thick rainforest to reach them is rather enjoyable. In the volcano there are a lot of sulfur deposits, hydrogen sulfide fumes, and a phenomenon that I have never seen before: pools of boiling black water, a real witches' brew. Sea water seeps into the volcano. Then the water, mixed with carbon and other minerals, boils and bubbles out from fissures in the crater. It is quite impressive.
 Exotic Flower in the Botanical Gardens |
 Sulfur Spring in the Volcano |
 Old House in Soufrière |
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel - At the town of Soufrière there is a fuel station
- Water - Water is available at the town dock, if your hose is long enough (30 meters or so)
- Electricity - N/A
Grocery Stores
There are some modest stores in the town of Soufrière.
Eateries
The Hummingbird restaurant next to Soufrière serves good meals are reasonable prices and has a breathtaking view of the Pitons. However watch out for the dingy minders at the restaurant dock. They are out for blood!
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Ask at the Hummingbird restaurant.
Marine Stores & Facilities
None.
Repairs
None.
References & Publications
See St. Lucia.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Soufrière (Wikipedia)
- St. Lucia Official Guide
Personal Notes
- The town is run-down but picturesque with many old colonial buildings. The walk through the town however, is not pleasant. You are hassled all the time by people who want to sell you fruits, bread, take the garbage, sign you up for a tour, use their taxi etc. These people are at the dock, the streets, and in the sea with various boats. This is very tiresome and it negates the enjoyment of a really stunningly beautiful place. The steep Pitons, covered with thick rain forest, come all the way down to the green ocean and to the small beaches of very fine sand. --Istioploos 13:16, 15 April 2008 (MDT)
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- February 2005 --Istioploos
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Caribbean | St Lucia | Soufriere | |
