St Lucia October holidays

Festivals and events in St Lucia in October

Given the number of events which take place over the summer in St Lucia, such as the St Lucia Carnival, the St Lucia Jazz Festival and the St Lucia Roots and Soul Festival, you would expect there to be fewer events in the winter months. Yet nothing stops the innate St Lucian characteristic of wanting to get out and have fun. October is no exception, with a wide range of festivals and weekly events.

Since 1981, St Lucians have celebrated October as Creole Heritage Month, a celebration of St Lucia’s diverse cultural heritage. Throughout the island, you can find various workshops, food fairs, parades and street parties all celebrating the vibrancy of St Lucia and its community.

St Lucians also celebrate La Marguerite Flower Festival on October 17th. This festival is a celebration of the St Lucian La Marguerite society. Throughout October, Marguerites demonstrate their loyalty to their society with a vibrant display of song, dance, music, food and flowers. Head over to Castries to soak up the friendly and welcoming ambience. Just make sure that you wear blue!

Top places to visit in St Lucia in October

One of the main reasons to visit St Lucia is to experience some of the most beautiful beaches that can be found anywhere in the Caribbean. If you’re staying in Soufriere, we recommend checking out Anse Chastanet; a majestic, sweeping expanse of sand nestled in a crescent-moon bay right next to Anse Chastanet Resort. You can grab a reasonably priced sun lounger or simply put down a towel wherever you like and soak up the sun in your own slice of Caribbean paradise. Furthermore, Anse Chastanet boasts some of the best snorkelling in St Lucia; simply step out into the water and you will experience a parallel universe of different exotic tropical fish, turtles and intertwining corals.

Further north near resorts in Rodney Bay, there are many beaches with contrasting, appealing vibes. Reduit Beach is busier and has more established restaurants and bars where you can grab a rum punch and a tasty bite to eat. Pigeon Island Beach is more secluded with great views of Signal Peak and Martinique on a clear day. Either way, there are plenty of options which can be tailored to you.

While October is still warm, the humidity that characterises the summer months starts to recede, making hiking and day trips into the island a far more attractive proposal. For more seasoned walkers, we suggest hiking the En Bas Saut Trail, a three-hour hike which leads to a hidden waterfall. You may catch a glimpse of one of St Lucia’s rare birds, such as the St Lucian Parrot or St Lucian hummingbird. For a more relaxed hike, check out the Tet Paul Nature Trail, a gentle, 45-minute walk which provides views of Jalousie hidden beach, the Pitons and the St Lucia’s sister islands: Martinique and St Vincent.

What’s the weather like in St Lucia in October?

In October, St Lucia has an average temperature of 28.5°C, with highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C. The predominant forecast is for eight hours of sunshine every day. October is part of hurricane season; however, peak hurricane season months are normally August and September and St Lucia is usually less affected than other Caribbean nations. Nonetheless, we recommend being vigilant and checking the weather forecast before you travel.

What to pack for a holiday in St Lucia in October

• Pack light clothing, swimwear and shoes suited to a summer holiday.
• Comfy, rubbed-soled shoes for excursions and light hikes or hiking boots for longer treks.
• Sun cream is an integral part of a Caribbean packing list. Ensure that your sun cream is listed as reef-friendly – many commercially sold sun creams contain chemicals like oxybenzone which have been linked to coral bleaching.
• Sunglasses and a hat.
• A jumper or cardigan for the cooler evenings.
• Bring a light raincoat or small umbrella for downpours
• A smart outfit for the evening.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Travel plug adapter.
• Prescription medicines.
• Tote bag for shopping and to use as a beach bag.
• Snorkelling gear if you wish to snorkel from the beach.
• Camouflage is illegal in St Lucia, so don’t pack your khaki cargo shorts