Marigot Bay

Marigot Bay is one of the most photographed and widely recognised anchorages in the Caribbean, its steep green hillsides falling directly into a deep blue horseshoe of water so sheltered that even in heavy tropical weather the bay remains calm and the anchor holds securely in sand. The bay was used as a filming location for the original Dr Doolittle movie in 1967, and the production's success in capturing the extraordinary beauty of the setting introduced Marigot Bay to a global audience in a way that has shaped its identity as a destination ever since.

The village of Marigot at the head of the bay is a small community of brightly painted timber buildings, a few small hotels and guesthouses, a handful of restaurants and the anchorages of the local fishing fleet. There is no large-scale resort development here; the scale of the place remains human and manageable, and the bay itself is still used by local fishers as well as visiting yachts, maintaining a working Caribbean character that many more polished tourist destinations have lost.

The bay is surrounded by steep forested hillsides that create a dramatic natural amphitheatre, and in the evening the lights of the village and the anchored yachts reflected in the still water of the anchorage create a scene that is genuinely memorable. The bay is also historically significant as the site where the British fleet under Admiral Rodney regrouped during the Caribbean campaigns of the 18th century, though the visible archaeological evidence of this period is limited compared to sites like Pigeon Island.

Ferry services connect Marigot Bay to the capital Castries, and the bay is a regular stop for day-sailing excursions from the cruise terminal at Castries, which means that during the cruise season the anchorage can become quite busy with day visitors. The earlier morning hours before the day-trippers arrive offer the bay at its most authentic and peaceful, with the fishing boats going out and the village still quiet.

The hillside above Marigot Bay offers several rewarding hiking routes, including a challenging but spectacular trail to the ridge that separates the bay from the interior of the island. The views from the ridge extend across the entire western coast and on clear days show the full sweep from the Pitons in the south to Pigeon Island in the north, making this truly one of the finest panoramic viewpoints on Saint Lucia.

One of the most sheltered and beautiful natural anchorages in the Caribbean.

Famous for its cinematic appearance; used in the 1967 Doctor Dolittle film.

Retains a working Caribbean fishing village character rather than a purely resort identity.

Excellent panoramic hiking routes with sweeping coastal views from the ridge above the bay.