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Castries Harbour and Vigie Beach

Castries District  >  Saint Lucia

Castries is the capital of St Lucia and the waterfront areas (harbour and beaches) and the treelines next to them contain some impressive birdlife.

Added* by John Wickenden
Most recent update 1 január 2025
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Description

The northern part of Castries Harbour and the Vigie Beach area covered by this birding place is flat and is located either on the seafront or within 100 m from the sea. At least 70-80 species of birds can be seen in the Castries area overall, many in this location, including Magnificent Frigatebird, Purple-throated Carib, Green-throated Carib, Royal Tern, Grey Kingbird, Green Heron, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch and Bananaquit. The variety of birds and the types of location (including the beaches) make this a worthwhile visit.

Details

Access

The whole area is an easy walk from Castries city centre and the route shown on the map skirts around Castries Airport (not the busier airport on St Lucia). Being the Caribbean, temperatures can be hot - the route does not need to be completed in one go - it can be broken into different routes.

Note, at the eastern end of Vigie Beach is the 'Stolen Time' Hotel and Resort (where I stayed). The beach is not owned by the resort and locals and holiday makers are free to walk along past the hotel, but cannot use the facilities.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Beach , Sea , Park , City/village

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Boat , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

If you can aford to stay in the Stolen Time resort, some rooms overlook the beach whilst others have garden views. The latter allow you to sit on the balcony watching Caribs, Kingbirds and getting visits from Lesser Antillean Bullfinch.

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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