Things to Do in Saint Lucia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Saint Lucia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season comfort - December sits right in the sweet spot of Saint Lucia's dry season, with rainfall dropping to around 160 mm (6.3 inches) compared to the 200+ mm (8+ inches) you'd see in October. Those 10 rainy days typically mean brief afternoon showers that clear within 20-30 minutes, not the all-day soakers of summer months.
- Ideal ocean conditions for water activities - December brings calmer Caribbean seas with visibility reaching 18-24 m (60-80 ft) for diving and snorkeling. Water temperatures hover around 27°C (81°F), warm enough that you'll be comfortable in just a rashguard for extended periods. The Atlantic side near Anse Lavoutte actually becomes accessible for experienced swimmers, which doesn't happen during the rougher summer months.
- Festival season hits its stride - December brings the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival (typically mid-month), National Day celebrations on December 13th, and the buildup to Christmas with street parties in Gros Islet and Anse La Raye. You'll see locals actually participating rather than just performing for tourists, and the Friday night fish fry in Anse La Raye gets absolutely packed with Saint Lucians celebrating the season.
- Produce markets overflow with seasonal abundance - December marks mango season's tail end and breadfruit season's peak. Castries Market on Saturday mornings becomes a proper sensory experience with vendors selling fresh nutmeg, cinnamon bark, and bay leaves harvested from the interior. You'll find sorrel drinks everywhere for Christmas, and local cocoa production means the chocolate tea is fresher than any other time of year.
Considerations
- Peak season pricing hits hard - December through mid-April is high season, meaning accommodation rates jump 40-60% compared to summer months. A beachfront room that costs USD 180 in September might run USD 280-320 in December. Rental cars follow the same pattern, with standard vehicles going from USD 45-50 per day to USD 65-80. Book at least 12-14 weeks ahead if you want reasonable rates, or expect to pay premium prices for last-minute availability.
- Tourist volume peaks around holidays - The two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year see the island's busiest crowds of the year. Popular spots like Pigeon Island, Sulphur Springs, and the Tet Paul Nature Trail can feel genuinely crowded between 10am-2pm. Restaurant reservations become essential at better-known places, and the water taxi services to Anse Chastanet beach sometimes fill up by late morning on peak days.
- Trade winds bring occasional rough weather - While December is generally dry, the Christmas winds can blow strongly from the northeast, particularly in the second half of the month. This makes the Atlantic coast quite rough and can create choppy conditions even on the Caribbean side during afternoon hours. If you're prone to seasickness, morning boat trips work better than afternoon departures when the winds pick up.
Best Activities in December
Piton hiking and rainforest trails
December offers the best hiking conditions of the entire year on Saint Lucia. The trails are drier underfoot but the rainforest canopy stays lush from earlier rains, meaning you get proper shade without the mud. Gros Piton takes 4-5 hours round trip and the path is actually manageable in December rather than the slippery nightmare it becomes during rainy season. Start by 6:30am to avoid both the heat and the cruise ship crowds that arrive around 10am. The Edmund Forest Reserve trails are particularly good right now, with cooler temperatures at elevation around 20-22°C (68-72°F) and excellent bird watching as species are more active in the dry season comfort.
Catamaran sailing and coastal snorkeling
December's calm seas make this the absolute prime time for catamaran trips down the west coast. The typical route runs from Rodney Bay down to Soufriere, stopping at Anse Cochon or Anse Chastanet for snorkeling where visibility reaches 18-21 m (60-70 ft). You'll actually see sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and proper coral formations rather than just murky water. The catamarans handle the gentle December swells beautifully, and even people who get queasy on boats usually do fine. Morning departures around 9am catch the calmest conditions before afternoon trade winds pick up around 2-3pm.
Sulphur Springs and botanical garden visits
The drive-in volcano at Sulphur Springs becomes much more pleasant in December's lower humidity, though it still smells intensely of hydrogen sulfide. The mud baths sit at around 38-40°C (100-104°F) and feel amazing in the morning before the day heats up. Pair this with the nearby Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens where the mineral-fed waterfall creates that famous yellow-orange cascade. December's recent rains keep everything vibrant without the trails being muddy. The Mamiku Gardens near Praslin are also excellent right now, less crowded than Diamond Falls and the orchid collection is particularly good in December.
Friday night street parties and fish fry
December amplifies the weekly street party scene as locals are in full celebration mode leading up to Christmas. The Gros Islet Friday night jump-up becomes absolutely massive, with the entire village shutting down for dancing, grilled fish, local rum, and sound systems that run until 3am. Anse La Raye fish fry on Friday nights is slightly smaller but more authentically local, with fishermen grilling their daily catch roadside. You'll pay USD 10-15 for a full grilled fish dinner with sides. December also brings spontaneous street parties in Castries and Vieux Fort as National Day December 13th approaches, with locals lime-ing and playing dominoes until late.
Plantation estate tours and rum distillery visits
December marks harvest season for cocoa and various crops, making plantation tours particularly interesting right now. Balenbouche Estate in the south offers tours through working agricultural land with actual cocoa processing happening, not just static displays. The rum distilleries at Chairman's Reserve and St Lucia Distillers run full production in December preparing for tourist season demand. You'll see the copper pot stills working and smell the fermentation rooms, which is considerably more interesting than summer months when production slows. The Fond Doux Plantation near Soufriere combines cocoa tours with lunch featuring estate-grown ingredients.
Scuba diving and advanced water sports
December delivers the year's best diving conditions with calm seas, excellent visibility, and comfortable water temperatures around 27°C (81°F). Anse Chastanet reef sits in 3-15 m (10-50 ft) of water with healthy coral and consistent turtle sightings. The Lesleen M wreck near Castries offers a proper 15 m (50 ft) dive for certified divers. December's conditions also make it ideal for trying kitesurfing at Anse de Sables in Vieux Fort where consistent trade winds blow 15-20 knots. The learning curve is steep but December's reliable wind patterns mean you'll actually progress rather than sitting on the beach waiting for wind.
December Events & Festivals
Saint Lucia National Day
December 13th marks Saint Lucia's national day celebrating independence from Britain in 1979. The main celebrations happen in Castries with a military parade, cultural performances, and street festivals. Locals wear the national colors of blue, black, gold and white. The atmosphere is genuinely festive rather than tourist-focused, with families picnicking in Derek Walcott Square and local bands playing calypso and soca through the afternoon. Various towns hold their own smaller celebrations with food stalls and domino competitions.
Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival
While the main festival typically runs in May, December brings preview concerts and smaller jazz events throughout the month, particularly in Rodney Bay and at various resorts. Local musicians perform at venues like Gros Islet waterfront and the Pigeon Island ruins. The quality varies but it creates a festive musical atmosphere island-wide, and you'll catch impromptu performances at restaurants and beach bars that wouldn't happen other months.
Christmas season festivities
The two weeks before Christmas bring carol singing in Creole patois, church services with traditional music, and the Feast of Saint Lucy on December 13th with special masses and processions. Castries Market becomes particularly vibrant with vendors selling sorrel drinks, black cake ingredients, and Christmas decorations. The cultural blend of French Catholic traditions with Caribbean celebration creates something distinct from North American or European Christmas. Many locals host open houses where visitors who've made local connections might get invited for traditional Christmas meals featuring ham, rice and peas, and sweet potato pudding.