What's the Weather Like in St Lucia in January
Along with December and February, January is usually the coldest month of the year for St Lucia. During this month, the average temperature for the island is 26.5°C (created by highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C), a figure which doesn't vary at all as the month develops.
Temperature
Although it only happens on an average of 10% of days, temperatures have been known to rise above 30°C and fall below 22°C in St Lucia in January. The hottest temperature ever recorded on the island during this month is 31°C, whilst the coldest temperature ever registered here during this time of 16°C.
Since this month is when the temperatures are at their lowest, January is best suited to travellers who really want to visit St Lucia, but hate high temperatures. If you'd rather visit the island when temperatures are at their hottest, you're best off forgetting about January and visiting in August or October, when temperatures are usually at their highest. If you decide to visit St Lucia in January, make sure you pack plenty of light and airy clothing, suntan lotion and an umbrella to protect you from the elements.
Rain
Through the month, St Lucia is subject to only 60mm/2 inches of rainfall spread over 21 rainy days. With rainfall occurring on such a large portion of the month, chances are you'll experience some precipitation during your holiday in January. The likelihood of precipitation making an appearance starts off at 56% on January 1st, falls down to 53% by January 11th and 52% by January 31st, making the end of the month the best time to visit if you want to avoid rainfall. The most common forms of precipitation you can expect to see in St Lucia in January are light rain (67%) and moderate rain (28%).
Average Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
Across January, St Lucia boasts an average of eight hours of sunshine every day, along with median cloud cover which ranges from 56% (partly cloudy) at the beginning of the month and 55% (partly cloudy) at the end of the month. On average, January is the clearest month of the year, giving you plenty of opportunities to work on your tan during your holiday.
Average Sea Temperature
The average sea temperature in St Lucia stays consistently warm all-year-round. In January, it's 27°C, which is certainly more than warm enough to go swimming whether or not the sky is partly cloudy.
Humidity
Due to its tropical climate, St Lucia remains humid throughout the year. In January, the relative humidity fluctuates between 63% (mildly humid) and 88% (very humid), rarely reaching as high as 96% (very humid) or dropping below 56% (mildly humid). The air is often at its driest around January 31st, when the relative humidity drops below 67% (mildly humid) three days out of every four, whilst the air is often at its most humid around January 13th, when it rises above 83% (humid) three days out of every four.
Wind
January is quite a breezy time for St Lucia. At this time of year, typical wind speeds range from 5 m/s (gentle breeze) to 10m/s (fresh breeze), hardly ever rising above 14 m/s (high wind). The highest average wind speed of 8 m/s (fresh breeze) happens around January 21st, when the average daily maximum wind speed is 10 m/s (fresh breeze). On the other hand, the lowest average wind speed of 8m/s occurs around January 1st, when the average daily maximum is 10 m/s.
St Lucia Hotels in January
The Inn on the Bay has been voted the best hotel in the island for a number of years consecutively. Located on the edge of Marigot Bay with sea views from all rooms, this hotel provides accommodation in the form of five individually-designed rooms, making it perfect for couples looking for a quiet, intimate experience. There is a swimming pool with views of Marigot Bay and fresh bread and fruit are provided for breakfast. There are plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops in the area and excursions can be booked via the hotel's owners.
For a larger resort complete with everything you could ever need, consider Stonefield Estate Resort. Nestled just below the Pitons with views over the Caribbean Sea, this resort is surrounded by natural vegetation and provides guests with one, two, three and five-bedroom villas, each of which features its own private swimming pool. Onsite you'll find a fitness centre, restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Adventures, fishing, shopping, snorkeling and boat excursions can be booked via reception. The resort's highlight is the spa which offers massages, aromatherapy treatments, facials, body wraps, body polishes, nail care and epilation.
Families and couples who want to stay close to the beach should check out St James's Club. Located in Morgan Bay, this all-inclusive resort is just a stone's throw from Rodney Bay Marina, as well as the capital city of Castries and the Cap Estate Golf Course. Here accommodation is provided in the form of 345 double and family rooms and suites, each of which comes with garden, pool or ocean views. There are six different bars and six restaurants onsite which serve international food and drinks, plus two beachfront pools, one family pool with slides, one secluded pool, kids' club, fitness centre, water sports and spa. With so much provided onsite, you'll never have to leave the resort if you don't wish to.
The Auberge Seraphine is perfect for travellers who want to stay in Castries. Perched on Vielle Bay just across from the cruise port and two minutes away from the SLU airport, this hotel provides guests with free WiFi access, restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and double and king rooms. Because there are no other facilities available and there is no beach nearby, this resort's prices are remarkably cheap when compared to others. If you don't mind journeying into the city and other parts of the island to visit the beach, see attractions and go shopping, then spending your holiday at the Auberge Seraphine is a great way to enjoy a budget trip to St Lucia.
St Lucia Beach for January
Anse Chastanet Beach is one of the best beaches in St Lucia for water sports. Located in front of the Anse Chastanet Resort, this beach features the island's iconic soft golden sands and warm, placid waters which are ideal for swimming. On the shore you'll find sun loungers, shades, toilets, showers, bar and restaurant, as well as water taxis offshore. Scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sunfish sailing and ocean kayaking can all be booked via the Anse Chastanet Resort. If you scuba dive or snorkel, you'll have the opportunity to see moray eels, shrimp, trumpet fish, scorpion fish and box fish.
Located in front of Rendezvous Resort, Malabar Beach is ideal for couples looking for a romantic day out. Since the hotel is strictly adults-only, no children are allowed on the beach, creating the perfect relaxing environment for sunbathing on the golden sands and swimming in the calm waters. Here you can have a go at water skiing, kayaking, wind surfing and sailing, or opt to take part in the regular yoga classes. Every afternoon a lesson is also taught in volleyball, beach cricket or chess, before a game takes place between travelers. There are no bars or restaurants located on the beach, so you'll need to bring your own lunch or order it from inside the Rendezvous Resort.
Bars and Restaurants
Often described as the "most beautiful restaurant in St Lucia", Ku De Ta in Gros Islet offers guests both inside air-conditioned dining and outdoor al fresco dining. The restaurant is decorated in an authentic Asian style which perfectly complements the Thai-inspired menu. The bar within the establishment serves a selection of local and international cocktails, with the mojitos being amongst the most popular.
For a real Caribbean bar experience, head to Irie Bar. Located in Gros Islet on the sea front, close to where the cruise ships dock, this bar is a little wooden shack run by Andy an incredibly friendly local who loves to chat with visitors. Laid-back reggae music is played throughout the daytime and the beer is always ice cold.
For chocolate lovers, Hotel Chocolat in Boucan is a must visit. They serve mouth-wateringly good desserts and have made Boucan one of St Lucia's most popular foodie destinations. The stylish bar specialise in Cacao Bellini's and delicious food. The exclusive menu features cocoa as a spice and infusion.
Every Friday from 6pm onward, a traditional Caribbean Fish Fry is celebrated at Anse La Raye. During the fish fry, locals come together in the street to cook up fresh fish, crab cakes, lobster, shrimp and octopus at various shacks lining the promenade. Communal tables are set up along the beach where everyone sits down together and eats. In addition to the food, loud music is played all night and beer, spirits and cocktails are available from several drink kiosks. The Anse La Raye Seafood Friday is similar to the Gros Islet Street Party, but more family-friendly.
Things to do in St Lucia in January
The St Lucia Photo Tour is a must for any enthusiastic photographer. Led by the best known photographer in St Lucia, this excursion shows you how to get the best out of your digital camera whilst touring the most beautiful parts of the island. The excursion begins with an hour-long workshop covering how to properly use your camera in the Castries City Centre, before heading into Downtown Castries for some photography. After Downtown Castries you'll have lunch in a local restaurant, visit Anse-La-Raye and Marigot Bay, before heading back to your accommodation. The guide team will help you with your photography along the way and even take some photos with your camera so you can be in the pictures too.
For a glimpse of the real St Lucia, take part in the Gros Islet Street Party. This party takes place each week around 9pm on Friday nights and is the longest-running street party on the island. A hotspot for visitors and locals alike, this party sees people hopping from bar to bar, drinking, dancing, chatting and generally enjoying themselves. The street party isn't just focused on drinking street vendors set up stalls on the night, providing you with plenty of places from which to get barbecued meat, fresh seafood, roasted corn and fresh fruit.
The Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens in Soufriere are one of the natural wonders of St Lucia. The gardens cover six acres of lush vegetation and are made up of four main attractions. Diamond Water Falls is the most popular attraction because the minerals within the water give it a colourful appearance which changes regularly. Other attractions include the Botanical Garden with bushes, shrubs and trees, such as Hibiscus, Heliconia and Balisier. The Diamond Falls Mineral Baths Spa has two original hot water baths and a Diamond Falls Nature Trail which winds in between the botanical gardens and the tropical rainforest.
