What's the Weather Like in St Lucia in October
Temperature
The weather in St Lucia during October stays very warm throughout the whole month with hardly any temperature changes at all. The average temperature at the start of the month begins at 28.5°C (created by highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C) and gradually drops down to 28°C (highs of 31°C and lows of 25°) as the month develops.
Even though it only happens on an average of once every ten days, temperatures have been known to rise about 32°C and drop below 23°C in St Lucia in October. The hottest temperature ever registered on the island at this time of year is 36°C, while the coldest temperature ever registered here during this month is 21°C.
With temperatures this hot, St Lucia in October is best suited to travellers who can't get enough of the heat and sunshine. If you're not one for high temperatures but still want to visit St Lucia, forget about October and consider travelling in December, January or February instead, when temperatures on the island are usually at their coolest. However, if you do decide to visit St Lucia in October, you'll need to pack suntan lotion, light and airy clothing and water proofs to protect you from the strong sun and heavy rain.
Rain
On average, October is usually the wettest month of the year, when the island receives 237mm/9 inches of rainfall spread out between 20 days. With rainfall occurring on 2/3 of the month, there is a very good chance of you experiencing some form of precipitation during your holiday, so either come prepared with umbrellas and waterproofs of plan on spending a lot of time indoors.
The likelihood of precipitation occurring during this month starts off at 62% on October 1st and rises up t 63% by October 11th, peaking at 66% by October 28th. The most common forms of rainfall you can expect to experience on the island at this time of year are light rain (39%), thunderstorms (32%) and moderate rain (24%).
Average Sunshine Hours
Throughout October, St Lucia enjoys an average of eight hours of sunshine every day, alongside median cloud coverage which starts off at 70% on October 1st, dropping down to 68% by October 11th, 66% by October 21st and 64% by October 31st. On any given day, the sky is usually clear or mostly clear 20% of the time, which means even though there will be a lot of clouds, you should be able to get some sunbathing in.
Average Sea Temperature
The average sea temperature for St Lucia remains very warm throughout the year. In October, it's 29°C that's the same as in September which is certainly warm enough to go swimming, regardless of how overcast the sky is.
Humidity
Due to its tropical climate, St Lucia also stays humid throughout the year. In October, the relative humidity for the island varies between 66% (mildly humid) and 93% (very humid), rarely falling below 60% (mildly humid) or reaching as high as 99% (very humid). The air is often at its driest around October 1st, when the relative humidity falls below 70% (mildly humid) three days out of four. Unusually, October 1st is also when the air tends to be at its most humid, when it rises above 89% (very humid) three days out of four.
Wind
October can be a very windy time of year for St Lucia. During this month, normal wind speeds fluctuate between 1 m/s (light air) and 9 m/s (fresh breeze), rarely going over 18 m/s (gale). The highest average wind speed of 6 m/s (moderate breeze) happens around October 28th, when the average daily maximum is 9 m/s, whilst the lowest average wind speed of 5 m/s (gentle breeze) happens around October 1st, when the average daily maximum is 8 m/s (moderate breeze).
St Lucia Hotels in October
Couples in search of a romantic holiday in St Lucia should consider staying at Rendezvous. This boutique hotel is set on Malabar Beach where guests can enjoy candle-lit dinners, scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing and sailing. Accommodation is provided in the form of beachfront suites, cottages, rooms, veranda suites and garden-view rooms, each of which features typical Caribbean décor. Onsite services and amenities include five bars and restaurants, gym, fitness classes, spa and swimming pool, so you can do as much or as little as you like.
Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort & Spa is another top pick for holidaymakers who want a spa hotel close to the beach. This resort is situated directly on Halcyon Beach and offers guests six fine dining restaurants, 16 restaurants at nearby Sandals resorts, two swimming pools with swim-up bars, three whirlpools, seven bars, nine-hole golf course nearby, unlimited water sports, fully-equipped fitness centre and Red Lane spa, providing everything you could ever need in one single resort. Guests can choose between butler, club level, luxury and deluxe rooms, each of which comes with free WiFi access.
For something more affordable, check out Blu. Located in Gros Islet close to the quiet Reduit Beach, this resort is within easy access of several attractions, including the Pitons, Sulphur Springs the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. Accommodation is provided in the form of standard and deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites, each of which features Lavazza coffee machine and air conditioning. Onsite services and facilities include swimming pools, restaurant with international options and children's menu, café, fitness centre and spa. Excursions can also be booked through the resort's reception.
Mirage Beach Resort in Laborie is a small hotel surrounded by tropical gardens and only a stone's throw away from the beach. Here guests can choose between master bedroom apartments and sea view apartments which can sleep up to four and seven people, respectively. Although there are no facilities on offer within the resort, guests can enjoy sunbathing, swimming and water sports on the beach, bars, cafes and restaurants within the resort and excursions to various other parts of the island.
St Lucia Beach for October
If you want to mingle with the locals, spend the day at Soufriere Bay. Located within Soufriere, this golden sand beach is lined by tropical rainforest on one side which provides some much-needed natural shade and calm waters on the other side which are the ideal temperature for swimming. There are sun loungers and parasols on the beach but you can't rent them if you want to use them, all you need to do is buy something from the beach bar and you'll have unlimited access to them. The clear water is ideal for snorkelling, although you won't see many tropical fish or coral formations on this part of the island. Because of this, this beach isn't popular with tourists and is mainly frequented by local families.
For a quiet, unspoilt beach in St Lucia, head to Roseau Bay. Located within Marigot Bay, this beach offers no facilities of any sort, so you'll need to bring your own food and drinks or take advantage of the cafes, bars and restaurants a short walk away in the resort. This secluded sandy beach is lined by palm trees which develop into forest-clad mountain faces, providing a stunning backdrop. The warm, calm waters are perfect for swimming and thanks to their clear and shallow characteristics, they're also great for snorkelling. Be aware that there are no toilets, so families with very young children might be better off spending the day elsewhere.
Bars and Restaurants
For fine dining with to-die-for sea views, it's got to be Jacques Waterfront Dining. Situated in Rodney Bay overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this restaurant is open every day from midday to 3pm for lunch and 6pm to 10pm for dinner. The lunch and dinner menus feature classic French dishes such as sirloin steak in red wine, sautéed prawns with pasta and fresh catch of the day with garlic butter. A tempting dessert menu with lemon cheesecake, crepe suzette and crème brulee is also available, as well as an extensive wine list.
If you're in the mood for seafood, don't pass up the chance to dine at the Coal Pot Restaurant. Located at the marina in Vigie, where the natural trade winds keep the outdoor seating area cool and comfortable, this restaurant offers a huge variety of fish- and seafood-based starters and mains, including lobster bisque, salt fish accra, Creole calamari and jumbo shrimp, as well as a small selection of meat-based dishes and salads for those who aren't big fans of fish.
Open from 10am to 3am Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, Treasure Bay is the place to enjoy a cool drink whilst indulging in a bit of gambling. In the centre of this casino you'll find a sports bar which serves up an array of local and international drinks, as well as 28 large TVs which broadcast live sporting events from around the world. When you're finished drinking, you can enjoy slot machines, video poker and a variety of table games inside the main casino.
The beach bar at the Sandals Grande Resort is a great place to enjoy an exotic cocktail whilst enjoying the sunny St Lucian weather. Open for guests of the resort as well as people staying elsewhere, this bar is ideally positioned on the beach for the best views of the sunset. There is an extensive drinks menu available with local and international beers, spirits, wines and cocktails, although the rum punch cocktail is said to be the best.
Things to do in St Lucia in October
If horse riding on the beach is on your bucket list, sign up for an excursion with Island Riders. Based in Gros Islet, this horse riding company has been established for eight years and offers two-hour and four-hour treks. Basic tours include horseback riding through Gros Islet, break in Chico's Bar where you can play pool, have a drink and meet the locals, horseback riding on the beach and swimming in the sea. Special tours include everything on the basic tours, as well as boat trips, beach barbecues, sunset horse riding and street parties.
The Immaculate Conception Church in Castries is a popular place for Catholics to visit whilst on holiday in St Lucia. Weekend masses take place every Saturday at 8am and Sunday at 6am, 8am and 10.30am and last for around 1.5 hours. The church is over 100 years old and features colourful religious paintings, decorated wooden ceiling and delicate stained glass windows which can only be seen from the inside, making it worthy of a visit, even if you can't make the masses.
The Maria Islands Nature Reserve is a must-visit during your holiday in St Lucia. Dedicated a protected nature reserve in 1982 because of its unique flora and fauna, this part of the island is home to more than 80 different species of plants, five endemic reptiles including the world's rarest snake, and several species of cacti. Various migratory birds choose this nature reserve as their nesting site between May and August, when the site is usually closed to the public, making October a great time to visit. Guided tours take place throughout the reserve several times each day, often led by local fishermen who will take you to the best spots to observe the rarest animals and plants.
Taking place on the last Sunday of the month, Jounen Kweyol (Creole Day) is an event not to be missed if you want to explore the heritage of the island. Featuring traditional Creole dress, music, food and folklore, the event takes place in all the major villages and settlements of St Lucia and offers the opportunity to sample foods and music you'd be unlikely to find elsewhere.
