Can You Drink the Water in St. Lucia (2024 Status)
If you plan a vacation to St. Lucia the hot summer months, heading to the beach can be a much-needed change of scenery. Although the hot sand, waves, and tropical drinks seem like the perfect way to beat the summer heat, you may want to think twice before drinking the water at your favorite beach town’s pool or ocean. Before you grab your bathing suit and head to the shore, you may want to learn more about the safety of drinking water in St. Lucia.
So, can you drink the water in St. Lucia? Yes, you can drink the water on the island of St Lucia. There are several water treatment and desalination plants on the island. The tap water is chlorinated and is considered safe to drink.
In general, most Caribbean islands have seawater desalination plants or water purification plants that make the water safe to drink. However, water quality can still vary from island to island so it’s always a good idea to do a little research on each individual island you are planning to visit.
Keep in mind that ice for drinks is made from the tap water since bags of ice aren’t very easy to come by.
St Lucia is a wonderful place to visit, located on the Eastern side of the Caribbean Sea. The East side of the island touches the Atlantic Ocean and the West side touches the Caribbean sea.
This beautiful island is a popular destination for vacationers and beach lovers. It is an independent sovereign nation that prides itself on its exciting, dramatic history, vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty. It’s a must visit! And we’re going to help you know what to drink while you’re there!
Does St. Lucia Have Fresh Water?
St. Lucia does have freshwater, while there are no natural lakes on the island, there are 38 rivers, 180 streams and several wetland areas. These wetlands come in the form of marshes, underground springs, swamps, flood plains, inland mangroves and ponds. There are also manmade aquaculture and irrigation ponds and reservoirs.
The longest river in St Lucia is the Roseau River running over 19 miles from the north edge of the island to the west side. There is a popular kayaking excursion that leaves from Marigot Bay to the mouth of the Roseau River where kayakers paddle through canopied mangroves nestled with birds and guides pick coconuts and breadfruit from the shoreline.
There are also some companies who provide river rafting and tubing on the rivers in St Lucia.
Besides Water, What Drinks Should You Try in St. Lucia?
It’s always wise to be aware of the water situation when traveling to another country, certainly an island country.
Many countries don’t have readily available water purification facilities but St Lucia is not one of them. St Lucia’s drinking water is perfectly safe to drink. However, there is a slight chlorine taste to the water and the ice is made from this tap water so don’t be alarmed.
As for what else you can and should drink while visiting the island, the question is, what are you in the mood to drink?
St Lucia has dozens of rum distilleries, cocoa farms and a brewery. Bottled beverages such as water, soda, juices and milk are all imported to St Lucia and are readily available.
St Lucia has several drinks that are unique to the island or are just extremely popular with locals, so for the sake of getting to know the local culture, here is a list of 5 drinks we suggest you try while visiting St Lucia.
1. Kabisa
Kabisa is an extremely popular drink with locals in St Lucia. Kabisa is an energy drink from Poland and it is the most popular drink in St Lucia.
This drink comes in brightly colored cans and can be found in grocery stores, corner stores, pretty much everywhere on the island. It has a smooth, fruity flavor and is lightly carbonated.
2. Piton Beer
If you’re a beer lover, and at least 16 years old, you can’t visit Saint Lucia without having a taste of the local beer called Piton. This refreshing Pilsner is the most popular beer on the island.
Piton can be found in local grocery stores throughout the country, as well as all bars, restaurants, hotels and resorts. There’s nothing quite like enjoying an ice-cold Piton Beer while actually seeing their namesake in the distance.
Piton Beer also offers a variety of flavors, such as, Piton Shandy Lemon or Piton Shandy Ginger, so if you’re not a beer purist and like a little fruity flavor, there are options. Piton beer has won many international awards, including many gold and silver medals at Belgium, France, and Prague beer festivals.
3. Cocoa Tea
Saint Lucia’s cocoa tea is a delicious drink that perfectly reflects the Caribbean life. It is the hot chocolate of the Caribbean, made with locally grown cocoa.
Cocoa Tea is a traditional spiced drink that is prepared using bay leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and grated cocoa sticks in a huge pot that is cooked all day long.
It is served with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top. It is not made with milk or dairy so it is not the same as hot chocolate.
4. Rum Punch
It is said that you haven’t done St Lucia right if you haven’t had at least one rum punch.
Rum punch is made with orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, bitters, grandine syrup, and a healthy portion of light or dark rum. Topped with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
The traditional way to may rum punch involves white rum over dark rum. Chairman’s Reserve is considered the best rum on St. Lucia island, it is a rum that has been aged for at least 5 years so it is very smooth.
5. Soursop Juice
Soursop fruit grows in St Lucia. Its flavor is described as a strawberry and pineapple flavor while having a creamy texture similar to bananas. Soursop fruits are high in vitamin C and has been said to boost immune health and help the body defend against pathogens. It is said to provide some detoxifying benefits.
Soursop juice is very popular on the island, locals believe in a large list of health benefits from drinking this juice. Benefits such as, preventing cancer, curing arthritis and treating diabetes add to the folklore around this juice.
But folklore aside, you should try this juice, it’s delicious.
Can You Swim in The Water in St. Lucia?
Yes you can swim in the water in St Lucia. The beaches on the western side of the island are the peaceful, tranquil turqouise waters of the Caribbean Sea so the beaches here are considered the safest.
While the water on the east coast of St Lucia are the wild waters of the Atlantic Ocean which makes it a popular coast for surfers and wave lovers.
There is one often talked about dangerous current off of Anse Chastenet beach that many warn swimmers about. So keep that in mind.
The water in Saint Lucia are warm enough to swim in throughout the year with average water temperature ranging from 79 degrees in the winter and spring months to 84 degrees in the summer months.
Recap: Is St. Lucia Water Safe to Drink in 2024?
It’s great to know the tap water is safe to drink in St Lucia in 2024. With water scarcity becoming a problem all over the world, the popularity of desalination plants in the Caribbean is a renewable way to keep these islands lively and independent.
Even while being surrounded by salt water, there is an abundance of fresh water on St Lucia. This is important for farmers, the rain forest and the native animals since most living things can not drink salt water. While visiting St Lucia, keep a lookout for the local drinks we listed, you’ll regret not trying them!