Gros Islet

Gros Islet is the newest town in Saint Lucia, having been recently promoted from a village to a town. It is the location of the Beausejour Stadium Test cricket ground. It is the administrative centre of the Gros Island Quarter, a region of saint Lucia which includes the island's northernmost point, Cap Point. It lies north of Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia, and features the Friday Night Street Party which is a major tourist attraction. Also known as the jump-up, the Friday Night Street Party encompasses several blocks, which have to be informally cordoned off with the stalls of street vendors. Everything from steamed fish to barbecue chicken, to St.lucia's own Piton beer can be purchased from these vendors. Massive Hi-fi systems reverberate throughout the old fishing village, and locals and tourist both dance in a central cross section in the small streets to the sounds of calypso, zouk, reggae and R&B.

Just across the channel from Rodney Bay lies Gros Islet, a small fishing village of rickety, rust-roofed wooden homes and narrow streets lined with fruit and vegetable vendors. The beach is somewhat dirty, and generally the town holds little of interest for the visitor. Come Friday nights, though, Lucians and visitors alike pour in for the Friday night street party or jump-up , when everyone lets loose and parties. Much of the town is blocked off, and armies of snack vendors peddling barbecue, fried fish, hot cakes and cold beers arrive to feed the hungry masses. Bars open their doors onto the street, street corners are festooned with speakers and the music is loud. Things get going around 10pm and last till late, and despite the distinctly sexual undertones, it's generally a good-natured affair. On the Gros Islet northern end of St Lucia, Rodney Bay is enclosed on the north by Pigeon Island National Park and on the south by Labrellotte Point. A large portion of St Lucia's restaurants are in this region.

The Rodney Bay Marina with 232 slips is one of the best equipped in the eastern Caribbean. It lies in a man-made lagoon off the center of the Bay.

Rodney Bay is also the location of St Lucia's biggest shopping mall. The hills around Rodney Bay contain many wealthy homes.