Beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, hiking- this island has it all.
When most people think of the Carribean, they automatically think of beaches. St. Lucia is no exception, with many beautiful beaches. However, if you really want to get the best experience out of the island, you need to explore the many natural gems it has. That includes the rainforests, mud bath, and their national treasure. Here are the best attractions that you should explore while visiting St. Lucia:
#1: Pigeon Island
This is St. Lucia’s national treasure. Pigeon Island is home to some of the most vibrant and breathtaking views you will get to see in St. Lucia. The area was once used as a fort and has a lot of history going back centuries. Today, it is an area that has beaches and is the perfect place to hike. Pigeon Island has two peaks, one higher than the other.
You can see most of the western side of St. Lucia and on clear days, you can see the island of Martinique. People visit the area for picnics as well and there’s a small restaurant near the beach that provides visitors with some beautiful views of the island and ocean. I recommend spending an entire day here and use it to go into the beach, the two peaks, and to explore the area.
#2: Soufriere
Home to the island’s popular mud baths, Soufriere is a great place to spend a day in. The mud baths are really warm, but they do such an amazing job of refreshing your body. It truly is a therapeutic blessing from mother nature. Across from the mud baths is the volcano that has been dormant for many years. People are actually allowed to walk it during some points of the year, but I myself didn’t get the chance to. Soufriere has many shops for souvenirs and local food, and it might actually be the most crowded area of St. Lucia on any given day.
Aside from the mud baths, the area is also home to the Toraille Waterfall. It is recommended to do the mud bath at the Sulphur Springs first and then go to the waterfall to refresh yourself. The waterfall is beautiful, and the area makes itself nice for some worthy pictures.
The city is also quite close to the Pitons, St. Lucia’s famous mountains. The Pitons are actually so important to the natives that they named their national beer after it. This area also makes a good place for a hiking trip with beautiful views. There’s a beach close by as well, so if you want to, Soufriere can be a perfect one-day trip.
#3: Rainforest Adventures
As if the beach, mud baths, and waterfall weren’t enough for a great vacation, St. Lucia also has a rainforest. Their rainforest is home to many native plants and wildlife. People can ride the tram from the bottom of the rainforest to the top, and others can just walk all the way.
The rainforest also allows people to go ziplining from the top of the forest all the way back down. There’s a total of seven or eight ziplines you get to go through, all of them very manageable to complete and none of them scary. The first few ziplines will give you the best views of the rainforest, and even of the ocean.
If you book the ziplining tour online, you may even have a lunch included with the tour. I would encourage everyone to try the ziplining for sure, especially if it’s your first time.
#4: Reduit Beach
This beach was my favorite throughout the time I spent in St. Lucia. The waters were so calming, no crazy waves, and it was so peaceful the later in the day it got. Not to mention the temperature water, which was just right. I would honestly say this is the second-best beach I’ve ever been to in my life, only behind another beach in the Carribean (more on that in another post).
There are plenty of activities you can do at this beach besides swimming. The beach has several booths where you can book time on a jet ski, water jets, or on a donut attached to a fast boat. On the road to walk to the beach, there are several restaurants to get food or have a few drinks. I personally would recommend trying the local food there, it is authentic and pretty good. If you’re looking for a beach day, this is the beach to go to.
#5: Castries
As St. Lucia’s capital, it only makes sense to explore it as a tourist. There are a few beaches in the area and it is close to Rodney Bay, the port area where many of the boat tours head out. Aside from that, there is a shopping center for those of us who like to go shopping and there’s also a movie theater. A lot of the hotels on the island are located in Castries, so it feels safe to stay around that area. My recommendation is to look for food to eat in Castries, some of the restaurants there have pretty views and are calm areas away from the more local parts of the island. If you want to book tours while you’re in St. Lucia, Castries would be the place to look for tours.
I can’t emphasize enough how much I loved my trip to St. Lucia. These places that I’m suggesting will really make you appreciate the island entirely and hopefully give you the same impression that it did for me. I honestly believe that this island makes for a perfect honeymoon, wedding, or vacation destination. I hope you find this useful and consider visiting St. Lucia at some point in your life.
