St Lucia | Discover Mountains and Beaches
Saint Lucia is a 250-square-mile island in the Eastern Caribbean. Two mountains, the Pitons, dominate the landscape. St Lucia is a top Caribbean destination because of the varied terrain, volcanic beaches, and rainforest. Moreover, luxury resorts, villas, and boutique hotels offer quality accommodations.
St. Lucia has two airports. Hewanorra Airport is the major International airport in the south of the island. European and North American airlines provide service. Vigie Airport is a smaller airport with inter-Caribbean flights.
Sailing from St. Lucia to the Grenadines is the most comfortable option since the reverse sails against the wind and current. Moreover, the open water crossing between St. Lucia and the Grenadines can be exhilarating.
Weather
St. Lucia has a warm, tropical climate all year. The most popular travel time is between December and April. Rainfall varies depending on altitude and location. The northwest is the drier area of the island and is also home to some of the best beaches.
Places to See in St. Lucia
Saint Lucia is a beautiful island nation in the eastern Caribbean known for its stunning natural landscapes, lush rainforests, as well as a vibrant culture. Here are some places of interest to visit in Saint Lucia:
- Pitons: The iconic Pitons, Gros Piton, and Petit Piton are two volcanic peaks that rise dramatically from the Caribbean Sea.
- Soufrière: This charming town is nestled in the shadow of the Pitons and is known for its hot springs, mineral baths, and beautiful botanical gardens.
- Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens: Located near Soufrière, these gardens are a haven for nature lovers with colorful flora, mineral baths, and a picturesque waterfall.
- Sulphur Springs Park: Visit the world’s only drive-in volcano in Soufrière, where you can see bubbling mud baths and geothermal activity.
- Marigot Bay: Known as the “most beautiful bay in the Caribbean,” Marigot Bay is a picturesque harbor surrounded by lush hills.
- Pigeon Island National Landmark: This historic site features ruins of military buildings and is home to the annual Saint Lucia Jazz Festival.
- Anse Chastanet Beach and Reef: A popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Reduit Beach: Located in Rodney Bay, Reduit Beach is one of the island’s most popular beaches, offering a range of water activities and beachfront restaurants.
- Tet Paul Nature Trail: A relatively easy hike with stunning views of the Pitons, Caribbean Sea, and surrounding villages.
- Morne Coubaril Estate: Explore the history of Saint Lucia’s cocoa and sugar production at this working plantation.
- St. Lucia Distillers: If you enjoy rum, a tour of the St. Lucia Distillers in Roseau Valley is a must to learn about the island’s rum-making traditions.
- Fond Doux Plantation & Resort: A beautiful eco-resort that offers a glimpse into Saint Lucia’s agricultural history with guided tours of the plantation.
St. Lucia | Things to Do
- Hike. Try the Gros Piton or Eastern Nature Trail along the Atlantic coast.
- Get wet. Go kayaking on the Roseau River. Or, try scuba diving with Snuba at Pigeon Island.
- Dine. Taste local favorites such as pepperpots, langouste, and bouyon. Boucan Restaurant offers fine dining infused with local flavors. For more local cuisine and vegetarian options, try Martha’s Tables.
- Beaches. Indeed some of the most popular beaches include Marigot Bay, Sugar Beach, and Reduit Beach.
- Visit Soufriere to see colonial architecture alongside enormous volcanic peaks. For a unique adventure, visit the Soufriere Drive-in Volcano. This active geothermal area has hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and steam vents.
- Turtle Watching: Depending on the season, you may have the chance to witness sea turtles nesting or hatching on various beaches, especially Grande Anse and Grande Caille.
- Visit Castries: The capital city of Saint Lucia offers a bustling market, historic sites like Derek Walcott Square, and the impressive Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
Marinas
Rodney Bay Marina. This marina has 253 total berths, 32 megayacht berths, WiFi, private showers, full resort amenities, on-site shopping, and dining. Customs and Immigration Services and a high-speed fuel dock. In addition, there are provisioning services, waste disposal services, and laundry services.
Marigot Bay Resort & Marina. Marigot has 42 berths for yachts up to 280 feet and 20 mooring buoys. In addition, there’s fuel, electricity, water, free WiFi, Cable TV, garbage disposal, and pump-out facilities.
Itineraries
Experiencing St. Lucia can also be combined with sailing from Martinique to the Grenadines. We recommend at least a 10-day charter when doing so. Please check out our sample St. Lucia to Grenada charter itinerary.
