Things to do in St Lucia: The Ultimate Guide

Hazel Hammond

Did you know? St Lucia is the only country in the world named after a woman and has the 2nd highest number of Nobel prize winners per capita. A photographer’s paradise, St Lucia is packed to the brim with dream like vistas, paradise landscapes and pure Caribbean beauty. From its emerald rainforest and untouched beaches to its unique Caribbean flavours, there truly is beauty every way you turn. Thanks to its diverse landscapes, sailing credentials and fascinating history there’s so much to experience on the island. From getting muddy in volcanic springs to lapping up the purity of its paradise beaches, here’s a list of all the best things to do in St Lucia on your Caribbean Holiday… As this is a comprehensive guide, to find the information that’s relevant to you, use the handy page contents below:

Top things to do in St Lucia

Uncover St Lucia’s unexpected history at Pigeon Island National Park

Once an island, this 44-acre islet was connected to the mainland by causeway in 1972. Numerous forts and battlements demonstrate an illustrious past of battles between French and British. The forts were once used by the British to spy on French ships from neighbouring Martinique. Not only that, ancient artifacts date back as far as pre-historic times. Entrance: $8pp, $3 for children. Open 9am – 5pm daily. Private tours available

Climb one of the Piton Mountains, or simply admire them from afar

The Piton Mountains are 2 UNESCO World Heritage volcanic plugs, formed by hardening magma over a volcano vent. You can discover their unique beauty in many ways: by boat, from afar or by climbing. Petit Piton is 2,461ft and highly challenging whereas Gros Piton is 2,619ft and less steep (which is the one you can climb). However, you’ll need permission and a guide to climb, who will explain the mountain’s history, geology and botany. On climbing, your breath will be taken away by views of Soufriere bay, the green hills of the south and out to the Caribbean Sea.

Cool off in Tortaille waterfalls

This easy to access waterfall is just outside of Soufriere. The falls are somewhere between 7 -10 metres high and are surrounded by botanical gardens. There’s a refreshing plunge pool and a nature trail to gently meander. Perfect for a spot of respite from the heat. Entrance fee $3. A picnic area, car park and changing rooms are all available.

Tee off with island views at the Cap Estate

St Lucia’s golf club is a wonderful place to play golf. Lush fairways and manicured greens sit above stunning Caribbean waters. The challenging 18-hole golf course is spread over 6,744 yards of rolling Cap Estate Hills. The St Lucia Golf Club also offers Cap Grill restaurant, a relaxing bar and hosts several events and functions. For more information visit the official website. Or contact us at Classic Collection Holidays to arrange tee off times. Cap Maison Luxury Resort & Spa is a superb hotel located nearby for ease of access.

Sail the coast of St Lucia at your own pace

A host of sailing opportunities await, included private yacht hire, day trips and tours as well as catamaran excursions and annual events. Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay are the main marinas where you’ll find everything from fishing boats to luxury yachts, but you can also catch a yacht straight from your hotel. Gently sail down the calm west coast or more challenging east and absorb the warming trade winds and glistening Caribbean waters. You’ll no doubt uncover jaw-dropping views of St Lucia’s unique landscape and spot a range of wildlife including dolphins.

Places to visit in St Lucia

Castries

Watch cruise ships port or indulge in duty free shopping in the island’s capital. Meander through the public park or admire the colourful cathedral on Derek Walcott Square (Derek Walcott was a distinguished St Lucian Poet and Playwright). In Castries you’ll also find a 400-year-old saman tree, a renowned market and jaw dropping views over the city from Morne Fortune.

Rodney Bay

To the north of the island is the horseshoe shaped Rodney Bay with its artificial lagoon and marina housing a plethora of bars, restaurants, shops and more. This charismatic resort homes two large shopping malls, luxury boutiques, art galleries, duty free shopping and the stunning Reduit Beach.

Make your own chocolate at a cocoa plantation

Cocoa beans grow in plantations across St Lucia and several of them offer tours and tastings. The Bean-To-Bar tour at The Rabot Estate (owned by Hotel Chocolat) is a must. The 140-acre estate is in fact the oldest plantation and commands views of the pitons and rainforest canopy. Pick fresh cocoa beans, add sugar, butter and come away with your own unique chocolate. Located near Soufriere, tours take place Monday – Friday, tour prices from $90pp

Marigot Bay

A truly stunning bay that’s featured in Hollywood filmsets (Dr Doolittle) and one of the most essential places to visit in St Lucia. Energetic, sophisticated and pure paradise, Marigot Bay is perfect for waterside lunch, a relaxed dinner or to simply meander about and soak up the sights. Marigot Bay is also famous for being the only bay with a hurricane hole in the Caribbean.

Free things to do in St Lucia

Watch the sunset

Whether it be from between the Pitons, at a restaurant terrace at Marigot Bay or from your hotel balcony, sunsets in St Lucia are phenomenal. The best places to watch the sunset in St Lucia include hotels, resorts and beaches along the west coast.

Rainforest Walking

Throughout St Lucia’s 19,000 acres lush interiors are a myriad of trails of varying difficulties. Popular trails include Edmund Forest Reserve, Tet Paul Nature Trails, Des Cartier Trail and Barre de L’isle Forest Reserve. Spot exotic flowers, distant mountain views and volcanic steam as well as a wealth of wildlife such as the Zandoli lizard and parrots. You can also cycle some of the trails.

Snorkelling

The warm Caribbean waters of St Lucia are teeming with marine life. Colourful fish and fascinating fauna can easily be spotted by snorkelling. Just 10m from Anse Chastanet beach is an offshore marine park which is superb for snorkelling.

Unique things to do in St Lucia

Scuba diving

There are beautiful dives all around the island including shipwrecks, volcanic reefs, the base of the pitons and one of the Caribbean’s top 5 shore dives (Anse Chastenet marine reserve). You can now even SNUBA – this involved diving 5 metres down with a source of air flow without tanks! Dive centres are located across the island offering courses and certifications.

Witness the world’s only drive in Volcano and soak in the Sulphur Springs

The ‘drive in volcano’ allows visitors to safely drive right up to an active volcano. You may not see lava, but plumes of steam bubble out of the volcano’s mouth. There are springs here, but with temperatures way over 100˚C these aren’t for bathing. Further down-stream is where you’ll find the cooling mud baths and more temperate springs park. The mud baths are said to have detoxifying and healing powers for the skin. After bathing in the mud, wash off in the thermal springs before cooling off in the nearby waterfall surrounded by rainforest. Located near Soufriere, entrance $10. tours are available. Changing rooms and showers available.

Soar above the rainforest on a zip line canopy tour

Experience exhilaration above the rainforest canopy. Across the island are a range of adventure tours featuring zip lines and adventure courses. Excellent for a family adventure or a thrilling couples day out. Here’s a guide to the top zip lines in St Lucia:

Treetop Adventure Park – A tour of St Lucia’s treetops. A 4-hour tour with zip lines up to 50ft high. Located inland from Dennery Village. From $85.
Rainforest Adventure – Near Castries port, Rainforest Adventure offers an adrenaline pumping canopy tour (including zip line and a unique aerial tram). Prices from $72
Morne Coubaril – 1 hour course including 8 cables that run over the Morne Coubrail Estate. Located South of Soufriere. Prices from $75.

Retreat to Diamond Falls and botanical gardens for a peaceful day out

Located in Soufriere, Diamond botanical gardens and waterfall are one of St Lucia’s most beautiful natural wonders. This peaceful retreat is a haven of tropical beauty, lush rainforest and cascading falls. Swim in the natural baths and meander around 2000 acres of botanical gardens home to orchids, hibiscus, ferns, bamboo, jasmine, figs and a plethora of bird species. A truly rewarding day out. Open Monday – Sat 10am- 5pm, Sun 10am – 3pm. Entrance $7.