Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, St Lucia is a beautiful island country in the West Indies.
Formerly known as Lyonola, followed by Hewanorra, St Lucia is now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
From twin volcanic peaks, azure waters, white sand beaches, foamy waves, and rainforest adventures to waterfalls and nature trails, St Lucia has it all, making the country the treasure trove of the Caribbean.
If you are planning to travel to St Lucia, you have come to the perfect place! In this article, we will take you through the unique things to do in St Lucia.
The Best Things to Do in St Lucia
Saint Lucia is one of the Windward Islands of the Caribbean, known for its beautiful scenery and iconic landmarks. A favorite destination among honeymooners, the island offers luxury hideaways, uncrowded beaches, a drive-in volcano, tropical fruits, activities like deep-sea fishing, and more. To help you determine what to do and where to go on this amazing island, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best things to do in St Lucia. So, let’s dive straight in!
Explore the South of Saint Lucia
If you are visiting St Lucia for the first time, you should definitely explore the island country’s southern side. The south of the island is also one of the most historic, with ruins and hikes around Vieux Fort, where you’ll still find rusty canons and old bricks scattered around today. The south also has some excellent beaches. If you are someone looking for a luxurious but reclusive retreat in the Caribbean, then this is the perfect place to kickstart your journey to the beautiful blue waters, sandy beaches, and natural wonders against the iconic Pitons. These factors make the southern part of the country one of the top things for couples to do in St Lucia.
1. Hike to Gros Piton
One of the most sought-after tourist attractions in St Lucia, Gros Pitons, is a volcanic plug that is covered with dense forest areas. If you are up for some adventure on the island, then the hiking trails up to Grand and Gros Piton are a must.
The hike to the peaks covers a long stretch of 4.7 km and is quite difficult as the path is quite steep and filled with boulders and other obstacles. But the climb to this UNESCO World Heritage site is worth it as the peaks offer a spectacular view of the culmination of the land and the sea.
2. Tet Paul Nature Trail
The Tet Paul Nature Trail is perfect for tourists who are not into serious hiking trails. It is a 1 km hiking journey that takes you to a viewpoint that overlooks the Petit Piton.
If you’re lucky and have sunny weather, you might catch a glimpse of the island next door – St Vincent. To experience the Tet Paul Nature Trail to its fullest, you can book a tourist guide for around $10.
Tourists must note that they have to pay a nominal entrance fee to explore this beautiful trail.
3. Get a private villa at Stonefield Villa Resort
One of the most in-demand boutique resorts for destination weddings and honeymoons, a stay at Stonefield Villa Resort in St Lucia should definitely be on your bucket list.
One of the very first resorts to start operation in Soufriere, this stunning villa has an amazing private pool and opens up to the picturesque views of the Gros and Petit Piton and the Caribbean Sea.
This private villa also has ample natural light that gives its guests the opportunity to sunbathe, spend some romantic time sipping coolers by each other’s side, enjoy weekly events and live music, and indulge in the island’s delicious local cuisine.
4. Amazing retreats in the South of Saint Lucia
If you’re looking for things to do in St Lucia for couples, a stay at a luxury resort may be the perfect holiday experience for you.
Jade Mountain Resort – Situated in the private area of Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain Resort is one of the most expensive resorts in the country and also one of the best when it comes to quality of service. The place has access to infinity pools and offers a magnificent view of the pitons and the surrounding ocean.
Anse Chastanet- Just like the Jade Mountain Resort, Anse Chastanet is another luxury resort in St Lucia and is run and maintained by localities of the area. Both Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are the only resorts on the island that give visitors an exclusive view of Gros and Petit Piton hovering over the Caribbean Sea.
Sugar Beach – Nestled within over 100 acres of tropical rainforest with awe-inspiring views and access to one of the best beaches on the southern side of the island, this luxury resort has been declared one of the best resorts on the Caribbean island. Since the resort is situated on the southwest coast of the island, it is exactly between Petit and Gros Piton and offers beachfront bungalows, a rainforest spa, a sunset deck, and more.
5. Explore the village of Soufrière
The fishing village of Soufrière was established back in 1745. Located on the island’s west coast, the village is considered by many to be one of the most vibrant parts of this Caribbean island.
If you are visiting St Lucia, make sure to pay a visit to this beautiful village prior to traveling to other St Lucia tourist attractions.
You can even learn about the area’s history at Stonefield Estate, where historic carvings known as petroglyphs give visitors great insight into the island’s rich history.
6. Enjoy the mud baths
The island country is famed for having the only drive-in volcano in the world where you can take your car to the volcano’s crater and witness this magnificent wonder of Mother Earth. If you are interested in learning all about volcanoes, make sure to book a guide to help you understand the intricacies of volcanoes and their surrounding areas.
Once you are done seeing the caldera of the volcano, you can end your journey with a calm and soothing mud bath inside the Sulphur Springs pools, which are known to have medicinal qualities.
To calm your body and soul, you can put the volcanic mud all over your body, keeping it there long enough to enjoy its healing properties. This mud is known to have made people look younger, so the next time you are in St Lucia, make sure to take the mud baths.
7. Explore Mount Soufrière – Sulphur Springs Park
As we’ve said, one of the best things to do in St Lucia is explore the Sulphur Springs Park, as it offers many different points of exploration and enjoyment. The sulfur hot springs sit across from the volcano, offering pools filled with warm water and natural minerals that you can enjoy.
As we recommended above, start at the mud bath, making sure to slather yourself in volcanic mud. You can end this fantastic experience with a calming soak in the mineral-rich springs to wash away the volcanic mud.
8. Go to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens of the island are one of the top St Lucia tourist attractions. From native and tropical plants to trees and plants known to have healing qualities, the botanical garden of the island is completely breathtaking.
The area is a part of the Soufrière Estate and is most definitely one of the most unfiltered and protected estates on the entire island.
If you are someone who likes exploring the indigenous flora of a particular place, then you should definitely make it to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. And don’t forget to sign up for a guided tour to learn more and understand the local flowers, plants, and trees of the area.
9. Visit the Diamond Falls
Located within the Soufrière Estate is one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in St Lucia – the Diamond Waterfall. This incredible attraction stands around 45 feet high and is underlined with minerals, creating a spectrum of beautiful, vibrant colors.
This gorgeous waterfall has also been seen in various movies, including ‘Romancing the Stone’. So, make sure to check out this popular tourist attraction when visiting the Botanical Gardens and take the perfect Instagram photos to capture this magical experience.
10. Anse Chastanet Beach
One of the best beaches in St Lucia, Anse Chastanet Beach is an intrinsic part of the Anse Chastanet Resort. If you are into water adventures like snorkeling and diving, then this beach is your go-to place. The stunning beach also has a few restaurants and live bars for people to enjoy local food and drinks and experience the beach life to the fullest.
Since every beach in the island country is accessible to all, you can head to the Anse Chastanet beach according to your own wish. Planning to stay very close to the beach area? You can choose to book your stay at the Anse Chastanet Resort.
11. Go snorkeling and scuba diving
If you love being in the water, then you should definitely try out snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water sports in Saint Lucia. The coral reefs near the Anse Chastanet beach provide a once-in-a-lifetime underwater experience.
So, if you are in St Lucia, make sure to enroll yourself in the Snorkeling and Scuba diving tours available on the island. Visitors must note that these tours also take you to other St Lucia tourist attractions that are close to the snorkeling and diving sites, like the banana plantation that is very near to the Roseau Valley and Anse Raye, a fishing village famous for its fresh fish and other local food.
12. Experience the rum-tasting tour
St Lucia’s rum heritage is strong and well-known, and buying a bottle here is a common practice among most visitors. Like the other Caribbean islands, St Lucia has a number of rum distilleries.
If you are a connoisseur of drinks, you should definitely book your spot on the rum tour that is available on the island and learn how rum is made from sugarcane. The St Lucia distillers also provide an up-close, behind-the-scenes tour of rum-making and allow you to savor the local rum, offering tastes of the island’s distinct flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and toasted banana.
Take a look at our St Lucia citizenship by investment ultimate guide by experts
Take a Tour of the North of Saint Lucia
The northern side of the island is a good place to find beach activities and nightlife, thanks to the variety of places to go bar hopping along the beach, and plenty of restaurants to choose from. It’s also a family-friendly choice compared to the more private resorts found in the south. Castries, the capital city of St Lucia, is located on the northern side of the island. From inclusive resorts, lively restaurants, bars, water parks, tropical forests, bays, and more, the northern part of the island has a lot to offer for its visitors. Here are a few of the North St Lucia activities that you can definitely undertake:
13. Visit the Historic Pigeon Island National Park
Previously a refuge for pirates and then a military fort, the Pigeon Island National Park was transformed into a major landmark of the island in 1972. If you have at least half a day at your disposal, make sure to visit the Pigeon Island national landmark to take a tour of the ancient ruins.
The 44-acre park is a popular spot for day visitors eager to relax, hike the trails, birdwatch, and learn more about the island’s history. Since the island is surrounded by sandy beaches and snorkeling sites, it also acts as a beautiful viewpoint that offers a stunning view of Martinique and the Atlantic Ocean.
14. Enjoy family fun in Rodney Bay
Calm, serene, and beautiful, Rodney Bay in St Lucia is the perfect place to try out different watersports. The horseshoe-shaped bay is fringed with a stretch of white sands and a man-made lagoon, offering a number of places where people can go for snorkeling and other water adventure sports.
If you are looking for things to do in St Lucia for families, then you must take them to the Splash Island Water Park. This is the first open-air water attraction in the Caribbean and is a popular spot for holiday-makers and locals looking for plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy.
15. Soak up the sun at Reduit Beach
Situated along the waterfront of Rodney Bay Village is one of the top beaches and attractions in St Lucia.
Reduit Beach is famous for its white sand that stretches along the entire coastline and even more so for its watersports offerings.
You can snorkel, sail, or simply walk by this sandy beach and enjoy the almost perfect life that this tropical island has to offer.
16. Taste the flavors of the island at Castries Market
Thinking of shopping in St Lucia? Then Castries Food and Craft Market should be on top of your list.
From little souvenirs from the island and indigenous art to coconut candies, fresh fish, or fruits and vegetables, you can buy everything from this outdoor market.
And while you do so, you get the opportunity to engage with localities and learn more about the island.
17. Marigot Bay
Owing to its spectacular white sand beaches against the backdrop of beautiful palm trees, visiting Marigot Bay should definitely be on your ‘Things to do in St Lucia’ list.
Not far from the village of Anse La Raye, this picturesque bay is loved by yachties and has even been used for background shots in numerous Hollywood films, such as Dr. Doolittle and Fire Power.
If you are interested in intense exploration of the bay, then you should surely rent a kayak and explore the underwater life of St Lucia.
18. View the island from an aerial tram
One of the must-do St Lucia activities is taking the Rainforest Aerial Tram.
Situated at Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve, you can board the Aerial Tram to go to the top of the mountain and witness breathtaking views of the northern part of St Lucia and the tropical forests as you are transported away from the heat and bustle of the lowlands to an ecological park located in the island’s forest reserve.
You can visit the ecological park through this aerial tram and enjoy the serene life – away from the hullabaloo of the cities on the island.
19. Celebrate Chocolate Heritage Month
If you visit Saint Lucia in August, you’ll be in time to celebrate Chocolate Heritage Month. This festival celebrates the island’s cocoa heritage and unfolds over several weeks, with restaurants producing chocolate-themed menus and spas offering chocolate-themed treatments. You can even watch re-enactments of dances related to the process of cocoa bean polishing and various other activities. The best part? Chocolate samples and special edition chocolate bars.
If you aren’t in time to catch the festival, you can find the island’s favorite cocoa drink – cocoa tea – available at markets. These round, brown sticks are created from the roasted seeds of cacao pods and mixed together with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and bay leaf. Simply mix with hot water or milk, and you have a delicious local drink to enjoy. The sticks even make for great souvenirs and gifts.
20. Watch a cricket match
Cricket is a popular game on the island of Saint Lucia, with matches played at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet.
Cricket fans can catch major games and see the West Indies team go up against international teams from England to Sri Lanka or watch smaller local matches throughout the year.
As the sun sets over the picturesque landscapes of St Lucia, the possibilities for adventure and relaxation are endless. From its lush rainforests to pristine beaches, this Caribbean gem invites you to explore its natural beauty and vibrant culture. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a nature enthusiast, or someone looking to unwind in paradise, you’ll find plenty of things to do in St Lucia to satisfy every interest. So, if you’re eager to discover more about this enchanting island and plan your own unforgettable getaway, be sure to visit our website for more guides, insider tips, and a closer look at the countless wonders that make St Lucia a truly magical destination. Let the adventure begin!
St Lucia in Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Lucia
What to do in St Lucia for a week?
If you are traveling to St Lucia for a week or more, you can try doing various things on the island like – you can scuba dive, hit the beach, go kayaking and snorkeling or go for rainforest adventures.
What are the best things to do in St Lucia on a cruise?
If you are on a cruise to St Lucia, then you can try the following things – visit the Pigeon Island National Park, go to Castries and Soufriere, explore Rodney Bay Village and Marigot Bay, or go on a hike to the natural parks and forests.
What is Saint Lucia best known for?
St Lucia is best known for its iconic Piton Mountains, invigorating waterfalls, excellent hiking trails, pristine beaches, local street parties, exclusive restaurants, and for being the world’s only island with a drive-in volcano.
Why is Saint Lucia so popular?
Saint Lucia is popular for many reasons. For example, the island offers natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and fun activities such as hiking, surfing, and diving. The island also has many historic areas to explore, as well as a vibrant nightlife.
Is St Lucia worth going to?
Yes, Saint Lucia is definitely worth visiting, whether you want to explore the island’s untouched beauty, visit a craft market, swim amongst the marine life, relax at a local country club, search for hidden waterfalls, or spend your day in a bathing suit swimming in the sparkling waters of one of the many Saint Lucia beaches.
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