Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Winward Island of St Lucia is a beautiful country in the Caribbean. Formerly known as Lyonola, followed by Hewanorra, St Lucia is British Commonwealth nation as popular Caribbean vacation and honeymoon destination.
From twin volcanic peaks, clear and calm waters, white sand beaches, foamy waves, and rainforest adventures to waterfalls and nature trails, the whole island has it all; Saint Lucia is the treasure trove of the Caribbean.
If you’re ready to hop on a plane to St Lucia, this article explores the best things to do in St Lucia for couples, families, and solo travelers.
20 Must Do Things in St Lucia
1. Hike to Gros Piton
Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands, known for its beautiful scenery and iconic landmarks like Fort Rodney and Gros Islet. A favored destination among honeymooners, the island offers luxury hideaways, uncrowded beaches, a drive-in volcano, tropical fruits and cholate produced from the island’s cocoa beans, and activities like deep-sea fishing.
We’ve compiled a list of 20 unique things to do in St Lucia.
2. Embark on the Tet Paul Nature Trail
The Tet Paul Nature Trail is perfect for tourists 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 neighboring island – St Vincent. To fully experience the Tet Paul Nature Trail, you can book a tourist guide for around $55.
Tourists must note that they must pay a nominal entrance fee of $10 to access this beautiful trail.
3. Enjoy the views on the Verdant Forest open-air areal tram
One of the must-do St Lucia activities is taking the 2.5-hour Rainforest Aerial Tram ride for $75 and $42 for children.
Situated at Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve (also called Verdant Forest) close to St Lucia’s east coast, 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 hubbub of the cities on the island.
4. Stay in one of St Lucia’s luxury resorts
If you’re looking for popular 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: On a private area of Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain Resort is one of the country’s most expensive resorts, proven by the quality of service. The resort has infinity pools and offers a magnificent view of the pitons and the surrounding ocean.
Anse Chastanet: Chastanet is another luxury resort in St Lucia. Both Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are the only resorts on the island that provide visitors with exclusive views of Gros and Petit Piton over the Caribbean Sea.
Sugar Beach: Nestled in 100 acres of tropical rainforest, with awe-inspiring views and access to one of the island’s best beaches, this luxury resort was declared one of the best resorts on the Caribbean island. With it located on the southwest coast, it sits between Petit and Gros Piton and offers beachfront bungalows, a rainforest spa, and a sunset deck.
5. Explore the village of Soufrière
The fishing village of Soufrière was established back in 1745. Located on the island’s west coast, the town 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 visit this beautiful fishing village and nearby beaches like Anse Mamin Beach 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. Refresh yourself with a mud bath at a drive-in volcano
The island nation 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 volcano’s caldera, you can end your journey with a calm and soothing mud bath inside the sulphur spring’s pools, 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. You can book a half-day tour to access the mud baths for $100.
7. Discover Mount Soufrière at Sulphur Springs Park
As we’ve said, one of the best things to do in St Lucia is explore Sulphur Springs Park, as it offers many different points of exploration and enjoyment. Close to the famous Morne Coubaril Estate, 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 and 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. Enjoy the Festivities of Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day)
An experience at Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day) is one of the most fun things to do in St Lucia. This annual celebration in October brings St Lucia’s Creole heritage to life through tambo music, dance, and local cuisine.
Villages across the island transform into colorful hubs where you can sample dishes like bouyon, green fig and saltfish, listen to live zouk, soca tambo rhythms, and witness the island’s spirited expressions from British, French, African, and indigenous influences.
9. Cool off at Diamond Falls
Located within the Soufrière Estate is one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in Saint Lucia – the Diamond Waterfall. This incredible attraction stands around 45 feet high and is underlined with mineral baths, 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 Tropical Gardens and take the perfect Instagram photos to capture this magical experience.
10. Stroll along Anse Chastanet Beach
One of the best beaches in St Lucia, Anse Chastanet Beach on the west coast 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 to explore reefs and marine wildlife. The stunning beach also has a few restaurants and live bars where people can enjoy local vendors’ food and drinks.
Since every beach in the island country is accessible to everyone, you can head to the Anse Chastanet beach at any time. Planning to stay very close to the beach area? You can choose to book your stay at the Anse Chastanet Resort.
11. Experience marine life while snorkeling at Sugar Beach
If you love being in the water, you should try snorkeling and scuba diving off St Lucia’s Sugar Beach. Also called Jalousie Bay, Sugar Beach provide a once-in-a-lifetime underwater experience with an abundance of marine life, including eagle rays, tropical fish like flying gurnards, needlefish, and honeycomb moray eels.
You can book snorkeling and scuba diving tours through companies like Action Adventure Divers. 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 plantations near Roseau Valley and Anse Raye, a fishing village famous for its fresh fish and other local food.
12. Sip Caribbean rum at St Lucia Distillers
St Lucia’s rum heritage is strong and well-known, and buying a bottle here is common among most visitors. Like the other Caribbean islands, Saint Lucia has several rum distilleries in Castries and Marigot, including the famous St Lucia Distillers Ltd.
If you are a connoisseur of drinks, you should book your spot on the rum tour on the island and learn how rum is produced from sugarcane. The Saint Lucia Distillers also provides an up-close, behind-the-scenes tour of rum-making and allows you to savor the local rum, offering tastes of the island’s distinct flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and toasted banana. You can also try piton beer at the distillery.
Take a look at our St Lucia citizenship by investment ultimate guide by experts
13. Visit the Historic Pigeon Island National Park
Previously a refuge for pirates and then converted into a military fort, Pigeon Island National Park on the north end of the island is one of St Lucia’s most historic sites, transformed into a significant landmark in 1972. If you have at least half a day at your disposal, visit the Pigeon Island national landmark to tour the fort’s 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 sandy beaches and snorkeling sites surround the island, it also acts as a beautiful viewpoint that offers a stunning view of Martinique and the Atlantic Ocean. Water taxis are the best way to get from Reduit Beach to the park and entry costs just $10 for adults and $3 for children.
14. Have a blast with the family at Rodney Bay
A calm, serene, and beautiful bay, Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia is the perfect place to try 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 fun things to do in St Lucia for families, you must take them to Splash Island Water Park. This is the first open-air water attraction in the Caribbean and a popular spot for holiday-makers and locals looking for plenty of family-friendly activities.
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 spend a beach day snorkeling, sailing, or simply walking by this sandy beach and enjoy the almost perfect life this tropical island offers.
16. Taste the flavors of the St Lucia at Castries Market
Thinking of shopping in Saint Lucia? Then Castries Food and Craft Market should be at the top of your list.
You can buy everything from local vendors at this outdoor market from little souvenirs from the island and indigenous art to coconut candies, fresh fish, or fruits and vegetables.
And while you do so, you get the opportunity to engage with localities and learn more about the island.
17. Take in the views of Marigot Bay
Owing to its spectacular white sand beaches against the backdrop of beautiful swaying 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, you can rent a kayak and snorkeling gear from a nearby dive shop or tour agency like Dive Fair Helen and explore the underwater life along St Lucia’s coastline.
18. Tour the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
The island’s botanical forest gardens by Mount Gimie are one of the top tourist attractions in St Lucia. From native and tropical plants to trees and plants known to have healing qualities, the island’s garden is completely breathtaking.
The area is part of the Soufrière Estate and is one of the most unfiltered and protected estates on the island.
If you like exploring the indigenous flora of a particular place, you should make it to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. Entry costs just $7 for adults and $3.50 for children, and the tropical gardens are close to other points of interest, like Toraille Waterfall.
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 with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and bay leaf. Simply mix with hot water or milk, and you enjoy a delicious local drink. The sticks even make for great souvenirs and gifts.
20. Attend a cricket match at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium
Cricket is a popular game on the island of Saint Lucia, with matches played at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet.
Attending a match is a must-do in St Lucia for cricket fans, where you catch major matches and see the West Indies team compete against international teams like England, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Tickets for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 cost as little as $6 to $12. You can also watch smaller local matches of the Saint Lucia Kings throughout the year.
St Lucia in Pictures
Find out How to Retire in St Lucia and enjoy an island life
As the sun sets over the picturesque landscapes of Saint 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 natural wonders that make Saint Lucia a truly magical destination. Let the adventure begin!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Top Things to Do in St Lucia
What to do in St Lucia for a week?
If you are traveling to St Lucia for a week, you can try doing various things on the island like:
- Horseback riding with Sandy Hoofs St Lucia or East Coast Riding Stable
- Attend cultural events like the Saint Lucia Arts Festival
- Take a guided tour of Gros Piton
- Explore reefs off Anse La Raye
What are the best things to do in St Lucia on a cruise?
If you are on a cruise to Saint Lucia, some of the best activities in St Lucia are exploring Pigeon Island National Park, visiting the capital city Castries and the town of Soufriere, exploring Rodney Bay Village and Vigie Beache, and a zip-line at the base of La Sorcière.
What is Saint Lucia best known for?
St Lucia is best known for its iconic Piton Mountains, invigorating waterfalls like Toraille waterfall, excellent hiking trails like Millet Bird Sanctuary and Nature Trail, pristine beaches like Pigeon Island Public Beach, vibrant events like Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, and the world’s only island with a drive-in volcano.
What is St Lucia popular for?
Saint Lucia is popular for many reasons. The island offers natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and fun activities like hiking, surfing, and diving. The island also has many historic areas to explore, like Soufriere fishing village and Fort Rodney.
Is St Lucia worth going to?
Yes, Saint Lucia is definitely worth visiting, whether you want to explore the island’s untouched beauty, visit craft markets like Castries Market, scuba dive amongst the tropical fish, relax at a local country club, search for hidden waterfalls, or spend a beach day in a bathing suit swimming in the calm waters of one of the many Saint Lucia beaches.
Is St Lucia expensive to eat out?
While local produce is relatively cheap in Saint Lucia, dining at restaurants, especially in tourist hotspots, can be pricey. Nevertheless, you can expect to spend around $8 for a meal at a budget-friendly restaurant and approximately $55 for a dinner for two at a mid-priced restaurant. Just be aware that prices soar in popular tourist areas.
How many days in St Lucia is enough?
One week in Saint Lucia is generally enough to travel around the island and experiences St Lucia’s best activities. You’ll also have enough time to take a water taxi to nearby islands like the Maria Islands Nature Reserve.
