Saint Lucia Top 10 from a double award-winning expert!
1/. See the Pitons The Pitons are the iconic symbols of Saint Lucia and are a World Heritage Site. They are volcanic plugs rising from the Caribbean Sea, and it is possible to climb Gros Piton (2619ft) with a guide which we did on our most recent trip. It was hard as it was so humid and there isn’t really much of a path, it was certainly more of a scramble, but I was so pleased I did it when I got to the top! I would recommend seeing them either from the water or from the Tet Paul Trail which is a much gentler hike with commanding views. My top tip is get a seat on the left of the aircraft so you get a great view of them as you come into land - amazing! 2/. Visit Pigeon Island Pigeon Island National Landmark is considered the most important monument of Saint Lucia’s history. It’s a great place to visit if you want to experience some of this for yourself, and a very interesting distraction from the beach. Joined to the mainland by a causeway, this famous battleground has been occupied by many of Saint Lucia’s famous residents over the years and is home to many ruined military buildings used during the battles between the British and the French in years gone by. Well worth a visit, I would recommend climbing to the top to enjoy some spectacular views but don't worry the climb is nowhere near as challenging as Gros Piton!
3/. Go bird watching Saint Lucia is home to 6 endemic species and as a considerable amount of the island is covered in rainforest, it’s not hard to see plenty of birds during your stay. Many resorts in the south of the island offer bird watching tours or why not take a hike through the rainforest with some binoculars to see what you might find? Anse Chastanet in particular is a great property if you are a keen twitcher as the rooms have the 4th wall missing so are open to the elements, and as it’s built on the edge of the rainforest many different types of bird can be spotted – listen out for the dawn chorus!
4/. Try the Segway or zipline through the rainforest We took the Segway excursion from Rodney Bay and it was fantastic fun. After a practice in the car park to get used to it, we were off! We climbed the hill and stopped to hear some local history from our hosts along the way, all the while enjoying fabulous views across to Pigeon Island. You can also enjoy a rainforest canopy tour, or if you are feeling adventurous you can start with a rainforest hike and zipline back down. Sailing through the trees whilst watching the flora and fauna is a fantastic way to spend a day!
5/. Pretend to be a Pirate at Marigot Bay One of the prettiest natural harbours in the Caribbean, I think this must be one of the most beautiful places to spend the day. Feeling like an extra from Pirates of the Caribbean, this natural hurricane hole is home to some stunning sailing boats and yachts and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a west coast sunset. One of my highlights and home to the stunning Marigot Bay resort, it’s well worth a visit to sit back and enjoy the views. It’s also possible to take part in the ridge climb on the opposite side of the bay, but I’ve heard it’s pretty steep. After managing to climb Gros Piton on our recent trip, the ridge climb is a must do for me when I return…!
6/. Take the helicopter If you are staying on the north west of the island, I would recommend upgrading your transfer to the helicopter on arrival – it’s the most fantastic start to your holiday and what a way to arrive! The helipad is located just outside arrivals at the international airport and the flight takes just over 10 minutes. Your pilot will give you a guided tour as you fly over the centre of the island, taking in views of the rainforest, local villages and in the distance spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. We enjoyed this on our recent visit, and I have to say it was worth every penny for the experience – one I will remember forever! On arrival at the domestic airport a taxi can be arranged to take you the last part of your journey to your preferred hotel. It’s the only way to arrive – trust me!
7/. Enjoy a Fish Fry Friday night is party night in Saint Lucia with many local towns hosting their own famous Fish Fry. Also known as jump up, these carnival style parties are filled with lively soca and reggae and offer an abundance of fresh seafood for everyone to enjoy. Get mixing with the locals and be prepared to stay up late! The larger ones can be found in Anse Le Ray, Dennery and Gros Islet but are island wide so get out and try your local event. Just a warning – the music is LOUD!
8/. Enjoy the local rum If you get the chance to try the local drink, I certainly recommend it. The history of rum dates back hundreds of years and is truly something that’s at the heart of Saint Lucia. Local distillers are full of knowledge and expert advice and will tell you the process of turning the sugar cane into the different types of rums that are now available. My tip is to ask about the forgotten casks – it’s a great story from Chairman’s Reserve, which is my absolute favourite rum!
9/. Travel by boat One of my favourite memories of my many visits to the Caribbean was the first time I went by boat from the north of the island down to the Pitons. Seeing the island from the water blew me away and reminded me of scenes from Jurassic Park – I honestly expected to see a T-Rex climbing over the rolling hills! The views and scenery really are stunning and seeing the Pitons come into view really is breath-taking. A definite highlight and a real ‘must-do’ for anyone. 10/. Play in a water park If you’re feeling energetic, I would certainly recommend a visit to Splash Island Water Park at Reduit Beach. We were 4 grown adults and I have never laughed so much on holiday! This inflatable water park is located just offshore, and features a trampoline, swing, high jump, climbing walls, steppingstones and more. Think Total Wipeout in the Caribbean and you’re about right. I was exhausted but cried laughing!
With such a variety of accommodation and experiences available why not get in touch and let me know which of my top 10 you’d like to try for yourself. I’m always happy to help and will go the extra mile to make your experience amazing!