Surrounded by the tumultuous yet tranquil Atlantic Ocean, the island of Saint Lucia is located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea and offers a spectacular sight.
The entire island stands on volcanic rocks, but miraculously, the sands on the beach are golden, which only adds a luxurious effect.
The hills of this small island are covered with tropical forests whose canopy extends to the sky and provide shelter to a plethora of animals.
Saint Lucia has several fun outdoor activities up its sleeves, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, sunbathing, trekking, and many more, which are bound to entertain the tourists.
These are the best things to do in Saint Lucia:
PlusONE / Shutterstock.com
The soaring peaks of the Pitons and the azure sea are the landmarks of Saint Lucia.
UNESCO declared the space to be a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Rising from the sea, the two massive structures of Gros Piton and Petit Piton are 789 meters and 750 meters high, respectively.
It exhibits various volcanic features, such as explosion craters, lava flows, hot springs, and volcanic domes.
Hiking expeditions are conducted regularly with the help of an official tour guide, as the climb is steep and tricky.
The underwater cliffs provide much relief to the drivers and the coral reef, covering 60 percent of the marine site and giving a spectacular view.
The entire area is covered with dense tropical forest consisting of varieties of flora and fauna.
There are more than 27 species of birds, eight types of reptiles, three varieties of amphibians, and many more.
Simon Dannhauer / Shutterstock.com
Fans of Doctor Doolittle will be familiar with Marigot Bay, which is situated on the western coast of Saint Lucia.
The popularity of the bay does not restrict itself to the classic film, as it is historically significant as well.
This was the battlefield of the British and French navies, and the British supposedly hid behind the massive palm fronds to escape the enemy.
Max Earey / Shutterstock.com
Today, the shore is flanked by luxurious resorts, boutiques, and restaurants.
The beauty of the waves crashing on the beach can be seen from Marigot Village, located at the top of the hill.
There are prospects of renting a kayak, visiting the mangroves, and even sunbathing on the beach.
Stephanie Rousseau / Shutterstock.com
evenfh / Shutterstock.com
Anse Chastanet Beach is one of Saint Lucia’s most spectacular beaches.
Even though the entire island is built of volcanic rocks, its sand is the color of gold.
Anse Chastanet Marine National Park provides the best place for snorkeling and diving.
The famous coral reef is also located at its offshore.
At a descent of two to eight meters, tourists can have a glimpse of different types of sponges, brain corals, soft corals, and boulder corals.
fokke baarssen / Shutterstock.com
Along with that, the area has plenty of fish such as parrot fish, goatfish, trumpet fish, needlefish, sergeant majors, and a lot more.
The plateau drops 46 meters at the edge, and here lies a lace coral ecosystem with more variety of eels, crabs, and lobsters.
Guided tours to waterfalls, trekking trails, and volcanic mud baths are provided here.
Moreover, underwater excursions are also provided for a small fee and can be enjoyed by both adults and children alike.
Judith Lienert / Shutterstock.com
Vadim Nefedoff / Shutterstock.com
More than its panoramic views of the entire island and the turquoise sea, Pigeon Island attracts tourists with its historical ruins.
It was strategically used by the British during their war against the French.
Globe Guide Media Inc / Shutterstock.com
Ruins of military hideouts and buildings, which can still be found on the island, are a passageway to history.
The 44-acre island is also a natural reserve and has the status of a national park.
Visitors can try various outdoor activities, such as snorkeling, sunbathing, scuba diving, sailing, and trekking while touring the island.
Amarkai Photography / Shutterstock.com
Benus C Mathurin / Shutterstock.com
Rodney Bay is on the northwestern coast of Saint Lucia and is denoted by its arch.
Ultramodern structures, such as shops, restaurants, hotels, the island’s single casino, and bars, are scattered around the man-made lagoon.
fokke baarssen / Shutterstock.com
Being the second-largest yacht center in the Caribbean region, the place attracts lots of visitors throughout the year.
Like most other bays in Saint Lucia, Rodney Bay offers a plethora of activities; kitesurfing and windsurfing are the most popular of them all.
Besides this, tourists can enjoy the calmness of the beach while sipping on exotic drinks.
Vlad Podvorny, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yingna Cai / Shutterstock.com
Once a mining site, La Soufrière is known for its sulfur lakes and hot springs.
The volcano last erupted thousands of years ago, and since then, the pit has continued to emit sulfur in the air.
The park encompasses about 45 hectares and occupies one-third of the island.
Benus C Mathurin / Shutterstock.com
The main area of the crater has hot springs, whose temperature can reach up to 300°F.
Surrounding the main spring with bubbling hot water are smaller hot springs and mud pools, which are at favorable temperatures and have health benefits due to their mineral content.
Apart from the tour of the hot spring, guided tours are provided to see the steam vents.
La Soufrière is a geoheritage site for its remarkable features.
Angela N Perryman / Shutterstock.com
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
Its name alone is enough to indicate the nature of the Diamond Waterfall.
This majestic waterfall is the main attraction of Saint Lucia’s Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens.
Due to the mingling of ever-present volcanic minerals and rainwater, the waterfall constantly seems to be changing colors.
Globe Guide Media Inc / Shutterstock.com
Situated in the southwestern region of the island, in the town of Soufière, it attracts tourists and locals alike.
The area has a picture-perfect trimmed garden of hibiscus, heliconias and orchids that surround humungous trees like coconut, mahogany, redwood, and more.
The tour even includes a visit to the spring bath that was originally built for King Louis the XVI of France.
J. Hyder / Shutterstock.com
The Tet Paul Nature Trail is located in the southern part of the island.
It offers hikers a refreshing break from the many beaches and bays present on the island.
This place is perfect for hiking, and guided tours are conducted here to provide visitors with a better experience.
aceshot1 / Shutterstock.com
The quaint trail gives a spectacular view of the island and is the best place to snap as many photos as possible.
Visitors can come in close proximity to the area’s native flora and fauna while hiking.
The famous “stairway to heaven” gives a panoramic view of the picturesque island.
fokke baarssen / Shutterstock.com
The flamboyant Castries Market is located in the easternmost part of the harbor.
Constructed in the year 1891, it is Saint Lucia’s largest open market.
Pack-Shot / Shutterstock.com
All sorts of handcrafted items, handwoven beachwear, collectibles, and souvenirs are sold in this market located in the island’s capital.
The list does not end there; various sorts of spices are displayed in well-decorated shops, and their delicious fragrances are ever-present in the air that surrounds the market.
Pack-Shot / Shutterstock.com
Simon Dannhauer / Shutterstock.com
Gear up with suitable hiking boots to trek in the Edmund Forest Reserve.
One of the most popular sightseeing areas in Saint Lucia, the reserve provides visitors with an opportunity to interact with nature without any interruptions.
Lush green trees cover every inch of the land, and the well-marked trails lead directly to the waterfall.
The entire trek takes about two hours and 30 minutes, during which the visitors can have a glimpse of native birds such as the St. Lucia parrot, St. Lucia wren, Lucia oriole, and Semper’s warbler.
Oskar SCHULER / Shutterstock.com
Rising at a height of 852 meters at the southern point of Castries Harbour, Morne Fortune offers a picturesque view of the sea beyond.
Due to its location, this was a battleground for the British and the French in the 18th century.
Lisa Strachan / Shutterstock.com
The area is littered with old ruins of the building, along with monuments that hold immense historical relevance.
Even “Morne Fortune” translates to “Hill of Good Luck,” in reality, this is far from the truth.
In the latter part of the 19th century, Morne Fortune was used as a coaling station.
avilledorsa / Shutterstock.com
EWY Media / Shutterstock.com
Morne Coubaril Estate is located half a mile away from Saint Lucia’s famous Sulphur Springs.
Various trees, such as coconut, cocoa, sugarcane, and coffee, are grown on this estate.
Guided tours explain the history and tradition of the plantation.
EWY Media / Shutterstock.com
Elaborate details are also provided about the condition of the plantation workers and living standards.
Tourists can take a tour of the ground on horseback.
Besides this, zip lining is conducted at the base of Petit Piton, which swooshes through the dense rainforest and provides satisfaction to the visitors.
Nenad Basic / Shutterstock.com
Established in the year 1760, Derek Walcott Square is located at the center of Castries.
The square was named after noble laureate Derek Alton Walcott, who was a citizen of this volcanic island and received a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.
This two-acre square does not only provide homage to the noble laureate but also honors the people and soldiers who have lost their lives during the war.
Gene93k, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The cathedral present at the heart of the square was built following the Romanesque design with an Italian-style clock.
It is a landmark that must be visited by tourists.
While visiting the square, grab a quick bite at one of the many restaurants around the area.
Nenad Basic / Shutterstock.com
Ina Meer Sommer / Shutterstock.com
The Rainforest Aerial Tram tour is one of the most sought-after outdoor activities among tourists visiting Saint Lucia.
During the tour, a gondola is situated 37 meters above ground level, which even exceeds the canopy of the tropical rainforest.
The aerial tram ride gives passengers a spectacular tour of the forest, during which a plethora of flora and fauna can be observed.
The return journey gives a panoramic view of the island’s northern side.
Even though all the beaches of Saint Lucia are splendid, you might long for a little more excitement as you sit idly on the golden sand.
To solve this, Saint Lucia has Splash Island Water Park, which floats on the ocean.
The park features monkey bars, swings, slides, and a trampoline, providing visitors with more than enough entertainment.
The water park takes safety measures seriously and only admits children above the age of six; wearing a life jacket is also mandatory.
Adults can participate as well or float around the water while soaking in the view of Saint Lucia’s mountains.
Both children and adults can have a fun day in the park.
Benus C Mathurin / Shutterstock.com
As its name signifies, Vieux Fort was constructed by the French during the 17th century.
It is located on the southernmost tip of Saint Lucia and overlooks the neighboring island of Saint Vincent.
Vieux Fort was where Saint Lucia’s first sugarcane mill was built.
To keep up with the tradition, the area still deals with sugarcane and coconut plantation.
There are many sites that visitors can explore on foot, one of the most prominent being the lighthouse.
This place is a commercial hub that gives the prospect of exploring other outdoor activities, such as kite surfing and windsurfing.
Vieux Fort is located near Hewanorra International Airport.
Judith Lienert / Shutterstock.com
It is of no surprise that the land of Saint Lucia is abundant in natural beauty.
The entire volcanic island is densely populated by lush tropical trees, cliffs, and numerous waterfalls.
Toraille Waterfall is one scenic waterfall that is easy to access and locate.
Visitors do not have to travel or hike for hours to reach the place of destination.
The path that leads to the waterfall is dotted with wooden footbridges, well-marked directions, and picturesque gardens with exotic plants that add to its aesthetic aura.
The waterfall is 15 meters high and is the perfect spot for taking a dip in the serene lake that is situated at the bottom of the falls.
Project Chocolat has built on a decade of success to create a renowned Tree to Bar experience for chocolate connoisseurs.
Their unique agri-tourism experience connects ethical cacao-growing with serious chocoholics over six acres of lush landscape.
At Project Chocolat, you will get to learn all about cacao.
Visit the cacao farms of the rainforest and try your hand at grafting a tree while also getting to know some more of cocoa’s backstory.
Later on, you will enjoy chocolate cocktails while seated next to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, looking onto an ancient yet vibrant rainforest.
Once you are finished with your experience, you can try all kinds of cacao products for yourself, such as cacao alcohol and more.
This is your chance to rediscover chocolate in an entirely new light.
The Piaye River may have other points of interest, but its waterhole attracts the most attention from tourists.
The area is incredibly picturesque, and tourists are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture this geological wonder on film.
Coming from the woods, the river crossing leads to a large pond where children play in the water.
The Piaye River Waterhole is a very deep pool and offers many recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike.
The hike to this area can be taxing on its own; however, once you make it over, you will find it very beautiful.
This area offers swimming, fishing, and hiking.
The south of Saint Lucia is filled with exciting adventure-oriented activities that will excite the adventurous side in anyone.
Island ATV’s tours will allow you to explore parts of the island that you won’t otherwise be able to visit on foot.
The tour takes you past stunning landscapes and gives you the chance to explore beautiful rocky areas.
As you ride along, you will come across an old working farm situated above some mountains leading down to a lush valley, along with a plantation leading onto some black sandy beaches.
Here, you will be given a chance to stop, enjoy the sun, and take a refreshing dip in either one of the nearby rivers or beaches.
It’s a fun way for tourists to pick up a bit more information about Saint Lucia’s scenery and culture.
The ATV tour guides are highly knowledgeable about the countryside and provide interesting commentary along the way so travelers can learn more about the island.
The island of Saint Lucia is a little sliver of paradise.
From the purest water and finest sand to mountaintops overlooking beaches, uninhabited islands, and miles of sparkling sea, this island has it all.
Bookmark this list of things to do in Saint Lucia to help you make the most of your trip to this lovely hideaway, and don’t miss out on all the best the island has to offer.
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
