10 Best Things to Do in St Lucia

While the beaches of Saint Lucia each have their own character and sets of appeals, they all offer gorgeous sea views and relaxed Caribbean vibes. Saint Lucia has an eclectic mix that includes white-sand coasts and those with golden and even contrasting black shores.

Popular and family-friendly Reduit Beach offers numerous activities, from snorkelling to sailing. Picturesque La Toc Beach has palm trees and golden sand met by turquoise waters, while fans of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series will recognise Marigot Bay’s natural arch from the first movie. For a truly pristine coastal experience there’s Grand Anse, where leatherback turtles come to nest between March and August.

Gros Piton is Saint Lucia’s major natural landmark, towering 798 metres over the southwestern coast of the island. It’s the bigger sister of the twin lava dome Pitons of St Lucia, the other being Petit Piton at 743 metres tall. They’re recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their volcanic history and aesthetic qualities.

The giant spires rise tall above the Caribbean Sea and are covered in lush tropical rainforest that's home to endemic birds and wildlife. Abundant coral reefs and marine life thrive beneath the waves around them. A mecca for hikers in Saint Lucia, Gros Piton is a steep climb but the breathtaking panoramas from the top are truly rewarding. The whole hike usually takes several hours and local guides are available for hire.

Pigeon Island is a small cape at the northwesternmost tip of Saint Lucia. It has such a colourful history that many consider the island as a living museum. It was a tiny islet, separate from the rest of the island of St Lucia before it was connected to the mainland by a manmade causeway in 1972. All the soil used came from the excavation project to build the Rodney Bay Marina southeast of it.

Pirates used the island as a strategic hideout in the 16^th century. The French and the British then colonised Saint Lucia centuries later, using Pigeon Island as a military fort – a standout landmark is the 18^th-century Fort Rodney on its southwest, offering beautiful seascapes from the top of Signal Hill. You’ll also find 2 gorgeous beaches and casual local restaurants offering dining with a view.

Rodney Bay is home to some of St Lucia’s best beaches, a host of family attractions, as well as the island’s major yachting destination. The large crescent bay’s main coastal stretch is tranquil Gros Islet Beach. On Rodney Bay’s northern end is Pigeon Island Beach with its bars and restaurants, all excellent for chilling out.

South across the marina is Reduit Beach, a long and narrow stretch of golden sand that’s popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. Splash Water Park and its series of exciting inflatable obstacle courses bob with the gentle waves off Reduit Beach, just south of the marina entrance. Whatever your pursuit in Rodney Bay, stay for the amazing sunsets.

The waterfalls in Saint Lucia make up the Caribbean island’s cool collection of natural treasures you can discover on easy to moderate hikes. Among the island’s top cascades are the Diamond Falls within Diamond Botanical gardens and Piton Falls at the base of Petit Piton, the smaller of the island’s famous twin lava domes.

Toraille Waterfall and its shallow pool is a refreshing find among the lush landscape of Cresslands. A short trip south from here is the hidden, lower-key Spiderman Falls. There’s much mystery behind the superhero name, but there’s another known as Superman Falls in Soufriere where a scene from Superman II (1980) was shot.

Fort Rodney is the main historical landmark of Pigeon Island in Saint Lucia. The historic fort perched on a lushly vegetated hilltop is known as among the go-to places on the island for sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Old cannons are still at their ready, pointing out to sea. Looking southward, you have the long crescent of Rodney Bay, Reduit Beach, and sailboats on the water in view.

Fort Rodney was built in 1780 by the British to safeguard their newly seized island against the French and uphold their Caribbean supremacy. It offers an opportunity to understand a bit about the island’s past and a great switch from its beaches.

The Sulphur Springs of Saint Lucia is a geothermal field that’s also nicknamed ‘the only drive-in volcano in the world’. Its main draw is the bubbling springs and mud pools in the caldera of the dormant Qualibou volcano.

The mud bath draws families with kids, who have a blast diving in and splashing each other with the dark, mineral-rich mud. The mud is known to soothe the skin with its antibacterial and healing properties. If you got sunburnt from long days out on Saint Lucia’s beaches, this might be a remedy.

Take the Tet Paul Nature Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Saint Lucia. Most of its length is complemented by lush mountain and sea views southwest of Soufriere. The loop trail is roughly 1 km long and takes about 1 hour to complete – that’s if you include stops in between to take in the sights, which are many.

Compared to the hike at Gros Piton, the trail isn’t too steep so it's well suited for families with kids. There are also plenty of spots and lookout points where couples can take romantic selfies against a stunning background of magnificent forested lava domes towering over the water.

The Castries Central Market and Vendor’s Arcade is the major open-air hub of commerce in Saint Lucia. The market has been open for over a century, making it one of the island’s historical landmarks. It’s where you can get a glimpse of the local trade while sourcing your Saint Lucia souvenirs. The market hosts hundreds of vendors selling various arts and handicrafts.

Take a stroll through the Craft Market for all sorts of painted pottery, woodcarvings, woven goods and interesting handicrafts. Not far away is the Produce Market, where fresh harvests of colourful fruits and vegetables, as well as aromatic spices, are laid out in front of the stalls. Saturday morning is a great time to experience the market’s bustling scene.

St Lucia’s beach bars find their homes on the island’s beautiful coasts, serving as cool spots to while away the Caribbean views and vibes with refreshing drinks. Those on the eastern shores enjoy breezy ocean seascapes while those on Saint Lucia’s west coasts promise stunning sunsets.

Marjorie’s at Cas-en-Bas serves refreshing drinks while overlooking the kitesurfing, parasailing, and horseriding beach. Roots Beach Bar is a cool Rasta-themed spot in Marigot Bay with an epic view. On St Lucia’s popular Reduit Beach, Spinnakers Beach Bar overlooks Rodney Bay and serves local cuisine with cold beers and refreshing cocktails. For one of the best beach bars at the island’s northernmost tip, head to the Naked Fisherman on Smugglers Cove Road in Gros Islet. The place serves grilled delights with live music and choices of signature rum cocktails down on the sands of a secluded cove.