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7 things to do in Saint Lucia, the emerald jewel in the Caribbean

Lisa Curtiss finds out why this island gem is the perfect winter escape.

By Lisa Curtiss   |  

St. Lucia has it all – a fantastic mix of beautiful beaches, lush and spectacular tropical countryside, fascinating history, incredible natural wonders, super cuisine and welcoming people in addition to world-class luxury resorts. Here, LLM writer Lisa Curtiss takes us through her favoured highlights to enjoy when holidaying at this Caribbean gem.

Majestic Pitons

st lucia pitons
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the St. Lucia Pitons are a spectacular sight.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the St. Lucia Pitons are a spectacular sight. They are two huge, imposing and steep volcanic plugs towering almost 3,000 feet above sea level next to the small town of Soufrière. If you stay at the wonderful Jade Mountain luxury resort you’ll enjoy an amazing view of them right from your open front sanctuary suite, or you can explore them by hiking up (if you’re pretty fit!) or sailing around them.

Drive in volcano

st lucia volcano
Guests can drive in to the heart of a dormant volcano

Yes – you read that right. St. Lucia is home to the world’s only drive-in volcano. It’s just a few minutes away from Soufrière and you can literally drive into the heart of this dormant volcano and then walk within meters of the bubbling and steaming springs with a tour guide. A not-to-be-missed experience when visiting the island – if a little stinky! And do enjoy a dip in the Sulphur Springs mud baths here too – famous for their reputed healing properties.

Botanical Gardens with Diamond Falls and thermal springs

st lucia flower
The Botanical Gardens are home to a diverse range of stunning tropical flowers

Near the volcano and Soufrière are the beautiful Botanical Gardens and St. Lucia’s famous mud baths. Here, you can meander through shady tropical flower-fringed paths and watch rainbow coloured hummingbirds zip by. Enjoy a dip in the thermal springs you’ll arrive at and continue on to view the very pretty Diamond Falls.

Rodney Bay

st lucia food
Enjoy a waterside lunch at Rodney Bay

A cruise ship and yachties favourite, Rodney Bay is a vibrant and culture-rich town with unique markets, shopping malls, restaurants, and bars all just 10 minutes away from the Harbor Club hotel. Here, you can spend the day marvelling at the wonderful array of souvenirs hand crafted by local artisans, sunbathe at beautiful Reduit Beach, enjoy a fantastic waterside lunch at the excellent Coal Pot restaurant, and once the sun goes down, watch the sun set in one of the many bars with great harbourside views.

Sail away

st lucia boats
Experience the island from the water with a daytime or sunset cruise

St. Lucia is a yachting mecca and it’s easy to see why. Being on the water provides some of the most stunning views of the island including the majestic Pitons which tower above you and you can anchor off here and there for a spot of snorkelling on some pristine local reefs. Many resorts offer daytime or sunset cruises and it’s something we’d highly recommend.

Pigeon Island

pigeon island
A quiet public beach on Pigeon Island in Saint Lucia

Pigeon Island National Landmark is one of St. Lucia’s most important historical monuments. A living museum, it’s home to several distinct attractions, military buildings including a fort, and stunning beaches. You can travel here easily from the Harbor Club hotel which is just a 15-minute boat or taxi ride away.

Diving and snorkelling

st lucia fish in sea
Dives and snorkellers can get up close to the incredible array of marine life

Last but certainly not least, St. Lucia offers over 22 world-class dive sites and excellent snorkelling spots. There’s incredible biodiversity as well as exciting wreckages to explore.

Factbox

Saint Lucia is easy to get to from the UK – there are daily direct flights with BA from London Gatwick and, during the winter, Virgin Atlantic flies three times a week, direct from London Heathrow.

For all information visit Saint Lucia Tourism at stlucia.org.