St. Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands. With idyllic crescent beaches, lush rainforests, scenic reefs and waterfalls, and a rich history, St. Lucia has something for everyone. 

Whether you need adventure or relaxation, here are a couple of things that will help make your stay in St. Lucia a memorable one:

1. Visit The Pitons One of St. Lucia’s most popular attractions is The Pitons. The Gros Piton and its smaller counterpart, the Petit Piton, are volcanic plugs, which are landforms created from volcanic material. Hiking the Gros Piton is arduous but the view from the top is breathtaking. Visitors can also snorkel in the waters near the peak and see the beautiful sea life in and around The Pitons.

2. Take a Trip to Pigeon Island National Park For history buffs, visiting the 18th-century military ruins and learning about the struggle between the British and the French over control of St. Lucia makes Pigeon Island Park a great place to visit. Pigeon Island also boasts scenic views of Fort Rodney and is the site of the annual St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival.

3. Visit Marigot Bay The beautiful shores of Marigot Bay were the setting for the 1967 Doctor Dolittle film and the film, Fire Power. If you’re looking for a romantic place for some peace and quiet, head over to the gorgeous shores of Marigot Bay.

4. Explore the Anse Chastanet Anse Chastanet is one of St. Lucia’s most picturesque beaches. With its peaceful and tranquil surroundings, Anse Chastanet is the perfect place to rest and relax. Visitors also enjoy snorkeling and diving in the Anse Chastanet waters where the coral reef is home to a multitude of corals and a great variety of sea life.

5. Marvel at the Sulfur Springs Park The Caribbean’s only “drive-in volcano” allows visitors to drive right by an active volcano. Brush up on your volcanic and geological knowledge while gazing at the sulfuric steam released by the mountain or take a dip in its hot springs and mud baths.

6. Take a Stroll Through Castries Market For a more local experience, head on over to the Castries Market. Shoppers can interact with local vendors and purchase spices and produce, as well as unique St. Lucia souvenirs and gifts.

7. Explore the Soufriere Estate The Diamond Falls area of the Soufriere Estate has a beautiful botanical garden, a mineral waterfall, and a soothing mineral hot springs bath. Visitors can find tropical flowers,mahogany, red cedar, and cocoa trees. After taking in the sights, visitors can also take a dip in the hot spring mineral baths.

8. Visit Morne Fortune Take a stroll through history by heading to the site in St. Lucia where the most vicious battles between the French and the British took place. Here, visitors can find old military fortifications and cannons. Morne Fortune is also home to Government House, the residence of St. Lucia’s Governor General.

9. Take a Ziplining Adventure For the more adventure-inclined travelers, ziplining is arguably one of the best ways to view St.Lucia’s lush beauty. There are several ziplining options open to visitors. For example, visitors can zip line over the Morne Coubaril Estate to see amazing views of Soufriere and its mountains. The Rainforest Adventures Aerial Tram and zipline also offer amazing views of the rainforest canopy and mountainside.

10. Hike Through Lush Rainforests St. Lucia has 19,000 acres of rainforest and there’s a trail for every skill level. Barre de L’Isle is the most accessible trail while The Millet trail is great for birdwatching. Visitors can expect to see orchids, waterfalls, and maybe even the endangered St. Lucia parrot.

Edited image via Serge Melki