St. Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean

St. Lucia, located within the Winward Islands, became an independent island country in 1979. The island was the subject of many conflicts between the British and the French between its initial discovery by the French in 1660 and the British taking control in 1814. The capital is Castries, the largest city, and the national population is just 180,000. The island is volcanic and mostly mountainous, with a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and warm clear seas. Tourism is of great importance to St. Lucia, with agriculture, largely bananas, and industry playing smaller roles. The high tourist season is between January and April, also known as the “dry season”. Every year, St. Lucia attracts around 1.3 million visitors who find a beautiful island and numerous natural attractions beyond the climate, beaches, and sea.

Hewanorra International Airport is in Vieux Fort in the south of the island, while George F. L. Charles Airport near Castries serves as a point of entry for flights arriving from other Caribbean Islands. St. Lucia is a great destination for vacationing on the beach, but there are also plenty of things to do, particularly for active individuals wishing to explore.

St. Lucia, Caribbean Top Tours

Looking for things to do in St. Lucia? Check out our top 20 list.

1. Scale Gros Piton
2. Head To Marigot Bay
3. Go To The “Drive-in Volcano”
4. Marvel At Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
5. Enjoy A Day On Anse Chastanet Beach
6. Tour Pigeon Island National Park
7. Swim At Toraille Waterfall
8. Enjoy An Historic Estate
9. Explore The Rainforest
10. Try Local Cuisine Favourites

Scale Gros Piton

Scaling Gros Piton is one of the adventurous things to do in St. Lucia. While Mount Gimie, in the heart of St. Lucia, is the highest point on the island, Gros Piton is the mountain to climb if you just have a single choice. You will start on the beach in the southwest of the island, and a local guide is certainly advisable. It can take you up to three hours to climb the 2,600 feet (almost 800 meters). From the beach, the ascent is steep immediately, and as you go, you will get a series of wonderful views. Petit Piton, the other of the twin peaks, is one of them as you get higher. The beaches and the blue sea on the western side of the island demand you stop for photographs. If you’re not game to hike, take a tour to the Pitons to admire them.

Head To Marigot Bay

Hanging out in Marigot Bay is one of the things to do in St Lucia. The views you get if you head to Marigot Bay certainly deserve inclusion in your holiday album. Marigot Bay Resort is a luxury place with lovely beaches and a small marina that is large enough to house luxury yachts that sail through the Windward Islands. This is a great place to relax and sunbathe, but beware of too much sun too quickly. Away from the beaches, you will find shops and restaurants. If you want a little adventure, rent a kayak and paddle around the mangroves. You can spend a day here, or if you want to tour, an experienced guide will show you around for a couple of hours here.

Go To The “Drive-in Volcano”

Visiting the “Drive-in Volcano” is one of the unique things to do in St Lucia. Have you ever come across a “drive-in” volcano? Probably not! Here in St. Lucia, you can actually drive into a volcano. The steam crater will be bubbling here in Sulphur Springs Park and the setting is the crater surrounded by rainforest. The volcano is dormant, yet the mineral-rich mud is well worth spending time soaking in. The park covers 114 acres in the southwest of the island close to what was once the French capital of St. Lucia, Soufriere. Several tours head here if you don’t want to travel independently, and a guide is included in the admission fee. Find out more.