As one of the most picturesque and iconic islands in the Caribbean, St Lucia attracts thousands of tourists each year. Beach-lovers, honeymooners, as well as adventure and nature enthusiasts can enjoy all that the island has to offer. This short guide outlines the best things to do whilst staying in St Lucia, from unwinding on a tropical beach to diving amongst pristine coral; indulging in the colourful flavours of Caribbean cuisine to hiking through lush jungle; and more .
You may also be interested in our other guides: ‘The best places to eat in St Lucia‘ and ‘The best walking and hiking trails in St Lucia‘.
Relax on a beach
Palm-fringed, sandy beaches; calm, turquoise sea – there’s no better place to switch off and relax than here. There are plenty of beaches to choose from. Some are public, some are owned by resorts but allow guests, and others (Sugar Beach) are private. Our favourites are:
- Anse Cochon
- Anse Chastanet
- Anse Mamin
Go snorkelling
One of the best activities in St Lucia is to go snorkelling. The water here is teaming with life. Whether you want to go on a guided snorkelling tour or bring/buy your own snorkel equipment and go straight from a beach, and whether you are a first timer or experienced snorkeller, there are many options for all. Most hotels can arrange snorkel trips for you or go with a tour operator:
Alternatively, some of the best snorkelling spots can be reached from the following beaches:
- Anse Chastanet
- Anse Cochon
Go diving
If you want to be fully immersed in the underwater world, go diving. St Lucia has a lot of diving spots and the coral here is pristine, with plenty of fish and other sea creatures. There are lots of diving operators to choose from and many offer beginner to experienced level courses as well as fun dives.
Eat, drink, and be merry
You’re on holiday. In the Caribbean. Sip on an umbrella garnished rum punch at Malgretoute Beach or try a ‘Coco Loco’ (strong rum in a fresh coconut) served by the locals in Marigot Bay. Afterwards, indulge in the islands cuisine, from seafood to traditional dishes such as Callaloo soup.
We’ve put together a ‘Best places to eat in St Lucia‘ guide to help you decide where to go.
Visit a waterfall
Near Soufriere you can visit Toraille Waterfall, Diamond Botanical Gardens, Sapphire Falls and Jungle Spa, and Piton Falls. We recommend going early in the morning as they can get busy. There is a small fee to enter each waterfall and most have changing rooms available on site if you fancy a dip under the falls.
Drive around the island
One of the best ways to see the island is to drive it. If you have rented a car then you have the freedom to go where you want, if not, hire a driver/taxi for the day. See the not so touristy areas, visit the less developed but beautiful and rugged east coast, and have fun navigating the steep inclines.
Visit Castries market
Open every day except Sunday, Castries open air market is a great place to pick up fresh local produce such as fruit, vegetables and spices, as well as handmade art, crafts and souvenirs. There are over 300 vendors and the market has recently been revamped.
Take a day trip to Pigeon Island
Located in the north of St Lucia, Pigeon Island is a small national park with an 18th-century Fort, two beaches, walking trails, and restaurants. Pigeon island provides a change of scenery to the mountains and jungle area around Soufriere.
See St Lucia from the water
What could be more romantic than sailing off into a Caribbean sunset? Nothing. That’s why we recommend a sunset cruise. What’s more is that you will get beautiful views of the islands’ coastline including the Pitons and you’ll likely come across a pod of dolphins. Most hotels on the island can organise a sunset cruise for you or go directly via a tour operator:
Alternatively, hire kayaks and paddle boards from most beaches in St Lucia.
Go on a walk
There are a few short walks you can do around the island, all of which take less than an hour. We recommend:
- The Tet Paul Nature Trail near Soufriere which has beautiful high-up views over the island and Pitons.
- Pigeon Island walking trails which take you to the 18th Century Fort and viewpoints overlooking the north of the island.
- The Soufriere to Malgretoute Beach path which takes you through the local fishing neighbourhood of Soufriere.
- The trail to a lookout over Marigot Bay which starts from the Oasis Marigot St Lucia Villas resort.
You can find more information about each of these trails in our ‘Best walking and hiking trails in St Lucia‘ guide.
Other things to do
- Hike Gros Piton. You have to pay $50 per person and you must have a guide.
- Visit the Sulphur Springs. Located close to Soufriere, visit the volcano or submerge yourself in a natural mud bath.
- Visit Project Chocolat – the home of Hotel Chocolat. Eat chocolate, drink chocolate, or go on a chocolate tour to see how it’s made.
- Get a massage. We recommend the spa at the Green Fig Resort and Spa in Soufriere. Nestled amongst the trees, you can relax with a view of the sea and Pitons.
- Go on a gondola or zip line over the tropical forest at Rainforest Adventures St Lucia.
- Go shopping in Rodney Bay. A built-up area with bars, restaurants, and shops. We’d give this area a miss, personally.
