St Lucia Activities
Pigeon Island National Park
At the north of the island this promontory, joined to the
mainland by a sandy causeway, was once an island fortress occupied at various
times in the nation’s history by a colourful pirate character, Jambe de Bois,
and French and English forces. Most recent in its history is the
incarnation of the island as a national park featuring beautiful walks, a
museum, a lovely waterfront café and breathtaking vistas from the fort and
signal peak.
Marigot Bay
The historical Marigot Bay has been the site of many a battle
between the British and French. The picturesque bay is now home to several
hotels, restaurants, a marina and shopping village. This is also a
wonderful place to explore the intimate mangrove network that plays host to much
of the island’s bird and aquatic life.
Soufriere
Formely the island’s capital, Soufriere is probably the most
photographed site in St Lucia. It is marked by the spectacular Pitons,
volcanic plugs which emerge dramatically from the sea, and is home to the famous
sulphur springs, touted as the world’s only drive in volcano. The town of
Soufriere gives visitors a glimpse into the past, examples of colonial
architecture in various states of repair pepper the quaint waterfront
village. The Diamond Falls and Botanical Gardens are near and there are
several tours and hikes that leave from the town basin.
Castries 
The island’s economic and administrative capital, Castries is
an interesting place to discover. Layered by many historical phases,
destroyed twice by fire and accustomed to reinvention, the port city is a
fascinating place. Of particular interest is the Derek Walcott square,
named for one of the island’s two Nobel laureates, around which are some
beautiful colonial buildings, the nation’s Roman Catholic cathedral and the
major shopping area. Place Carenage is a lovely air-conditioned centre
featuring duty free shopping and the Desmond Skeete Animation Centre, which
brings to life the history of St Lucia.
St Lucia Tours
A self-driving St Lucia tour can be a wonderful
experience, but many people prefer the comfort and luxury of organised
tours. Tropical Villas can arrange these for you. From exploring the
rainforest, to sailing the Caribbean coast, there is a tour out there to
suit.
St Lucia Sports
Visitors to St Lucia can avail themselves of several outdoor
activities. Golf, tennis, sailing, horseback riding, whale watching and scuba
diving excursions are all easily arranged through Tropical Villas. The
world class St Lucia Golf and Country Club is just minutes away from our Cap
Estate and Rodney Bay properties.
St Lucia Shopping
The JQ Mall in Rodney Bay and Gablewoods Mall in Sunny Acres
are good shopping centres featuring grocery, post office and banking services,
clothing and souvenir stores and eateries. For duty free shopping, bring
along your ticket and passport and visit Pointe Seraphine or La Place Carenage
in Castries. The Castries Central Market is the best place for fresh fruit
and vegetables and an assortment of local crafts – don’t be afraid to negotiate
your price here.
St Lucia Beaches
Like the islands’ history, its geological provenance is
colourful. Due in part to its volcanic and coral heritage, each of St
Lucia’s beaches takes on a different character from bay to bay. The north
of the island features mostly white and yellow sand beaches, the most famous of
which is the picturesque Reduit Beach. Smuggler’s Cove
in Cap Estate is a lesser visited, intimate cove with excellent
snorkelling. Further down the coast, closer to the volcanic basin, the
sands turn black and coarse. The hues of the water on the south Caribbean
coast are offset by the dark sand. Anse Chastanet is particularly
beautiful.
The length of the Atlantic coast runs from sandy to
pebbly. By nature the beaches are rugged and windswept, the currents
strong but the landscape dramatic. Cas-en-bas is a particularly
popular picnicking bay. There are several other beautiful bays along
that coast but they require all-terrain vehicles to access. |
