Before diving in, I just want to touch on the geography of the island real quick. The international airport is way down at the southern tip, and the most touristed area is the centre of the west coast. The whole island is only about 42km long and 23km wide, but it takes a while to get around since there aren’t any highways and the roads are very windy. I would recommend splitting your trip up and staying in at least two different locations, to see as much as possible!
We started our trip just north of Laborie, where we stayed at a very neat hotel in the forest. Then, we took the local bus up to Gros Islet. From there we were able to do some diving, explore Pigeon Island, and check out a local night market. Our last stop was Soufriere, where we splurged on a fancy resort that was close to many of the attractions, and did some more diving.
With all that said… here’s my list of the best things to do in Saint Lucia. I’ve chunked it into the three main regions we stayed: in the south, in the north, and central west (except for diving, since that can be done from anywhere). All of this can be packed into a one-week trip if you plan ahead!
Go Scuba Diving
This is why we initially planned our trip to Saint Lucia! We had heard the diving was amazing, and this was CORRECT 🙂 This is the only place I’ve been able to completely comfortably dive with no wetsuit. I couldn’t believe how warm the water was! There was excellent visibility and an abundance of marine life too. Our guide was fantastic, taking us to his coral garden where he was part of a project to help restore the reef. Plus, when you dive, you always get yummy snacks and some sweet boat rides to see the fancy resorts and properties from the water!
The dive sites we visited were: Fairylands, Lesleen M Shipwreck, and Coral Gardens.
In the South:
Explore the Balenbouche Estate
Tucked away in the jungle, Balenbouche is a very different kind of stay. This was our first stop on our trip, and I’m so glad we opted to mix things up from the usual beachfront resort. The hotel is set within a nature heritage site, and you can explore the grounds to see old buildings, secret gardens, and hidden beaches. Our room had a large balcony with the most amazing sunset views, and sounded like a dream at dusk with the birds and the bats taking flight.
Visit a Black Sand Beach
This picturesque black sand beach can be accessed from the Balenbouche Estate via a winding trail. I wouldn’t say it’s easy to get to, but it’s definitely worth it!
Enjoy Laborie Beach
Laborie Beach is a calm and quiet local spot. It has stunning views, warm water, and soft sand. You can wander along from the beach park down to various restaurants that overlook the ocean. We decided to bus here and ended up getting caught in a torrential downpour, so just make sure to check the weather! Lol
In the North:
Stop by Gros Islet Beach
We actually stayed in a homestay right beside Gros Islet Beach, but it looks like it’s no longer available for booking. I’d still recommend stopping by the beach though, as it’s beautiful!
Visit Pigeon Island National Park: Climb to Signal Peak and See Fort Rodney
You could easily spend a whole day exploring Pigeon Island! It has green spaces, hiking trails, beaches, historic sites, and restaurants. Make sure to hike up Signal Peak for panoramic views of the island!
Go to the Friday Night Fish Fry
The Fish Fry is basically a night market/street party. The streets fill up with food shacks (and plenty of alcohol!). We just stopped by to get some freshly fried local fish, but you could easily spend an evening meandering and dancing!
Central West:
Stay at a Resort in Soufriere Bay
I am gutted to find out that the Hummingbird Beach Resort we stayed at is permanently closed 🙁 It was such a stunning hotel with amazing people! It had a beautiful pool, restaurant with views of the pitons, and access to the most perfect beach. I would highly recommend a stay in this area regardless, if you can find another option. This was our central base for most of the attractions on the island!
Hike up Gros Piton
The Pitons are the most iconic view in Saint Lucia. But did you know you can climb them?? Petit Piton is steeper and more dangerous, while Gros Piton is a safe hike with a more rewarding view. From the top, you can look out over the island of Saint Lucia, and across the waters of the Caribbean to Saint Vincent!
Distance: 5.1km (3.2 miles)
Elevation: 771m (2620 feet)
Difficulty: Medium. It’s not technical, but does get quite steep.
Approximate Time: 4-5 hours
It is required to hire a guide for the hike, which helps to conserve and maintain the trail, and provides welcome expertise! The cost of a guide is $50 per person. You may also get lucky enough to have a puppy dog join for the hike, like we did.
Drink a Piton Beer
Not much needs to be said here! Gotta try the local juice 🙂
Visit Diamond Falls Botanical Garden
My mother loves plants, so botanical gardens are always at the top of our list! But the Diamond Botanical Garden is truly stunning and a worthwhile visit for all. The island has such a diverse range of tropical plants, flowers, birds, and insects, so it’s a treat to be able to explore and learn more about it!
Soak in the Sulphur Springs
The Sulphur Springs are located at the Soufrier Volcano (don’t worry, it’s dormant!). You can enjoy a soak in the naturally heated hot springs, and optionally coat yourself in mud – it’s great for your skin!
Shower in Toraille Waterfall
This waterfall isn’t just for lookin at – you gotta get in! It’s a refreshing shower that includes a massage form the power of the water. Loved it!
That’s it that’s all! We only had a week here, but I feel like we did a pretty good tour of the island. If you have any Qs, feel free to hit me up!
