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Boutique hotels in St Lucia

Holidays in St Lucia – Caribbean

St Lucia Activities

Highlights the best St Lucia has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Worth getting out of bed for

Viewpoint
The pitons at Soufrière, Mount Gimie and Morne Fortune form an exquisite backdrop to the island when you’re down at sea level. But they’re well worth a steep climb for the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the island that you’ll get from their summits.

Arts and culture
The island is home to more than its fair share of small boutique galleries, showcasing local art. Caribbean Art Gallery (+1 758 452 8071) in the Rodney Bay Marina, Artsibit (+1 758 452 7865) on the corner of Brazil and Mongiraud Streets in Castries and Eudovic’s Art Studio (+1 758 452 2747) on Morne Fortune all exhibit regional paintings, limited-edition prints and carvings. Keep an eye out for work by St Lucian artist Llewellyn Xavier.

Something for nothing
Gros Islet, a small fishing village on the north coast of the island, hosts a street party every Friday that becomes a colourful carnival scene from about 9pm. Reggae and soca provides the soundtrack to an energetic ‘jump up,’ as dancers take to the streets.

Shopping
Market stalls and tiny local shops sell regional delights such as hot pepper sauce, plantain chips and St Lucian spices. Marina Village in Marigot Bay caters to the upmarket tastes of the yachting crowd, and offers plenty of high-end jewellery and clothing, and local art and crafts. Pay with US dollars for a better deal.

Daytripper
Connected by a causeway to St Lucia’s west coast, Pigeon Island is known for its peaceful setting and exotic wildlife. You can get here by a taxi boat and while away time spotting tropical birds, mongooses and lizards, or simply spend a day on one of its secluded, white-sand beaches. The rustic Jambe de Bois restaurant, named after a one-legged pirate leader who once occupied the island, is a perfect spot for laid-back dining and sunset cocktails.

Best beach
Jalousie Beach, with its sparkling waters and almost luminous sand, is the most beautiful sunbathing spot in St Lucia. Situated between Petit Piton and Gros Piton, it isn’t easily accessible. But it is well worth the slightly perilous descent from the mountains.

Activities
As with most places in the Caribbean, fishing on St Lucia is excellent. Marine life is abundant, and the chance to dive or snorkel among colourful reefs provides a wonderfully active alternative to beach bum life. Reputable fishing-charter companies include Hackshaw’s Boats (+1 758 453 0553) and Trivial Pursuit Charters (+1 758 452 5593). The diversity of the island also means that explorer types can go hiking, biking and horseriding as they discover the island’s leatherback turtles, sulphur springs and flower-lined roadsides. The banana plantations tours at Fond d’Or Nature Reserve & Historic Park (Mabouya Valley) and the Rhythm of Rum tour at Bounty Rum Distillery (Roseai Sugar Factory, West Coast Road, Roseau) are also well worth an afternoon of your time.

Diary

May The St Lucia Jazz Festival is a four-day extravaganza held early in the month. Tickets can be purchased in the hotels or at www.sluciajazz.org. June The Fisherman’s Feast is a thanksgiving celebration by the island’s fishermen, and the traditional blessing of the boats is marked with parties, lunches and more. July The St Lucia Carnival is celebrated with a parade, during which revellers take to the streets in an explosion of colour and music. August The Feast of St Rose De Lima is one of two rival floral cultural feasts that gives rural communities another opportunity to dance in the streets. Visitors are welcome to watch and participate. October The second of these floral festivals, the Feast of La Marguerite, is another chance to dress up and dance. November The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is the largest transatlantic sailing event in the world, beginning in Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and ending late in this month in Rodney Bay. December The Festival of Lights Celebration means plenty of twinkling parades, processions and displays throughout the island.