Connected to Saint Lucia via a causeway that was constructed in the 1970s, Pigeon Island has a rich pirate history dating back to the 1500s. Today you can explore ruins like the 18th century Fort Henry, and wind along hiking trails that snake through dense forest landscapes with great lookouts across both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. You also have your choices of waters when it comes to beaches, with scenic sands that are touched by the Atlantic, with its usual waves and darker water, and the Caribbean side with more tranquil turquoise waters.
Immortalized on the silver screen with movies including the original Doctor Dolittle and Sophia Loren’s Firepower, Marigot Bay epitomizes the idyllic Caribbean haven. Small boats bob in a picturesque cove before a beach of white sand back by swaying palms. One of the best ways to take it all in is with a hike through the surrounding hills. Best for a day trip as there’s not much more than a small stretch of beach and a few eateries along the shore, this spot is still well worth the boat tour or water taxi from the central western coast of the Castries.
For more than a century locals and visitors alike have meandered through the stalls of the capital city’s main outdoor food market, which offers a wide variety of things like souvenirs and sundries. Browse a selection of handcrafted artisan works such as calabash bowls and straw hats to stave off the tropical sun. But produce and spices are the big draws, as the island’s green bananas, nutmeg, and cinnamon are things of legend that have enticed seafarers since the days of yore.
Sure, you’ve probably come to St. Lucia to bask on the beach, but you’d be remiss not to head inland to the lush sanctuary of Diamond Botanical Gardens. Stroll paths through six acres that overflow with a massive variety of native plants. A hike also takes you to an intriguing sugar cane mill dating to the 1700s with some of its original equipment and a working water wheel. Enjoy majestic views of Diamond Falls, which shifts colors with the rainfall seasons, and even soak in some soothing mineral baths on site.
While it’s billed as the world’s only “drive-in volcano” it’s not exactly that. But pretty close. Unlike traditional cone-shaped volcanoes, the volcanic activity of Sulphur Springs is spread across a rocky landscape, allowing you to drive past active volcanic fields that bubble up pools in a mix of pink, yellow, and green hues. Perhaps one downside is that they’re sulphuric pools that are too dangerous to bathe in and smell of rotten eggs. It’s a dramatic scene nonetheless. Beyond taking in the stunning landscape, the park offers mud baths that let you lather on the mineral-rich soil and then soak in geothermal pools for treatments that rival five-star spas.
While it runs parallel to the Vigie Airport, don’t let that dissuade you from a visit to these scenic sands. The airport is relatively quiet and incoming flights provide something of a show. Less crowded than many of the beach spots on St. Lucia, Vigie offers a long stretch of golden sand and calm turquoise waters set against a backdrop of palm trees and not much else, save for a small snack bar and chair rentals. As it is near the airport, it’s a great place for travelers to get in one last sit on the sand before heading for home.
There’s a lot going on at Rodney Bay, from its marina and an artificial lagoon to a lively collection of waterfront restaurants, bars, and shops. By day you can slip, slide and bounce along the features of a water park, or simply sit on the white sands under the shade of an umbrella. At night, Rodney Bay Village comes alive with the area’s best nightlife, an eclectic mix of beach bars and nightclubs with live music and DJs among the regular entertainment. Rodney Bay is also home to the island’s only casino and offers the area’s best shopping with its two biggest malls. Rodney Bay Marina, where mega-yachts rule the waters, is also a great launching point for big game fishing adventures.
Another great place to go on a hike, Gorda Peak National Park takes you to the highest place on Virgin Gorda. From lookout points you can take in soaring views across the North Sound, including Anegada and other isles of the British Virgin Islands. But there’s much more to see along the semi-rainforest terrain, as the park has an abundance of wild orchids and rare plants that look lifted right out of Jurassic Park. Among the wildlife, you might see along the way are geckos, tree frogs, soldier crabs and a wide variety of birdlife.
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