St Lucia — Attractions
Derek Walcott Square
The spacious Derek Walcott Square is the central point of Castries, named for the town's famed son who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992. The town's only architectural points of interest are to be found on the square, particularly the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, its interior ablaze with golden light, flowers and candles. Shading the Cathedral is a huge samaan tree, thought to be about 400 years old. South of the square are some French buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of wood and featuring old fretwork balconies. Near the square is the feverish Castries central market where vendors sell Indian spices, local crafts, fruit (particularly delicious varieties of bananas) and souvenirs. Colorful countrywomen are dressed in their traditional clothing and cotton headdresses.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- Micoud Street and Bourbon Street
Morne Fortune
On the outskirts to the south of Castries, accessed via Bridge Street, stands the hill of Morne Fortune, 'Hill of Good Luck', where some violent battles were waged between the French and British in the 18th and 19th centuries in their quest to control the island. The view from the lookout on the hilltop is magnificent. The hill is also the site of Government House, the palatial Victorian edifice that is the official residence of the governor general of the island, with its lovely private gardens. Visitors can explore the military cemetery, an old battery and powder museum, and a small museum exhibiting relics from the island's colonial days.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- South of Castries, via Bridge Street.
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
Marigot Bay
A perfect spot for a picnic, Marigot Bay, about eight miles (13km) south of Castries is one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean. It was used in the movie Dr Doolittle, and has long been a favorite stopping point for recreational yachting and boating. The beach is lined with palm trees and remains largely unspoiled and natural.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Website
- www.marigotbay.com
Folk Research Center
In the hills east of Castries at the village of Morne Pleasant is St Lucia's Folk Research Center, housed in an old manor house that was originally owned by the Deveaux family. The center includes a small but comprehensive museum. Among the exhibits, dedicated to preserving the language and culture of St Lucian Creole, is a reproduction of a traditional ti-kay hut and indigenous musical instruments. The center also contains a research library with a collection of books, papers and photographs detailing St Lucia' folklore and history.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 2279
- Email Address
- frc@candw.lc
- Website
- www.stluciafolk.org
- Hours
- Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Gros Islet
North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on St Lucia, local or visitor. The renowned Friday night 'jump-up' starts at around 10pm when the streets are blocked off, scores of vendors arrive with delicious snacks and cold beers, bars open their doors and speakers are set up on street corners. The party goes on most of the night.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history. Pigeon island features two white sandy beaches and an interpretation center, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The center includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- The St Lucia National Trust: (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
- Hours
- The Interpretive Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm
Soufriere
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colorfully painted arcaded buildings against a background of dense jungle. Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Hours
- The crater is open from 9am to 5pm daily
Vieux Fort
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Center, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Beaches
St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly clear emerald waters and brightly colored tropical fish, perfect for snorkeling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's beaches are public and travelers can pop onto any of the island's most famous stretches of sand. Some of St Lucia's best beaches include Anse Cochon or the solitary beaches on Anse Comerette. Anse Louvet is one of the best beaches for snorkeling, while the sheltered bay at Anse Chastanet is great for younger and more inexperienced swimmers.
Jungle Biking
Although the mountain bike trails may not be the easiest in the world, they are definitely extremely beautiful. An attraction geared more towards the older children, jungle biking is a great way to see the island and get outdoors with the family for a fun-filled day. Bikers will ride past an18th-century French-Colonial ruins of a sugar mill, an old church, and a reservoir. Children's bikes and helmets available.
- Address
- Anse Chastanet Resort, Anse Mamin
- Phone Number
- (758) 457 1400
- Email Address
- bikestlucia@candw.lc
- Website
- www.bikestlucia.com
International Riding Stables
Children as young as two years old can enjoy riding at the International Riding Stables with trained guides, while older children can enjoy riding ahead, depending on their experience level. Children will also love the riding tour with a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside and a stop on the beach for swimming and cantering through the lapping waves.
- Address
- Gros Islet
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 8139
Caribbean Pirates Extravaganza
Children will go mad for this exciting tour aboard the Brig Unicorn, the actually boat from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. The 140-foot (42-meter) replica 19th-century tall ship takes passengers from St Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere into the open waters to explore the mystical Caribbean Sea where lucky sailors will even get to experience the ship's cannon being fired, walk the plank or swing into the sea from the ship's ropes. The ship drops anchor at Pigeon Island where old ruins can be explored. Lunch and drinks are served on the cruise back to St Lucia. Booking essential.
- Phone Number
- 758 458 0123
- Email Address
- info@seaspraycruises.com
- Website
- www.seaspraycruises.com
Diamond Waterfall
Located in the Diamond Botanical Gardens, the Diamond Waterfall is a popular attraction and a great walk for the whole family. This waterfall is careated by the water from the bubbling sulfur springs of the Diamond Mineral Baths and changes colors a few times a day, from yellow to black then changing to green and finally grey.
- Address
- Diamond Botanical Gardens, Soufriere Estate, Soufriere
- Phone Number
- 758 459 7565
- Email Address
- soufestate@candw.lc
- Website
- www.diamondstlucia.com
- Hours
- Open daily 10am5pm
- Admission
- E$11 entrance fee
Derek Walcott Square
The spacious Derek Walcott Square is the central point of Castries, named for the town's famed son who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992. The town's only architectural points of interest are to be found on the square, particularly the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, its interior ablaze with golden light, flowers and candles. Shading the Cathedral is a huge samaan tree, thought to be about 400 years old. South of the square are some French buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of wood and featuring old fretwork balconies. Near the square is the feverish Castries central market where vendors sell Indian spices, local crafts, fruit (particularly delicious varieties of bananas) and souvenirs. Colorful countrywomen are dressed in their traditional clothing and cotton headdresses.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- Micoud Street and Bourbon Street
Morne Fortune
On the outskirts to the south of Castries, accessed via Bridge Street, stands the hill of Morne Fortune, 'Hill of Good Luck', where some violent battles were waged between the French and British in the 18th and 19th centuries in their quest to control the island. The view from the lookout on the hilltop is magnificent. The hill is also the site of Government House, the palatial Victorian edifice that is the official residence of the governor general of the island, with its lovely private gardens. Visitors can explore the military cemetery, an old battery and powder museum, and a small museum exhibiting relics from the island's colonial days.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- South of Castries, via Bridge Street.
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
Marigot Bay
A perfect spot for a picnic, Marigot Bay, about eight miles (13km) south of Castries is one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean. It was used in the movie Dr Doolittle, and has long been a favorite stopping point for recreational yachting and boating. The beach is lined with palm trees and remains largely unspoiled and natural.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Website
- www.marigotbay.com
Folk Research Center
In the hills east of Castries at the village of Morne Pleasant is St Lucia's Folk Research Center, housed in an old manor house that was originally owned by the Deveaux family. The center includes a small but comprehensive museum. Among the exhibits, dedicated to preserving the language and culture of St Lucian Creole, is a reproduction of a traditional ti-kay hut and indigenous musical instruments. The center also contains a research library with a collection of books, papers and photographs detailing St Lucia' folklore and history.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 2279
- Email Address
- frc@candw.lc
- Website
- www.stluciafolk.org
- Hours
- Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Gros Islet
North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on St Lucia, local or visitor. The renowned Friday night 'jump-up' starts at around 10pm when the streets are blocked off, scores of vendors arrive with delicious snacks and cold beers, bars open their doors and speakers are set up on street corners. The party goes on most of the night.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history. Pigeon island features two white sandy beaches and an interpretation center, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The center includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- The St Lucia National Trust: (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
- Hours
- The Interpretive Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm
Soufriere
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colorfully painted arcaded buildings against a background of dense jungle. Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Hours
- The crater is open from 9am to 5pm daily
Vieux Fort
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Center, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Beaches
St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly clear emerald waters and brightly colored tropical fish, perfect for snorkeling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's beaches are public and travelers can pop onto any of the island's most famous stretches of sand. Some of St Lucia's best beaches include Anse Cochon or the solitary beaches on Anse Comerette. Anse Louvet is one of the best beaches for snorkeling, while the sheltered bay at Anse Chastanet is great for younger and more inexperienced swimmers.
Jungle Biking
Although the mountain bike trails may not be the easiest in the world, they are definitely extremely beautiful. An attraction geared more towards the older children, jungle biking is a great way to see the island and get outdoors with the family for a fun-filled day. Bikers will ride past an18th-century French-Colonial ruins of a sugar mill, an old church, and a reservoir. Children's bikes and helmets available.
- Address
- Anse Chastanet Resort, Anse Mamin
- Phone Number
- (758) 457 1400
- Email Address
- bikestlucia@candw.lc
- Website
- www.bikestlucia.com
International Riding Stables
Children as young as two years old can enjoy riding at the International Riding Stables with trained guides, while older children can enjoy riding ahead, depending on their experience level. Children will also love the riding tour with a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside and a stop on the beach for swimming and cantering through the lapping waves.
- Address
- Gros Islet
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 8139
Caribbean Pirates Extravaganza
Children will go mad for this exciting tour aboard the Brig Unicorn, the actually boat from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. The 140-foot (42-meter) replica 19th-century tall ship takes passengers from St Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere into the open waters to explore the mystical Caribbean Sea where lucky sailors will even get to experience the ship's cannon being fired, walk the plank or swing into the sea from the ship's ropes. The ship drops anchor at Pigeon Island where old ruins can be explored. Lunch and drinks are served on the cruise back to St Lucia. Booking essential.
- Phone Number
- 758 458 0123
- Email Address
- info@seaspraycruises.com
- Website
- www.seaspraycruises.com
Diamond Waterfall
Located in the Diamond Botanical Gardens, the Diamond Waterfall is a popular attraction and a great walk for the whole family. This waterfall is careated by the water from the bubbling sulfur springs of the Diamond Mineral Baths and changes colors a few times a day, from yellow to black then changing to green and finally grey.
- Address
- Diamond Botanical Gardens, Soufriere Estate, Soufriere
- Phone Number
- 758 459 7565
- Email Address
- soufestate@candw.lc
- Website
- www.diamondstlucia.com
- Hours
- Open daily 10am5pm
- Admission
- E$11 entrance fee
Derek Walcott Square
The spacious Derek Walcott Square is the central point of Castries, named for the town's famed son who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992. The town's only architectural points of interest are to be found on the square, particularly the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, its interior ablaze with golden light, flowers and candles. Shading the Cathedral is a huge samaan tree, thought to be about 400 years old. South of the square are some French buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of wood and featuring old fretwork balconies. Near the square is the feverish Castries central market where vendors sell Indian spices, local crafts, fruit (particularly delicious varieties of bananas) and souvenirs. Colorful countrywomen are dressed in their traditional clothing and cotton headdresses.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- Micoud Street and Bourbon Street
Morne Fortune
On the outskirts to the south of Castries, accessed via Bridge Street, stands the hill of Morne Fortune, 'Hill of Good Luck', where some violent battles were waged between the French and British in the 18th and 19th centuries in their quest to control the island. The view from the lookout on the hilltop is magnificent. The hill is also the site of Government House, the palatial Victorian edifice that is the official residence of the governor general of the island, with its lovely private gardens. Visitors can explore the military cemetery, an old battery and powder museum, and a small museum exhibiting relics from the island's colonial days.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- South of Castries, via Bridge Street.
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
Marigot Bay
A perfect spot for a picnic, Marigot Bay, about eight miles (13km) south of Castries is one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean. It was used in the movie Dr Doolittle, and has long been a favorite stopping point for recreational yachting and boating. The beach is lined with palm trees and remains largely unspoiled and natural.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Website
- www.marigotbay.com
Folk Research Center
In the hills east of Castries at the village of Morne Pleasant is St Lucia's Folk Research Center, housed in an old manor house that was originally owned by the Deveaux family. The center includes a small but comprehensive museum. Among the exhibits, dedicated to preserving the language and culture of St Lucian Creole, is a reproduction of a traditional ti-kay hut and indigenous musical instruments. The center also contains a research library with a collection of books, papers and photographs detailing St Lucia' folklore and history.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 2279
- Email Address
- frc@candw.lc
- Website
- www.stluciafolk.org
- Hours
- Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Gros Islet
North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on St Lucia, local or visitor. The renowned Friday night 'jump-up' starts at around 10pm when the streets are blocked off, scores of vendors arrive with delicious snacks and cold beers, bars open their doors and speakers are set up on street corners. The party goes on most of the night.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history. Pigeon island features two white sandy beaches and an interpretation center, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The center includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- The St Lucia National Trust: (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
- Hours
- The Interpretive Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm
Soufriere
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colorfully painted arcaded buildings against a background of dense jungle. Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Hours
- The crater is open from 9am to 5pm daily
Vieux Fort
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Center, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Beaches
St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly clear emerald waters and brightly colored tropical fish, perfect for snorkeling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's beaches are public and travelers can pop onto any of the island's most famous stretches of sand. Some of St Lucia's best beaches include Anse Cochon or the solitary beaches on Anse Comerette. Anse Louvet is one of the best beaches for snorkeling, while the sheltered bay at Anse Chastanet is great for younger and more inexperienced swimmers.
Jungle Biking
Although the mountain bike trails may not be the easiest in the world, they are definitely extremely beautiful. An attraction geared more towards the older children, jungle biking is a great way to see the island and get outdoors with the family for a fun-filled day. Bikers will ride past an18th-century French-Colonial ruins of a sugar mill, an old church, and a reservoir. Children's bikes and helmets available.
- Address
- Anse Chastanet Resort, Anse Mamin
- Phone Number
- (758) 457 1400
- Email Address
- bikestlucia@candw.lc
- Website
- www.bikestlucia.com
International Riding Stables
Children as young as two years old can enjoy riding at the International Riding Stables with trained guides, while older children can enjoy riding ahead, depending on their experience level. Children will also love the riding tour with a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside and a stop on the beach for swimming and cantering through the lapping waves.
- Address
- Gros Islet
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 8139
Caribbean Pirates Extravaganza
Children will go mad for this exciting tour aboard the Brig Unicorn, the actually boat from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. The 140-foot (42-meter) replica 19th-century tall ship takes passengers from St Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere into the open waters to explore the mystical Caribbean Sea where lucky sailors will even get to experience the ship's cannon being fired, walk the plank or swing into the sea from the ship's ropes. The ship drops anchor at Pigeon Island where old ruins can be explored. Lunch and drinks are served on the cruise back to St Lucia. Booking essential.
- Phone Number
- 758 458 0123
- Email Address
- info@seaspraycruises.com
- Website
- www.seaspraycruises.com
Diamond Waterfall
Located in the Diamond Botanical Gardens, the Diamond Waterfall is a popular attraction and a great walk for the whole family. This waterfall is careated by the water from the bubbling sulfur springs of the Diamond Mineral Baths and changes colors a few times a day, from yellow to black then changing to green and finally grey.
- Address
- Diamond Botanical Gardens, Soufriere Estate, Soufriere
- Phone Number
- 758 459 7565
- Email Address
- soufestate@candw.lc
- Website
- www.diamondstlucia.com
- Hours
- Open daily 10am5pm
- Admission
- E$11 entrance fee
Derek Walcott Square
The spacious Derek Walcott Square is the central point of Castries, named for the town's famed son who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992. The town's only architectural points of interest are to be found on the square, particularly the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, its interior ablaze with golden light, flowers and candles. Shading the Cathedral is a huge samaan tree, thought to be about 400 years old. South of the square are some French buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of wood and featuring old fretwork balconies. Near the square is the feverish Castries central market where vendors sell Indian spices, local crafts, fruit (particularly delicious varieties of bananas) and souvenirs. Colorful countrywomen are dressed in their traditional clothing and cotton headdresses.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- Micoud Street and Bourbon Street
Morne Fortune
On the outskirts to the south of Castries, accessed via Bridge Street, stands the hill of Morne Fortune, 'Hill of Good Luck', where some violent battles were waged between the French and British in the 18th and 19th centuries in their quest to control the island. The view from the lookout on the hilltop is magnificent. The hill is also the site of Government House, the palatial Victorian edifice that is the official residence of the governor general of the island, with its lovely private gardens. Visitors can explore the military cemetery, an old battery and powder museum, and a small museum exhibiting relics from the island's colonial days.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Address
- South of Castries, via Bridge Street.
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
Marigot Bay
A perfect spot for a picnic, Marigot Bay, about eight miles (13km) south of Castries is one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean. It was used in the movie Dr Doolittle, and has long been a favorite stopping point for recreational yachting and boating. The beach is lined with palm trees and remains largely unspoiled and natural.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Website
- www.marigotbay.com
Folk Research Center
In the hills east of Castries at the village of Morne Pleasant is St Lucia's Folk Research Center, housed in an old manor house that was originally owned by the Deveaux family. The center includes a small but comprehensive museum. Among the exhibits, dedicated to preserving the language and culture of St Lucian Creole, is a reproduction of a traditional ti-kay hut and indigenous musical instruments. The center also contains a research library with a collection of books, papers and photographs detailing St Lucia' folklore and history.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 2279
- Email Address
- frc@candw.lc
- Website
- www.stluciafolk.org
- Hours
- Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Gros Islet
North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on St Lucia, local or visitor. The renowned Friday night 'jump-up' starts at around 10pm when the streets are blocked off, scores of vendors arrive with delicious snacks and cold beers, bars open their doors and speakers are set up on street corners. The party goes on most of the night.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history. Pigeon island features two white sandy beaches and an interpretation center, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The center includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Phone Number
- The St Lucia National Trust: (758) 452 5005
- Website
- www.slunatrust.org
- Hours
- The Interpretive Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm
Soufriere
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colorfully painted arcaded buildings against a background of dense jungle. Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
- Hours
- The crater is open from 9am to 5pm daily
Vieux Fort
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Center, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.
- Region/City Name
- Castries
Beaches
St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly clear emerald waters and brightly colored tropical fish, perfect for snorkeling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's beaches are public and travelers can pop onto any of the island's most famous stretches of sand. Some of St Lucia's best beaches include Anse Cochon or the solitary beaches on Anse Comerette. Anse Louvet is one of the best beaches for snorkeling, while the sheltered bay at Anse Chastanet is great for younger and more inexperienced swimmers.
Jungle Biking
Although the mountain bike trails may not be the easiest in the world, they are definitely extremely beautiful. An attraction geared more towards the older children, jungle biking is a great way to see the island and get outdoors with the family for a fun-filled day. Bikers will ride past an18th-century French-Colonial ruins of a sugar mill, an old church, and a reservoir. Children's bikes and helmets available.
- Address
- Anse Chastanet Resort, Anse Mamin
- Phone Number
- (758) 457 1400
- Email Address
- bikestlucia@candw.lc
- Website
- www.bikestlucia.com
International Riding Stables
Children as young as two years old can enjoy riding at the International Riding Stables with trained guides, while older children can enjoy riding ahead, depending on their experience level. Children will also love the riding tour with a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside and a stop on the beach for swimming and cantering through the lapping waves.
- Address
- Gros Islet
- Phone Number
- (758) 452 8139
Caribbean Pirates Extravaganza
Children will go mad for this exciting tour aboard the Brig Unicorn, the actually boat from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. The 140-foot (42-meter) replica 19th-century tall ship takes passengers from St Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere into the open waters to explore the mystical Caribbean Sea where lucky sailors will even get to experience the ship's cannon being fired, walk the plank or swing into the sea from the ship's ropes. The ship drops anchor at Pigeon Island where old ruins can be explored. Lunch and drinks are served on the cruise back to St Lucia. Booking essential.
- Phone Number
- 758 458 0123
- Email Address
- info@seaspraycruises.com
- Website
- www.seaspraycruises.com
Diamond Waterfall
Located in the Diamond Botanical Gardens, the Diamond Waterfall is a popular attraction and a great walk for the whole family. This waterfall is careated by the water from the bubbling sulfur springs of the Diamond Mineral Baths and changes colors a few times a day, from yellow to black then changing to green and finally grey.
- Address
- Diamond Botanical Gardens, Soufriere Estate, Soufriere
- Phone Number
- 758 459 7565
- Email Address
- soufestate@candw.lc
- Website
- www.diamondstlucia.com
- Hours
- Open daily 10am5pm
- Admission
- E$11 entrance fee
PlanetWare.com Travel Guides
- St Lucia: St Lucia | St Lucia Hotels | St Lucia Attractions
- Castries: Castries | Castries Hotels | Castries Attractions
- Soufriere: Soufriere | Soufriere Hotels | Soufriere Attractions
