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St. Lucia Information
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| St. Lucia, a lush, rainforested island of approximately 240 square miles in area is lesser known than many Caribbean islands. It has a steep, mountainous interior, endless banana plantations, small fishing villages, sulpher springs, a dormant volcano and it's most distinctive landmark, the Pitons...twin peaks which rise up at the sea's edge to over 2,000 feet...an incredibly dramatic sight. The best beaches, and many of the resorts, are located in the north of the island, as well as most of the island's population. The more deserted southern area can be reached by a scenic, ever-winding road. For those who enjoy nature, St. Lucia provides a wealth of experiences. | |
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INFORMATION ABOUT ST. LUCIA
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BEACHES: Although good beaches all along the coastline, most of the white, sandy ones are located in the north of the island. The rugged, east coast is to be avoided for swimming as the Atlantic waves can be very rough. All the beaches are public.
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| SNORKELING AND DIVING: Because of the island's ruggedly steep coast, snorkeling and diving are popular activities. The reef at Anse Chastanet Marine Reserve which is part of the Soufriere Marine Management Area is home to more than 150 different species of fish and is comprised of a marine plateau and dramatic slopes that fall away to a depth of more than 130 feet. A range of corals and sponges give a mix of color and texture and provide shelter for the many reef inhabitants as well as schools of reef fish. Here you can experience shallow, medium or deep dives and this reef is a favorite of most professional underwater photographers. Night dives are also conducted. You can also dive the dramatic walls beneath the Piton Mountains, drift dive, explore coral gardens or wreck dive. PADI training facilities are available for instruction. |
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| WATERSPORTS: There are places to enjoy waterskiing and windsurfing...the west coast offering the calmest waters. You can also try parasailing at Rodney Bay. |
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| BOATING AND SAILING: You can view the natural beauty of St. Lucia on a half or full days sail... stop at fishing villages or take a sunset cruist past the Pitons, complete with champagne. Yachts can be chartered crewed or uncrewed and catamarans and trimarans are available. |
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| HIKING: Hiking is the best way to explore the natural attractions of St. Lucia. Many areas are protected by conservation efforts such as the National Rain Forest Reserve. Here amidst 19,000 acres you find birds of paradise, giant ferns, exotic flowers and rare birds. Guided tours can take you on different trails all over St. Lucia, each with it's own unique flavor...rainforest, medicinal herbs, exotic wildlife, ornithology, coastal tours, among others. There are also great places to birdwatch and turtlewatch at night. If you are very fit you can take a guided, very strenuous climb of the Pitons. |
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| TENNIS: Tennis is available and there are lighted courts for night play. There are also some squash courts. |
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| FISHING: Some gamefish to be found around St. Lucia are blue marlin, barracuda, kingfish, sailfish and tuna. Half or full day excursions can be arranged. |
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| HORSEBACK RIDING: Trail rides at all levels of experience can be found with rides around the countryside, through a plantation or on the beach. |
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| GOLF: Nine-hole courses are available, one of which can be played as an 18-hole course. |
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| HELICOPTER TOURS: This is a great way to see the rain forest and spectacular scenery of the island including the crater of Soufriere. |
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| EXPLORING: Aside from the National Rain Forest Reserve, there are other reserves worth visiting... Barre de l'isle Forest Reserve, Edmond Forest Reserve...where you can explore the exotic scenery St. Lucia by foot. Maria Island Nature Reserve is actually two small islands just of the southeast coast where you can see interesting bird life. In the summer you can see nesting frigate birds at Fregate Island Nature Reserve, a promontory that overlooks Praslin Bay. At La SoufriereVolcano the sulfur springs bubble as you take your guided tour. Also in the same area are the remains of Soufriere Estate where you can see a working water wheel from the early 1800s. On these grounds are the Diamond Botanical Gardens, with its variety of tropical flowers, and the Diamond Mineral Baths, which were built by the French in 1784 and are said to have medicinal properties. The Diamond Waterfall is located behind the baths. You can take a shower here, but bring your own towel. Mourne Coubaril Estate comprises 250 acres and was the first large estate on the island, dating back to 1713. This is still a working plantation where you'll see how cocoa, coconut and manioc is processed. There is a tour of the restored plantation house and a reconstructed 18th-century village. |
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| SHOPPING: Duty-free shops can be found in the capital, Castries, at Pointe Seraphine whose boutiques offer perfumes, china and crystal. Also in Castries there is an outdoor market where you can find spices, hot pepper sauces and handwoven straw items in addition to hand-screened batik and island- printed cloth. Local artwork is for sale at several galleries, both prints and originals. |
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| NIGHTLIFE: Music and dancing can be found with steel pan bands, limbo dancers and local musicians. There is a weekly "jump-up" on Friday nights which lasts until the wee hours with music and food in the streets. There is also music and dancing during the week at some popular clubs. |
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All contents of this web site are copyright (c)2002 by Island Inns LLC. All rights reserved.
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