Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Winward Island of St Lucia is a beautiful destination in the in the Caribbean. We explored the entire island on our two-week adventure, from the twin volcanic peaks and nature trails on the west side to the to Mamiku botanical garden and famous Grand Anse Beach on the east side.
If you’re eager to hop on a plane to the Caribbean, from our two-week stay, we’ve shortlisted 20 unforgettable things to do in St Lucia this year so you can make the most of your vacation.
20 Must Do Things in St Lucia
1. Hike to Gros Piton
Hiking up Gros Piton was one of the most awe-inspiring things we did in St Lucia. In fact, it was almost emotional. Standing at 2,619 feet (756 meters), Gros Piton is one of St Lucia’s two iconic peaks, and its significant height is visible far and wide. Reaching the peak alone is possible, but we booked a guided tour for $50 with Serenity Vacations & Tours to take on the challenging 3.2-mile hike.
As we ascended, the trail took us through a lush forest canopy laden with tropical fruits, flora, and wildlife before reaching the summit, which rewarded us with a great view of Soufriere, the Caribbean Sea, and neighboring islands. St Lucia citizens and foreign nationals living in St Lucia often negotiate cheaper tours and entrance fees.
2. Embark on the Tet Paul Nature Trail
As hiking enthusiasts, we couldn’t stop at just one nature trail, and the Tet Paul Nature Trail was just enough to scratch our hiking itch. The trail that forms part of the Pitons Management Area requires a 1 km hike to its viewpoint overlooking the Petit Piton.
Fortunately, we did the hike in sunny weather, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the neighboring island, St Vincent. To enjoy the Tet Paul Nature Trail hike at its fullest, we hired a tour guide for around $55 per person. In addition to the guided tour fee, we had to pay a nominal entrance fee of $10 to access this trail.
3. Enjoy the views on the Verdant Forest open-air areal tram
Before we landed in St Lucia, the Rainforest Aerial Tram ride was on a list of must-do St Lucia activities. Situated at Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve (also called Verdant Forest) close to St Lucia’s east coast, we arrived in Chassin, Babonneau to make our way to tram’s location at Sky Rides Forest Tours.
We boarded the Aerial Tram to the top of the mountain, where we witnessed breathtaking views of the northern part of St Lucia and the tropical forests while taking a break from the heat and bustle of the lowlands. After taking the tram to the summit, we enjoyed a guided tour of the ecological park located in the island’s forest reserve, which was included in the tram ride.
The 2.5-hour ride costs $75 for adults and $42 for children. We only opted for the tram ride, but for an extra extra $10, you can combine the Rainforest Aerial Tram excursion with a canopy zipline course.
4. Stay in one of St Lucia’s luxury resorts
If you’re looking for popular things to do in St Lucia for couples, luxury St Lucia real estate offers some of the most lavish and romantic resorts in the Caribbean. We picked Sugar Beach, Viceroy Resort in Belle Vue, for our stay and included two other options based on recommendations.
Jade Mountain Resort: On a private area of Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain Resort is one of the country’s most expensive resorts, proven by the quality of service. The resort has infinity pools and offers a magnificent view of the pitons and the surrounding ocean.
Anse Chastanet: Chastanet is another luxury resort in St Lucia. Both Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are the only resorts on the island that provide visitors with exclusive views of Gros and Petit Piton over the Caribbean Sea, making it the perfect honeymoon destination.
Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort: Nestled in 100 acres of tropical rainforest, with awe-inspiring views and access to one of the island’s best beaches, we set our eyes on this luxury resort, declared one of the best resorts on the Caribbean island. With it located on the southwest coast, we took a picturesque coastal road of Baron Drive from Soufrière to the resort, which sits between Petit and Gros Piton and offers beachfront bungalows, a rainforest spa, and a sunset deck.
5. Explore the village of Soufrière
The fishing village of Soufrière was established back in 1745. Located on the island’s west coast, we were a short taxi ride from the town, considered by many to be one of the most vibrant parts of St Lucia.
We learned about the area’s history at Stonefield Estate, where we saw historic carvings known as petroglyphs that offered insight into the island’s rich history.
Whether you’re staying in Sugar Beach or Castries, visiting this beautiful fishing village and the nearby beach of Anse Mamin Beach is more than worth it before moving on to other St Lucia tourist attractions.
6. Refresh yourself with a mud bath at a drive-in volcano
We discovered that St Lucia was famed for having the only drive-in volcano in the world where you can take your car to the volcano’s crater, so, of course, we added it to our list of unique things to do in St Lucia. As science buffs, we took a guided tour to understand the intricacies of the dormant Qualibou Volcano and its surroundings.
Once we had seen the volcano’s caldera, we ended the excursion with a calm and soothing mud bath inside the sulphur springs’ pools, which are said to have medicinal qualities.
We stayed in the mud long enough to enjoy its healing properties. While the mud is touted as the fountain of youth, I can’t say I experienced any noticeable changes. Nevertheless, I left feeling rejuvenated, and a half-day tour to access the drive-in volcano and mud baths costs just $100.
7. Discover Mount Soufrière at Sulphur Springs Park
As we’ve said, one of the best things to do in St Lucia is explore Sulphur Springs Park, which offers many different points of exploration and enjoyment. Close to the famous Morne Coubaril Estate, the sulfur hot springs sit across from the volcano, offering pools filled with warm water and natural minerals that you can enjoy.
As we recommended above, start at the mud bath and slather yourself in volcanic mud. You can end this fantastic experience with a calming soak in the mineral-rich springs to wash away the volcanic mud.
8. Enjoy the Festivities of Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day)
Any month is a good time to visit St Lucia, but we went with October to experience Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day), one of the most fun things to do in St Lucia. This annual celebration in October brings St Lucia’s Creole heritage to life through tambo music, dance, and local cuisine.
We saw villages across the island transform into colorful hubs and sampled dishes like bouyon, green fig and saltfish, listened to live zouk and soca tambo rhythms, and witnessed the island’s spirited expressions from British, French, African, and indigenous influences.
Though St Lucia is safe to visit, the annual Caribbean festivals attracts a large number of visitors, so it’s advisable to book accommodations early to secure the best options and exercise a higher level of caution in the streets.
9. Cool off at Diamond Falls
Another advantage of staying at the Sugar Beach resort was the short ride to reach Diamond Waterfall in Soufrière Estate. This incredible attraction stands around 45 feet tall and is surrounded by mineral baths, creating a spectrum of beautiful, vibrant colors.
Being avid fans of Michael Douglas, we couldn’t leave the island without visiting the falls that appeared in Romancing the Stone and other Hollywood feature films. Alongside Diamond Falls, we explored the adjacent Botanical Tropical Gardens.
10. Stroll along Anse Chastanet Beach
One of the best beaches in St Lucia, Anse Chastanet Beach on the west coast is an intrinsic part of the Anse Chastanet Resort. If you are into water adventures like snorkeling and diving, then this beach is your go-to place to explore St Lucia’s reefs and marine wildlife. After visiting Diamond Falls, we continued to the beach, just 15 minutes from Soufrière, which has a few restaurants and live bars.
Since every beach in the island country has public access by law, you can head to the Anse Chastanet beach at any time. Planning to stay very close to the beach area? You can choose to book your stay at the Anse Chastanet Resort.
11. Experience marine life while snorkeling at Sugar Beach
Experience Caribbean waters is a must when visiting the region, and we went snorkeling and scuba diving off St Lucia’s Sugar Beach. Also called Jalousie Bay, we enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime underwater experience, witnessing abundant marine life, including eagle rays, tropical fish like flying gurnards, needlefish, and honeycomb moray eels.
We booked a snorkeling and scuba diving tour with Action Adventure Divers. Visitors must note that these tours also take you to other St Lucia tourist attractions that are close to the snorkeling and diving sites, including deep-sea fishing, as well as banana plantations near Roseau Valley and Anse Raye, a fishing village famous for its fresh fish and other local food.
12. Sip Caribbean rum at St Lucia Distillers
St Lucia’s rum heritage is strong and well-known, and buying a bottle here is common among most visitors. Like the other Caribbean islands, Saint Lucia has several rum distilleries in Castries and Marigot, including the famous St Lucia Distillers Ltd.
If you are drinks connoisseur like us, you should book a spot on St Lucia rum tour to learn how rum is produced from sugarcane on the island. We chose St Lucia Distillers for our tour, which also provided an up-close, behind-the-scenes tour of rum-making and we sampled the local rum, which although strong for some, offered a taste of the island’s distinct flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and toasted banana.
Besides the rum, we tried piton beer at the distillery, a unique beer produced in St Lucia. The St Lucia Distillers tour cost just $12.
Take a look at our St Lucia citizenship by investment ultimate guide by experts
13. Visit the Historic Pigeon Island National Park
Previously a refuge for pirates and then converted into a military fort, Pigeon Island National Park on the north end of the island is one of St Lucia’s most historic sites, transformed into a significant landmark in 1972. We set aside half a day in the last week of our trip to visit the Pigeon Island national landmark to explore the fort’s ancient ruins.
The 44-acre park is a popular spot for day visitors eager to relax, hike the trails, birdwatch, and learn more about the island’s history. Since sandy beaches and snorkeling sites surround the island, it also acts as a beautiful viewpoint that offers a stunning view of Martinique and the Atlantic Ocean. Water taxis are the best way to get from Reduit Beach, but as we were leaving from Soufrière, we drove directly to the island through Gros Islet, which took about two hours. The park’s entry fee is just $10 for adults and $3 for children.
14. Have a blast with the family at Rodney Bay
A calm, serene, and beautiful bay, Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia is the perfect place to try different watersports. The horseshoe-shaped bay is fringed with a stretch of white sands and a man-made lagoon, offering several places for snorkeling and other water adventure sports.
We stopped briefly for a few hours at the marina after visiting Pigeon Island, which offers numerous fun things to do in St Lucia for families. Splash Island Water Park in the marina was the first open-air water attraction in the Caribbean and is a popular spot for holiday-makers and locals looking for family-friendly activities.
15. Soak up the sun at Reduit Beach
Situated along the waterfront of Rodney Bay Village is one of the top beaches and attractions in St Lucia and is a popular St Lucia retirement destination. Reduit Beach is famous for its white sand that stretches along the entire coastline and even more so for its watersports offerings.
While it doesn’t top the list of uncrowded beaches in St Lucia, you can spend an entire beach day snorkeling, sailing, or simply walking by this sandy beach.
16. Taste the flavors of the St Lucia at Castries Market
A trip to St Lucia isn’t complete without trying the local food and taking back souvenirs, so of course, we included Castries Food and Craft Market on our list. Located in the center of Castries, the outdoor market is easily accessible, and we bought several items from local vendors, including small souvenirs and Indigenous art.
Besides souvenirs, we sampled some of St Lucia’s popular coconut candies, fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables while engaging with locals to learn more about the island. The market is popular among tourists and visitors alike, so you enjoy an authentic island experience while mingling with fellow visitors.
17. Take in the views of Marigot Bay
Owing to its spectacular white sand beaches against the backdrop of beautiful swaying palm trees, we solidified Marigot Bay’s place on the ‘Things to do in St Lucia’ list. Close to the village of Anse La Raye, this picturesque bay is loved by yachties and has even been used for background shots in numerous Hollywood films, such as Dr. Doolittle and Fire Power.
We stayed overnight at Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia, which allowed us to rent a kayak and snorkeling gear to explore the underwater life along St Lucia’s coastline without exhausting ourselves on a day trip.
18. Tour the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
The island’s botanical forest gardens by Mount Gimie are one of the top tourist attractions in St Lucia. From native and tropical plants to trees and plants known to have healing qualities, the island’s garden is completely breathtaking.
The area is part of the Soufrière Estate, which we combined with our trip to Diamond Falls, and is one of the most unfiltered and protected estates on the island.
If you like exploring the indigenous flora of a particular place, you should make it to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. Entry costs just $7 for adults and $3.50 for children, and the tropical gardens are close to other points of interest, like Toraille Waterfall.
19. Celebrate Chocolate Heritage Month
As we’d chosen to visit St Lucia in October, we didn’t attend the August Chocolate Heritage Month. However, drawing from suggestions from locals and dual citizens of St Lucia’s citizenship program, we’ve included the annual festival in the top St Lucia things to do list.
This festival celebrates the island’s cocoa heritage and takes place over several weeks, with restaurants producing chocolate-themed menus and spas offering chocolate-themed treatments. You can even watch re-enactments of dances related to the process of cocoa bean polishing and various other activities. The best part? Chocolate samples and special edition chocolate bars.
If, like us, you don’t arrive in time to catch the festival, you can find the island’s favorite drink made from cocoa beans – cocoa tea – available at markets. These round, brown sticks are created from the roasted seeds of cacao pods and mixed with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and bay leaf. Simply mix with hot water or milk and enjoy a delicious local drink. The sticks even make for great souvenirs and gifts.
20. Attend a cricket match at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium
Though I’m not a huge cricket fan, experiencing a cricket match alongside St Lucians was more than worth the cheap ticket price. Cricket is a popular sport on the island of Saint Lucia, with matches played at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet.
Attending a match of the St Lucia Kings is a must-do in St Lucia for cricket fans if you’re visiting the island during the season, which runs from August to October, including the playoffs. You can also watch major matches to see the West Indies team face off against international teams like England, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Tickets for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 were sold for as little as $6 to $12.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Top Things to Do in St Lucia
What to do in St Lucia for a week?
If you are traveling to St Lucia for a week, you can try doing various things on the island like:
- Horseback riding with Sandy Hoofs St Lucia or East Coast Riding Stable
- Attend cultural events like the Saint Lucia Arts Festival
- Take a guided tour of Gros Piton
- Explore reefs off Anse La Raye
What are the best things to do in St Lucia on a cruise?
If you are on a cruise to Saint Lucia, some of the best activities in St Lucia are exploring Pigeon Island National Park, visiting the capital city Castries and the town of Soufriere, exploring Rodney Bay Village and Vigie Beach, and a zip-line at the base of La Sorcière.
What is Saint Lucia best known for?
St Lucia is best known for its iconic Piton Mountains, invigorating waterfalls like Toraille waterfall, excellent hiking trails like Millet Bird Sanctuary and Nature Trail, pristine beaches like Pigeon Island Public Beach, vibrant events like Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, and the world’s only island with a drive-in volcano.
What is St Lucia popular for?
Saint Lucia is popular for many reasons. The island offers natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and fun activities like hiking, surfing, and diving. The island also has many historic areas to explore, like Soufriere fishing village and Fort Rodney.
Is St Lucia worth going to?
Yes, Saint Lucia is definitely worth visiting, whether you want to explore the island’s untouched beauty, visit craft markets like Castries Market, scuba dive amongst the tropical fish, relax at a local country club, search for hidden waterfalls, or spend a beach day in a bathing suit swimming in the calm waters of one of the many Saint Lucia beaches.
Is St Lucia expensive to eat out?
While local produce is relatively cheap in Saint Lucia, dining at restaurants, especially in tourist hotspots, can be pricey. Nevertheless, you can expect to spend around $8 for a meal at a budget-friendly restaurant and approximately $55 for a dinner for two at a mid-priced restaurant. Just be aware that prices soar in popular tourist areas.
How many days in St Lucia is enough?
One week in Saint Lucia is generally enough to travel around the island and experience St Lucia’s best activities. You’ll also have enough time to take a water taxi to nearby islands like the Maria Islands Nature Reserve.
