Best Things to Do in St Lucia, Caribbean

St Lucia’s volcanic origin has given it a dramatic landscape that distinguishes it from the flat, coral-island Caribbean: the Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton, volcanic spires rising 700-800m from the sea) are the defining image of the island, and their UNESCO World Heritage designation protects the surrounding rainforest, sulphur springs, and coral reefs. The things to do in St Lucia include hiking the Pitons (Gros Piton has a guided trail to the summit; the combined summit hike takes 3-4 hours and offers extraordinary views), diving and snorkeling in the marine reserve around Anse Chastanet (one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean), visiting the Sulphur Springs (drive-in volcano and natural mud baths), and exploring the lush interior rainforest. The island also has excellent high-end resorts — Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are regularly cited among the world’s most beautiful — and a lively local social scene (the Gros Islet Friday Night Jump Up).

Best time to visit

December through April is the dry season and the peak tourist period: sunshine, low humidity, and calm seas. February and March are the best beach months. The wet season (June through November) coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season; St Lucia is less vulnerable to direct hurricane hits than islands further north (Barbados’ latitude provides some protection), but rain and occasional tropical storm impacts are possible. July and August see high domestic Caribbean tourism, which keeps local events lively. The St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (May) is the island’s major cultural event, drawing international performers to an outdoor festival at Cap Estate.

Getting around

Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in the south receives long-haul international flights. George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) in Castries (the capital, in the north) handles regional Caribbean flights. The road journey from Hewanorra to the resort areas near the Pitons (Soufriere) is 1.5 hours on a winding coastal road; by speedboat it’s 45 minutes. Taxis are plentiful but negotiation on price is expected; agree before boarding. There are no trains or buses of practical use for tourists. Water taxis operate between the main bays and resorts along the west coast. Rental cars give the most flexibility for exploring the island.

What to eat and drink

St Lucian cuisine is Creole — rooted in French, African, and indigenous Kalinago traditions. Green fig and saltfish (the national dish, boiled green bananas with salt cod) is eaten primarily at breakfast. Bouyon (a hearty stew of various meats, ground provisions, and dumplings) is the Friday lunchtime staple. Fresh seafood is abundant: flying fish, lambi (conch), mahi-mahi, and lobster are grilled at the beachside restaurants in Anse La Raye (the Fish Fry, every Friday evening) and Marigot Bay. The Friday Night Jump Up in Gros Islet is the most atmospheric local event: a street party with barbecue, rum, and reggae that has run weekly for decades. Piton beer is the local lager; Bounty rum is the island’s spirit.

Top things to do

Piton hiking – Gros Piton (797m) has a well-maintained guided trail to the summit (mandatory guide, $80-100 per person, 3-4 hours round trip). The views from the summit over both Pitons, the Caribbean Sea, and the rainforest are exceptional. Petit Piton is technically more challenging and rarely permitted for summit hikes; the trail is steep and exposed. Both Pitons are most dramatic photographed from the sea — boat tours from Castries pass the most photogenic angle.

Sulphur Springs and Mud Baths – The Soufriere volcano complex includes the world’s only drive-in volcano: a caldera of bubbling sulphur springs (some at 170°C), fumaroles, and volcanic mud pools where visitors can coat themselves in mineral-rich mud. The mud is reputed to have skin benefits (whether or not that’s physiologically accurate, it’s entertaining). Combined with a trip to the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Waterfall (15 minutes from Soufriere).

Anse Chastanet and marine reserve snorkeling/diving – The marine reserve surrounding Anse Chastanet bay has some of the best shallow coral reef snorkeling in the Caribbean — reef fish, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and staghorn and brain corals within snorkeling distance of the beach. Dive sites (Piton Wall, Anse Chastanet Wall) are ranked among the Caribbean’s top ten. The beach is accessible to day visitors from Soufriere by water taxi.

Anse La Raye Friday Fish Fry – Every Friday evening, this small fishing village sets up a street barbecue along its main street: freshly caught fish, lobster, and conch grilled over coals, served with bread and local sides at very low prices. The most authentic and lively local food event on the island.