Lovely Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean Island nation that has some impressive mountains called the Pitons on the west coast. Its capital, Castries is a popular cruise port.

The Pitons are part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons Management Area. The Pitons are towering twin peaks that rise out of the sea to great heights. The Gros Piton or Large Piton to the south rises to a height of 798 meters and the Petit Piton or Small Piton is 750 meters high. They were formed by volcanic activity and both are considered to be difficult climbs. Divers can explore them as underwater cliffs. They offer awesome scenic beauty.

Soufriere is a colorful fishing village that offers one of the best views of the twin peaks. The most prominent features are the town square which is home to the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the many buildings with filigreed balconies and tin roofs. The wharf, a block away is the stopping point for sightseeing cruises. The village's main claim to fame is that Josephine, the wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was born here in 1763.

Marigot Bay is the most beautiful bay on the island. There is a lovely palm-fringed beach and you can see yachts in the blue waters. This was the setting for the 1967 movie “Doctor Doolittle”. Water shuttles take visitors to the hotels on the opposite side.

At Anse Chastanet National Marine Park divers can see colored sponges, soft corals, boulder corals, and brain corals. Frogfish make their home in a large cavern and many different kinds of fish can be spotted in the coral gardens. The edge of the plateau is a wall, dropping 46 meters into a lace coral ecosystem that is inhabited by lobsters, crabs, and eels. Above the surface, Anse Chastanet is a sheltered beach with lovely views of the Pitons.

In the Pitons Management Area, the Tet Paul Nature Trail winds through tropical forests and offers fantastic views of southern St. Lucia. The hike takes about 45 minutes. Along the way you can find out about medicinal plants and trees, sample exotic tropical fruit, and learn about the traditional Amerindian art of cassava production.

The highlight here is the “stairway to heaven” which consists of steps that lead up to a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Morne Coubaril Estate overlooks Soufriere Bay. This estate is a working plantation that grows cocoa, coconuts, and manioc. You can enjoy ziplining, an aerial rope slide. Visitors can take guided tours of the plantation and tropical gardens and see a replica of a traditional village. Guides demonstrate coconut processing and show how sugar cane syrup, cocoa, coffee, and manioc are produced. The plantation restaurant offers Creole food. Plantation tours on horseback are also available.

Mount Soufriere or Sulfur Springs Park is the most active geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles. A road stretches along the edge of the 274-meter crater making it one of the world’s rare “drive-through” volcanoes. Even though there have been no volcanic eruptions in ages the volcanic pit continues to vent sulfur and heat pools of water above boiling. The bubbling pools and hissing fumaroles can be viewed from observation platforms and visitors can soak in therapeutic springs.

The Diamond Falls section of the Soufriere Estate offers visitors three popular attractions – lovely gardens, an amazing waterfall colored by mineral deposits, and healing mineral hot spring baths. These baths were originally built for the troops of King Louis XVI of France. The gardens have coconut, cocoa, mahogany, and red cedar trees. There are tropical flowers and shrubs from all over the world. There are educational displays of local fruits and vegetables. At the old mill and waterwheel visiting groups are served a Caribbean buffet.

Across from Rodney Bay, Pigeon Island National Park is one of the most important historic attractions in Saint Lucia. A causeway connects the island to the mainland. Visitors can hike up to the lookout point and enjoy fantastic views of the northwest coast. Here you can find ruins of the military buildings used during the battles between the French and English. An interpretation center describes the fascinating history of the island. There are two white-sand beaches and a small restaurant.

The Enbas Saul Waterfall Trail lies on the lush slopes of Mount Gimie, the highest mountain in Saint Lucia. The trail circles through dense rainforest to a waterfall. There are many steep steps. Along the way, you can see birds like the Saint Lucia parrot, Saint Lucia oriole, Semper’s warbler, and the Saint Lucia wren. The park also has exotic plants. Visitors can also access the trail in four-wheel drive safari vehicles.

Castries the capital of Saint Lucia was a major naval port for the British from 1830 to 1844.

They built fortifications on Morne Fortune, the mountain overlooking the harbor. The name of the mountain means “Hill of Good Luck” and it offers great views all around. The original fortification still stands and visitors can see a monument, military buildings, and cannons. The northern side of Morne Fortune is home to Government House, the official residence of the Governor General.

Derek Walcott Square, named after the Nobel Laureate from Saint Lucia is a good starting point for a walking tour of the capital. The most famous landmark is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. It features an Italianate-style clock tower.