There's only one way to describe St. Lucia:
simply beautiful. And right now, St. Lucia
is offering great hotel
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In natural beauty, St. Lucia seems like an island plucked from the
South Pacific and set down in the Caribbean. Its dramatic twin
coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea,
sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns,
and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds
abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia
parrot. The rainforest is broken only by verdant fields and orchards
of banana, coconut, mango, and papaya trees.
St. Lucia has been inhabited since long before colonial times, and
its cultural treasures are a fascinating melange of its rich past
and its many different traditions. The island's people have earned a
well-deserved reputation for their warmth and charm, and the island
itself is dotted with aged fortresses, small villages, and open-air
markets.
WATERSPORTS:
Watersports are a way of life on this island, where a coastline of
rain-forested mountains is frequently interrupted by natural harbors
and bays. The island boasts some of the best underwater dive sites
in the Caribbean. Many hotels offer scuba diving facilities and
snorkeling equipment, as do a number of independent dive centers.
Saint Lucia has also become one of the region's main centers for
yacht charters, with operations at the Rodney Bay Marina and at
Marigot Harbor. Deep-sea fishing charters are also available for
whole and half-day excursions.
FAMILY VACATION IN ST. LUCIA:
Planning a family getaway? St. Lucia is the ideal family vacation
destination where everyone can have a time of their life. St. Lucia
provides rest, relaxation and rejuvenation for the adults; and lots
of outdoor fun and excitement for the kids. Several hotels on island
welcome families and offer special facilities including kids clubs,
special kids meals, and comforting sleeping arrangements – beds and
cots in room or adjoining rooms.
Family vacations can include a variety of land sports and water
sports.
Take a tour that the whole family will enjoy; for example, the Rain
Forest or a biking tour.
Marigot Bay
A lovely, sequestered, natural harbor that once provided a hideout
for pirate ships, Marigot Bay also served as the setting for the
film Dr. Doolittle.
Maria Islands Nature Reserve
These tiny islands in southern Saint Lucia to the east of Vieux Fort
are home to rare wildlife and birds. Several species exist nowhere
else in the world.
Pigeon Island Museum and Interpretive Centre
This museum is housed in the former British officers' mess building,
which has been restored to its 1808 plans. A modern "hands-on"
display brings Pigeon Island's fascinating history to life.
Whale & Turtle watching
St Lucia is recognized as one of the leading whale watching sites in
the area. Over 20 species are regularly spotted throughout the year,
including humpbacks, pilot whales, sperm whales and spinning and
spotted dolphins.
Turtles are another fascinating thrill for nature-lovers. The
abundance of these majestic reptiles on St Lucia is due to the
protection provided by local environmental activists, who have
ensured there is a permanent suspension on turtle hunting.
OTHER MAIN ATTRACTIONS AND ECOLOGICAL SITES FOR THE ADVENTURIST:
St. Lucia possesses a
topography and ecology of stunning beauty, matched
by no other location in the Caribbean. The island's
pride in its natural resources is evident in the
country's ongoing protection and conservation
efforts. In the mountainous interior lies the
enormous National Rain Forest, and the island's
protected coastal sights include the breathtaking,
unforgettable spires of Les Pitons. All sorts of
nature hikes, tours, and programs have been
developed to showcase these peerless assets,
allowing visitors to enjoy the island without
harming its complex and fragile environment.
St. Lucia's environmental philosophy also extends
beyond its shoreline to the protection of its
beautiful coral reefs, with their rich and diverse
tropical sea life. The government has created four
preservation areas, encompassing all of the island's
outstanding reefs. Watersports enthusiasts, divers,
and boat owners are required to purchase a permit
before entering the reserve, and the fees are used
for repairs to the reef and preserving threatened
marine species.
The Pitons
Located near Soufriere, these primeval twin peaks, topping 2,000
feet, are St. Lucia's most famous landmark. Only the most daring
climbers have ventured an ascent to their summits, but they can be
seen in all their glory from Mt. Gimie or from the decks of a boat
offshore.
National Rain Forest
Of particular appeal to bird watchers, hikers and nature lovers, it
covers 19,000 acres of lush mountains and valleys. It is home to
giant ferns, birds of paradise and many other indigenous tree
species, exotic flowers and fruits, and its paths are strewn with
tiny bromeliads, wild orchids and mushrooms. Among the rare and
beautiful birds adding color to the scene are the brightly-hued St.
Lucia Parrot, known locally as the "jacquot," the White Breasted
Thrasher, the St. Lucia Peewee, and the St. Lucia Oriole. For
organized tours, contact the Forest and Lands Department at
450-2231.
The Sulphur Springs
Now dormant, it is the world's only drive-in volcano. A tour of its
bubbly, steamy sulphur springs offers a direct and fascinating
lesson in the violent geology of the Caribbean Rim.
Mt. Gimie
At 3,117 feet, it is the highest point on St. Lucia. One of the best
eye-filling views of this peak is to be had on emerging from the
rain forest. Guided tours are conducted up the mountain.
Diamond Falls
France's King Louis XVI had bathhouses built for his troops at these
natural, mineral-rich falls. An invigorating shower under the
cascading waters is still a refreshing break.
Latille Gardens
This beautiful hidden treasure of St. Lucia is filled with luscious
fruits, blooming flowers, thriving plants, shading trees, and
vibrant waterfalls. A walk on the waterfall trails or a relaxing
night under the moon and stars, amidst the scent of healthy
vegetation, are adventures not to be missed. For more information,
contact the Gardens at (758) 454-0202.
Wildlife
Two small islands off the coast of Vieux Fort, the Maria Islands are
a nature reserve and the refuge of two species found nowhere else in
the world. The Kouwes Snake, noted as the world's rarest snake, and
the Zandoli Te, a ground lizard whose males display a brilliant blue
tail. Frigate Island is a haven for frigate birds during mating
season.
Nature Hikes, Tours, and Programs - Barre de L'isle Rain Forest
Trail
The highlight of this trail, which runs along the perimeter of the
rain forest, is a climb to the top of Morne la Combe that is only
for the stout of heart. The mountain, towering 1,446 feet, lies on
the Barre de Lisle ridge and offers panoramic views west to the
Roseau and Mabouya valleys. The walk takes approximately three
hours. For more information, call 450-2231/7-8.
Union Nature Trail
A beautiful, looping, graveled path parades through a dry forest
punctuated by hummingbirds, warblers, and finches. The nature of the
trail allows up close and personal views of several spectacular
introduced tree species, medicinal herbs, and local fruit trees,
plus exotic wildlife at a miniature zoo. There is also a center that
provides information about the island's endangered species,
vegetation zones, and life in the forest. The tour lasts just over
one hour.
Naturalist Tour
This tour is particularly appealing to those interested in
horticulture, biology, entomology, ornithology, and native flora and
fauna. Though it is guided, the tour will venture off the beaten
track to wherever the participants desire to go, including up and
down mountains, into the forests and bushes. The schedule and prices
vary, depending on the type of tour and the number of participants.
For further information contact the Forestry Department.
Fregate Island Nature Trail
This tour along St. Lucia's Atlantic Coast offers several scenic
views on a mile-long trail circling the national park. The tour
calls on the breeding ground of St. Lucia's Fregate bird population,
a locale that is also home to a number of rare species of birds, Boa
Constrictors, and some unusual forms of vegetation. Tours are
arranged through the St. Lucia National Trust.
Morne Le Blanc/Laborie
Morne Le Blanc towers over the coastal community of Laborie and the
southern plains of St. Lucia. The mountain's summit affords a view
of distant St. Vincent and a scenic, shady rest spot for picnics.
Southern Safari
This tour by bus travels through St. Lucia's interior with stops at
historic sites, including a working still at an old plantation house
in Balembouche, interesting remains of a waterwheel, and ancient
Amerindian "potholes." Another version of this tour includes a visit
to the Pitons and a petroglyph site, returning by boat along the
west coast. Lunch is included in the tour. For further information,
call 452-5005.
Hardy Point Cactus Valley Walking Trek
This walking tour (which can also be taken by bus) begins at Hardy
Point, a natural outcrop with splendid views of the entire Esperance
Bay, the northern coast and the La Sociere mountain range. There are
stops in Cactus Valley (aptly named because of its numerous resident
species) and at several of the "blowholes" created by the force of
the Atlantic Ocean. Across Donkey Beach, the trek visits Pigeon
Island for sightseeing and swimming. Lunch at the Jambe de Bois
Restaurant is included.
Mankote Mangrove
Located on the southeast coast, just outside of Vieux Fort, it is
the principle source of nutrients for the island's natural fish
nursery in the nearby Savannes Bay. A viewing tower provides an
excellent vantage point for bird watching and a diorama and
brochures provide information on the unique features of the
Mangrove. Guided tours can be arranged through the St. Lucia
national Trust (452-5005) or the Caribbean Natural Resources
Institute (454-6060).
