Cruises from St Lucia

St Lucia is a 238 square mile island in the Caribbean that is filled with tropical rainforests, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and sandy beaches all of which beckon tourists to the area. The island has resorts dotted all over it and visitors can find some of the best rates on island hops in order to see some of the other gems the Caribbean offers. The weather is always warm here, and travellers to this part of the world will love St. Lucia.

Like the other islands in the Caribbean, St Lucia has its own Carnival. It takes place in July and this is the ultimate party of the year. Of course, the residents will find any reason acceptable to celebrate and if you cannot make it to the island for their annual Carnival, then make sure you visit the weekly ‘jump ins’ in Rodney Bay and Gros Islet. These two places are constantly hopping with the sound of soca, reggae, and hip hop. This is the party area of the island and you are welcome to stay and dance the night away.

St Lucia is not only a beautiful island, but also the home of people with a rich and complex history. It is also the destination of many of the jet-set who prefer the Caribbean to the Mediterranean. They tend to hide in Marigot Bay, and if you visit the area at the right time you could run into celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey. You can hike one of the many rivers that run through banana plantations all over the island and take in the flora, or soak in one of the many mineral springs and their Rasta rum shacks relaxing the day away. The Hilton resort on the southern part of the island offers guests numerous shows. Visitors can also enjoy soccer games in the local villages.

The people are friendly and straightforward with you and there are plenty of markets in the towns selling a wide variety of items. Roadside stands, open-air markets and impromptu barbeques are all part of the Lucian way of life and they invite you to join them, preferably hungry as they love to cook and love to eat. While you are on the island make sure you try cassava bread, cook up, fried breadfruit, fresh papaya, Caribbean lobster, and the local spiced rum.

What should you see while you are here? The twin peaks of the Pitons at the southern end of the island are a must and the foliage is beautiful. The Gros Piton will run through different climates as you climb higher with differing vegetation as you progress. Hiking on the Petit Piton is not allowed due to erosion. There is a drive-in volcano on the island and if you can handle the smell of sulphur, this is a unique chance to see the boiling and bubbling of the earth. The locals frequent the hot springs and if you can stand the smell, you will enjoy the waters too!

The Maria Islands, just off of St Lucia form a protected national park with two species that are found nowhere else in the world – the Zandoli Terre Lizard and the Kouwes Snake. The beaches are beautiful white sand, soft between the toes. The Anse Chastanet, a privately owned resort at the end of the island, was one of the first hotels built on the island and has kept its charm over the years.
Here you can enjoy snorkelling and diving, away from the more ‘touristy’ areas. Lastly, take a guided ride into the jungle and experience the world through the eyes of a Lucian and leave smiling ear to ear.