St. Lucia

From the twin, sugar-loaf peaks of the Pitons to picturesque fishing villages; from world-class resorts to comfortable inns; from sulphur springs to waterfalls and rain forests; St. Lucia will never fail to amaze you.

Sightseeing highlights include Castries, the capital with its bustling market; Marigot Bay, locale for the enchanting " Dr. Doolittle" the village of Gros Islet with its Friday night street party; Sulphur springs and the dramatic waterfall near Soufriere; and historic Pigeon Island.

A delight for those interested in ecotourism, its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, rise up 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.

Those looking for a traditional beach vacation will not be disappointed though. Enjoy crystal clear and warm waters and white sand beaches. The island's steep coastlines and lovely reefs also offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.

St. Lucia is a delightful mix of French Creole customs and English tradition. The islanders speak a distinctive patois which you will hear everywhere.

The island of St. Lucia is also home to the world’s only drive-in volcano. Visitors can take a tour of the now dormant volcano and visit the nearby steamy Sulphur Springs. Daily tours provide a close up inspection and offer insight into the geology of the Caribbean Rim. And if you need to beat the heat after that, you can head to the Diamond Falls. These natural mineral-rich waterfalls were used as bathhouses by the French military. King Louis XVI had bathhouses built for his troops, and even today a shower under the cascading water can be invigorating experience.

This island paradise has the sparkling waters of the Caribbean to the West, and the mysterious depths of the Atlantic Ocean to the East. Fittingly it is home to a wide range of water-based activities, including the ability to charter many forms of sea-going vessels. Called “an angler’s dream come true,” the region is home to several species of big game fish, and the island offers some of the best deep-sea fishing anywhere on the planet!

You can take in water-skiing and windsurfing, and most hotels can accommodate beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. The sport of parasailing adds a bit of an aerial thrill, which also offers spectacular views of the majestic island. And the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean also make for a diving paradise as the island is at the tip of an underwater volcano. Beginner and experienced divers can enjoy studying the varieties of coral, sponge and marine life that surround the island.

The island’s landscape is quite mountainous, and the interior rises to almost 1,800 feet above sea level. The 19,000 acres of inland rainforest include 29 miles of trails, and it is home to rare birds and plants. This interior is largely untouched but still includes a mix of trails that allow for leisurely walks or more strenuous hikes.

ATTRACTIONS:

The Pitons- are the most photographed landmark on the island.

The Gross Piton is easier climbed with well established tours that provide transportation to the "Interpretive centre"(a small welcome center of sorts with descriptions and models of the local geography, geology and plant life). The park service mandates that guides be used when climbing this peak. They are service employees that are professional, informative and fuenjoyable. The climb averages 2 hours to the summit and rewards those that make it with spectacular views of the island and the Petit Piton. This is a hike, not a climb and although strenuous does not require any special skills or present much exposure or danger.

The Petit is quite different in that there is no welcome center or even a marked trailhead for that matter. Although no guide is mandatory on this peak, you would be well served finding a local that knows the route. The climb does have some primitive fixed ropes and does present some exposure. The summit is a much smaller area, but has even better views.

Pigeon Island- has a spicy history dating back to the 1550s, when St. Lucia’s first French settler, Jambe de Bois (Wooden Leg), used the island as a base for raiding passing Spanish ships.
The 40-acre islet of Pigeon Island, which is connected by a causeway to St. Lucia’s west coast, offers a look at the unique nature of the Caribbean as well as region’s history. The scenic nature park with marked trails is like a trip back in time, and includes the remains of the 18th century British Fort Rodney, named for the British Admiral who used the fort against the French during the deceive 1782 Battle of the Saints.

Pigeon Island Museum & Interpretive Centre includes a landmark British Officers’ mess building, which has been restored to its 1808 elegance. The museum offers insight on the smaller island’s history, where the first Carib Indian setters arrived, and the various French and British battles during the early colonial wars.

The island of St. Lucia is also home to the world’s only drive-in volcano. Visitors can take a tour of the now dormant volcano and visit the nearby steamy Sulphur Springs. Daily tours provide a close up inspection and offer insight into the geology of the Caribbean Rim. And if you need to beat the heat after that, you can head to the Diamond Falls. These natural mineral-rich waterfalls were used as bathhouses by the French military. King Louis XVI had bathhouses built for his troops, and even today a shower under the cascading water can be invigorating experience.

Private Tours-

1. Private/Land Sea Tour. There are several companies offering this service on the Island which can be customized. Start in the morning and drive, with sight-seeing stops included, to the North of the Island, where the 'Sea' bit starts. You can cruise past Pigeon Island, view most of the West coast resorts, go through the Tunnel of Love, visit the Bat Cave, tour Marigot Bay, snorkel on "Golden Reef" with sleeping Turtles, arriving eventually at Soufriere. Here jump in a taxi to see waterfalls, rainforest trails, the volcano, including a roll in the mud and rinse off in a red-hot bath. Lunch and drinks are usually included. Stop for more snorkeling on the way back.
The advantage of the private tour is that you can set your own itinerary, and step outside of the usual locations Anse Cochon, Anse Chastenet & Jalousie beac and visit the less frequented Golden Reef, Virgin Cove, Lesleen M, Anse Cochon, Rosemond Trench, Anse Chastanet, Fairyland, Trou Diable, Keyhole Pinnacles, Piton Wall & Jalousie beach.

2. Private Yacht Charter. Departing the dock, you can cruise to a deserted location where you can swim and snorkel, and then have the included lunch on the boat in the shadow of the magnificent Pitons. On the way back, and for the adventurous, try drift snorkelling over the Keyhole Pinnacles and jump into 150ft of Blue/Black water to float over these amazing mini reefs.

Cruise on the Brig Unicorn Sailing Ship-a stunning ship that was apparently used in the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean. Take a cruise at sunset and enjoy the gorgeous vistas and the steel band playing on board, which gives the cruise a really authentic Caribbean flavor. Whale and dolphin watching: there are over 40 different species of whales and dolphins off the coast of St Lucia.

Take a day trip to the Grenadines Tobago Cays and Palm Island. The beaches are beautiful and you won't be able to resist having a swim!

Rainforest Sky Tram-The sky tram is like an open-air cable car, above the rainforest. The views are amazing and it's definitely an experience like no other; even if you tend to have a problem with heights you will probably still love it!

The northern end of the island-is a haven for resorts, tourists and history. The beaches are wide, the waves are benign, there are sights to see and the secret is out. You may end up having to share the sand up here but the trade-off is a much greater variety of accommodation, eateries and things to do.

Canopy zip lining-even if you are nervous and deathly afraid of heights and any amusement park rides, this is still so much fun, more exhilarating. They have a couple locations on the island, usually in or near Dennery. The guides are helpful and you should feel safe and secure. And there's so many palm trees around that you don't feel like you are so high off the ground. This is definitely recommended and you don't need to be fit or athletic. They fit you with a harness and helmet and thick gloves and once they attach you to the line, you glide along for about 5-10 seconds to the next platform.

HOW TO GET THERE:

For visitors coming from the United States:
American Airlines offers a nonstop daily service from Miami and New York.
US Airways offers two flights during the winter every Saturday from Philadelphia and Charlotte and one flight from Charlotte during the summer.
Delta offers daily non-stop service from Atlanta.
American Eagle As of November 2nd 2008 American Eagle offers its service on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and two flights per day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This schedule is in place through May 2009.

During the peak season, between mid-November and mid-March, a number of tour companies operate charters from London, Toronto, Milan and various Caribbean destinations.

A little further north, Air Canada, from Friday December 19th flies four times a week, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday during the winter. A new flight from Montreal to St Lucia was introduced as of December 19th on Mondays and will operate until April 9 2009.
WestJet also flies from Toronto, Canada to St. Lucia on Sundays. Westjet will add a second flight on Thursdays commencing Thursday November 6th and a third flight commencing Tuesday November 4th. All three flights will be in place until the first week of May 2009.

St. Lucia is serviced by two major airlines from the UK. British Airways offers nonstop service between Gatwick and St Lucia and also between Trinidad and St Lucia three times per week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Virgin flies four times a week out of Gatwick on Sundays, Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays.

Airports
There are two (2) airports on the island: Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort (UVF) is located 40 miles south of Castries and George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) which adorns a pleasant coastline on the outskirts Castries.

Flying times from major cities:
3 1/2 hours from Miami, 4 hours from New York, 5 hours from Toronto, 8 hours from London

ATTIRE:
Mild tropical trade winds make the island of St. Lucia a pleasant destination year-round. Dress accordingly with lightweight cottons and knits to keep you cool and comfortable. These fabrics dry quickly and require little ironing, making them ideal for the active traveler.
Whether you're out on the beach or out on the town, be sure to dress appropriately. The temperatures range from 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months to the high 90s during summer months. The tropical sun on the pristine beaches of northern St. Lucia make the beach a beautiful but potentially dangerous destination, so protect yourself from heat and sun damage with sunscreen, hats, or lightweight clothing.

As a general rule, beachwear and bathing suits are appropriate on the beach but more conservative attire is appreciated in towns and on the rest of the island. When going out at night, men should wear long pants and a collared shirt, and women should wear dresses or long pants.
If you're looking for a break from the high temperatures of the beaches in the north, the higher altitudes of the mountains in the south may offer some respite. There are many hiking trails through the jungles and to the peaks of St. Lucia, but be sure to wear sturdy footwear as some of these trails can be treacherous. You may want to bring along a lightweight jacket or sweater to temper the mountains' cool breezes.

St. Lucia's rainy season lasts from June to November, but be prepared for sporadic showers all year long. Rain showers in St. Lucia are generally short-lived but can bring strong downpours at times, so be sure to carry rain gear with you. A lightweight, water-repellent jacket is a good choice because it can be easily taken out or stored as storms come and go.

When visiting St. Lucia, it is important that your clothes keep you cool and dry in the tropical weather while providing appropriate styles to respect traditional local customs.

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