St. Lucia is the sort of island that travelers to the Caribbean dream about–a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown. One of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and north of Barbados. St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, with a shape that is said to resemble either a mango or an avocado (depending on your taste). The Atlantic Ocean kisses its eastern shore, while the west coast beaches owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea.
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 mélange 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.
Saint Lucia Activities
The beauty of Saint Lucia provides the perfect backdrop for the casual adventure – or the adventure of a lifetime. Take a lofty, laid-back ride above the rainforest canopy, renew yourself under the cascade of a refreshing waterfall, or take a stroll through the rainforest.
For the adrenaline seekers: hop aboard a Segway, horseback ride along the coast, or climb Gros Pitons mountains. With island terrain that ranges from tranquil beaches to lush rainforests, the variety of things to do is unending.
The turquoise waters surrounding the island of Saint Lucia offer many rejuvenating and restorative adventures to build the body, mind, and soul. Fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, snuba, sea trekking, snorkeling or simply floating atop some of the clearest waters in the world – the adventure awaits.
