With its luxurious rainforests and exotic fauna, a color spectrum so rich it reminds us of an artist’s palette, breathtaking landscapes with both mountains and sea, and a glorious cultural mix that invites you to indulge in an exhilarating lifestyle, it’s no secret that St. Lucia is a popular destination for vacations, and a heartfelt choice when it comes to weddings and honeymoons.
Without a doubt, a rare gem in the Caribbean. But this little island is full of surprises that many of you coming here for the first time may not be aware of. We promise to enumerate the most fascinating things that make it so special so that you get a clear view of its location, geography, history, nature, and all its other secrets, making your visit here turn into nothing else but a matter of time.
Known as Helen of the West, St. Lucia was subject of dispute between the British and the French until 1814, when the Brits took over once and for all. This has left a mark on the beautiful island, which has grown to be independent and self-sustainable ever since.
The beauty of this cultural clash and what’s remarkable about St. Lucia is how it manages to hold onto elements of both English and French origins, making this place unmistakably unique in the way that it mixes the two main flavors and uses them to spice up its personality.
From geographical positioning to nature’s blessings, from a variety of dishes to a variety of activities, from mountain to sea, there are plenty of things that make this island remarkable. Everything you can do, see, eat and enjoy is so unique that it’s safe to say St. Lucia has one of the biggest flavor palettes in the world, judging by the number of elements displayed in such a small space.
St. Lucia boasts stunning scenery and a wealth of entertainment options, both at the Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences and in the surrounding area. This makes it the perfect place for a relaxing vacation and the opportunity to create lasting memories!
Geography
Majestic mountains, spectacular waterfalls, refreshing springs, a drive-in volcano, breathtaking beaches – St. Lucia’s got it all! Probably the most famous landmark, however, are the twin peaks of the Piton mountains.
Source: Shutterstock, The Pitons, St. Lucia
Gros Piton and Petit Piton as they are known, can be found in two different areas on the island, Soufriere and Choiseul, rising 2,619 ft, and 2,425 ft each, respectively. Island activities include guided tours in the Pitons, but know that, in this case, the Gros Piton makes an easier destination, while the Petit Piton is steeper and a more difficult hike, but with much less hiking traffic to the top. However, if hiking is not your thing, consider joining a boat cruise surrounding the twin mountains, which promises to give you an opportunity to contemplate the sites and take breathtaking photos.
The beaches are surely one of the main attractions when we’re talking about an exotic country. Now, although St. Lucia is a volcanic island, what’s fascinating about it is that it boasts some of the most impressive white and golden beaches in the Caribbean, and, as travelers certainly agree, some of the best beaches in the world – Anse Chastanet, Marigot Bay Beach and Rodney Bay.
Watching over the island silently is the Soufriere, the only drive-in volcano in the Caribbean, and, debatably, the world. As an active geothermal area, the results are bubbling mud baths and steaming vents, in other words a 100% natural spa, which is both therapeutic and fun.
Nature
This island has been blessed with some of the most remarkable riches when it comes to nature. Spectacular waterfalls with pools you can dip into are some of the best St. Lucia has to offer in terms of both beauty and entertainment. The Toraille Waterfall is the biggest, followed by Diamond and Piton Falls, as well as many others on the island, some of which are harder to reach and require a tour guide.
The hiking options are plenty, varying in difficulty levels, between easy and strenuous hikes, whether it’s rainforests or mountains and a volcano that got your attention. Walk between the Edmund Forest Reserve, trek along the Barre de l’Isle Forest Reserve or the Tet Paul Nature Trail, with guides at your disposal.
Between thousands of acres of lush rainforests, which make up more than 70% of the island, you can obviously find “green” wonders, such as the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens in Soufriere, where you can get in better touch with the tropical flora and fauna. Home to a multitude of bird species, some of which are endemic, St. Lucia provides the opportunity to connect with the animal world, both on land and water (hang on, we’ll get there shortly). The Saint Lucia Parrot, Saint Lucia Oriole, and the Saint Lucia Pewee are three of the 180 types of exotic birds on the island, which you can learn more about once you’re here, at the Millet Bird Sanctuary, the Vieux Fort Wetlands, and the Des Cartiers Rainforest Trail.
Source: Shutterstock, Red Lionfish
Now, moving on to marine life around the island of St. Lucia, it’s easy to imagine that with such richness, there’s a lot to witness under the sea. Vibrant reefs shelter some of the most eye-catching marine creatures, such as turtles, rays, wrecks, colorful fish and much more. The most popular places to dive and explore are the Piton Wall, Anse Cochon, Coral Gardens, and Anse Chastanet. Scuba diving and snorkeling courses for amateurs and professional divers are also available, so you can make sure you won’t miss out on anything.
Historical sites
Postcard-worthy images are all around St. Lucia, but since we’re on an island, we’re starting off with the best, which is the bay. In this case, Marigot Bay is a place to contemplate and delve into. Accessible by boat, the Marigot Bay draws you into its marina, offering a view that’s probably more beautiful today than it was in the past.
Source: Shutterstock, Marigot Bay
Landmarks that celebrate the British-French cultural heritage are to be seen in the area just outside Castries, at Morne Fortune, or ‘Hill of Good Luck’, a fortification that overlooks the city.
Pigeon Island is also packed with history, with its National Park home to Fort Rodney, a once British garrison.
Surprises, charms & local flavors
It’s somewhat predictable that once you’re in a place with as much to offer as St. Lucia, you can expect to find some easter eggs. For instance, just like many other islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia has a history of piracy. Setting camp on the above-mentioned Pigeon Island, the name of the French pirate François le Clerc (known as Jambe de Bois) is quite popular here, as he was able to attack Spanish ships from the well-chosen vantage location. There’s no trace of a hidden treasure, nor proof of pillaging ships or bounty hunting, but rumors of the infamous Blackbeard seem to link him to St. Lucia, in stories which, unfortunately, remain a thing of the past. We may never know for sure what pirate-celebrities have set foot on this land, but one thing is clear – the Caribbean is probably the place on Earth where all the pirate stories come from, so maybe dig deeper, or simply rest assured that once in St. Lucia, you are in a realm that blends history, fantasy and reality.
St. Lucia was once ‘The Land of the Iguanas’, thanks to the multitude of iguanas dominating the island, and it was named as such by the Arawaks, the first newcomers to settle here. Not as many iguanas reside here as of late, but as an important part of the island’s history, it’s our duty to remember.
In terms of surprises St. Lucia has to offer, we’re not quite done yet: from pirates to iguanas, it’s time to move on to another fascinating thing on the island: the horses. Extremely disciplined and well-trained horses love to cool off in the surrounding waters, which is why you can opt for horse riding on a beach on your own, with friends, with kids, or as a romantic escape with your significant other. Most horse-riding tours are about two hours long. You can try the Atlantic Shores Stables in Vieux Fort, Hoofprint Ranch in Roseau Valley, or any of the local stables in Cas En Bar.
Last, but not least, locally-grown chocolate is sure to melt your heart, as you can try authentic, locally-grown chocolate at the Morne Coubaril or Fond Doux Plantation. You can either get into the process of chocolate making or take a cocoa tour where you can learn more about the process, but we reckon it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to get your hands “dirty” and make your own chocolate bar!
Source: Shutterstock, St Lucia Bar and Cocoa House
Entertainment, parties & nightlife
St. Lucia is nothing short of entertainment, as the people love to party and invite you to Gros Islet and Anse La Raye, two communities where the fun is in the air! Every Friday night, St. Lucians fire up the grill and mount the speakers in the streets to welcome you to the already famous Gros Islet Street Party, where music and food are the two main attractions.
Anse La Raye is famous for the food with its” Fish Fry”, where people can enjoy a variety of grilled food including crayfish, stewed fish, lobster and tasty local sides, whereas Gros Islet Street Party is more about the music, but either scenery is perfect for locals and tourists to get a chance to meet up and enjoy Piton, St. Lucia’s local beer.
Last, but not least, the East coast also comes with a party, where reggae and dancehall music animate the “Dennery Segment”, a phenomenon that is becoming more and more popular in the music world.
The Castries Market or the Arcade are exceptional places for shopping, anything from fresh fruits, vegetables, cocoa tea and local spices to souvenirs. The markets are places where you can truly get to experience the St. Lucian way of life, partake in a vibrant environment, full of attractions, people, and have the opportunity to get in touch with local customs, from Monday to Saturday.
Source: Shutterstock, Castries Market
That being said, there’s no denying St. Lucia is special, and now you know why. The Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences is located in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring places. Placed amidst this magnificence, we confidently extend an invitation to experience the essence of a piece of paradise. The next step would be for you to come to see for yourself – or come again, as you are welcome here with open arms!
