The most beautiful natural sites to discover Saint Lucia

The two volcanic needles of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, 770 and 743 m high, which fall steeply into the waters of Soufrière Bay, are so emblematic of the island that their stylized silhouettes were chosen to adorn the flag of Saint Lucia and that the Pitons Management Area was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004. Hikes are possible to access the Gros Piton (Gros Piton Nature Trail), and diving or boat rides at the foot of the mountains allow you to admire these two magnificent sugar loaves.

Connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land, the Pigeon Island peninsula extends over 18 hectares. The site is managed by the Saint-Lucia National Trust, an organization responsible for the conservation, maintenance and protection of the island's natural and historical sites. The first European settlers were French pirates in the ^16th century, looking for Spanish ships to plunder. The area is popular for weddings (couples in wedding outfits can be seen posing) and for its jazz festival in May. A 20-minute walk around the mountain takes you to the top. Here, strategic vantage points on the two former cannon batteries offer breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea: you can even see the coast of Martinique! Along the way, you'll discover small snack bars (one of which is called Jambe de Bois, in reference to the first pirate to settle on the site), the remains of bunkers and stone barracks, and a small on-site military museum. Two shaded beaches with crystal-clear waters are among the most beautiful on the island. Tip: bring your own picnic. It's possible to rent a deckchair and spend the day here, away from the hustle and bustle of Rodney Bay. On the way out of the park, you'll find a few small straw huts where you can enjoy a drink. Superb at sunset!

A walk to the volcano, with beautiful water points in the locality. The site is suitable for relaxation, discovery, swimming…

This former colonial plantation with a rich historical past offers 4 themed activities: a tour of the estate, a horseback ride, zip-lining and dinner. Chaperoned by a guide, the tour begins with a brief history of the estate, through replicas of the huts used by slaves 2 centuries ago. The walk continues through the medicinal plant garden, followed by the cocoa house, where you can follow the cocoa bean process with the "cocoa dance". Local fruit tasting on site at the end of the tour.

There are plenty of hiking opportunities in the jungle, especially in the Edmond Forest reserve, where you can see an endemic species, the Parrot of Saint Lucia. It is mandatory to be guided by a custodian of the reserve (pay fee, find out).

South of. A place steeped in history, ideal for appreciating the military genius of freedom warriors. A historic battle, won by the freedom fighters against the powerful military forces of the British army, came here once, in the place of the place now named «Soft Estate». Since then, the beauty of the site tends to soften the memories of its history, which has left it with a magnificent th century plantation, with natural trails dotted with fruit gardens. A true paradise where tropical bird songs blend with the unruffled beauty of the colonial plantation.

Rising a few meters from the mountain, surrounded by lush vegetation where you can find other pools downstream, the Latille Falls is a must-see. A sign on the road indicates the location on the main road between Micoud and Vieux Fort. The hike (easy) begins with a 10-minute walk through a sumptuous garden of fruit trees and tropical flowers. The first waterfall allows you to refresh yourself, and there are also benches for a picnic.

Fond d'Or Nature Reserve and Historical Park is located in the Mabouya valley, 45 minutes from Castries, known as the center for agriculture, sugar and rum. You will discover remains of an old sugar mill, windmill and the plantation house, which is now an interpretation center. The history brings you back to the creepy slave trade that fueled the labor in the plantations two centuries ago. The area is rich in history with an Amerindian site, mangrove, tropical forest and trail through dry scrub woodlands to a sandy beach. Swimming is hazardous as the sea is rough. From April to June, Fond d'Or bay becomes a leatherback turtle nest spot. In May, the historical park is one of the best venue for the festival of jazz.

Toraille Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to visit! After passing through the entrance hut and paying the entrance fee, the waterfall is reached in a few steps through a nature trail with picturesque bridges and walkways winding through a tropical garden. At the foot of the waterfall, which rises 7 to 10 meters above a cliff, you can jump into the beautiful and invigorating pool. Changing rooms on the spot.

One of the oldest sugar mills still visible in Saint Lucia. Built in 1860 and restored in 1990, the mill allows to understand the process of pressing and fermentation of sugar cane, prior to the introduction of industrial machinery. Surrounded by a garden of flowers and tropical plants, it is a popular place for weddings.

Union Nature Trail. In the City of Union, the Forestry Department (Ministry of Forestry) has its natural trail, a perfect microcosm of the flora of the island as a medical garden for plants that promote the treatment and cure of several diseases. The Union Zoo is home to very rare animal species, discovered in Saint Lucia.

Soufrière estate was originally part of a 2000 acres of land granted by Louis XVI to a French family named Devaux in recognition of their service in 1713 to "crown and country". From a cocoa plantation, the Devaux family change it to a fabulous natural touristic attraction with a botanical garden, minerals baths and a nature trail. Majority of the tropical flowers are founded here. Ginger Lily, anthurium, but also plants like the castor oil tree and birds like the famous hummingbird and many others endemic species of the island. At the back of the garden, you will be blown away by the beauty of the diamonds fall. Swimming is prohibited, however you can enjoy the 3 pools with therapeutic water. Built for the French troops of Louis XVI, 12 baths were destroyed by the Brigands during the French revolution. Since that, 3 pools with warm water are available to the public.

On the heights of Castries, this promontory with its wooden footbridge offers a panoramic view of Castries Bay, the Caribbean Sea and the huge cruise ships anchored in the bay. It can be reached from the main road: once you've passed the terminal ferry, take the first road on the left that goes uphill and, in less than two minutes, you'll reach the viewpoint. It's impossible to miss this spot: souvenir sellers are set up in front of it, as well as a few makeshift vendors. It's a great place to take some great photos!

Two small islets located on Vieux-Fort coastal strip that forms a natural reserve where take refuge two exceptional species: the kouwes snake and the zandoli lezard. The kouwes snake is one of the rarest snakes in the world. It took up residence on the Maria-Major islet. It was expelled from Saint Lucia island for the inhabitants' comfort. The zandoli is a species of common lizard. Zandoli males gladly agitate their long and beautiful tail, which becomes bright blue under the effects of the sunshine. A boat trip to the Maria islands can be arranged at the Saint Lucia national Trust service (the receptionist of your hotel will be happy to help you). For good swimmers only!

Frigate Islands. Approximately 2 km of natural trails bypass the reserve to the point of observation of the small island of Frigate. The frigates, large seabirds, nest in this place during the summer period. It is quite rare to see them at another time of the year. Throughout the trails, vegetation is very diverse, ranging from species claiming little water to those requiring the presence of marine mangrove. A large quantity of birds have been elected to the site: the ramier pigeon, the oriole of Saint Lucia, several species of herons, etc. The site is also the natural habitat of the shy boa boa.

In this paradisiacal place where fauna and flora are queens, you can visit the waterfalls, experience the hot springs coming from the volcano and rich in minerals, or taste a fruit or spices of the country. The site has a long history. A well-maintained path winds from the mineral hot spring baths through ferns and banana trees to a place where the Diamond River flows into a picturesque 17 meter high waterfall.

Beautiful waterfalls in the middle of a preserved nature. To get there, once the car is parked on the parking lot, you will have to make a short hike on an easy path accessible to hikers of all levels. At the end of the trail, you'll come to a beautiful waterfall, surrounded by tropical trees. Below the waterfalls, a small pond allows you to refresh yourself. The place is very popular with the locals who come to bathe and meditate in the serenity of the waterfalls.

Perhaps you will have the opportunity to visit the marine protected zone called Soufrière Marine Management on the west coast. It is an important project for preserving the coastal environment of the island and the activities practiced there. This project ensures vigilance so that Saint Lucia can preserve all the wealth and beauty of its underwater universe. As mountainous under the sea as on the land, the island offers an incomparable view to divers which explore the huge diversity of nature: gigantic sea fans, black coral trees, giant barrel-sponges, mauve branching vase sponges and dome shaped coral. The butterfly-fishes, the black beauties, the lampreys with gilded fringe, the seahorses, the stingrays, the nurse sharks, the turtles and  many varieties of fish which gather in benches as abundant as colored and varied; some submerged wrecks, as well as a mysterious serpentine creature with proportions, it appears, gigantic and called The Thing, make diving in the waters of Saint Lucia even more exciting. Not far from there, you can also dive in front of Grande Caille peninsula, where one observes a great coral diversity, sponges and coral fish. You can obviously do beautiful diving along the basaltic slopes of the Pitons, around Petit Piton, where water abounds with coral and pelagic fish, or in front of the Gros Piton cliff.  And in the Soufrière bay, there are four underwater pitons, the Key Hole Pinnacles, with vertiginous edges.

An experience that honors Creole practices and traditions. The preparation of kassav bread on macambou leaves, the crayfish fishery, the flavors of local honey from the hips, the traditional cutting of local wood or the music of chak-chak are all activities and animations to be discovered. This is a real Creole experience to share with friends and local people!

In the south of Castries, not of the bay on the gentle hillside looking onto the harbour is located La Toc, where has extremely battery was built in the 1800's. This Belongs to one of the best conserved among 60 forts that surrounds the capital. Walking around, you see mounted let us rattan, reinforced walls, underground bunkers and tunnels. It is still in excellent condition and the owner, Alice Bagshaw such about military history. The battery has four levels. there has shells blind and artillery cellar. Many groups from the cruise ships visit during the high season. Duration of visit 30 minutes.