St. Lucia’s coastal coves and mountainous peaks are a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. Adventures lead you to wild rainforest walks, whale watching, adrenaline-pumping zip-line rides and under the cascade of a refreshing waterfall. You’re spoiled for choice with outdoor activities to choose from, as St. Lucia’s island terrain ranges from crescent-shaped white-sand beaches to lush rainforests and majestic mountains.
Dive into the crystal-clear water on a kayaking, scuba diving or snorkeling tour, then get on dry land to explore the island’s active volcano, mountain bike rugged trails or horseback ride along the coast. Wrap up your adventures on one of St. Lucia’s golden sands or soak your muscles in the healing hot springs.
Read on to discover our picks of the best places for an outdoor adventure in St. Lucia.
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Visit Pigeon Island National Park, St. Lucia
Pigeon Island National Park is a 40-acre islet and reserve that’s considered one of the island’s most historic attractions, sitting just across from St. Lucia’s famed Rodney Bay. Venture here for strategic lookouts that previously allowed the British to monitor movements of French troops in Martinique, but are now used for soaking up the island’s most spectacular scenery. Visit the interpretation center that showcases the island’s history, then dig your toes in the sand at one of the two white-sand beaches.
Stay: Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort offers a Pigeon Island Pirate Treasure Hunt activity that the entire family can enjoy, while The Landings Resort & Spa boasts an ideal location nestled on a beach that connects the island to the mainland.
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Soak up the Scenery at Marigot Bay, St. Lucia
Marigot Bay showcases the epitome of idyllic Caribbean with anchored boats, white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees. It’s been the backdrop of famous Hollywood movies, but more often is the setting for romantic excursions, where you can tuck into local restaurants for traditional Caribbean flavors, browse boutique shops or join tour operators offering scuba diving tours to Roseau Bay. For the best views of the picturesque bay, climb to the top of the hill in Marigot Village or hop in a kayak and glide through the mangroves.
Stay: Want an insider view of the marina? Stay at Marigot Bay Resort and Marina and sign up for their one-hour tour with the Dock Master, where you’ll gain insight into why travelers from around the world flock here.
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Hike Gros Piton, St. Lucia
Towering 2,619 feet above water level, the majestic Gros Piton is the most iconic natural wonder in St. Lucia and a hiker’s dream. Typically taking three to four hours to complete, this moderate hike has a steep ascent but is well worth the effort once you see gorgeous views of the surrounding islands and Soufriere Bay on top. Plus, Gros Piton and Petit Piton shelter several bird species, giant ferns and wild orchids.
Stay: Bodyholiday St. Lucia offers hiking tours to Gros Piton, but if you’re not up for a hike you can sign up for the 45-minute Piton Nature Walk to learn about St. Lucian culture, history and exotic horticulture, then take a short drive to Piton Falls where warm mineral water cascades 30 feet into a pool below.
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Snorkel off Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia
Water-loving travelers will want to put Anse Chastanet at the top of their bucket list, as it’s arguably the best beach in St. Lucia for snorkeling and diving adventures. The beach has stunning views of the Pitons and its coral reef boasts a treasure trove of marine life, including 150 species of fish, just 10 yards from the crystal-clear water’s edge. The edge of the plateau is a wall that drops 150 feet into an ecosystem full of lobsters, crabs and eels.
Stay: Stay at Anse Chastanet Resort if you want to explore the underwater treatures at Anse Chastanet, as you’ll have access to complimentary snorkel equipment and can sign up for guided boat trips.
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Diamond Botanical Gardens & Waterfall, St. Lucia
Located in a deep gorge at the foothills of the Pitons, Diamond Botanical Gardens are a part of the 2,000-acre Soufriere estate. Tall ancient trees tower over the blooming bushes and vines, including magenta-red hibiscus blooms and local fruits and vegetables such as christophine, soursop and dasheen. Walk along the narrow path to the natural gorge where there’s a sulfur spring that forms the famed Diamond Waterfall.
Stay: Just a 10-minute drive away, Stonefield Villa Resort offers guided tours to Diamond Falls, while Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort‘s tour includes a stop at the bustling Soufriere market and Soufriere town Square in addition to the falls.
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Sulphur Springs Park, St. Lucia
Billed as being home to the world’s only “drive-in volcano,” Sulphur Springs Park is a geologic wonder and an adventurous location where you can safely drive right by an active volcano. It emits sulfuric steam rather than lava in the western town of Soufriere. Be sure to soak in the mud baths and hot springs sitting just below the crater—they’re full of therapeutic minerals.
Stay: Ti Kaye Resort & Spa boasts a South Tour that combines a visit to the sulfur baths with the UNESCO-listed Pitons and drive-in volcano.
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Morne Coubaril Estate, St. Lucia
Visit Morne Coubaril Estate for a thrilling day trip of heart-thumping zipline adventures and lush landscapes. The estate’s ziplines exhibit the Pitons from a whole new angle, revealing a canopy of ancient banyans, coconut palms and mango trees and a bamboo-filled gorge as you soar overhead. When you land, you’ll learn about the working plantation that grows cocoa and coconuts and dine on Creole food at the on-site restaurant.
Stay: Want to see the estate from another unique perspective? Join the horseback riding tours at Fond Doux Plantation & Resort for a tour through Morne Coubaril’s botanical 18th-century plantation and an optional add-on trip to Qualiboua Volcano for a mud bath.
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Hiking & Birdwatching at Edmund Forest Reserve, St. Lucia
Perfect for travelers who enjoy a challenge, a hike through Edmund Forest Reserve reveals some of the best views in St. Lucia. Located high up on the island uplands near Enbas Saut Waterfalls Trail, guided hikes allow you to get up close to exotic plants and wildlife in the tropical rainforest. You might even spot St. Lucia’s rare national parrot, the Amazona Versicolour in addition to Redneck Pigeons, Hummingbirds and a variety of other indigenous birds.
Stay: The luxurious Ladera Resort offers a Rainforest Tour that takes you through the reserve, highlighting the unique features of the beautiful tropical flowers, trees, ferns and local wildlife found along the trails.
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Splash Island Water Park, St. Lucia
Splash Island Water Park is a family-friendly amusement park, perfect for young adventurers at heart. Located on Reduit Beach on the northwestern coast, this open-water sports park has a range of inflatable obstacle courses. Let the kids loose as they climb over inflatable walkways and bouncy castles, then fly high on the trampolines and try their hand at the rope bridges and water volleyball.
Stay: A stay at Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa means you’ll have free access to Splash Island Water Park, and it’s located just steps away. Once the kids tire of the inflatable fun, the hotel’s array of other water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding and paddle boating are sure to entertain.
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Treetop Adventure Park, St. Lucia
Located near the historic town of Dennery Quarter on the east coast, Treetop Adventure Park is an action-packed attraction for the whole family. While its speedy ziplines that stretch across the forest canopy are a sure-fire hit, the park also boasts tours that include open-top Jeep safari excursions along the eastern coast and cycling trips to Errard Waterfall, the highest on the island.
Stay: Stay at Oasis Marigot for a package tour that combines a ziplining adventure with an Aerial Tram Tour through the rainforest and a walk on Descartiers Trail to spot exotic birds.
