Jan 5, 2024

The 6 Top Attractions in St Lucia

St Lucia is one of the smaller islands in the Caribbean, but don’t let that trick you into thinking that there’s nothing to do here. It’s a destination with a lot of history and a unique culture, offering a range of different attractions for visitors who decide to come and stay.

Part of the Lesser Antilles volcanic chain, some of St Lucia’s natural attractions are related to its volcanic geography, although there are no active volcanoes to worry about on or around the island. It’s home to incredibly lush greenery, beautiful birds and plenty of classic Caribbean beaches that are best enjoyed in the hot weather that the island enjoys for so much of the year.

If you’re planning a trip to St Lucia, you’re likely wondering what some of the best things to see and do around the island are. In this guide, we share our recommendations for the six best attractions of St Lucia, offering something for everyone who comes and stays on this small but mighty island.

The Pitons

One of the main tourist attractions in St Lucia that is visited by thousands of travellers every year are the twin peaks known as the Pitons. Located on the southwestern coast of the island, they’re an iconic symbol of the island that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their unique beauty and significance.

The Pitons are two volcanic plugs that were formed when magma rose and hardened inside the neck of volcanoes that were once on the island. Gros Piton is located close to the town of Soufrière and can be accessed either from Anse L’ivrogne Beach or Fond Gens Libre, and Petit Piton is closest to Choiseul a little further down the coast.

Whilst simply admiring the Pitons from the coast or the water is enough for many tourists, with Tet Paul Nature Trail offering the best view of Pitons in St Lucia, visitors also have the option to climb the 2,619ft of Gros Piton. This is a challenging hike that requires a good level of fitness and determination, but the views you’ll get along the three to six-hour trek will make the effort worth it.

It’s a good idea to hike up Gros Piton with a local guide who can show you the best routes and photogenic spots to catch your breath. Petit Piton, whilst being smaller at only 2,461ft, is much harder and more dangerous to climb, so is not recommended for tourists unless you get official permission and plan your route with a specialist.

Even climbing some of Gros Piton will offer wonderful views of the coast of the island, and visiting this spot is definitely one of the best things to do in St Lucia. If you are going to hike, we recommend that you set out very early in the morning so you avoid getting caught in the heat of midday, which will make the journey a lot harder.

Mud Baths

If you’re looking for attractions in St Lucia that are as unique as they are enjoyable, the mud baths at Sulphur Springs should be firmly on your holiday itinerary. Located close to the Pitons in the southwest part of the island near Soufriere, they’re another really popular place to visit in St Lucia that is ideal for couples or families.

The mud baths in St Lucia are the product of geothermal activity that happens as part of the volcanic nature of the island. These pools form when naturally hot water mixes with ash from the nearby volcanoes, creating a thick liquid that has plenty of beneficial properties for your skin and health.

The mud baths at Sulphur Springs are caused by the nearby Soufrière Volcano, which hasn’t erupted in the last 200 years and is considered dormant because of this lack of activity. As part of the mud bath experience, you can also take part in a tour of the volcano, which includes an opportunity to go inside the structure and look around.

When you book an official mud bath experience at Sulphur Springs, you’ll get to spend time in the mud baths after your volcano tour and then take a trip to a nearby waterfall to wash the mud off in the middle of a beautiful garden. It’s an activity that is suitable for all ages and has plenty of health benefits, so is definitely worth doing on a luxury trip to St Lucia.

Zip Lining

One of the top things to do in St Lucia for travellers looking for an exciting activity is a zip-lining experience through the island’s forest. Several attractions offer this activity with various levels of difficulty and adrenaline, and it’s a fantastic way to spend a morning or afternoon on the island, especially if you’re visiting as a family or in a group.

Ziplining involves being safely secured into a harness and then following a trail of lines and wires around the treetops. Whether you’re crossing bridges, jumping between platforms or flying through the air attached only to the line above you, it’s a thrilling experience offering incredible views of the forest beneath you. 

St Lucia is home to some incredible forest scenery, and if you want to get the best views then ziplining is definitely one of the island’s top attractions. Rainforest Adventures is a popular place for ziplining in St Lucia which also has an Aerial Tram that offers a slightly more relaxing way to see the forest from up high. 

Treetop Adventure Park in Dennery is another spot that is famous for being home to the highest, longest, and fastest lines in St. Lucia, making this a great choice for travellers who really want an exciting adventure! If you want to plan a whole day out, Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park and Estate near Soufriere has a ziplining trail which you can experience after a rum or chocolate tasting and a tour of the old plantation house.

Catamaran Tours

Sailing is one of the most popular things to do in St Lucia, which makes catamaran tours one of the most popular attractions for visitors. The island has a beautiful coastline and on a hot day, there’s no better way to keep cool and enjoy being outdoors than sailing on the Caribbean Sea aboard a catamaran.

Catamarans have two parallel hulls and a deck built between them, making them one of the smoothest options for sailing. This is ideal for visitors to the island who are planning a boat tour, as you’ll have a much calmer ride than if you’d chosen any other type of vessel.

There are plenty of catamaran tour operators in St Lucia, so no matter where you’re staying on the island, it won’t be difficult to find a company that can arrange a trip out on the water for your group. Different types of catamaran tours in St Lucia are also available, including snorkelling excursions, romantic sunset cruises or boat trips that include an indulgent meal on board.

You can take a catamaran tour in St Lucia for a couple of hours or charter a boat for the whole day and enjoy really being able to relax as you sail around the island. Some of the best views around St Lucia are from the water, and a catamaran cruise is a great choice to admire these.

Pigeon Island

One of the most popular natural attractions in St Lucia is Pigeon Island, a small islet just off the northern coast of the island. It was linked to St Lucia in 1972 when a causeway was built between the two and was made a National Park in 1979 and a National Landmark in 1992.

Pigeon Island is a site of historical significance in St Lucia as it was once the base for the military forces that occupied the island in the 18th century. It was also the home of pirates including the famous Jambe du Bois, who’d make the most of the clear vantage point the islet offered and return there after raiding ships travelling to other Caribbean destinations.

You can enjoy the cultural and historic legacy of Pigeon Island by visiting the ruins and remains of Fort Rodney. It’s also a wonderful place to really appreciate the diversity of nature in this part of the Caribbean, especially thanks to the island’s protected status.

Hiking is a popular activity when you visit Pigeon Island, with popular trails leading visitors around Fort Rodney and up and down Signal Peak. It’s also a great place to enjoy quieter beaches than on the mainland, especially if you take the time to seek out some of the secret coves around the islet.

If you’re looking for an attraction that is perfect for a day trip, Pigeon Island should be at the top of your list.

Millet Bird Sanctuary

Birdwatching is another of the main tourist attractions in St Lucia, and there’s no better place to learn more about the avian species that live on the island than the Millet Bird Sanctuary. The reserve is situated in the centre of the island about six miles from Millet’s west-coast highway and is home to around thirty different types of birds, which is more than enough to keep you busy trying to spot when you visit.

The five main endemic species to St Lucia can be found at the bird sanctuary: the St. Lucia Black Finch, St. Lucia Parrot, St. Lucia Warbler, St. Lucia Oriole and St. Lucia Pewee. As you wander around the reserve and its lush forest, keep your eyes peeled for these particular creatures, as well as all the other tropical birds that make their home in the leaves and branches overhead.

You can book a guided tour of the Millet Bird Sanctuary if you’d like to learn more about the island’s birds and the work that the sanctuary does, or you can explore on your own. There’s a 1.75-mile trail around the reserve which includes a climb to 1000 feet above sea level, offering impressive views of the huge John Compton Dam.

A visit to the Millet Bird Sanctuary is one of the St Lucia top things to do with kids, but is also an excellent attraction for visitors who want to find out more about the island’s wildlife.

Summary

Plenty of the top things to do in St Lucia focus on enjoying the island’s scenery and wildlife, so it’s a good thing that the weather is warm here all year round! Whether you’re looking for romantic activities, exciting adventures or opportunities to learn more about the island’s history, there’s a fantastic variety of attractions on and around the island that offer plenty of options for how to spend your time when you visit.

If you’re planning a holiday to St Lucia and are looking for somewhere to stay, The Villa Collection has a hand-picked portfolio of villas on the island that are perfect for an unforgettable holiday. Browse our selection of St Lucia villas or head to our blog to read more advice on what to see and do around the island.