Saint Lucia is an absolute dream, and there’s no place like it! The magnificent Caribbean island is located south of Martinique and northeast of Saint Vincent. If you’re planning a trip and looking to relax or go on some of the best adventures, this post is for you. I am sharing the top 10 amazing things to see & do in St Lucia.
Pin Me for Later!
This is the first post in the Saint Lucia travel series. Here’s the complete 7-part series:
Saint Lucia Travel Series
Bucket List: Top 10 Amazing Things To See & Do In Saint Lucia
Travel Itinerary: How To Spend 5 Days in Saint Lucia
Inspiration: 30 Pictures That Will Make You Want To Go To Saint Lucia
Packing Essentials: Packing Guide for 5 Days in Saint Lucia
Travel Guide: St Lucia Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Land and Sea Tour Guide: Knotty Girls Speed Boat Tours
For the Culture: The Best Cultural Activities & Tours in Saint Lucia
Top 10 Best Things To See & Do In Saint Lucia
1. Visit Castries Market
No trip is complete without visiting the Castries Market. This open-air market is one of the largest markets in Saint Lucia, filled with over 300 vendors selling everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, jewelry, clothing, and crafts. In the back of the market, you will find rows of vendors selling mouthwatering homemade food.
I visited the market every day for a delicious, filling, and affordable meal. Be sure to arrive at the market earlier in the day, as the most popular food vendors sell out before 2:00 pm! I promise you won’t be sorry!
Insider tip: For the best fresh fruit, visit the Catoh right around the corner from the Castries Market on Jeremie Street. Catoh sells various of the tastiest and freshest fruit for affordable prices too!
2. Don’t miss the Gros Islet Street Party
This street party should most definitely be on your St. Lucia bucket list. Every Friday night, rain or shine, this street party is known as “Friday night Gros Islet jump up” and attracts locals and visitors alike.
The streets come alive with food vendors selling the freshest caught fish, barbecued meats, and more. Oh, how could I forget the libations and the best DJs and bands playing the hottest jams, including Soca and Afrobeats.
After a few Pitons (the local beer) or a few rum cocktails, I guarantee you’ll dance until the sun comes up! Gros Islet’s street party was one of the highlights of my trip, so be sure to plan your visit and stay for at least one Friday!
3. Soak up the sun at Marigot Bay
This hidden gem is totally worth visiting and spending the day soaking up the sun and admiring the incredible scenery. If you’re driving, the best thing is to park nearby and catch the free ferry that will take you across the channel to the beach.
I won’t lie; while this isn’t the most spectacular beach in terms of white sand, it certainly offers a more relaxing Caribbean vibe. We met a few locals who introduced us to a cocktail called cocoloso, which consisted of a fresh coconut cut open and a strong Lucian rum! I won’t lie; the drink was incredible!
4. Head to Pigeon Island Beach
You can’t go wrong with spending a day at Pigeon island beach! It’s one of the most vibrant and incredible beaches in Saint Lucia! Looking to soak up the beach vibes and listen to the sound of the Caribbean music playing while listening to the waves crash into the sand? Then look no further; this is the beach for you!
Popular among locals, you’re sure to have a unique experience with the option to partake in various water activities. If you decide to do any of the water activities, be sure to negotiate the price beforehand.
5. Take a Land and Sea Tour
If you don’t do anything on this list, you must spend the day exploring the island with Garth and Kervenus on the Knotty Girl boat tour. This incredible tour includes visiting the island’s top attractions, including Sugar Beach, the Pitons, Sulfur Springs, and Toraille waterfall. On board, the crew ensures you’ll have an unforgettable time, enjoying ice-cold Pitons or rum punch while listening to the best Caribbean music.
6. Go Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Saint Lucia has no shortage of spectacular places to snorkel or scuba dive. However, if you’re looking for the best place to spend the day admiring the underwater oasis, head to Anse Chastanet in Soufriere. Anse Chastanet Reef is home to more than 150 different fish species and is known for its pristine coral reefs. Night diving is also available if you’re interested in exploring the reef at night.
7. Experience Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
While Toraille Waterfall and Piton Falls are incredibly fantastic and worth visiting, they don’t compare to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths. Located in the heart of Soufrière, this 50 ft waterfall has the most exquisite colors due to the natural minerals. Here you can hire a guide to learn about the tropical foods and spices, visit the impressive waterfalls and bask in the therapeutic hot springs. The best time to visit is in the afternoon after all the crowds of people leave.
8. Dine at Mama’s Kitchen
After spending a relaxing afternoon at the Diamond Falls, head to Mama’s Kitchen for an authentic and home-cooked Lucian meal. The food is out of the world, not to mention affordable. What I loved the most was the restaurant has seating out front overlooking the water. It was absolute paradise and a place I plan to return to during my next visit!
9. Enjoy a Massage at Escape Spa
Stonefield Villa Resort is one of the three black-owned adult-only boutique resorts in Saint Lucia. Book an appointment at the Escape Spa for a refreshing and calming massage if you want to spend a morning or afternoon getting pampered. You have the option to book a massage indoors or outside, overlooking the magnificent Jade Mountain. I opted to have my massage inside and enjoyed every minute of it!
After the massage ended, my masseuse handed me a glass of wine, and I sat outside relaxing while studying Jade Mountain. After your massage, stop at the Mango Tree Restaurant for a zombie cocktail and a jerk caesar salad.
While I was bummed I didn’t get to stay here; it will undoubtedly be a place I will stay when I return!
Insider Tip: Book, a private villa at the Stonefield Villa Resort, to get the most out of your Lucian trip to enjoy everything this luxury resort offers!
10. Hike the Pitons
Whether you’re adventurous and appreciate the outdoors, hiking one or both of the Pitons is most definitely a Saint Lucia bucket list activity. The Pitons are dormant volcanoes: Gros and Petite Piton. To hike the Gros Piton, the bigger and more manageable of the two (2,619 ft), takes about 2 hours to get to the top.
Hiking up the piton alone is not advised, and I recommend hiring a local guide for around $45. If you’re looking for a challenge, try hiking the Petit Piton (2,438 ft). The hike takes about 4 hours and is more complicated than Gros Piton. You must have a guide with you as going alone is not recommended. You can see nearby Martinique and Saint Vincent islands on a clear day.
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
There you have it! Saint Lucia is a paradise with endless things to do, and while this isn’t an exhaustive list of everything the island has to offer, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from!