Things To Do In St Lucia
St Lucia is a place where emerald mountains meet turquoise seas, where the air smells faintly of hibiscus and the sunsets seem painted by an artist in love. Whether you’re staying at a plush all-inclusive or a boutique hideaway, the island has a way of tempting you beyond the pool and onto the trails, boats, and beaches that make it so unforgettable. Here’s our insider list of adventures you simply can’t miss, each handpicked with a Blue Bay Travel twist, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.
Hike up the beautiful Gros Piton Mountain
Lace up your hiking boots and set your sights on Gros Piton, one of St Lucia’s iconic Twin Peaks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your adventure in Soufrière, where guides are ready to lead you up the well-marked trail. Aim to set off early, typically between 6 and 7 AM, to avoid the midday heat and catch that golden Caribbean light as you climb. The hike isn’t a gentle stroll, but every drop of sweat is rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the ocean and lush hillsides from the summit. Many tours include lunch and plenty of water, and at around US $145 per adult, you’ll get both a challenge and an unforgettable memory. Don’t forget sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and your camera for those unforgettable landscapes.
Sail, snorkel, and catch a sunset cruise between the Pitons Mountains
If hiking is not your style, one of the best things to do in St Lucia is to go and see the Pitons from the sea. Hop aboard a catamaran from Laborie harbour and spend your morning gliding over sapphire-blue waters. Snorkellers will love exploring the vibrant reefs near Jalousie Bay, where colourful fish dart through corals in crystal clear waters. Morning trips run from around 8 AM to 12:30 PM, while the late-afternoon cruises, usually 4 PM to 6:30 PM, are pure magic for sunset chasers. Prices range from around US $100 for snorkelling to US $80 for a sunset sail, with reduced rates for children. Bring swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, and maybe a light cover-up for when the sea breeze kicks in. Whether you choose to snorkel or head out on a sunset sail, this is St Lucia at its most cinematic.
Explore the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Sulphur Springs
For a day that’s part nature walk, part spa retreat, make your way to Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens just outside Soufrière for one of the finest St Lucia excursions. Bask in the scent of tropical flowers, with every turn revealing something new, from giant ferns to rainbow-coloured blooms. The star of the show is the Diamond Waterfall, a cascade with mineral-rich waters that change colour depending on the volcanic activity upstream. Entry is just US $7 for adults, with reduced prices for children. Pair your visit with a stop at the nearby Sulphur Springs, where you can slather yourself in warm volcanic mud and then rinse off in the hot springs, all for around US $8. Bring comfy walking shoes and insect repellent. The gardens open from 8 AM to late afternoon, making them a perfect late-morning or early-afternoon trip.
Take in the view from the Tet Paul Nature Trail
If you want the kind of view that takes your breath away, then the Tet Paul Nature Trail is your answer. This easy-to-moderate hike near Fond Doux Plantation is often called the “Stairway to Heaven”, and for good reason. The trail is short, but every step rewards you with sweeping vistas of the Pitons, the sparkling sea, and the rolling countryside. At just US $10 per person (including a local guide), it’s also one of the island’s best-value activities. Go early in the morning for cooler air and fewer crowds, and take along sunscreen, water, bug spray, and a hat. It’s the kind of place where you’ll be rendered speechless by the miraculous views in that lie in wait.
Soak in the New Jerusalem Mineral Baths
If you’re thinking about what to do in St Lucia and fancy a chilled-out day, tucked away in the rainforest just outside Soufrière, the New Jerusalem Mineral Baths may just be the answer. The place feels like a secret whispered from one traveller to another, and after only a short walk through lush greenery you are brought to a series of small pools fed by naturally warm, mineral-rich water. It’s a blissfully quiet escape, especially if you arrive in the late morning before the few daily visitors trickle in. Entry costs about US $4, making it a wallet-friendly indulgence. Pack swimwear, water shoes, a towel, and a change of clothes, and prepare to feel your shoulders drop, and your worries dissolve into the steam.
Glide above the rainforest on an Aerial Tram
If the island looks magical from the ground, wait until you see it from above. The Rainforest Aerial Tram takes you floating over a canopy of tropical trees, where parrots chatter and orchids cling to mossy branches. Departures are available from Port Castries or via hotel pick-ups, with mid-morning being the sweet spot for clear skies and active wildlife. The experience lasts about 3½ hours and costs around US $110 per person. Bring a light long-sleeved top, insect repellent, and make sure your phone is charged for plenty of photos and be prepared to feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from a nature documentary.
Go Dolphin and Whale Watching (or Take a Land and Sea Tour)
St Lucia’s waters are home to dolphins year-round, and from October to February, migrating whales join the party. Book a tour from Soufrière or Rodney Bay and spend a morning scanning the horizon for fins and tails. Many trips also include snorkel stops or combine the ocean adventure with land-based highlights like volcanic mud baths and waterfalls. Prices hover around US $100 for marine-only tours or US $139 for full-day land-and-sea combos, with discounts for kids. Tours typically start between 8 AM and 9 AM and return mid-afternoon. Bring swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera because nothing beats capturing a dolphin mid-leap.
Conclusion
From volcanic hikes to rainforest canopy rides, mineral baths to sunset sails, St Lucia offers an unforgettable palette of experiences, each bursting with natural beauty, adventure, and local culture. Blue Bay Travel knows that the magic of this island lies in variety: whether hiking up Gros Piton, floating above emerald treetops, or sailing into the sunset between the twin Pitons. Enjoy high-adrenaline discoveries and peaceful retreats, and you’ll leave St Lucia with sun-kissed skin and memories that echo long after the flight home.
FAQs
What is St Lucia best known for?
St. Lucia is best known for its dramatic natural beauty and romantic, adventure-friendly atmosphere.
How many days in St Lucia is enough?
For most travellers, 7 to 10 days in St. Lucia is the perfect amount.
