Types of Holidays
With St Lucia being approximately a nine-hour flight from England, it isnât an ideal location for a short trip or a weekend excursion.
It is, however, perfect for a longer holiday, and is suited to those looking for a romantic getaway or family holidays for a couple of weeks.
Best Time to Go
As a Caribbean island, St Lucia has hot and humid weather all year, although the water helps cool things down thanks to colder breezes, which means that tourists will rarely feel uncomfortable from the heat.
Thanks to the proximity to the equator there are not well-defined seasons in St Lucia, but there is a rainy season between June and November.
Within this time are sporadic but heavy showers, although this should not negatively affect travelling there within those months as the downpours tend to be over quickly, and will help to alleviate the humidity, making it overall more comfortable for you.
What may be more alarming to potential visitors is the risk of severe storms, thanks to St Luciaâs location within the hurricane belt. However, as with the rain, this should not act as a deterrent, as advanced meteorological technology you will know in advance of any storm and will be able to remain safe.
Regardless of the rain and storms, visitors will be able to enjoy warm sun and blue skies whenever they decide to visit.
The high season of December to April means more tourists as there is usually less rain at this time and, thanks to the volume of tourists, many more events and attractions will be on.
Sights to See
As a Caribbean island, St Lucia has plenty on offer.
With historic buildings, religious sites and military forts, culture vultures will be in their element in St Lucia.
Government House Review is the official residence of St Luciaâs governor-general and is one of the remaining examples of Victorian architecture to be found there. Located halfway up Morne Fortune, it provides outstanding views, and inside guests will find Le Pavillon Royal Museum, showcasing historical documents and photographs, silverware, medals, awards and artefacts. The six nature reserves and parks showcase the flora and fauna as well as the wildlife within the rainforest.
Activities
Aside from the sights and gorgeous weather, St Lucia boasts an array of activities.
For those who like to try new things and get adventurous, diving is a great choice. The island has a number of diving operators, like Dive St Lucia and Scuba Steveâs Diving, ranging from beginners to advanced, and divers will get to see the array of sea life as well as coral walls, plateaux, flora and fauna, not to mention the secret nooks that are there to explore.
There are plenty of land-based activities also, such as the eco-hikes through the forests.
The Millet Bird Sanctuary trail is a two-mile loop in the rainforest that includes a habitat supporting more than 30 species of birds, with a mountain ridge 1000 feet above sea level, offering amazing views.
The Des Cartiers trail is also located in the rainforest and is packed with vegetation and wildlife.
If youâre looking for activities, why not explore St Lucia from the air in a helicopter with St Lucia Helicopters? The view from such a height is awe-inspiring, and you can see everything from the valleys to river ravines, from beaches and volcanic cliff faces to coves.
Beaches
Reduit Beach is five miles of white sand and azure waters. The calm water is ideal for a leisurely swim, while the soft sand is perfect for relaxing and catching a tan or walking hand-in-hand with your partner.
Jalousie Beach is another favourite, largely because of its setting between the Gros and Petit Piton volcanic peaks, while scuba divers enjoy the 1,800-foot drop-off at the bottom of the Pitons.
Anse Castanet is also popular with scuba divers, as it has a sharp drop-off, sea walls and a coral reef, thus allowing it to give an excellent look at the array of ocean life without straying far from the shore.
Beaches can be crowded, so Pigeon Island National Park is good for those looking for somewhere quiet. The beach is great for sunbathing and swimming in a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The mile-long beach of Grande Anse offers something special in Turtle Watch, where visitors can watch leatherback turtles climb ashore to lay their eggs.
Nightlife
No holiday would be complete without some nightlife, and St Lucia doesnât disappoint, providing an array of options.
Pulse is a nightclub with an executive lounge, and a disco that starts at 5pm. The lounge area is equipped with strobe lights and has a techno feel to it.
Mangoâs Bar is a lively bar on the street and one of the hotspots of Rodney Bay, while Delirius is an open-air deli-style restaurant with an open floor plan that has become one of the other hotspots.
Accommodation
The Ginger Lilly Hotel is a boutique hotel that is a favourite with past guests, in St Lucia. Ideally located just across from the beach and minutes away from the attractions of Rodney Bay, the hotel is also affordable and thus ideal for anyone travelling on a budget.
Also in Rodney Bay is the Bay Gardens Hotel. Families will find this an ideal place to stay, as it offers child and babysitting services, while people of all ages can appreciate the different tours, excursions and water sports available through the hotel.
The Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort is a PADI certified dive club as well as a popular and affordable resort, so is ideal for anyone that wants to go scuba diving in St Lucia, whether theyâre beginners or more experienced. The hotel can also organise other tours, sailing trips and water sports for their guests.