St. Lucia is a small, lush tropical gem. It is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent. St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. The Atlantic Ocean kisses the eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty and calm to the Caribbean Sea.
St. Lucia seems like an island plucked from the South Pacific. It’s dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species. The rainforest is broken only be verdant fields and orchards of banana, coconut, mango and papaya trees.
With lovely little towns, beautiful beaches and bays, mineral baths, and banana plantations, you won’t tire of exploring St. Lucia. Popular excursions on our cruise were the Volcanic Expressions and Beach Escape, Rainforest Aerial Tram and Between the Pitons catamaran cruise.
Near Soufrière lies the famous “drive-in” volcano, Mount Soufrière, a rocky lunar landscape of bubbling mud and craters seething with sulfur. You literally drive your car into a millions-of-years-old crater and walk between the sulfur springs and pools of hissing steam. Many people commented that the smell was too strong.
One of the best beaches is Pigeon Point Beach off the north shore, part of the Pigeon Island National Historic Park . The small beach here has white sand and is an ideal place for a picnic. Pigeon Island is joined to the mainland of St. Lucia by a causeway, so it’s easy to reach. The most frequented beach by tourists is Reduit Beach at Rodney Bay, 2km (1 1/4 miles) of soft beige sand fronting very clear waters. Many watersports kiosks can be found along the strip bordering Royal St. Lucian Hotel. With all its restaurants and bars, you’ll find plenty of refueling stops.
Built for the cruise-ship passenger, Pointe Seraphine, in Castries, has the best collection of shops on the island, along with offices for car rentals, organized taxi service (for sightseeing), a bureau de change, a philatelic bureau, an information center, and international phones. Cruise ships berth right at the shopping center. Under red roofs in a Spanish-style setting, the complex requires that you present a cruise pass or an airline ticket to the shopkeeper when purchasing goods. Visitors can take away their purchases, except liquor and tobacco, which will be delivered to the airport. When shopping, please note that due to a Red Palm Mite found on the island, items found in port made from Green Palm and banana leaves such as hats and souvenir items are normally not aloud on the ships.
