3 days in Saint Lucia

Day by day

1. Day 1: The Pitons and Sulphur Springs

   The Pitons, Sulphur Springs and Sugar Beach, then Gros Islet Friday street party in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Pitons

      Gros Piton and Petit Piton, both over 700 metres high, are volcanic plugs rising directly from the sea south of Soufrière, linked by the Piton Mitan ridge.

   2. Late morning

      Sulphur Springs

      Wear an old dark swimsuit for the mud baths, and remove silver jewellery, which the sulphur can tarnish.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Green fig and saltfish

      Local restaurants and cafés, especially for breakfast and lunch, and the food section of Castries market.

   4. Afternoon

      Sugar Beach

      Also known as Anse des Pitons, this beach sits directly between the two Pitons, with a reef close to shore that is part of the marine reserve.

   5. Evening

      Gros Islet Friday street party

      Every Friday night, the streets of Gros Islet fill with sound systems, grills and drink stalls — the island's best-known party.

2. Day 2: Gros Piton hike and Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens

   Gros Piton hike, Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Tet Paul Nature Trail, then Rodney Bay strip in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Gros Piton hike

      Start as early as possible to avoid midday heat, and bring at least two litres of water and proper shoes.

   2. Late morning

      Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens

      On the old Soufrière Estate, landscaped tropical gardens lead to a waterfall stained by minerals in streaks of colour.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bouyon

      Local eateries and roadside cook-shops, often as a Saturday lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Tet Paul Nature Trail

      Go in the morning, when the Pitons are usually clearest, and allow time to talk with the guide about the plants on the farm.

   5. Evening

      Rodney Bay strip

      Bars, restaurants and a few clubs around the marina and Reduit Beach, open most nights.

3. Day 3: Anse Chastanet and Toraille Waterfall

   Anse Chastanet, Toraille Waterfall and Pigeon Island National Landmark, then Anse La Raye fish fry in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Anse Chastanet

      A dark-sand bay north of Soufrière with one of the island's best reefs, reached by a steep, rough road or by boat.

   2. Late morning

      Toraille Waterfall

      Bring swimwear and visit after lunch, when most tour groups have moved on.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Accra

      Friday fish fries at Gros Islet and Anse La Raye, and local snack bars.

   4. Afternoon

      Pigeon Island National Landmark

      Joined to the mainland by a causeway, this former island holds the ruins of British forts and barracks from the 18th-century wars with France.

   5. Evening

      Anse La Raye fish fry

      A more relaxed Friday evening with food stalls and music on the seafront.

If it rains

• Swap in Castries Central Market (Castries and Vigie): Go on a Saturday morning, the busiest market day, and avoid cruise-ship hours if you want a calmer visit.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Rodney Bay and Gros Islet keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Cap Estate ($$$$) suits luxury, quiet stays and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–24 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.3 hours in December to 12.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Saint Lucia
• 2 days in Saint Lucia
• 5 days in Saint Lucia

Questions travellers ask