5 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

      See them from the sea on a boat trip and from the Tet Paul Nature Trail viewpoint; each angle shows a different pair of shapes. (Half a day for viewpoints, free).

   2. Late morning

      Sulphur Springs

      Wear an old dark swimsuit for the mud baths, and remove silver jewellery, which the sulphur can tarnish. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   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

      Arrive by water taxi from Soufrière for the best view of the Pitons from the sea, and snorkel the reef on the right side of the bay. (Half a day, free).

   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. (4–5 hours return, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens

      Go early or late in the day to avoid tour groups, and bring swimwear for the mineral baths. (1 hour, low cost).

   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. (45 minutes, low cost).

   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

      Snorkel along the right side of the bay, where the reef drops off just offshore, and combine it with neighbouring Anse Mamin. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Toraille Waterfall

      Bring swimwear and visit after lunch, when most tour groups have moved on. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Accra

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

   4. Afternoon

      Pigeon Island National Landmark

      Climb Signal Peak in the late afternoon for the views over Rodney Bay, then swim at the small beach before leaving. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Anse La Raye fish fry

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Soufrière and the Pitons by boat

   About 1–1.5 hours by boat from Rodney Bay each way. Getting there: Boat tour from Rodney Bay or Marigot Bay.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Soufrière and the Pitons by boat

      About 1–1.5 hours by boat from Rodney Bay (Boat tour from Rodney Bay or Marigot Bay); about 45 km.

   2. Day

      Soufrière and the Pitons by boat

      Catamaran and speedboat trips from the north sail down the west coast past Marigot Bay and Anse La Raye to Soufrière, visiting Sulphur Springs and a waterfall, with snorkelling in the marine reserve under the Pitons. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Saint Lucia

      Dinner: try Bakes and saltfish.

5. Day 5: Reduit Beach and Rainforest aerial tram and zip-lines at Chassin

   Reduit Beach, Rainforest aerial tram and zip-lines at Chassin and Marigot Bay, then Piton-view stay in Soufrière in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Reduit Beach

      Walk towards the quieter northern end, near the marina channel, when the central section fills up. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Rainforest aerial tram and zip-lines at Chassin

      Choose the tram for wildlife spotting and the zip-lines for thrills; morning visits usually have more bird activity. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bakes and saltfish

      Bakeries, roadside stands and local breakfast cafés across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Marigot Bay

      Visit around sunset for drinks overlooking the bay, and use the small water taxi to reach the beach side. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Piton-view stay in Soufrière

      Hillside hotels around Soufrière have rooms and plunge pools looking straight at the Pitons.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 26–34 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Saint Lucia

Questions travellers ask