Outdoors · Saint Lucia
8 best outdoor things to do in Saint Lucia
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Caribbeandy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with The Pitons, Sulphur Springs and Gros Piton hike. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 18–23 hours across 2 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 18–23 hours
- Areas
- Soufrière and Rodney Bay and Gros Islet
Outdoors in Saint Lucia
Nature · Soufrière
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day for viewpoints
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Free
Nature · Soufrière
2.Sulphur Springs
Wear an old dark swimsuit for the mud baths, and remove silver jewellery, which the sulphur can tarnish.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
Experience · Soufrière
3.Gros Piton hike
Start as early as possible to avoid midday heat, and bring at least two litres of water and proper shoes.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours return
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
Garden · Soufrière
4.Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
Go early or late in the day to avoid tour groups, and bring swimwear for the mineral baths.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Soufrière
5.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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Soufrière
6.Anse Chastanet
Snorkel along the right side of the bay, where the reef drops off just offshore, and combine it with neighbouring Anse Mamin.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Free
- Outdoors
Historic site · Rodney Bay and Gros Islet
7.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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
Beach · Rodney Bay and Gros Islet
8.Reduit Beach
Walk towards the quieter northern end, near the marina channel, when the central section fills up.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Soufrière | The Pitons, Sulphur Springs, Gros Piton hike, Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, Tet Paul Nature Trail and Anse Chastanet | Half a day for viewpoints + 1–1.5 hours + 4–5 hours return + 1 hour + 45 minutes + Half a day |
| Rodney Bay and Gros Islet | Pigeon Island National Landmark and Reduit Beach | 2–3 hours + Half a day |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 3 free, 4 low cost, 1 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Gros Piton hike; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 7 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Soufrière): The Pitons, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Soufrière): Sulphur Springs, at least 1 hour.
- Half-day 3 (Soufrière): Gros Piton hike, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Soufrière): Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens → Tet Paul Nature Trail, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Soufrière): Anse Chastanet, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Rodney Bay and Gros Islet): Pigeon Island National Landmark, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 7 (Rodney Bay and Gros Islet): Reduit Beach, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- February: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 11 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry and breezy; Independence Day brings celebrations and events across the island.
- April: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 10 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm and dry, with high season easing after Easter.
- March: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 11 rainy days, busy crowds. Among the driest months, with clear views of the Pitons and good hiking conditions.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Rodney Bay and Gros Islet — Marina, Reduit Beach and most of the island's restaurants and bars in the north
- Soufrière — The old French capital beneath the Pitons, with volcanic sights and dive bays
More of Saint Lucia
All things to do in Saint Lucia · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Saint Lucia?
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.
+Which of these are free in Saint Lucia?
The Pitons, Anse Chastanet and Reduit Beach.