![]() Photo © Paul Buceta - Fotolia.com |
If you love nature then St. Lucia may be the place for you. This verdant isle is famous for its exotic mix of soaring green peaks, blue bays and volcanic sands. And like any worthy Eden, it has a wealth of sensuous pleasures awaiting the weary traveler.
For one of the most sublime stays on the island, try Anse Chastanet. Its gray-black sand, fringed by coconut palms, is the ideal place to curl up with that best seller you’ve been meaning to get to for the last six months. For an equally splendid stretch of sand head for Anse des Pitons tucked between the island’s twin peaks. Here the sand is surprisingly white given the area's volcanic origin. That’s because it was imported from South America. Talk about free trade.
Yearning for a little pampering? Then head for the Sandals Grande Lucian. This is one of the neatest St. Lucia beaches and if you stay at the resort they'll treat you like a king.
"If I were king of the forrrrest!!"
Another small St. Lucia beach is in Marigot Bay where yachts anchor. OK, so ‘small’ may be overstating the case. In fact it's rather tiny, but in such an idyllic setting, who's gonna complain?
If you’re looking for more activity, head for Reduit Beach where many of the island‘s resorts are located. But be forewarned, on St. Lucia 'activity' is considered shifting position on your beach chair occasionally.
"Yes, these folks are my kind of people."
| Region | Country | Best Season | |||||
| Caribbean | St. Lucia | December - April | |||||
| Anse Chastanet | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Relaxed | Small | Excellent | Black | Required | Yes | 8 |
| Nice little gray-black sand beach with palms. Stay at the four-star Anse Chastanet developed by an architect who left one wall off some villas.
Breathe in that fresh air and take in the view of the Twin Pitons. Photo by Ross Boxshall © All Rights Reserved | $$$$ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Sandals Grande | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Relaxed | Small | Crystal | Fine | Required | Yes | 8 |
| This long beach is at the exquisite Sandals Grande Lucian, a couples-only resort that provides free weddings. Now if that isn't romantic, what is? Photo by Kevin McWeeney © All Rights Reserved | $$$ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Marigot Bay | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Excellent | Fine | Required | Yes | 7 |
| Quaint little harbor for yachts, with resorts and villas nestled in the hills above it. The beach is not spacious but the scene is worthy of a movie set. Nearby Accoms: Beach Club, JJ's, Nature’s, Inn On The Bay. Photo by Dave Ellwood © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Anse des Pitons | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Relaxed | Small | Crystal | Fine | Required | Yes | 8 |
| Set in a bay between the Twin Pitons, this dramatic scene is perfect for lizard-lazing. You can slip in by boat, sneak through the jungle or stay at the Hilton Jalousie or Jalousie Plantation - the two resorts located here. Photo by Bob Bosch © All Rights Reserved | $$ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Reduit Beach | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Relaxed | Small | Excellent | Fine | Required | Yes | 7 |
| This St. Lucia beach is the primary tourist center of the island. It's split in two parts by a marina waterway, the south part being busier and the north more tranquil. Nearby Accoms: Papillon, St. Lucian, Village Hotel. Photo by Thadd Palmer © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| CLICK HERE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS | |||||||
| Let's keep it safe out there! Because ocean conditions change daily, follow these rules: (1) Always check with 'locals' about hazards before entering the water, (2) Obey all 'warning flags', (3) Swim inside 'safety areas' provided, (4) Never swim alone, and (5) Never swim far out. Finally, when in doubt, don't go in. | |||||||
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