Tropical Island Excursions

St. Lucia simply fresh, floral and fantastic!

St. Lucia is rich in natural beauty – and there is so much to see and do. This tropical island beckons the visitor to explore. Historical, cultural and heritage sites can be found throughout the island. Local tour companies combining several of the sites and attractions offer a large variety of tours.

Attractions and tours can be sought by location as well as by type. More recently St. Lucia has developed a multiplicity of community based heritage tourism sites, these are well marked with Heritage Tourism Site signage.

Of course, St. Lucia being a tropical island, is surrounded by water. Boat tours – daytime or at sunset are also options to choose from.

Tropical Islands Rainforest

Deep in St Lucia’s mountainous, tropical islands interior almost 1,800 feet above sea level, lies 19,000 acres of rainforest and the 29 miles of trails that run through it.

The rainforest is respected as a habitat for rare birds and plants, a world where lushness is overpowering, where elusive parrots squawk overhead, orchids scent the air, hummingbird buzz near brilliant heliconia and climbing palms encircle tall trees like lovers in a parting embrace.

It has taken centuries for St Lucia’s tropical island rainforest to become its current well-developed refuge. Nonetheless, two thousand years ago, Arawak tribes associated the dark woods with evil spirits and for centuries the forest remained untouched and the spirits the Amerindians feared evolved into island folklore.

Amongst the most enduring symbols of the rainforest is St Lucia’s National bird, the Amazona Versicolor or the Jacquot as it is affectionately known, once an endangered species, with protection its numbers have risen.

The local craft markets sell baskets that have been woven from climbing foot palms and aralie (a hanging root) and beautiful necklaces made from colourful dédéfouden seeds from the mammoth trees which form the forest’s canopy.

The St Lucia National Trust and the Forestry Department has played a key role in the development and maintenance of the rainforest and its trails, whilst the government licenses the trained guides to lead visitors through its trails.

More and more visitors are discovering and enjoying this ancient complex world.

Tropical Island Rainforest Walks

Barre De L’isle Trail (Non-Strenuous)

The Barre de L’isle Forest Reserve gets its name from the fact that it is a ridge that divides the eastern and western halves of St Lucia. It takes approximately one hour to walk this one-mile trail and another hour to climb Mr. La Combe ridge.

The Barre de L’isle trail provided panoramic views from four lookout points along the trail. Observe the ragged Mount Gimie and the blue-green mountain rainforest, Cul-de-Sac valley, the Caribbean Sea and community of Aux Leon. View the expansive Mabouya Valley and Fond d’Or beach on the Atlantic coast.

Des Cartiers Rainforest (Strenuous)

Experience a botanical paradise at Mahaut, St Lucia’s most hidden lush rainforest. Drive six miles inland from the east coast main highway through a secondary road. Hope to the rare St Lucia Parrot (Jacquot). Trek through the rainforest and view the wonderful verdant forest, discover some of St Lucia’s endemic wildlife on this two-kilometer trail.

Edmund Forest Reserve (Strenuous)

This 3½-hour will take you through the heart of the tropical island into Edmund Forest Reserve on the western side of the island, to experience some of nature’s pristine opportunities. Numerous plants, such bromeliads, orchids, mushrooms, lianas and others can be seen attached to their hosts, sitting on large buttress roots or branches on the spongy forest or even cascading the sides of the trail. Continue westward for a magnificent view of Mt Gimie, St Lucia’s highest peak.

Enbas Saut (Moderate to Strenuous)

This trail is within the 19,000 acres of Central Rainforest Reserve; six miles East of Soufriere and at the foot of the highest mountain peak, (Mount Gimie) in St Lucia.

The Enbas Saut Falls trail is a 4km cut trail. Remote, yet unbelievably scenic, with a combination of Rainforest, Cloud Forest, Elfin Woodlands and wildlife. The hilly terrain of Piton Canarie, Piton Troumassee and Mount Gimie stands predominant not too far from the trail. Enbas Saut when translated to English means “below the falls�. Hence the trail is famous for its two cascading waterfalls and pools at the head of the Troumassee River.

Culture Heritage Tours

Fond Latisab Creole Park - Babonneau: Experience the truly St Lucian way of life, with a tour that takes you to a community in Babonneau called Fond Assau. There you will experience traditional practices such as preparation of cassava bread, cooking on macambou leaves, catching crayfish in the river, collecting honey from a beehive and the very authentic display of wood-sawing while in Chak Chak band plays traditional music in the background.

Castries Heritage Walk: The historic buildings of Castries come alive as well informed tour guides take you on a walk through the architectural history of an old colonial island city, whilst at the same time enjoying the spirit and life of the modern Caribbean.

Pigeon Island National Landmark: Pigeon Island contains more history than any other part of St Lucia. Once the home of the Amerindians it has been a pirate hideout and military base. Visit Fort Charlotte, now a college but once the site of some of the firecast fighting between the French and the British. Or view the Choiseul Heritage site, a village rich in history, crafts and offering spectacular views.

Plantation Tours

Fond d’Or Nature Historic Park: Enjoy the tropical island’s natural beauty on a tour that combines historical St Lucia with the tranquility of a nature sitem the Find d’Or Nature Historic Park includes symbols of the Amerindian settlement and historical buildings of the sugar age. Follow a hiking trail through an estuarine tropical forest to a wide white sand beach that is frequented by nesting Leatherback Turtles, then visit and relax at the Interpretation Centre. From there, drive to the Latille Waterfall where a twenty-foot waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation and additional pools await you. To book contact Heritage Tours.

Fond Doux Estate: Follow the scenic country road to a tropical Caribbean-style working plantation called where you will heighten your senses by smelling, touching and tasting a variety of tropical fruits and plants. Once you have explored the plantation you can relax in the plantation house sipping local rum punch, local fruit juices and coconut water before being treated to an authentic Creole Lunch.

Morne Coubaril & Marquis Estates: There’s the 400-Acre La Sikwi Sugar Mill plantation with a museum, theatre and a 40ft waterwheel. The Morne Coubaril Estate with its worker’s village, sugar mill, manioc and cocoa houses is a meticulously preserved museum, restaurant and botanical garden. The Marquis Estate is another nearby plantation where you can tour and see the production of St Lucia’s main export crops, bananas and copra.

Botanical Gardens

Visitors can choose from three exquisite tropical botanical gardens; each brimming with rare and exotic flora. These tropical gardens present a riot of colour, perfume and lush tropical vegetation. Mamiku Gardens is situated on an historic site with a fascinating history. Nature trails meander through the gardens with scenic vistas and peaceful resting points.

Diamond Botanical Gardens: The Diamond Botanical Gardens in Soufriere features mineral baths and a picturesque waterfall.

Mamiku Gardens: On the Vieux Fort Highway, Mamiku Gardens which encircle the ruins of an 18th Century Micoud Estate.

Tropica Gardens: in the North of the island is the lovely Tropica Gardens.

Soft Adventure

Maria Island: The Maria Island experience takes you through the backroads to Vieux Fort and by boat to the home of two species found nowhere else in the world: the Kouwes Snake and the Zandoli Terre lizard.

Fregate Island Tour: Fregate Island Tour, visits the small fishing village of Praslin and the Fregate Island Nature Reserve, a tropical sanctuary for rare birds, Southern Safari takes you to the islands interior from North to South. Heritage Sunday is held weekly during the summer.

Soufrière: View the majestic Pitons as you travel to the Diamond Waterfall located in a beautiful botanical garden surrounded by nature finest plants and flowers. From the Diamond Waterfall, drive through the quaint town of Soufriere to the world’s only drive-in volcano with its bubbling holes of sulphuric waters.

Anse La Raye Adventure: Visit the traditional fishing village of Anse La Raye, where you can explore the waterfront with its quaint wooden houses, colourful fishing boats and perhaps see bread making in a traditional bakery. Head inland to visit a beautiful waterfall set in enchanting tropical tranquility.