Anse Mamin Beach

Get away from the holiday-making masses and head down to the southern part of the island. Here you can give the beach of Anse Mamin a try. Not far from Soufrière, this beach is one of the area's quieter spots to have a relaxing time and go for a soothing swim in the water.

Gros Piton

Indisputably Saint Lucia's most iconic landmarks, the Pitons are a pair of volcanic mountains that rise up by the coast, looming magnificently over the nearby beaches. They are a wonder to simply admire from any of the surrounding spots, but for the more adventurous, there is also the option of climbing your way up Gros Piton's green slopes. Gros Piton is at 798 m of altitude, which might seem like a reasonably attainable goal for seasoned hikers. However, due to the heat and humidity of the rainforest, the expedition often feels lengthier and more physically demanding than what many climbers initially believe they have let themselves in for. Please make sure to be prepared. Once you're at the foot of Gros Piton you will be assigned a trained guide to accompany you. The route up the mountain includes caves, a rainforest, and two different summits with equally stunning views. A good 3 to 6 hours are required for a comfortable round trip to the summit and back; and it is preferable to climb Gros Piton during the dry season.

• Web:

  www.grospiton.com

Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park

Morne Coubaril is an 18th century estate near the town of Soufriére. It offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of the former plantation the estate is located on while also being an adventure park complete with a zipline, horse riding activities, a natural spa at a mineral waterfall, open-air restaurants and a gift shop selling local produce. The view of the iconic Piton Mountains makes for a very scenic backdrop to the zipline.

• Web:

  www.mornecoubarilestate.com

• E-mail:

  info@stluciaziplining.com

• Address:

  Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia

• Phone:

  +1 758 712 5808

Pigeon Island National Landmark

Pigeon Island is the wonderful backdrop to Saint Lucia's annual jazz festival. Despite its name, it is not an island but a peninsula. A man-made causeway drawing out into the sea connects what was once the island to the mainland. Before 1972 it was surrounded by water on all sides, but thanks to the construction of the causeway that was built at the time, visitors can now walk to the site. Aside from being a landmark of immense beauty and great intrinsic value to the nation of Saint Lucia itself, Pigeon Island is also home to the historical ruins of military buildings used during the armed confrontations between the French and the British in the fight for control over Saint Lucia. The historical site is also home to two lovely beaches, as well as a couple of restaurants and a pub. Don't miss the viewpoint atop the hill, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the island's northwest coast.

• Tickets:

  US$10 per person

Reduit Beach

Reduit is one of the island's major beaches. It is a classic and can therefore get busy and crowded. So if you'd like to get away from the holiday-making masses, you could head to the southern part of the island which tends to be less touristy.

Rodney Bay & Gros Islet

Facing out into the waters of Rodney Bay, on the northern tip of Saint Lucia, is the village of Gros Islet, a quiet fishing town which is also now a prominent tourist resort on the island. Take a walk and discover all of the charming nooks and crannies of the village or join in with the fun at the ever-popular Jump Up street party, which takes place on the town every Friday night. Another idea is to head to the beach and take a scenic ride up and down the shore on horseback with Island Riders.

Dive Fest

With a very self-explanatory name for a diving festival, Dive Fest delivers exactly what it says on the packet. Surrounded by a crystal clear tropical ocean, Saint Lucia is the ideal place for scuba diving enthusiasts. Get your gear on and be prepared for what the Caribbean Sea has to reveal. You will see the most colourful and majestic of marine wildlife effortlessly gliding past you in the tranquil waters at one of the island's more than 22 world-class diving sites. Take part in the events organised around the theme of scuba diving and join in with the fun.

• Web:

  www.stlucia.org/en/events/dive-fest

• Opening hours:

  September

Saint Lucia Carnival

For a few days during the year the locals of Saint Lucia don their fanciest and most summery carnivalesque costumes before taking to the streets. Hailed as one of the best carnival celebrations in the Americas, this yearly event manages to portray the Caribbean culture of this small island nation perfectly. The festival arrives at its climax with a two-day long parade of live music, feathers, beads and scantily clad carnival-goers moving rhythmically under the radiant Saint Lucian sun.

• Web:

  www.stlucia.org/en/events/saint-lucia-carnival

• Opening hours:

  June & July

Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival

The island's natural landscape and warm culture works as the perfect backdrop for the annual jazz festival that takes place in Saint Lucia. Curated by 'Jazz at Lincoln Center' in New York, the line-up for the festival includes some of the world's most prominent jazz musicians and is sure to leave any music lover thoroughly impressed. Add to that the awe-inspiring natural landmark of Pigeon Island at the open-air stage and the impromptu dance parties that make the event uniquely Saint Lucian.

• Web:

  www.stluciajazz.org

• Address:

  Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia

• Opening hours:

  Early to mid-May

Saint Lucia Roots & Soul Festival

Every year in the month of August, reggae fans are in for a treat on the island of Saint Lucia. With afro-punk, R&B and hip-hop outfits all regularly on the line-up too, the Roots & Soul festival is three days of reggae classics as well as the most innovative names on the current scene. Live shows usually take place at a couple of different locations on the island, such as Rodney Bay and the Pigeon Island National Landmark.

• Web:

  www.stlucia.org/en/experiences/festivals-events/roots-soul-festival

• Opening hours:

  End of August