Sitting in the southeastern corner of the Caribbean Sea, St Lucia is often compared to Hawaii – tropical climate, beautiful beaches, mountainous terrain, and volcanic in origin. Less than 2,000 miles from us, however, this small piece of paradise is less than half the distance that it takes to get to our 50th state!

 

The island features unspoiled beaches and turquoise waters teeming with tropical fish, a wealth of watersports and land-based activities, tropical rain forests, and a drive-in volcanic area, and world class resorts. Our stay was on the western shore of the island, near the town of Soufriére, the original settlement on the island and former capital under French rule. Perched high on a ridge overlooking the Caribbean, the view was spectacular and each of the 26 suites had its own heated plunge pool!

 

Soufriére, French for Sulphur, derives its name from nearby bubbling pools of sulphury water located inside the worlds only drive-through volcano. Mud baths in vats of 105° dark gray waters, mineral water baths, and two waterfalls are part of a very large botanical garden. The baths are considered therapeutic and were a lot of fun. You’re coated with a layer of gray mud in the first pool, emerge & let it dry, then body paint one another with thick, dark paint mud! The effects are humorous. The waterfalls were cold and waters cascading down more than 150’ are hard, but refreshing.

 

Deep-sea fishing is available at many of the ports around the island. Offshore waters plunge to more than 400’ within several hundred yards off the beach, putting large fish close by. Our trip along the coast provided beautiful views of the island but produced only one mahi-mahi – the winds had scattered the weed lines and our captain couldn’t locate our prey. Sheila landed our fish, burnishing her credentials as a member of the Reel Ladies Fishing Team here in PCB! The Chef at our resort prepared the fish for our dinner that evening – we started with ceviche, and then had filets lightly fried and blackened. Delicious!

 

Other nautical activities included a snorkeling trip to a nearby reef, loaded with numerous beautiful, tropical fish. The reef was about 200 yards long, and dozens of different species were spotted, along with various types of coral. At the edge of the reef, you could see down hundreds of feet – not a place to venture. We also did an enjoyable sunset cruise on a large catamaran, enjoying locally produced dark rum punch drinks and appetizers. The setting sun, looking westward over the unobstructed Caribbean Sea, was spectacular!

 

With mountainous terrain, zip-lining is also a popular activity. We chose a nearby, eight-segment course, designed for novices since this was Sheila’s first adventure of this nature. Other courses on the north end of the island are considered “more intense”. The segments were easy & fast, the views through and over the jungle outstanding!

 

St Lucia is considered a romantic getaway – it certainly lives up to that!