If you’re wondering what to do in St. Lucia, this island offers far more than your typical Caribbean getaway. If you travel often to the Caribbean, you know that many islands have the same type of activities like snorkeling or boat rides. I’m not saying these activities aren’t a blast, but they can start to feel generic.
The dramatic, volcanic landscape here feels like more than just an island or beach vacation. Instead, it feels like a mixture of beach relaxation, outdoor exploration, and fun-filled thrill. In fact, St. Lucia has so much to do that deciding what to do can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re wondering what to do in St. Lucia, this guide covers my favorite activities, excursions, and hidden gems to help you plan the perfect trip.
Planning What to Do in St. Lucia
As a popular honeymoon destination, it’s surely easy to get caught up in the beautiful resorts St. Lucia has to offer. I often see people get so fixated on the property they’re staying at so much that they forget to actually see and explore the island itself.
I recommend planning a few “resort” and “pool” days to take advantage of the activities at your hotel and then also planning off-site excursions. You can’t get a full, authentic feel for the island by only staying in your “resort” bubble. For this reason, it’s really important to narrow down unique things to do in St. Lucia beyond the resort before your visit.
Best Things to Do in St. Lucia (Quick List)
- Fort Rodney Viewpoint
- St. Lucia Cooking Class
- Hiking the Gross & Petit Piton Mountains
- St. Lucia Ferry Experience
- Local Private Hikes
- Friday Night Fish Fry
- Waterfall at Toraille
- Go snorkling or diving
- Do a rum or chocolate tasting
- Take a sunset catamaran cruise
Visit Fort Rodney Viewpoint for St. Lucia Views
For those staying at Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort (bordered by Rodney Bay), one of the best things to do in St. Lucia is just a short walk away. From the resort, walk along the beach and walk past the water sports area, continuing down and to the right for about five minutes until you find Fort Rodney. As you roam the area, there’s a lot of interesting historical landmarks to check out.
You’ll have to pay a small entrance fee to get into Fort Rodney, but its so worth it. From the top, you can see a 360-degree view of St. Lucia’s beautiful landscape. This path is pretty short and easy (I would consider accessible for the average fitness level). What surprised me most was how many other resort guests didn’t even bother to check out this viewpoint/walk that took under an hour.
Who should do it:
- Those who like spending time outdoors
- Active travelers who want great views
- Anyone staying at Sandals Grande St. Lucian (you’re already right there!)
Tip: Those staying at other Sandals resorts can take the shuttle to Sandals Grande St. Lucian to check out this short hike/viewpoint.
Take a St. Lucia Cooking Class for an Authentic Local Experience
All-inclusive resort food (catered to tourists) won’t give you a real taste of St. Lucian cuisine. Participating in a cooking class is not only interactive, but also teaches you a lot about local cuisine. We loved this Taste of St. Lucia Cooking Class through Island Routes (a very trusted tour operator in St. Lucia). They make the process really easy for tourists by including hotel pick-up and drop-off.
As a class, we worked together to cook foods like St. Lucian Accra with spicy Mayo Dip which reflect the local cuisine. Participating in a class like this also gives you a feel for how passionate the locals are about their country. This experience felt so authentic to me (and the staff who run it are truly passionate about making it a great experience for tourists).
Who should do it:
- Foodie travelers
- Couples and groups looking to participate in interactive activities
Try a St. Lucia Ferry Experience for Scenic Island Views
With the exception of a few resorts located near the airport, the majority of St. Lucia’s hotels and resorts aren’t overly close to the airport. You could take a car or bus transportation from the airport — but prepared for a bumpy ride. Those who are prone to motion sickness like me won’t do well with the infrastructure in St. Lucia.
Instead, I recommend taking a fast-ferry like this Fun To See Island ferry. With a bit of dramamine on your side, the ferry ride is much smoother and scenic than a car ride. Although the ferry serves a purpose as transportation to and from your hotel, it’s also something to do in St. Lucia to get a comprehensive look of the whole island.
More Things to Do in St. Lucia Beyond the Resort
These three options for what to do in St. Lucia are just a few of the endless options you have for a perfect trip. The best St. Lucia excursions are the ones that YOU are excited about. Some other top things to do in St. Lucia include:
- Hiking the Gros Piton and Petit Piton mountains
- Take a dip in the Sulphur Springs Mud Baths
- Book a private hike through Island Routes (we had a blast doing this)
- Go on a sunset dinner cruise
- Ziplining through the forest
- Rum & Chocolate tastings/tours
- Waterfall at Toraille
What to Do in St. Lucia: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What activities is St. Lucia most known for?
A: St. Lucia is best known for its volcanic landscape, especially the iconic Piton mountains, along with outdoor activities like hiking, mud baths at Sulphur Springs, and scenic beaches.
Q: Can I wear green in St. Lucia?
A: Yes, of course you can wear the color green in St. Lucia. However, I learned the hard way that you cannot wear any type camouflage here (I was approached at the airport). Wearing camouflage in St. Lucia is prohibited because this pattern is only worn by military and public officials.
Q: How should tourists get around to activities in St. Lucia?
A: It’s best to rely on tours or private drivers. Roads are narrow and winding, so renting a car is not recommended for most travelers. Driving a car around the island isn’t easy. Roads are extremely narrow, windy, and rough. I do not recommend attempting to rent a car.
6-Day St. Lucia Itinerary
Going on a 6 to 7 day trip to St. Lucia? Check out this example itinerary below to give you a blend of relaxing, resort-focused days and action-packed days filled with some of these St. Lucia activities:
- Day 1: Resort + Ferry ride to Resort
- Day 2: Pitons + Sulphur Spring Mud baths
- Day 3: Cooking class + boat day
- Day 4: Morning Hike + Resort Day
- Day 5: Rum Tour + Pool
- Day 6: Resort only day