Saint Lucia is committed to protecting the natural and cultural treasures that make the island unique. Through responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, the destination continues to balance growth with preservation. The goal is simple: to ensure that future generations experience the same beauty, heritage, and inspiration visitors enjoy today.
Organisation Helen’s Daughters is flourishing with its aim to get more women, or ‘FarmHers’ as they are called, into agriculture. A monthly FarmHers market takes place in Castries by the cruise port where you can buy home-grown goodies, jams, pepper sauces, handmade soaps and the locally produced super-food ingredient, seamoss gels.
At the Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat, the world-renowned chocolatier has been supporting the revival of cacao farming in Saint Lucia. Through the immersive Project Chocolat experience, guests can explore the cocoa farm, learn how cacao is grown and harvested, and even craft their own chocolate in the hands-on Bean-to-Bar workshop.
Divers and snorkellers can enjoy vibrant marine life while helping protect coral reefs. Through a partnership with the REEF Rescue Network and Perry Institute for Marine Science, Scuba St. Lucia has created coral nurseries just off Jade Mountain Resort, where visitors can snorkel, dive, and even take part in coral planting and maintenance.
Hidden in the heart of Saint Lucia, the Millet Bird Sanctuary Trail is a paradise for bird lovers, home to over 30 species including five found nowhere else on earth: the Saint Lucia Parrot, Saint Lucia Black Finch, Saint Lucia Oriole, Saint Lucia Pewee and Saint Lucia Warbler. The trail also rewards visitors with breathtaking views of the Roseau Dam, the largest in the Eastern Caribbean – just a short drive from Marigot Bay and Castries.
Spend an afternoon exploring Pigeon Island National Park, where history and nature meet. Wander past old military ruins and a hilltop fort, relax on secluded beaches, and take in superb views of Castries, or simply picnic on the lawns and enjoy a drink at a laid-back beachside restaurant. The park it’s managed by the Saint Lucian National Trust.
The ultimate physical challenge on Saint Lucia is scaling one of the iconic mountains, Gros Piton. It’s a four-hour climb up and down with a local guide. Be prepared to do some scrambling on the steeper second half of the ascent. The views at the top across the entire island are well worth the effort. The area is protected so you must take the trail with a guide.
Experience the country life and learn about the island’s rainforests, flora and fauna in the Country Life Park. Walk through the rainforest with a local guide to view some of the island’s native birds. Find out how to break open a coconut, sample some jungle fruits and hear about the healing powers of the plants and herbs found in the tropical forest.
At the Sulphur Springs near Soufriere, you are in the middle of a dormant volcano – but don’t worry, the last recorded eruption was long ago in 1766. The steaming pools and bubbling mud you see lie on the weak spot of the crust of the collapsed crater. You can learn more about the intriguing geology in an interpretation centre and bathe in mineral-rich pools. The hot springs and volcanic mud have therapeutic properties and are regularly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
In the lovingly maintained Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens in Soufriere, you can follow paths around the well-labelled gardens, take in an impressive waterfall, and wallow in historic spring-fed baths. Over on the east coast at Mamiku Gardens, scented paths and woodland trails meander through 12 acres of landscaped grounds.
Zoom over the Morne Coubaril Estate, near Soufriere. It’s one of three places on the island where, safely harnessed to cables, you can whizz between platforms set high up in trees. Well-trained instructors guide you through the process. You can also go zip-lining near Babonneau with Rain Forest Adventures and at Treetop Adventure Park near Dennery.
Eight miles of bike trails, some suitable for novices, others extremely challenging, have been created through the coconut groves, citrus fruit orchards and 18th-Century ruins of the Anse Mamin Plantation near Soufriere. State-of the-art suspension mountain bikes are provided, and after your exertions you can cool off in the sea at the idyllic Anse Mamin Beach.
Sail along the island’s coastline aboard Good Expectation, a beautifully restored Carriacou Sloop. For over 150 years, hand-built wooden sailing vessels like the Good Expectation traded spices and rum across the West Indies. Once a regular sight between the islands, visitors can now relive the nostalgic adventure of this bygone era. Jus Sail also runs a youth training programme in the off-season for Saint Lucians to help them gain maritime employment.
Many properties in Saint Lucia have been awarded Green-Globe certification. This means that they are working effectively to conserve resources, support environmental protection, reduce waste volume and so much more.
