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Maria Islands Nature Reserve

Just off the southern coast of Saint Lucia lie the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, a protected sanctuary rich in biodiversity. These small offshore islands are home to rare wildlife, unique plant species, and undisturbed natural habitats. Guided visits offer access to marked trails, coastal viewpoints, and key nesting areas for seabirds. Access is limited and carefully managed to protect the fragile ecosystem.

Protected island reserve surrounded by blue coastal waters in Saint Lucia.

A protected island reserve

Maria Islands Nature Reserve lies just off the southern coast, near Vieux Fort. Made up of Maria Major and Maria Minor, the islands have never been permanently inhabited and were declared a protected wildlife reserve in 1982. Access is controlled to preserve their rare ecosystems.

Endemic wildlife and rare species

The islands are home to species found nowhere else in the world, including the Saint Lucia whiptail lizard and the Saint Lucia racer, one of the rarest snakes globally. They also support ground lizards, migratory birds, and important seabird nesting colonies.

Endemic black and orange bird perched on a branch in Saint Lucia’s tropical forest.
Dry forest island landscape off the coast of Saint Lucia, surrounded by calm blue sea.

Dry forest and coastal landscapes

Unlike the rainforest-covered interior, Maria Islands feature dry coastal vegetation, cacti, and open grasslands shaped by wind and salt exposure. The terrain is low and exposed, with rocky shores, small beaches, and uninterrupted sea views.

Limited access and guided visits

Access to Maria Islands is restricted to protect the fragile environment. Visitors can only reach Maria Major by boat, usually through organized tours from the south of the island. Independent visits are not permitted.

Local guide leading visitors on a rainforest wildlife tour in Saint Lucia.

Good to know

Guided tours

Visits are only possible through authorized guided tours arranged by the Saint Lucia National Trust

Icon lizard

Wildlife & conservation

The islands protect rare endemic species, including unique lizard populations found only in Saint Lucia

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Experience type

A protected nature visit focused on conservation, not a traditional beach or leisure destination

Airplane

Access

Distance from Hewanorra International Airport (UVF): Approx. 15-20 minutes to the departure point near Vieux Fort

Icon seasonal access

Seasonal access

Access may be restricted between May and July to protect nesting seabirds

Planning a visit to Maria Islands?

Access is only possible through authorized guided tours managed by the Saint Lucia National Trust.

Book a guided visit

Vols hebdomadaires jusqu’en décembre 2026

États-Unis
Nombre de vols hebdomadaires
Compagnie aérienne Ville d’origine Nombre de vols hebdomadaires
Aoû Sept Oct Nov Déc
American Airlines Charlotte ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
American Airlines Miami ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
American Airlines Philadelphia ✈ Aucun vol. Aucun vol. Aucun vol. ✈
Delta Airlines Atlanta ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
JetBlue Boston Aucun vol. Aucun vol. Aucun vol. ✈ ✈
JetBlue New York ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
United Airlines Newark ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
United Airlines Chicago Aucun vol. Aucun vol. Aucun vol. ✈ ✈
Royaume-Uni
Compagnie aérienne Ville d’origine Aoû Sept Oct Nov Déc
British Airways London ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Canada
Compagnie aériennee Ville d’origine Aoû Sept Oct Nov Déc
Air Canada Toronto ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
WestJet Toronto ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caraïbes
Compagnie aérienne Origine Aoû Sept Oct Nov Déc
Air Adelphi St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
British Airways Grenada ✈ ✈ ✈ Aucun vol. Aucun vol.
British Airways Guyana ✈ ✈ ✈ Aucun vol. Aucun vol.
British Airways Tobago ✈ ✈ ✈ Aucun vol. Aucun vol.
Caribbean Airlines Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Guadeloupe ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Martinique ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Trinidad ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean Dominica ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean St. Vincent Aucun vol. Aucun vol. No flights. Aucun vol. Aucun vol.
LIAT Antigua ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
LIAT Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
LIAT Dominica ✈ Aucun vol. Aucun vol. Aucun vol. Aucun vol.
LIAT St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Sunrise Airways Antigua ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Winair St. Maarten ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Winair St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

Weekly flights until December 2026

United States
Number of Weekly Flights
Airline Origin City Number of Weekly Flights
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
American Airlines Charlotte ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
American Airlines Miami ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
American Airlines Philadelphia ✈ No flights. No flights. No flights. ✈
Delta Airlines Atlanta ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
JetBlue Boston No flights. No flights. No flights. ✈ ✈
JetBlue New York ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
United Airlines Newark ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
United Airlines Chicago No flights. No flights. No flights. ✈ ✈
United Kingdom
Airline Origin City Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
British Airways London ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Canada
Airline Origin City Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Air Canada Toronto ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
WestJet Toronto ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean
Airline Origin Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Air Adelphi St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
British Airways Grenada ✈ ✈ ✈ No flights. No flights.
British Airways Guyana ✈ ✈ ✈ No flights. No flights.
British Airways Tobago ✈ ✈ ✈ No flights. No flights.
Caribbean Airlines Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Guadeloupe ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Martinique ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Trinidad ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean Dominica ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean St. Vincent No flights. No flights. No flights. No flights. No flights.
LIAT Antigua ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
LIAT Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
LIAT Dominica ✈ No flights. No flights. No flights. No flights.
LIAT St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Sunrise Airways Antigua ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Winair St. Maarten ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Winair St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

Weekly flights until December 2026

United States
Number of Weekly Flights
Airline Origin City Number of Weekly Flights
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
American Airlines Charlotte ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
American Airlines Miami ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
American Airlines Philadelphia ✈ No flights. No flights. No flights. ✈
Delta Airlines Atlanta ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
JetBlue Boston No flights. No flights. No flights. ✈ ✈
JetBlue New York ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
United Airlines Newark ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
United Airlines Chicago No flights. No flights. No flights. ✈ ✈
United Kingdom
Airline Origin City Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
British Airways London ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Canada
Airline Origin City Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Air Canada Toronto ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
WestJet Toronto ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean
Airline Origin Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Air Adelphi St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
British Airways Grenada ✈ ✈ ✈ No flights. No flights.
British Airways Guyana ✈ ✈ ✈ No flights. No flights.
British Airways Tobago ✈ ✈ ✈ No flights. No flights.
Caribbean Airlines Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Guadeloupe ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Martinique ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Caribbean Airlines Trinidad ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean Dominica ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
InterCaribbean St. Vincent No flights. No flights. No flights. No flights. No flights.
LIAT Antigua ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
LIAT Barbados ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
LIAT Dominica ✈ No flights. No flights. No flights. No flights.
LIAT St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Sunrise Airways Antigua ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Winair St. Maarten ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Winair St. Vincent ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈