St Lucia holidays

You’ve got an eclectic mix of big sandy stretches and secluded coves to choose from. Breezy trade winds make St Lucia the perfect spot for getting stuck into watersports. There’s almost everything on offer, from banana boat rides and jet-skiing, to deep-sea fishing and scuba diving.

Reduit Beach in the north of the island boasts over a mile of soft, golden sand and amazing views of Pigeon Island. It’s right next to the lively hub of activity that is Rodney Bay Village, so there’s plenty to do in the area.

You’ll find private stretches of sand at St Lucia’s boutique resorts. Head south to find quiet volcanic beaches and secret coves snug between mountains.

Thanks to St Lucia’s mineral-rich landscape, you’ll find a plenty of volcanic soaps and sulphur-based beauty products on offer. Coconut oil, handicrafts and exotic spices can be found at Castries Market, while souvenirs like beaded necklaces and grass-woven hats can be bought in Rodney Bay Village.

Rodney Bay Village is where you’ll find the two biggest malls on the island. Baywalk Shopping Mall is home to more than 70 stores offering clothes, jewellery and gifts. JQ Rodney Bay has more than 50 boutiques, specialist stores and well-known food chains.

Point Seraphine and La Place Carenage in Castries are St Lucia’s duty-free shopping centres. You’ll find discounted jewellery, Tag and Cartier watches and a range of silks and fine leather goods.

You’ll find a mixture of restaurants and chic waterfront cocktail bars in Rodney Bay Marina. Sundowners on St Lucia’s west coast are pretty spectacular, wherever you are.

‘Jump Up’ street parties take over Gros Islet town every Friday. You’ll find street vendors serving fried snacks and sweet rum with a backing track of classic calypso music and old-school R&B.

St Lucia’s national dish is a unique combination of sautéed green bananas and salt fish. It’s generally mixed with herbs, garlic and green peppers but recipes have been handed down through the generations, so you’ll get a different version every time you try it.

Accra is a St Lucian treat. Flaked fish is mixed with herbs and spices, rolled into a ball and then deep fried. They’re usually served as starters with hot pepper sauce and black pudding.

This St Lucian speciality is the Caribbean’s answer to sweet and sour chicken. It comes in the form of a hearty chicken stew and is flavoured with treacle and coconut.

This popular snack can be grabbed on the go from open air stalls. Bakes are thick, deep-fried bread rolls with a similar consistency to muffins. They’re filled with fish and stewed vegetables and eaten like a sandwich.

St Lucia’s signature drink is strong and sweet. It’s made from rum, lime and sugar cane syrup and is generally served as an aperitif.