A Day in St. Lucia: Catamarans, Coconuts, and Caribbean Views
“Drink heavily with locals whenever possible." Anthony Bourdain
4/6/20267 min read
We loved our time in St. Lucia. From the moment we arrived, it immediately felt different from many of the other Caribbean islands. It is greener, more dramatic, and has a rugged beauty that stands out right away.
St. Lucia is a volcanic island located in the eastern Caribbean and part of the Lesser Antilles. Unlike many flatter islands in the region, it is known for its mountainous terrain, dense rainforest, and striking coastline. The island has a long history shaped by both the French and British, who fought over control more than a dozen times. That influence is still visible today in the culture, food, and even the language, with English as the official language and French Creole widely spoken.
For our short stay here, we took a shore excursion that consisted of a four hour catamaran ride to the Pitons.
The Pitons are the most iconic landmarks in St. Lucia. Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two volcanic spires that rise straight out of the sea and are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were formed by volcanic activity and have become one of the most recognizable and photographed sights in the Caribbean.
We chose the catamaran because we had heard about the winding roads and the traffic on the island and did not want to deal with it. We also love being on the water, so it was an easy decision.
There are numerous catamaran options available. We had friends the month prior that chose a longer catamaran excursion that included visiting a waterfall and the Sulphur Springs mud baths near Soufrière. These mud baths are part of what is known as the world’s only drive in volcano, where visitors can soak in warm mineral rich mud that is said to have therapeutic benefits. While that sounds appealing, their feedback was that the crowds and long lines of tourists made it less enjoyable.
Since we have done mud baths in other parts of the world and have seen more than our share of waterfalls, we decided to skip that and opt for the lower priced catamaran ride, and we loved it.
The ride itself was smooth and beautiful. There was plenty of room whether you wanted to stay in the shade or lay out on the nets at the front of the catamaran and enjoy the sun. The journey to the Pitons takes about an hour, and they stop in the perfect position so you can take in the views and get some great pictures.
We then headed to a small secluded beach for a swim stop. They did not provide snorkels, so if that is something you want to do, bring your own. The water is clear, but there is not much to see underwater.
We stopped at Anse Cochon Beach. It is overlooked by a beautiful resort built into the mountainside called Ti Kaye Resort and Spa. It immediately caught our attention and is a place we would definitely come back to stay.
While swimming at Anse Cochon Beach, it was exactly what you would expect from a Caribbean island. Local entrepreneurs paddle around on kayaks selling fresh coconuts. They crack them open right in front of you and fill them with rum if you want.
Charles was our bartender and hero for the day. Bring some extra cash. The $10 drinks are worth it and it is one of those simple experiences that turns into a great memory.
As Anthony Bourdain once said, “Drink heavily with locals whenever possible.” It is a reminder that some of the best travel moments come from those small, unplanned interactions.
Once back aboard the catamaran, we continued on to a slow cruise into Marigot Bay. This bay is often considered one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean and was even featured in the original Dr. Dolittle movie. It is surrounded by hills and filled with sailboats, resorts, and tucked away villas. It is another spot that made us say we need to come back and spend more time here.
Our trip to St. Lucia was short, but it was beautiful and very memorable. It is one of those islands that offers a little bit of everything, from dramatic scenery to authentic local experiences.
As we continue to travel through the Caribbean, this is one destination that we would absolutely return to again.
We loved our time in St. Lucia. From the moment we arrived, it immediately felt different from many of the other Caribbean islands. It is greener, more dramatic, and has a rugged beauty that stands out right away.
St. Lucia is a volcanic island located in the eastern Caribbean and part of the Lesser Antilles. Unlike many flatter islands in the region, it is known for its mountainous terrain, dense rainforest, and striking coastline. The island has a long history shaped by both the French and British, who fought over control more than a dozen times. That influence is still visible today in the culture, food, and even the language, with English as the official language and French Creole widely spoken.
For our short stay here, we took a shore excursion that consisted of a four hour catamaran ride to the Pitons.
The Pitons are the most iconic landmarks in St. Lucia. Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two volcanic spires that rise straight out of the sea and are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were formed by volcanic activity and have become one of the most recognizable and photographed sights in the Caribbean.
We chose the catamaran because we had heard about the winding roads and the traffic on the island and did not want to deal with it. We also love being on the water, so it was an easy decision.
There are numerous catamaran options available. We had friends the month prior that chose a longer catamaran excursion that included visiting a waterfall and the Sulphur Springs mud baths near Soufrière. These mud baths are part of what is known as the world’s only drive in volcano, where visitors can soak in warm mineral rich mud that is said to have therapeutic benefits. While that sounds appealing, their feedback was that the crowds and long lines of tourists made it less enjoyable.
Since we have done mud baths in other parts of the world and have seen more than our share of waterfalls, we decided to skip that and opt for the lower priced catamaran ride, and we loved it.
The ride itself was smooth and beautiful. There was plenty of room whether you wanted to stay in the shade or lay out on the nets at the front of the catamaran and enjoy the sun. The journey to the Pitons takes about an hour, and they stop in the perfect position so you can take in the views and get some great pictures.
We then headed to a small secluded beach for a swim stop. They did not provide snorkels, so if that is something you want to do, bring your own. The water is clear, but there is not much to see underwater.
We stopped at Anse Cochon Beach. It is overlooked by a beautiful resort built into the mountainside called Ti Kaye Resort and Spa. It immediately caught our attention and is a place we would definitely come back to stay.
While swimming at Anse Cochon Beach, it was exactly what you would expect from a Caribbean island. Local entrepreneurs paddle around on kayaks selling fresh coconuts. They crack them open right in front of you and fill them with rum if you want.
Charles was our bartender and hero for the day. Bring some extra cash. The $10 drinks are worth it and it is one of those simple experiences that turns into a great memory.
As Anthony Bourdain once said, “Drink heavily with locals whenever possible.” It is a reminder that some of the best travel moments come from those small, unplanned interactions.
Once back aboard the catamaran, we continued on to a slow cruise into Marigot Bay. This bay is often considered one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean and was even featured in the original Dr. Dolittle movie. It is surrounded by hills and filled with sailboats, resorts, and tucked away villas. It is another spot that made us say we need to come back and spend more time here.
Our trip to St. Lucia was short, but it was beautiful and very memorable. It is one of those islands that offers a little bit of everything, from dramatic scenery to authentic local experiences.
As we continue to travel through the Caribbean, this is one destination that we would absolutely return to again.
info@allinglobaltravel.com