Why St Lucia needs to be your choose for an journey vacation

St Lucia is usually purely checked out as being a honeymooners’ paradise, however for adventure-lovers, this tiny Caribbean island, measuring simply 27 miles lengthy and 14 miles huge, is brimming with actions to set your pulse racing.

Earlier than the second UK lockdown was introduced, I made it out to the nation to find a few of its prime out of doors choices – plus, essentially the most jaw-dropping lodge I’ve stayed in so far.

Right here’s an perception into a few of the issues I did throughout my keep on this little slice of tropical paradise…

Covid restrictions for journey to St Lucia

You presently want a adverse PCR check to journey to St Lucia, taken seven days or much less earlier than journey. Temperature checks are accomplished on the airport in a tented space.

With regards to lodging, it’s essential to ebook a Covid-certified property and you’ll keep in a most of two areas.

The Piton mountains seen at dawn. St Lucia affords a wealth of journey actions (Image: Sadie Whitelocks)

The lodge

Throughout my keep, I checked into one of many island’s dreamiest properties, Jade Mountain. I’d heard about this place for years however it actually surpassed expectations.

For those who’re on the lookout for a-once-in-a-lifetime lodge expertise, then add this to your bucket checklist.

Attending to the lodge is an journey in itself as it’s a must to climb one of many island’s worst roads, peppered with pot holes and with sheer dropoffs on one aspect.

When you get to the property, put together to be wowed. There are 29 suites in whole, with sprawling bedrooms known as ‘sanctuaries’. They don’t have exterior partitions, so it’s a little bit like glamping.

Jade Mountain is likely one of the prime properties on St Lucia (Image: Jade Mountain)

The visionary constructing, designed by Russian-Canadian architect Nick Troubetzkoy, who runs the place along with his spouse, jogs my memory of a complicated Flintstones abode, with chunky stone partitions, outsized doorways and natural traces.

It additionally has considerably of an intergalactic really feel with twinkling nightlights, a community of interlinking bridges and large jungle crops delicately wrapping their tentacles concerning the place.

I used to be fortunate sufficient to get upgraded to Jade Mountain’s final bed room, the Galaxy sanctuary, full with a dreamy 900-square-foot infinity pool, 4 poster mattress and a solar terrace, topped off with butler service.

This room is fingers down among the best I’ve stayed in however with a £3,500 ($4,806)-a-night price ticket for an all-inclusive keep, it is going to be a little bit of a wait earlier than I return.

For a extra reasonably priced place to relaxation your head, take a look at Jade Mountain’s sister property, which is situated additional down the hillside in the direction of the seashore. The 2 resorts sit on the identical property, which covers 300 acres.

There are a complete of 4 eating choices between them, with native specials equivalent to saltfish and inexperienced fig on supply, together with flavoursome Indian dishes, vegan creations and nice eating tasting menus.

The rooms at Jade Mountain haven’t any exterior partitions (Image: Jade Mountain)

Gros Piton hike

The 2 Pitons are St Lucia’s defining future, with Gros Piton measuring 798.25m (2,618.9 ft) excessive, and Petit Piton coming in at 743m (2,438ft) excessive.

The guided Gros Piton hike is extremely beneficial with some fabulous views of the coast and inside in your method up and from the summit.

However be warned, the schlep up is reasonably steep and our native information Mia instructed us that solely 30 to 40 per cent of individuals make it to the highest.

Set off early for a cooler climb up and make sure you pack loads of water. I used to be instructed Piton Piton is much less excessive, however a tougher climb with vertical sections.

The view from the highest of Gos Piton (Image: Sadie Whitelocks)

The Sulphur Springs – the world’s solely drive-in volcano

The Sulphur Springs on the southwestern aspect of the island is a sight to behold, with lunar-like craters, effervescent mud swimming pools and steaming air vents.

It’s the world’s solely drive-in volcano and you’ll park up proper subsequent to the motion.

Head to the steaming baths after your tour and slather your self in a few of the therapeutic mud which is claimed to make you look ten years youthful.

I can’t vouch for that however my pores and skin did really feel nice after, though I needed to throw my sulphur-infused T-shirt away, which nonetheless smelled eggy after two washes.

St Lucia is residence to the world’s solely drive-in volcano, seen above (Image: Sadie Whitelocks)

Jungle biking

For those who’re staying at Jade Mountain or Anse Chastanet, enterprise off piste and take a bone-rattling experience on the jungle biking monitor.

Our information Joevan instructed us that even pro-mountain bikers have been impressed by the course, which leads you thru lush foliage, alongside waterways, up steep hills and over bridges.

The Cannondale bikes have nice suspension and are straightforward to familiarize yourself with.

I used to be barely frightened of whizzing by means of the jungle on the gravel tracks however I quickly bought the cling of it and once we bought to the tip, I used to be even eager to maintain going.

After jungle biking, have a wander by means of the ruins of a former sugar plantation.

Whizz by means of the jungle on a mountain bike over at Anse Chastanet (Image: Sadie Whitelocks)

Dive in gorgeous waters

Under the water, there’s a mesmerising world to discover in St Lucia.

These have been a few of the most spectacular waters I’d seen shortly, with architectural corals, a variety of various fish species and crystal clear readability.

Scuba St Lucia has a dive store on the Anse Chastenet property and the introduction to scuba course is nice for rookies.

You get a idea session and a few sensible instruction earlier than a 30-minute dive. The reef is simply off the shore and it’s an unbelievable spot for divers and snorkelers alike. It’s roped off for security so no boats can entry the realm.

We noticed some reasonably scary-looking Spanish mackerel throughout our dive, together with slender-shaped trumpet fish and colleges of colouful parrot fish.

For those who choose staying above the water, on the identical seashore your can lease a kayak or paddleboard without cost when you’re staying at Jade Mountain or Anse Chastanet.

One other strategy to discover the shoreline is by boat, and the Suzie Q yacht is offered for half and all-day sails, with rum punch and nibbles included.

The waters off St Lucia supply very good readability (Image: Sadie Whitelocks)

Rainforest zip lining

St Lucia is blessed with a blanket of dense tropical rainforest, with the centre of the island residence to massive ferns, towering teak bushes and vibrant parrots

To discover its lush inside, put your concern of peak to at least one aspect and ebook a zipper lining expertise.

I ventured to Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia which is situated within the highland group of Chassin, in Babonneau.

With a small group we did a complete of eight zip traces of various lengths and heights.

Keep in mind to make use of insect spray earlier than your jungle go to because the mosquitoes got here out in drive on the day I visited.

For a extra sedate journey by means of the cover, ebook an aerial tram experience which takes passengers to the heights of the forest reserve.

Rope swinging and rum tasting

For sure right here, it’s finest to not mix these two. Positively head for a rope swing earlier than the rum punch.

For a change of surroundings, Marigot Bay Resort, Spa and Marina is situated on St Lucia’s western coast, round a 20 minute drive from the capital Castries and round an hour from the worldwide airport.

It is a nice hangout for eager sailors as a peaceful tucked-away marina is hooked up to the resort. That is thought of a protected haven within the Caribbean and plenty of boats zip into this marina if a storm is approaching.

Company at Marigot Bay have entry to a personal seashore space which will be reached by way of a little bit shuttle boat.

Whereas having fun with the sandy spot, channel your inner-Tarzan have a swing on the rope swing. Within the afternoon head to the little Rum Cave at Marigot Bay Resort to get a style of certainly one of St Lucia’s standard exports after bananas, rum.

Throughout this expertise you’ll get to attempt completely different rums from the Chairman’s Reserve distillery, paired with cheese and chocolate. dose of historical past can be thrown into the combination.

The Marigot Bay Resort is subsequent to a well-liked beach-side rope swing (Image: Sadie Whitelocks)

Do you will have a narrative to share?

Get in contact by emailing [email protected].