Film Stars and Volcanoes
Films shot on St. Lucia include "Water" in Soufrière and Rex Harrison's "Dr. Dolittle" in the breathtaking Marigot Bay. Sophia Loren's "Fire Power" and the Caribbean scenes of "Superman II" were also filmed here.
Marigot Bay lies on the west coast, just a few miles south of Castries. This truly paradise beach is the top choice for a picnic, snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing or simply soaking up the atmosphere.
Soufrière (French for smoking volcano) is the second-largest town on St. Lucia, located about two-thirds of the way down the approximately 43-kilometer-long island.
Soufrière and Mount Soufrière
Soufrière — the island's first French settlement — sits picturesquely at the foot of the twin Pitons and boasts a black sand beach. Soufrière is the gateway to St. Lucia's natural wonders.
A short distance outside of town, in the hills behind the city, lies the volcanic crater of Mount Soufrière. It is known as the only drive-in volcano in the Caribbean. The crater looks like a moonscape and smells like rotten eggs. Everywhere it bubbles and boils. People say this is the lost paradise versus the found paradise at Marigot Bay.
Active on Land and Water
Looking to stay active on your vacation? You'll find a wealth of activities and excursions here! The Caribbean Sea around St. Lucia offers perfect conditions for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, deep-sea fishing and water skiing. Divers are also well catered for — Saint Lucia is one of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean. Dive centers and hotels on the island offer courses and equipment rental. With a bit of luck, you can spot whales and dolphins year-round.
On land, explore the rainforest on a Jeep safari or try Sky Trekking or Sky Canopy. You can also go mountain biking or hiking. There are well-marked trails in the interior or along the wild Atlantic coast. On a bird-watching tour you might even spot the rare Saint Lucia Parrot.
A sporting challenge is the ascent of the 797m high Gros Piton. The climb is only possible outside the rainy season and takes around 3–4 hours to the summit. Important: start very early and come well prepared (water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes) — the sun burns fiercely from 8am onward.
A more relaxed alternative is a gondola ride through the rainforest or zip-lining from tree to tree.
Guided plantation tours or Cultural Heritage Tours give insight into the island's fascinating past.
Further highlights include the hot sulphur springs of the only Drive-In Volcano Soufrière and of course the famous Marigot Bay, a favorite anchorage for sailors from around the world.
