Castries Things To Do

Beaches
Vigie Beach has two miles of soft golden sand and clear blue water with almond and coconut palm trees providing shade from the midday sun. There are plenty of other beautiful beaches nearby offering all kinds of water sports. Beaches further south often have black volcanic sand, while those on the rougher eastern side of the island may be unsuitable for swimming but can be breathtakingly beautiful.

Diving
St Lucia is a paradise for divers and snorkellers. There is a dive shop in Castries and many PADI schools and centres along the west coast catering for all abilities. The island is the tip of an undersea volcano and the spectacular scenery continues beneath the waves with dives such as the Keyhole Pinnacles and Superman’s Flight and a wide variety of marine life, as well as wrecks and reefs.

Fishing
Fishermen of all abilities are welcome on trips from the local marina. Experienced crews will help visitors find big game fish such as Blue Marlin, Sail Fish, Barracuda, Yellow Fin Tuna and Wahoo.

Dolphin, Whale and Turtle Watching
Whale and dolphin-spotting trips are from Castries or nearby Rodney Bay and chances of sighting at least one of these mammals – including humpback and pilot whales and bottlenose and spotted dolphins - are extremely high. Stay on the island between March and July and you could camp overnight on Grande Anse Beach and watch as giant leatherback turtles slowly emerge from the sea.

Exploring the Island
For an island just 27 miles by 14, St Lucia has plenty to see. There are jeep safaris, helicopter tours, boat trips, jungle biking trails and excellent hiking paths. There are guided hikes in the Rainforest Reserve and the incredible Forestiere Tropical Forest. The Soufrière area is particularly stunning with its sulphur springs and the Pitons, two volcanic plugs designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Festivals and Music
Music is ever present in St Lucia but for 10 days in May it’s the sound of jazz that dominates. The St. Lucia Jazz festival has become a major music event with a host of top names and superb venues. In July, it’s soca, steel band music and calypso that hits the streets of Castries as St Lucia's Carnival turns the city into a blaze of colour and excitement.

Castries
As the island’s capital, Castries itself is well worth spending some time in. There’s duty-free shopping at Pointe Seraphine and a colourful market for local produce and crafts. Sights include the magnificent Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the area around Morne Fortune which bears witness to the Anglo-French struggle for control of the island and offers superb coastal views.