St. Lucia

A hidden gem!

St. Lucia is the sort of island that travellers to the Caribbean dream about - a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown. One of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, it is located between Martinique and St. Vincent, to the north of Barbados. St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. The Atlantic Ocean kisses its eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea.

Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. Also not to be missed is St. Lucia's Soufriere volcano, the world's only drive-in volcanic crater.

There is a broad array of exciting and exotic activities available the island. The steep coastlines and lovely reefs offer excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. The rainforest preserves of St. Lucia's mountainous interior are one of the Caribbean's finest locales for hiking and bird watching. Of course, the island also possesses excellent facilities for netball, cricket, football, golf and tennis.