Fond d'Or Bay

Fond d'Or on Saint Lucia's east coast is a bay where a river meets the Atlantic, with a nature and heritage park covering the estate ruins, mangrove, beach and a stretch of forest behind, and trails running through all of it. The old sugar and later banana estate buildings stand in the grounds. Leatherback turtles nest on the beach and the surf is heavy. The estate here grew sugar and then bananas, and the switch between the two is visible in the different buildings on the site. The park was set up in the 1990s to protect the beach and the ruins together.

What you actually see

• The estate ruins - the sugar and banana works in the park grounds.
• The river mouth - the water meeting the Atlantic at the bay.
• The mangrove - the stand behind the beach.
• The turtle nesting - leatherbacks using the shore in season.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Leatherbacks nest around March to July. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Honest expectations

Swimming here is dangerous because of the surf and undertow. The park has been through periods of closure and maintenance varies. Facilities are limited.

Nearby

Dennery is south, and Sault Falls is southwest.