The Beaches and Marigot Bay

Beyond its dramatic peaks, Saint Lucia is fringed with beautiful beaches and coves that make it a classic Caribbean escape. In the north, the long golden sweep of Reduit Beach at Rodney Bay is the liveliest, backed by resorts, restaurants and bars, while nearby Pigeon Island offers history and views. In the scenic southwest, the dark-sand beach at Anse Chastanet lies beneath the Pitons with superb snorkelling just offshore. Tucked into the coast is the exquisite Marigot Bay, a tiny, deep, yacht-filled inlet framed by green hills and palms, once described as the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean.

What you actually see

• Reduit Beach - the lively golden beach at Rodney Bay.
• Anse Chastanet - the dark-sand beach beneath the Pitons.
• Marigot Bay - the exquisite, yacht-filled hidden inlet.
• Pigeon Island - the historic headland and its views.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the sunniest weather and calmest seas, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and sailing; the summer is hotter and wetter with a hurricane risk. The north around Rodney Bay is the hub for beach life and nightlife, while the southwest offers more scenic, secluded shores beneath the Pitons.

Honest expectations

Saint Lucia's beaches are beautiful but varied, from golden northern sands to volcanic dark-sand shores in the southwest, so knowing which suit your plans helps, and the most scenic spots near the Pitons are often tied to resorts; the island is more upscale than budget. For a gorgeous, varied Caribbean coastline, from lively resort beaches to the exquisite hidden gem of Marigot Bay, all set against dramatic scenery, though, Saint Lucia is idyllic.

Nearby

Soufrière, the Pitons and the capital Castries are within reach.