Discover the Ultimate Family Holiday Destination in St. Lucia
Looking for the perfect family holiday destination? Look no further than the stunning island of St. Lucia. With its picturesque beaches, lush rainforests, and range of family-friendly activities, this Caribbean paradise offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Why St. Lucia? We picked as it was admittedly one of the few destinations my Virgin Atlantic airmiles could take us to, but thankfully we were not disappointed! And with quite a lot of luggage to carry we made the most of Airportr service – they collect your luggate at your door the day before the flight and then you won’t see it again until you land at destination and get to the luggage conveyor belt! I couldn’t recommend them more.
Beach Fun for All Ages
About 8 hours flight from the UK, St. Lucia boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, offering plenty of opportunities for sun, sea, and sand. From the calm waters of Reduit Beach to the golden shores of Anse Chastanet, families can spend their days building sandcastles, swimming, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters. The island also offers a variety of water sports, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing, providing endless entertainment for the whole family.
St. Lucia offers a range of family-friendly accommodations, from all-inclusive resorts to private villas. Many resorts on the island provide dedicated kids’ clubs and programs, ensuring that children are entertained and well-cared for, giving parents the chance to relax and explore the island at their own pace.
Family Accommodations
Bay Gardens Beach Resort
We stayed at a mid range resort called Bay Gardens Beach Resort, the beach facing branch of a locally owned, family resorts’ group. We had picked this because it seemed to offer a good balance between facilities (beach sports, kids club, gym) as well as a good location and a water play park. We got upgraded having booked via Booking.com genius and it worked out really well.
We had a spacious, clean and comfortable apartment, with an enourmous bathroom, a fully equippend kitchen, a lounge and a lovely balcony. Unfortunately it was also facing the pool area where every night there was a couple of hours of very poor quality musical entertainment!
We had breakfast included but otherwise we mostly cooked at the apartment, and went shopping to the very expensive but well stocked local supermarkets, where we found lots of quirky and not always satisfying food items from American ‘fake’ cheeses to Waitrose essential range.
Oli loved having the water park, and we pretty much used it every day (it is included in the stay at this property). He only once used the randomly open kids club but I used the gym a couple of times.
Overall the hotel was ok, but too big, too lound, and with very grumpy staff.
Rodney Bay
It was within walking distance to Rodney Bay which has a few cafes, shops and restaurants. We loved Wingz n Tingz for a quick easy dinner and also the most friendly people we met in the week!
Scuba Diving at Anse Chastenet
Near Rodney Bay there is a dive centre manned by Dive St Lucia. Dives on the island are quite expensive so I sadly only did one day dive (two tanks) and the boys snorkeled. This turned out to be the best thing we did and I actually really enjoyed my time under water.
The dive centre is quite well organised; it is small but has gear to rent and it is located right by the water so very easy to board the dive boat.
Very colourful with a great amount of macro but also crustaceans and turtles. I definitely recommend considering allowing more time than I did for scuba on the island!
Family-Friendly Adventure
Beyond hotels, for families with a sense of adventure, St. Lucia has a wealth of activities to enjoy. A visit to the iconic volcanic peaks, the Pitons, offers an unforgettable experience, whether you embark on a hike together or simply admire the breathtaking views. The island’s rainforests also provide the perfect setting for zip-lining, birdwatching, and exploring the lush landscapes. Worth considering a visit to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, where families can meander through beautiful gardens and see the stunning Diamond Waterfall.
We loved visiting the empty and beautiful Mamiku gardens away from the maddening crowd. Even our driver had never been! It’s a historical home and gardens with a very well laid out trail and plant identification book and a room of historical findings as well as refreshment point.
But we didn’t completely escaped those crowds sadly…
Tout Bagay? Tout rip off
We totally fell for the tour that the hotel – via a third party – sells. I completely believe and trusted the sales rep (“it’s not the catamaran I saw this morning heading out with loud music, is it?” – ” no no, those were locals. we don’t have loud music”.
Yes they did. I link them here so you can avoid making the same mistake we did. It was truly HELL on a boat. A million people crammed into a moving vessel with very loud music, no place to sit, and open bar on the way back with the worst alchool I have ever drunk (I was extremely unwell after two rum punches and passed out in our room for two hours).
The only positives is that we did see some of the island’s highlight from Soufrière to the volcano (my favourite sight).
Cultural Immersion
St. Lucia’s rich cultural heritage provides an opportunity for families to learn and explore together. We enjoyed a quick visit to the quaint town of Castries to learn more about the island’s history, visit local markets, and taste traditional St. Lucian cuisine. We did not manage it, but a good option is also to visit the Fond Latisab Creole Park to experience the local music, dance, and crafts.
Pigeon Island National Park
We did spend a day at nearby Pigeon Island and really loved it. We walked to the view point (not the highest one though) for a spectacular view over the bay (our hotel is visible in the distance) and then we had a dip on the small beach within the nature reserve followed by a decent lunch in one of the beach cafes. To get here and back we hired a cab who picked us up at a set time. All cabbies on the island use whatsapp so it’s super easy to communicate and wifi is widely available.
Pigeon Island National Landmark is heralded as one of the most important monuments of Saint Lucia’s history. It is a vivid representation of the cultural and historical monuments of international, civil, military and marine cross currents, characteristic of West Indian historical change.
Safety and Peace of Mind
St. Lucia is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, making it a safe and comfortable destination for families. Visitors can explore the island with peace of mind, knowing that St. Lucia takes pride in offering a secure environment for tourists of all ages.
Conclusion
St. Lucia is the ultimate family holiday destination, where every family member can create unforgettable memories and experiences. From its stunning natural beauty to its wealth of activities and cultural experiences, St. Lucia truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on the beach or excitement in the rainforest, this Caribbean gem promises an incredible family holiday that will be cherished for years to come.
Just stay away from Tout Bagay
