St Lucia / Special Interests / Beach

St Lucia may not necessarily be famous for long stretches of white-sand beaches and much of the island has a rocky coastline with its most striking feature being the Pitons. There are fabulous sandy bays and beaches nonetheless, some with golden sand, others verging on black, and a few long white sand beaches. 
 
On the northwest at Rodney Bay, is Reduit Beach, a long sweep of pale golden sand and home to the Royal and St Lucian (both by Rex Resorts), the Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, and with numerous watersports for hire. Rodney Bay Village with its marina is a popular tourist resort with a variety of bars and restaurants and a good mix of hotels, apartments, townhouses and villas. Not far from here is the village of Gros Islet which is renowned for another long white sandy beach linking Pigeon Island, with Sandals Grande St Lucian and The Landings.  There are resorts and villas tucked in and above the small coves like Smuggler’s to the north at Cap Estate, including The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT on Cariblue Beach and over on the Atlantic side, Cotton Bay Village.
 
Heading south, Labrelotte Bay has a couple of sandy beaches where the East Winds Inn and Windjammer Landing resorts are tucked away. Choc Bay is a great stretch of sand with tranquil waters close to Castries and giving location to a number of Saint Lucia’s major hotels, plus the charming Villa Beach Cottages. This bay is a big hit with keen swimmers and families with young children. Further south is the long curve of Malabar Beach with Rendezvous resort and then Vigie Beach located not far from Castries, opposite the airport, is popular with the locals.
 
Marigot Bay is the ultimate Caribbean cove offering a well-hidden resort, as well as anchorage for many yachts. Marigot's sandy beach has good watersports: from swimming, diving and snorkelling, to fishing, windsurfing and sailing.
 
On the south coast Anse Cochon, just below Anse La Raye, is only accessible by boat, unless you are staying at the Ti Kaye Village Resort & Spa just above. Its dark volcanic sands and calm waters make this a romantic hideaway for couples. It’s also a great place to go snorkelling and is sometimes included on day cruises.
 
Anse Chastanet beach is home to a popular marine reserve that has some of the best snorkelling and diving on the island and is where Anse Chastanet resort is situated. Just up the hillside is sister resort, Jade Mountain.
 
The town of Soufriere has a long stretch of dark sandy beach with an amazing view of the Pitons. The beach is mostly used by the locals and has a couple of small hotels, restaurants and bars.  On the other side of Soufriere  the Anse des Pitons is a beautiful bay where The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach resort and development, plus a number of private villas can be found.
 
Anse de Sables, near Vieux Fort on St Lucia’s south-eastern tip  is one of the most popular places for windsurfing and kitesurfing. At the The Reef Beach Café you can hire equipment and get instruction from The Reef Kite + Surf Centre, plus The Reef Beach Huts has a few rooms and does surf and kite packages.  This beach is recommended for sun-worshippers. 

For more information see our St Lucia Beach Life section.