Edmund National Rainforest, Botanical Gardens and Diamond Falls (full day)
Edmund National Rainforest Reserve covers 19,000 acres of lush mountains and valleys. It is home to a huge variety of tree ferns, bromeliads, orchids and birds. Some of those you may see include the St Lucia Parrot (known locally as the ‘Jacquot’), St Lucia Oriole, St Lucia Black Finch and St Lucia Warbler.
In the afternoon you will visit the nearby Soufriere Botanical Gardens and the scenic Diamond Falls.
Please note that this is a very long full-day excursion involving an early start from the hotel.
Sulphur Springs and snorkelling (full day)
Travel down the west coast to the Sulphur Springs where you can explore the geological history of the Caribbean Rim. There will be some time spent exploring a small area of coastal forest looking for the very rare endemic White-breasted Thrasher. This extraordinary bird is critically endangered and only found in this part of the island.
Then take a fast boat to Anse Chastenet which is a great place for snorkelling as it is said to have the best reef off St Lucia. Stop en route at the Soufriere bat cave, which has several thousand roosting Jamaican fruit-eating bats. At Anse Chastenet, whilst looking for Hawksbill or Leatherback turtles, other Caribbean fish, such as Redlip Blenny, Yellowtail Damselfish, Spotlight Parrotfish, Blue Chromis and Bluehead Wrasse, might be seen, alongside numerous corals and sponges.
Finally, enjoy a guided walk in the old plantation, giving you an insight into the history of St Lucia, including the slave trade, before returning to Castries.
Whale and dolphin watching trip (half day)
Your comfortable boat takes you to a specific area near Castries where, if you are very fortunate, you may see Sperm Whale, Humpback Whale, Short-finned Pilot-whale, and Common, Spinner, Spotted and Striped Dolphins. You may also see a selection of pelagic sea birds including Skuas and Royal Terns.
Des Cartier Rainforest Trail (full day)
Another opportunity to do some birdwatching, and if you are lucky, you may see some different species today. Look out for the spectacular hummingbirds such as Purple and Green-throated Carib. You may also hope to encounter the charming Brown Trembler. This bizarre bird gets its name from its habit of shivering whilst perched on its song post. The striking Green Heron and Little Blue Heron are two other birds you may see.
Please note that sturdy footwear and walking sticks are recommended for this excursion, as the paths are slippery when wet.
Whilst the standard trail involves an hour-long trek to the Parrot lookout shelter, there is an alternative three-hour circular walk. However, this is only recommended for the most active participants as some of the paths are steep and quite challenging. Please note that this is a very long full-day excursion involving an early start from the hotel.
Rainforest aerial tram
St Lucia has 19,000 acres of lush rainforest that provide a home for a colourful array of exotic plants, flowers and birds.
This excursion gives you the chance to experience the magic of the rainforest from the best possible vantage point, gliding in an open-air gondola high amidst the canopy of the trees.
You will also have a guided walk through part of the forest so that you can experience this magical world from both ends of the spectrum.
Pigeon Island (half day)
Pigeon Island is a 40-acre islet connected by a causeway to St. Lucia's west coast. Now a nature park, the island has an idiosyncratic past as it was used by the first European settler, a Frenchman nicknamed Jambe de Bois, as a vantage point from which to attack passing Spanish ships. There are historical remnants from St Lucia’s past, like the remains of an 18th-century British fort, where the Admiral for which it is named spied on the French ships from its strategic viewpoint.
This excursion takes you on a guided walk around the island which is home to many different species of native bird. You can also spend time on the secluded sandy beach which is shallow and usually calm, allowing great opportunities to practice snorkelling with the colourful tropical fish and corals.
South and East coast wildlife watching (full day)
The east coast of St Lucia is characterised by dry scrubland and has a very different feel to the wet tropical side of the island. This day trip will feature frequent stops at strategic locations for short walks in search of St Lucia’s endemic and near-endemic bird species, especially the critically endangered White-breasted Thrasher. The tour includes entrance to Mamiku Gardens where you can learn about the many medicinal uses of local plants and enjoy a variety of butterfly species, as well as look for some of the local lizards.
Moving on southwards, you will see the island’s largest freshwater lake and at the southeast corner of St Lucia you can look out towards Maria Island and its large number of breeding seabirds
The last stop of the tour is usually at Cap Moule Chique to enjoy the stunning views and look out for birds in flight below the cliffs. It is hoped you may see Black Finch and Orioles.
Please note that this is a very long full-day excursion involving an early start from the hotel.