St. Lucia Soft Adventure Vacations

Not interested in lazing on the beach all day long day after day? St. Lucia is the right choice for your vacation. Organizations like the St. Lucia National Trust and the Department of Forestry offer a number of nature trails some more strenuous than others. In the mountainous rainforests of St. Lucia there are approximately 30 species of birds. You may be lucky to spot the rare and beautiful parrot, Jacquot.

Caribbean islands' 2000 Ecotourism Award

St Lucia was the proud recipient of the Caribbean islands' 2000 Ecotourism Award for its Heritage Tourism Programme. So, whatever your mood, St Lucia can offer you a tour which will enchant you. Wherever you go, colours will mesmerise you. Vistas will astound you. And the tropical air will caress you. You'll find all your senses working overtime on St Lucia.

All-Terrain Vehicle Riding
See the wild side of St Lucia on an All Terrain Vehicle. Experience the thrill of riding an ATV through St Lucia's lush countryside...over mountains... through banana plantations.. and lots more!

Biking
Biking has also become popular way to enjoy the island, and there are some excellent biking tours for beginners and the more experienced off road riders. There's lots to see on 2 wheels in St. Lucia. For the adventurer, head into Soufrière for an ocean-side trail ride at Anse Chastanet. With a beautiful view of the world-famous Gros Piton and Petit Piton mountains, this is one ride you can't find anywhere but St. Lucia.

Camping
St. Lucia recently opened its first campsite, Anse La Liberte for those really attuned to nature.

Hiking
Exploring the beauty of Saint Lucia's majestic rain forest is a great way to relax and appreciate the island. A variety of natural trails lead hikers through the rain forest, to the top of Saint Lucia's mountains, through old plantation grounds, along beaches, to Cactus Valley, to Pigeon Island and more. As visitors hike, they will see spectacular rain forest waterfalls, flora and local birds like the Saint Lucia Parrot, the Saint Lucia Oriole and the Saint Lucia Black Finch. Comfortable shoes are a must.

Hiking Trails

• Eastern Nature Trail: This invigorating exploration along St Lucia's Atlantic coastline - Start with the leisurely and exciting 3½ mile trek along the rugged and beautiful East Coast of St Lucia. Along the trail you should see several species of birds, three of which and endemic to St Lucia, as well as migratory birds, which include the magnificent Fregate bird and the Red Bill tropicbirds. After the hike, drive to Latille where one can indulge in a twenty-foot waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation and additional pools downstream. To book contact Heritage Tours.
• Forestiere Tropical Forest Trail: This tour takes you into the heart of the St Lucian countryside to a typical rural community of Forestiere. An exhilarating hike takes you through dense tropical rainforest, whilst the fascinating flora and fauna is pointed out to you by a well informed guide.
• Rainforest Hikes: Explore the Rainforest Reserve with a guide from the Forest and Lands Department on a 3½ hour trek. Visitors trek past indigenous tree species and along paths lined with tinier plants, bromliads, orchids and mushrooms. Throughout the tour, beautiful birds including the indigenous St Lucia Parrot (Amazona Versicolor) can be seen. Emerging from the dark shade of the forest into the open, a magnificent view of Mount Gimie, St Lucia's highest peak. For more information contact Forest & Lands Department.

• Barre de L'isle Rain Forest Trail
• Union Nature Trail
• Naturalist Tour
• Fregate Island Nature Trail
• Morne le Blanc-Laborie

Horseback Riding
The ambiance of Saint Lucia can be captured through a number of horseback riding excursions. The International Riding Stables offers an assortment of trail rides, including a ride winding through the countryside along the beach, with time for swimming and a beach picnic at Cas en Bas. Trim's Riding Stables offer a variety of treks including a carriage tour to Pigeon Point and Fort Rodney.

Trek the lush trails of St Lucia, canter along almost deserted beaches on horseback and revel in pure serenity. Cantering a horse along a stretch of beach on the Atlantic coastline with the tropical wind whipping your face and eager mount springing forth uncoaxed. Touring St Lucia on horseback will enable you to truly take in the sights and feel part of the surrounding giving you a chance to take in more of the interesting aspects of the country.

For information on horse riding contact:

• International Riding Stables: a fantastic tour offered by these stables is their beach picnic at Cas en Bas. This is not only a super ride but extra time is allowed for swimming of more riding along the beach.
• Trims National Riding Academy : Trim's National Riding Academy promises horseback riding in a way you've always dreamed of. We can make all of your riding fantasies come true because riding with us is truly fun, exciting, and adventurous! We have four riding sessions a day where you can enjoy one or two hour rides, swimming is optional. The times are as follows: 8:30am, 10:00am , 2:00pm, 4:00pm. Ask about our group coastal tours where we also serve a spectacular lunch.
• Morne Coubaril: Unleash your curiosity by visiting a family plantation, which is full of activities, one of which includes horse riding. Discover the traditional ways of processing cocoa, copra and Manioc. Walk through a mixture of tropical flowers. 

Whale and Turtle Watching
St Lucia is recognized as one of the leading whale watching sites in the area. Over 20 species are regularly spotted throughout the year, including humpbacks, pilot whales, sperm whales and spinning and spotted dolphins. Turtles are another fascinating thrill for nature-lovers. The abundance of these majestic reptiles on St Lucia is due to the protection provided by local environmental activists, who have ensured there is a permanent suspension on turtle hunting.

Diving and Water sports
St. Lucia has a stunning variety of sea life and sub marine wonders waiting for you to explore. Get into the swim of things with your snorkeling or diving gear and experience the warm clear water that makes the Caribbean famous for underwater adventure.