Five brilliant beaches in St Lucia, from secluded bays to weekend parties
St Lucia has a great variety of beaches, with the colour of the sand ranging from golden in the north to silvery black in the volcanic south west. On the more sheltered west coast, the strands are usually lapped by the Caribbean Sea, while on the exposed and often breezy east coast they are pummelled by Atlantic breakers. And while some beaches are lively, with bars and and array of watersports on offer, lots are tranquil and unspoiled affairs, backed by hillsides draped in jungly undergrowth. Here's a selection of the best.
Reduit Beach
By most measurements the best, and certainly busiest, beach on the island: more than a mile of fine golden sand, with lovely views across the bay to double humped Pigeon Island.
Who goes?
The world and his wife: lots of guests from the low-rise hotels that line much of the beach, and plenty of locals too - especially at the southern end of the beach on weekends when a party atmosphere prevails, with music pumping out of a beach bar and families enjoying picnics. Tourists can be hassled a bit anywhere on the beach.
What is there to do?
The beach, which shelves fairly gently, is excellent for safe swimming. You can also try your hand at a wide range of watersports, be pulled around the bay on a rubber ring or banana, or muck around on Splash Island, a vast inflatable water park at the northern end.
Bars and bites
Spinnakers, towards the northern end of the beach, is a classic, laid-back beachfront bar/restaurant, where you can get a beer or a cocktail, and eat anything from a jerk chicken sandwich to grilled fish.
Getting there
Access is off Reduit Beach Avenue, in Rodney Bay Village.
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Pigeon Island
On the southern side of Pigeon Island, just inside the entrance to the national park, are two sheltered, shaded and extremely picturesque little strips of golden sand.
Who goes?
Rodney Bay Village hotel guests, visitors from yachts moored out in the bay, and those on cruise ships.
What is there to do?
Swim, go kayaking or snorkelling (equipment available to rent), and on the second beach try out at SNUBA (a cross between snorkelling and diving) or Sea Trek Helmet Diving. You can also explore the historic park.
Bars and bites
Follow the shore along from the second beach and you'll soon come to Jambe de Bois, a rustic, waterfront café that does drinks, and inexpensive sandwiches, rotis and salads for lunch. Otherwise, the park is ideal for picnics, with lots of shaded, grassy areas.
Getting there
You can drive: despite its name, Pigeon Island is connected to the mainland, and there's a big car park right outside the entrance to the park. Access to the park – and therefore the beaches – costs US$8 (£6), children five-12 US$3 (£2.30), under fives free. To reach the beaches, turn left once inside the park. You can also get a water taxi to Pigeon Island from Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay Village.
Anse Cochon
Halfway down St Lucia's west coast, between Castries and Soufrière, this 200-metre-long strip of dark sand is a magical, unspoiled spot backed by jungle undergrowth.
Who goes?
Guests at Ti Kaye, the lovely hotel up the hillside and trippers on boat excursions.
What is there to do?
Enjoy the peace and beauty of the pristine bay, and go snorkelling - it's one of the best spots on the island to do so, with the reef beginning very close to the beach. Ti Kaye rents out sunloungers, kayaks and snorkelling equipment to non-resident guests.
Bars and bites
Ti Kaye's simple beach bar/restaurant does catch of the day sandwiches and much else besides.
Getting there
If you're not coming on a boat, take the road south from Anse La Raye, turn off to Ti Kaye, follow the long and rutted track to the hotel, then descend the 166 steps down to the beach. Ti Kaye charges US$10 (£8) per person for access to the beach via the hotel, redeemable at the beach bar/restaurant.
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Anse Chastanet
Anse Chastanet's 200 metres of dark, silvery sand is one of the best beaches in the south-west of the island. It's dotted with palms and the thatched umbrellas of the hotel of the same name, and is surrounded by steep, forested hillsides.
Who goes?
Mostly guests at Anse Chastanet hotel, but also holidaymakers from other hotels in the area that aren't on a beach, and those on excursion boats stopping off in the bay.
What is there to do?
This is the best snorkelling spot on St Lucia, with a coral reef teeming with fish just offshore. Scuba St Lucia, Anse Chastanet hotel's dive centre, rents out snorkelling gear, and can also sort out any diving you might want to do. You can also go mountain biking on trails through the jungle behind the next-door beach (see bikestlucia.com). The hotel rents out sunloungers on the beach to non-residents.
Bars and bites
The hotel has an enticing bar and restaurant right behind the beach, where you can get sandwiches and full-blown meals.
Getting there
It's a good 10-minute drive along a very bumpy and steep track from Soufrière. You could also take a water taxi from Soufrière.
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Anse des Pitons
This astonishingly beautiful beach occupies a dramatic location in the cleavage of the Pitons. If its fine white sand looks out of place, you're right in thinking so - it has been imported from Guyana.
Who goes?
Guests at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, the very stylish hotel behind the beach. But all beaches in St Lucia are public, so anyone has the right to visit Anse des Pitons – and guests from other nearby hotels are shuttled here each day.
What is there to do?
Take in the amazing location, sunbathe, swim or go snorkelling at the base of the Petit Piton (one of the best places on St Lucia to do so). There are basic, free sun loungers. Or you can pay to use the hotel's very luxurious ones, as well as to rent snorkelling equipment and kayaks.
Bars and bites
Right behind the beach there's a stylish beach bar with hammocks in the shade of almond trees. The elegant but casual Bayside Restaurant, also behind the beach, is excellent. Both bar and restaurant are part of Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, so note that the food and drinks are pricey.
Getting there
Travelling independently, the best way to reach the beach is by water taxi from Soufrière. Coming by car, Sugar Beach charges US$50 (£39) per person, redeemable against food and drink, to access the beach, including parking in the hotel grounds and taking a shuttle bus down to the beach. You should be able to avoid the hefty charge by parking outside the hotel grounds and walking to the beach, but note that it's a long-ish walk down and back.
