Best Beaches in St. Lucia

This coastline features staples of your typical Caribbean postcard – palm trees, lush hills and clear waters swimming in tropical fish (bring your snorkel) but rather than bright white, the 150m stretch of sand comes in shades of volcanic grey and golden-brown. No wonder one of the finest hotels on the island – Anse Chastanet – chose to set up shop here. Reach the beach via water taxi or a rather bumpy (but worthwhile) drive from Soufriere. A handful of hotels are based here, including Jade Mountain Resort and Anse Chastanet Resort.

A curious curve of white sand trims this stretch of seaside, shining bright amid the volcanic grey tones of neighbouring beaches. It’s a result of thousands of tonnes of sand being shipped in from Guyana, and though we’re not usually fans of altering Mother Nature’s masterwork, the result is quite spectacular. Palms and almond trees stretch to the skies, as do the Piton peaks flanking each side of the beach. The white sand shows just how clear the waters are – perfect for snorkelling, swimming or new-fangled snuba-ing. When it comes to getting here, a bus covers the last leg of the journey from the car park to the beach. Once you’ve arrived, hire a kayak or lounger, depending on how active you feel... You might also hear this place referred to as Sugar Beach (after the Sugar Beach Resort here) or Jalousie Beach.

Lined with the hotels (including Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa and Mystique St. Lucia by Royalton) of Rodney Bay, Reduit’s a mile long stretch of soft, golden sand that makes up the busiest beach on the island. St Lucia’s beaches don’t get more popular than this one, which has calm water to swim in and all manner of watersports (waterskiing, kayaking, banana boats, an inflatable water park...) as well as oodles of bars serving fresh, fruity cocktails. Not that you have to sign up for non-stop action – there’s always the option to lie back and enjoy the view over pretty Pigeon Island.

Unless you’re staying nearby in Sandals Grande, you’ll need to travel by car or water taxi to get here and pay for access to the National Park. These beaches are well worth the extra effort to get to. On the south, Pigeon Island’s coves have a sheltered, natural feel and make a quieter alternative if you don’t want the crowds and buzz of Reduit. Swim in water that’s bluer than blue, relax on soft sand and head off to explore the island’s hiking trails and historic sites before you leave. Other nearby hotels include The Landings Resort & Spa and further up the coast is Cap Maison Resort & Spa and Royalton Saint Lucia.

Vigie’s often surprisingly quiet considering how pretty it is: clear Caribbean Sea laps up against a gentle curve of gold-coloured sand that must’ve been made for beach walks, while palms and sea grapes provide shade if you want to put your feet up for a bit. Altogether it’s a less busy, less developed alternative to Rodney Bay, but still within walking distance of the cruise port and Castries airport.

Escape to the Atlantic east coast for a quieter time on the oceanfront, where Grand Anse mixes bright golden sand with deep turquoise sea and wind whipped palms. You’ll probably have the whole beach to yourself. Well, you might have to share with a few turtles…

Not consistently calm for swimmers, but brilliant for sunbathing to the sound of the surf and beach walks on sugary golden sand, backed by hills and greenery. Stick around for the sunset if you can – especially if you’re staying in the nearby Sandals Regency La Toc.

The Caribbean’s not all textbook white sand beaches… In certain parts, it’s even more special. The black volcanic sand here is sometimes rippled with white sand to create a silvery spectacle - all backed by jungle for an exotic feel. Snorkel from the beach around a colourful offshore reef or just sit back and enjoy a beach like no other. One of the only hotels here is Ti Kaye Resort & Spa.

You can reach the famously beautiful Marigot Bay by ferry or kayak. Spread your towel out under a palm tree, or hire a sun lounger and enjoy this secluded and stunning spot where Doctor Doolittle was filmed in 1967. The Great Pink Sea Snail hasn’t been spotted for a while, but watching boats come in and out of the harbour is still a treat.

Choc beach’s calm water is perfect for paddling and swimming, and yellowy-white sand speckled with palm trees completes the scene. Though it’s backed by some big hotels and near the cruise terminal, this is one of the quieter beaches on the island. Let’s hope it stays that way as nothing beats having the whole beach to yourself!