When we first arrived in Soufrière, it didn’t take long to see why it’s often called the most beautiful part of St Lucia. You’ve got the Pitons towering over the coastline, rainforest in every direction and some of the island’s best beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs within a short drive. We based ourselves here for a little over a week and quickly realised you could fill a month without running out of places to explore.
In this guide, we’ve put together the best things to do in Soufrière, from easy day trips and nature trails to local spots in town that are worth your time. Whether you’re here for a few days or just visiting on a day tour, these are the activities and sights we’d recommend to anyone planning a trip in 2025.
A map of the best things to do in Soufriere
1. See the Pitons up close
Even if you do nothing else in Soufriere, just seeing the UNESCO Pitons up close makes the whole journey to St Lucia 100% worth it! Gros Piton and Petit Piton rise straight out of the sea and dominate the whole landscape. You’ll spot them from beaches, boat trips along the west coast and just about every angle around town. And somehow they still manage to stop you in your tracks every time.
If you want to really see the Pitons, not just spot them from your hotel, you’ve got three options:
First, you can hike Gros Piton. It’s steep, sweaty and takes 4–5 hours, but it’s doable if you’re in decent shape. Petit Piton is a whole different beast – much steeper, near-vertical in places, with ropes and scrambles, and not something we’d recommend unless you’ve got experience and a Petit Piton hiking guide.
The Tet Paul Nature Trail is a far easier option than hiking the Pitons, and still gives you panoramic views with hardly any effort. It’s a short, easy loop with some of the best lookouts on the island. We really recommend doing the Tet Paul Nature Trail, even if it’s not to see the Pitons, as it’s a lovely spot in Soufriere surrounded by nature and views.
Last option: take a boat trip. Seeing the Pitons from the sea was one of our favourite moments, especially in the late afternoon when everything starts to glow on a sunset boat tour of the west coast.
💡 Top tip: Don’t mix up the Tet Paul Nature Trail with the Gros Piton Nature Trail – they’re completely different. Tet Paul is the easy viewpoint walk. Gros Piton Nature Trail is the full-on hike to the summit of Gros Piton. We accidentally pulled into the wrong one, but luckily realised before we got too far!
2. New Jerusalem Mineral Baths: Our favourite hidden spot
While St Lucia is famed for its waterfalls and Sulphur Springs, not many know about New Jerusalem Mineral Baths. The baths are four mineral pools of varying temperatures surrounded by beautiful tropical fauna.
We loved it here, so much so, we visited twice during our trip. Both times, it was quiet and only a few locals were there. There’s something so incredibly relaxing about floating in these pools while surrounded by lush green rainforest. The canopy above provides shade, and the only sounds are wildlife and trickling water.
Tip: Try to visit on a weekday and arrive close to opening time. This spot is often frequented by locals rather than tourists, who tend to visit on weekends.
3. Best beaches around Soufriere (and what to expect)
We found there to be a real mix of beaches around Soufriere – some busy, some quiet, some you’ll have completely to yourself. Personally, we think this part of the island has the best beaches in St Lucia. You’ll find everything from soft white sand to dark volcanic bays, depending on where you go. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, or just read a book in peace, there’s a beach here that you’ll like.
These are some of the best beaches we found in and around Soufriere (yes, we went to quite a few lol):
- Soufriere Beach Park: This beach is almost in the centre of Soufriere, which means you get tourists and locals mingling here. It’s a relaxed but lively community vibe. With a few bars and restaurants by the beach, you’ll find plenty of places to grab refreshments. It’s not the prettiest beach, but it’s fun and social.
- Anse Chastanet Beach: This beach is a bit off-the-beaten-path down a very bumpy road near the Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet Resorts. It’s known to be a good snorkelling spot (we didn’t get chance), but people report seeing turtles here. It’s a good spot to spend a few hours as there is a nice beach bar and restaurant here.
- Anse Mamin: Anse Mamin is a hidden gem that’s just a few minutes walk from Anse Chastanet and tucked away from the more popular spots. We loved this beach, it’s a long stretch of sand for a nice walk and it’s quieter than Anse Chastanet.
- Sabwisha Beach: Sabwisha is a beautiful black sand beach on the south side of Soufriere. There’s not a lot in the area and no amenities here, so we’d suggest stopping off rather than planning a beach day here.
- Laborie Beach: The quaint fishing village of Laborie is incredibly picturesque with dark sands and coconut palms swaying in the breeze. It’s backed by the town and gives a you an experience of the real St Lucia.
- Jalousie/Sugar Beach: Tucked between Gros and Petit Piton, this beach offers a breathtaking backdrop for sunbathing. Its white sand contrasts sharply with the dark shadows of the Pitons. It’s ridiculously pretty, the white sand against the dark Pitons makes it feel almost fake. It’s no wonder this beach is often rated as the best beach in St Lucia, we loved spending a few hours here.
- Anse Cochon: Anse Cochon sits just below Ti Kaye Resort. We saw a super fun looking snorkel and boat tour at this beach when we visited, and surprisingly it’s really quiet.
4. Get messy at the Sulphur Springs mud bath
Did you know that Soufriere is home to the only drive-in volcano in the world? And you can take a guided tour to see the volcano and bathe in the bubbling sulphur springs and mud pools.
You have the option to visit the springs and mud baths and/or a tour of the volcano. The mud baths are an invigorating but strange experience. The properties of the sulphur mud are good for the skin, and the hot temperature of the water makes for a relaxing bath to wash off the sulphur. However, it has a very potent smell, and the water is grey in colour, which isn’t your typical bath.
Our Tips for Sulphur Springs in St Lucia:
- Plan to visit on a weekday and before 9am, the official opening time. As one of the most popular things to do in Soufriere – it can get busy.
- Also, wear swimwear that you don’t mind throwing out. The sulphur may stain, or you might never get the smell out. We had put ours in the bin, after three washes, they were still stinky!
5. Stop for a drink and view at The Beacon
You have to make a stop at The Beacon restaurant to experience one of the best viewpoints in St Lucia and get a breathtaking view over the town of Soufriere and beyond.
You can’t miss this bright pink restaurant from the road heading out of Soufriere. And once you’re inside, the view is simply breathtaking. We stopped here for a quick drink, but they do some good local food, particularly buffets.
There are some other viewpoints in and around Soufriere with beautiful views over the town and the Caribbean Sea. Often, they are on the roadside and signposted with a decking area to enjoy the view. Two of our favourites are Soufriere Viewpoint and Piton Viewpoint, which are both on Google Maps.
6. Get wet at Toraille Waterfall
Toraille Waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls in St Lucia, and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by lush greenery, this 50 feet (15 meters) tall waterfall plummets into a shallow pool below, making it great for cooling off on a hot day.
It was so nice how refreshingly cold the water is and it’s worth getting your shoulders under the cascading water to feel its power. But, if you’d prefer to admire it from outside the water, there are a few benches and a bridge around the falls.
Toraille Waterfall is so popular because it’s easy to access. There is no hike and parking is right by the entrance, which means you don’t have to spend long here. If you want to visit multiple attractions near Soufriere in one day, we’d suggest adding Toraille Waterfall to your itinerary.
7. Go underwater SNUBA or Scuba Diving
One of the best things to do in Soufriere is to go scuba diving. Or, if you’re not up for that, you can go for a SNUBA instead, which is a cross between snorkelling and scuba diving.
The crystal-clear Caribbean Sea in St Lucia has plenty of coral reefs and tropical fish where you can swim alongside sea turtles and get up close with shipwrecks.
Several companies offer diving tours and excursions to popular diving sites such as Anse Chastanet Reef, Superman’s Flight, and Lesleen M Shipwreck.
8. Stroll the beautiful Tet Paul Nature Trail
Tet Paul Nature Trail provides a fantastic opportunity to experience the Pitons without the difficult hike. It’s beautiful when you reach the top, we felt like we could reach out and touch the Pitons. Even though we’d seen them from every angle, this was probably the most majestic.
The nature trail is a loop that takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your pace and the amount of time you spend enjoying the viewpoints and attractions along the way. Half is uphill, where you’ll reach the main viewpoint of the Pitons, then the way back is downhill. It’s not too strenuous, and there are steps with rails that make it more manageable.
Top Tip: Begin your loop by taking a right when entering for a less uphill start, despite the information desk suggesting otherwise.
9. Eat in the treetops at Treehouse Restaurant in Soufriere
We had one of the most memorable meals of all our travels at Treehouse Restaurant. This Asian-inspired, Indian-fusion restaurant is in a jaw-dropping location and has the food and service to match.
As the name suggests, the restaurant is a giant treehouse. The dining area sits above the rainforest canopy, looking towards the Pitons, and, as the sun goes down, the sky lights up beautifully. It’s a romantic setting and we loved our meal here.
It’s a bit of an adventure to get here, the road (if you can call it that) is narrow and not well paved, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Don’t expect to come for a quick dinner, you’ll be served a pre-dinner cocktail and taken to a viewing deck, then shown to your table for a three-course dinner. In total, we were here for around 2 hours and 30 minutes, but the beauty of it was we didn’t feel rushed and we got to watch the landscape change colour as the sun went down.
Also, be sure to make a reservation because we saw some people getting turned away.
10. Make your own chocolate at Project Chocolat
Undoubtedly, one of the best things to do in Soufriere is to visit the Rabot Estate and Hotel Chocolat. We learned all about the cacao and how this amazing fruit is turned into chocolate.
We highly recommend the Tree to Bar Experience, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the entire chocolate-making process and make your own chocolate bar. It also includes a chocolate-infused lunch at the street-food style on-site restaurant, where they incorporate cacao in every dish. We weren’t expecting much from the food, but it turned out to be one of our favourite places to eat in Soufriere, a chicken roti with chocolate-infused wrap and white chocolate mash were a couple of highlights.
Alternatively, you can do the Bean to Bar experience, which is a shorter tour and doesn’t include lunch, but still offers a unique experience of learning the history of cacao and making a chocolate bar.
11. Diamond Falls (Pretty but skippable)
Diamond Falls & Botanical Gardens is one of the most popular things to do in Soufriere. It gets busy with tour groups, especially when cruise ships are in, but if you time it right, we’d say it’s worth a quick visit.
The main thing to see is the waterfall, which looks like a rainbow. The rock face that the waterfall cascades down is multi-coloured, so it’s pretty magical. If you’re a fan of flowers and plants, it’s a relaxing place for a walk too, you’ll get to see loads of exotic things. For an extra charge, we decided to take a plunge in the mineral baths. There is an option of private or public baths, but the private ones were more like a cubicle and weren’t appealing at all, so we’d suggest using the public ones.
💡 However, if you’re short on time, I would recommend visiting some of the other waterfalls in St Lucia and experiencing the nature of St Lucia elsewhere. Personally, we were a little underwhelmed as you can’t go in the waterfall itself, the paint on the mineral bath pools was chipping away and the pools seemed dirty.
12. Explore beyond Soufriere (we rented a car)
Soufriere is a great base, but it’s only one part of St Lucia. If you’ve got the time, it’s worth seeing more of the island, whether that’s by renting a car and doing your own thing or joining a local tour.
We went with a rental car, which gave us the freedom to stop whenever we felt like it. We stopped at beaches, roadside barbecues, and little towns we hadn’t even heard of.
If you’re thinking about driving yourself, we’ve written a full guide to renting a car in St Lucia, including what to expect and tips from our own trip. The roads are winding and it can be slow-going in parts, but the views more than make up for it. However, if you aren’t a confident driver, it might not be for you.
Alternatively, you can book a private island tour which will include a driver. Some of these will be private and others you’ll be joined by a group, but it takes the pressure off driving, and you can enjoy a few Piton beers or rum punches on the journey.
13. Wander the town (and the Saturday market)
Soufriere might be known for nature, but if there’s one thing you need to do away from all the adventure, it’s visit the local town. It’s a bit chaotic in that charming Caribbean way, but you get a really nice exposure to daily life here.
The main local market happens on Saturday mornings in the town square. It’s mostly for locals, but you’ll find fresh fruit and veg, seafood, handmade sauces and the odd souvenir stand. Come early if you want to see it at its busiest. We arrived about 9am with the host of our accommodation (it was so sweet of her to take us along!) and got to see all the tables stocked with stuff.
Beyond the market, we’d recommend just strolling the streets because they’re full of character. You’ll pass painted wooden houses, the old church and a little stretch along the waterfront that’s been fixed up with benches and trees. It won’t fill your whole day, but it’s worth a slow stroll and a stop at one of the local cafes or bars if you fancy a break or a beer.
14. Soak in Piton Falls (warm pools and a mini rainforest shower)
Piton Falls isn’t actually on either of the Pitons (we’re guessing the name was clever marketing), but it’s close, tucked away in the rainforest beneath Gros Piton. There are two warm mineral baths here and a small waterfall that feels like having a natural shower in the rainforest.
It’s an easy 10-minute walk down a trail and some steps, to get to the falls themselves, so you don’t need a guide. We didn’t spend long here, maybe 30 minutes to an hour, but it’s a good little stop if you’re already exploring the area.
15. Take a sunset catamaran ride
One of the best ways to end a day in St Lucia is with a sunset cruise along the west coast. Most come with snacks, drinks and of course, reggae or soca playing in the background. Let’s be real, you wouldn’t be in the Caribbean without it.
It’s one of those moments that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, especially if you’re visiting St Lucia with your other half and finding things to do in St Lucia for couples. The sun slipping into the sea on one side of the boat, the rainforest-covered mountains glowing gold on the other. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.
16. Experience local food & drink (delicious!)
We think one of the best ways to get to know a place is through food and drink, whether you stop at local bars and restaurants you wouldn’t usually go to or you join an arranged food and drink tour, you’re guaranteed to meet people unlike anyone you’ve ever met. They’ll have stories to share, and you’ll get to taste the things people in St Lucia eat and drink on a daily basis.
Or take a cooking class – that way, when you’re back home and craving St Lucia, you can at least make saltfish and bakes!
Is Soufriere a good place to stay in St Lucia?
Yes! Soufriere is one of the best areas to stay in St Lucia (it’s probably our favourite). This part of the island is incredibly picturesque and is full of adventure. It was the perfect base for us exploring the south and west coast including the waterfalls, white and black sand beaches and rainforest hikes. As well as having most of the best things to do in St Lucia in Soufriere, there are some pretty spectacular hotels and places to stay here too.
What kind of activities are there in Soufriere?
Most of St Lucia’s best nature-based activities are either in Soufriere or just outside it, so it’s the kind of place where you can pack a lot into a short visit. You’ll find hot springs, waterfalls, hiking trails, snorkelling beaches, chocolate-making experiences and boat tours – all within easy reach of town. We stayed for just over a week and easily could’ve filled another. Here’s what you can expect to do in and around Soufriere:
1. Sulphur Springs & Drive-In Volcano – Take a mud bath and see the volcanic crater up close
2. Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens – Walk through tropical gardens and visit the colourful waterfall
3. Tet Paul Nature Trail – Easy trail with some of the best Piton views
4. Gros or Petit Piton hikes – Two steep hikes with big views if you’re up for the climb
5. Waterfalls – Toraille and Piton Falls are the easiest to get to
6. Snorkelling & diving – Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin have great reef access
7. Boat trips – We think sunset cruises, half-day snorkelling trips or full-day coast tours are all worth doing
8. Project Chocolat – Learn how chocolate is made and make your own bar
9. Soufrière town & market – Explore the streets, market stalls and waterfront
10. Hot springs & mineral baths – Relax in natural pools around the area
What is the most beautiful part of St Lucia?
Most people would say the southwest coast around Soufrière is the most beautiful part of St Lucia — and it’s hard to argue. This is where you’ll find the views that are plastered across postcards and travel brochures. It’s home to the Pitons, the best waterfalls, the best snorkelling, a selection of beaches, mountainous hikes, lush rainforest and local fishing villages.
The north has its own appeal with beaches and nightlife around Rodney Bay, and the east coast is wilder and less developed, but for pure, jaw-dropping scenery, the Soufriere area is the clear winner.
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