27 Best Excursions in St Lucia We Recommend for 2025

Planning a trip to St Lucia and wondering which tours are actually worth it? After spending a month on the island, we’ve narrowed down the 27 best excursions in St Lucia, including waterfall hikes, chocolate tours, private sails, mud baths and more. In this guide, we’ll share what to expect, how to book and which ones you should prioritise based on what you enjoy.

St Lucia may be famous as one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations, but don’t be fooled – it’s packed with adventure, nature and incredible experiences. Whether you’re here to unwind or explore, we can guarantee this Caribbean island has something to offer.

Quick Comparison: Top Excursions in St Lucia

⬇️ See the full list of 27 excursions below

Best Food, Drink and Cultural Excursions in St Lucia

1. Local Food and Rum Tasting Tour

You can’t visit St Lucia and not try the local rum and this food and rum tour is the easiest way to do that while also eating ridiculously well. It combines some of the island’s best food (we LOVE the hot cakes!) and drink stops into one relaxed afternoon.

You’ll visit a mix of small bars, local restaurants and roadside spots, sampling everything from homemade spiced rums to grilled or stewed pork. It’s a fun way to learn a bit about island life (and you’ll definitely leave full).

🥃 Reserve your spot for the Rodney Bay food tour.

2. Our Favourite Experience in St Lucia (Hint: It Involves Chocolate)

Just outside the town of Soufriere, you’ll find Rabot Estate and Project Chocolat (the cacao plantation for world-renowned chocolatier, Hotel Chocolat). Here, you can learn all about the chocolate making process.

If you do one thing during your time in St Lucia, let it be this! It was easily one of our favourite days during our month on the island. 

🍫 Tree to Bar Tour at Project Chocolat

There are two different tour options here. There is the tree-to-bar experience, which takes you through the entire process. You’ll tour the cacao plantation, plant (and name!) your own cacao tree, learn about the harvesting and drying processes, taste cacao pulp and create your own chocolate bar from scratch.

Also, lunch is included at their chocolate-inspired food-truck-style restaurant. Every dish has some form of cacao usage, with dishes like white chocolate mash, chicken roti with cacao wrap, and much more. We think you’ll agree it’s one of the best restaurants in Soufriere if you love to try something different.

You can book your Project Chocolat Tree to Bar Experience here.

🍫 Bean to Bar Experience – A Quicker Option

The second option is the Bean to Bar Experience. If you’re less interested in the plantation and harvesting processes or are short on time, then you should opt for this. Lunch isn’t included in this one, and the main focus of this shorter excursion is the chocolate making process. However, if you decide to, you can purchase lunch while you’re there.

You can book your Bean to Bar Experience here.

3. Sunset Beach Picnic in St Lucia (With Private Butler Option)

If candlelit dinners aren’t your thing, how about a private sunset picnic with your own butler on a Caribbean beach?

CHIC Hospitality sets everything up for you on a quiet stretch of sand, with cushions, candles, drinks and the kind of sunset views that make you forget you checked your phone five minutes ago. You even get your own butler to make sure you don’t have to lift a finger. There’s an option to add a photographer too, if you want the full honeymoon/proposal vibe.

It’s definitely not cheap, but if you’re here to celebrate something (or someone), this is a really lovely way to do it.

❤️ Our pick for this experience: St Lucia Beachfront Sunset Picnics.

4. Gros Islet Friday Street Party in St Lucia

Every Friday night, the fishing village of Gros Islet turns into one big street party, and it’s one of the best ways to experience local life in St Lucia.

They close off the streets, fire up the BBQs and blast soca, calypso, dancehall and reggae from huge speakers. There’s rum everywhere, grilled seafood straight off the coals and a mix of locals and tourists literally dancing in the streets! It’s loud, chaotic, fun and totally worth it if you ask us!

Don’t be put off by taking a “guided” tour to this street party – you’ll get to try the yummiest drinks and ask lots of questions, be introduced to the chefs, have space to explore on your own and benefit from flexible pick-up and drop-off times.

If you’re in the north of the island on a Friday, this is a must!

🎵 Learn more about this tour with private transport here.

5. Why Every Foodie Should Do This Walking Tour in Rodney Bay

If you’re staying in the north, this food tour is such an easy win. Unlike most excursions in St Lucia, which often mean long, winding drives, this one’s entirely on foot and stays within Rodney Bay.

You’ll make five stops at proper local spots (not tourist traps), where you’ll try some of the best St Lucian dishes and drinks. The guide knows their stuff – they even won Independent Tour Guide of the Year in 2023, which shows how great this St Lucia excursion is.

Whether it’s your first day or your last, it’s a great way to eat well and learn something without needing to leave town.

6. Take a St Lucian Cooking Class

We used to get major holiday blues, until we started doing cooking classes when we travelled. And it’s a must-do for foodies visiting St Lucia as it can be so much fun and you leave with a full belly – what more could you want!

This St Lucia cooking class is led by a professional chef, who will take you through organic gardens, teach you about medicinal herbs and teach you to cook a three course meal of St Lucian classics. So, when you’re back at home, in the cold of winter, you can transport yourself back to St Lucia.

By the end, you’ll be full, proud and probably wondering why you’ve never made your own roti before.

👩‍🍳 What we recommend: Cook with a chef in St Lucia.

7. Calabash Carving

If you’re after something a little different and a bit crafty, calabash carving is such a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon.

You’ll start with a full calabash fruit, scoop it out, and carve your own bowl or decorative piece to take home. It’s a hands-on workshop run by a local artist and it’s a much more relaxed, chatty kind of excursion. You’ll get to learn about everyday life in St Lucia while making something that isn’t mass-produced or found in a gift shop.

Also, you’re guaranteed a small group, so you won’t be bashing elbows with lots of other tourists on this St Lucia excursion.

🥥 Book your calabash carving experience here.

What are the Best Hiking Excursions in St Lucia?

If you want to get your boots dirty and take in some of the island’s most iconic views, St Lucia has hikes for all levels – from full day climbs to relaxed nature trails with a beer at the end.

8. Climb Gros Piton: What to Expect on This Bucket-List Hike

The Pitons are St Lucia’s most iconic landmarks – two volcanic spires rising straight out of the sea near Soufriere. If you’re up for a challenge, climbing Gros Piton is one of the most memorable excursions in St Lucia.

Yes, it’s tough, but totally doable if you’re moderately fit. Despite being taller than Petit Piton, Gros is actually the easier of the two. The trail is well-marked, the incline is steady and there’s no rope work or scrambling.

Is climbing Gros Piton hard?

It’s a long, sweaty hike, especially in the heat, but it’s manageable if you’re in good physical condition.

Tip: Bring your own water, even though the Gros Piton hiking tour includes drinks. You’ll need more than you think.

🥾 Check guided Gros Piton hike availability.

9. Guided Tour of Pigeon Island National Park

One of the most visited attractions in the northwest of St Lucia is Pigeon Island National Park. Within the grounds, you’ll find old forts, living quarters, incredible hikes, a beautiful beach and some unbeatable 360° views of the west coast and inland St Lucia. 

You can visit Pigeon Island National Park without a guide. But we definitely recommend going with one. It adds a lot more context to what you’re seeing (and lets you ask questions you won’t find on plaques). If you’re staying in the north, this is a super easy excursion to slot in.

🌊 See itinerary and details of the Pigeon Island Tour here.

10. Anse La Raye Waterfall Hike and Village Visit

Anse La Raye Falls is one of the best waterfalls in St Lucia and is often missed by most tourists – and that’s exactly why we love it. On this tour, you’ll ride in an open-air Jeep, explore the west coast, stop in fishing village of Anse La Raye and hike through the rainforest to reach one of the most underrated waterfalls in St Lucia. It’s not touristy or crowded, and you’ll have time to swim, cool off and take some great photos.

If you like hidden gems and getting away from the resort areas, this one’s for you.

💦 See details for the waterfall and village excursion.

11. Mt Pimard Nature Trail (A Quick Hike with Epic Views)

If climbing Gros Piton sounds like too much effort (fair), Mt Pimard is a great alternative, especially if you’re staying up north near Rodney Bay.

This nature trail hike is just 171 meters in elevation, or about 660 feet, meaning it is much shorter and more suitable for all types of hikers, but the views are surprisingly good!

From the top, you can see Pigeon Island to the north and, on a clear day, the Pitons to the south. It’s part of a private nature reserve, so you’ll need to go with a guide, but they’re super knowledgeable about the area’s history and plants.

After the hike, you’ll end up right at Reduit Beach, which is perfect for a swim and a cold drink at one of the many beach bars. 

🥾 See details and price: the Mt Pimard Nature Trail tour.

12. Tet Paul Nature Trail (Easy Piton Views)

How to see the Pitons without climbing them? Tet Paul Nature Trail is the easiest, and arguably best, way to do it. This short (30-45 minute max) loop with stairs and a well-marked path leads to multiple viewing areas of the majestic Pitons. There’s scrambling or long uphill climbs yet we’d say it’s easily one of the best views in St Lucia!

This is a great St Lucia excursion if you’re short on time, visiting with family, or just not in the mood to hike up a volcano.

⛰️ See what’s included here.

Best Adventure Excursions in St Lucia

13. ATV Adventure

Not many people see the rugged northeast of St Lucia, but this ATV tour gives you that opportunity. This less travelled area of the island is sparsely populated, with plenty of greenery, trails and untouched beaches on the Atlantic coast. 

You’ll ride through farmland, farming communities, plantations, forests, historical sites and beaches, learning about the island as you go. It’s a proper off-road adventure with bumpy tracks and a decent layer of dust – we couldn’t rave enough about changing it up from the usual resort days during your vacation and doing something epic like this!

If you’re like us and want to do adventurous things in St Lucia that most tourists don’t, this is a great one to book.

🛞 This is the ATV tour in St Lucia we recommend!

14. Drive-in Volcano, Sulphur Springs and Mud Baths

You’ve probably seen this one everywhere. Dubbed the world’s only drive-in volcano, the volcano itself is… fine. It’s more a steaming crater than anything visually epic. It’s the mud baths and sulphur springs that make this excursion worth doing.

Slathering yourself in sulphur mud and rinsing off in hot mineral water is genuinely so fun. People say these mud baths will take ten years off you, we’re not sure about that, but it does make your skin feel soft and the proven scientific benefits are detoxification, improved skin health and skin conditions, healing sunburn and improving circulation.

Be warned, sulphur is stinky and the mud will stain light-coloured clothing. So, wear a dark colour or swimwear you don’t mind replacing because it might be difficult to get the smell out too!

🌋 Our pick for this experience: Sulphur Springs Tour! You also get a stop at Toraille waterfall, which is one of the best on the island as can stand right under it, get drenched and cool off properly after the baths. Really, this really is one of the top adventure tours St Lucia has to offer.

15. Aerial Tram and Ziplining

This tour is a mix of relaxing and adventurous. First, you’ll take a slow ride through the rainforest on an aerial tram (which is a bit like a cable car) while the tour guide points out all of the plants, fruits and wildlife in the rainforest. It’s super peaceful and the views are great.

Then you get to the zipline section. There are total of 8 ziplines of different heights and lengths that allow you to feel like you’re flying through the rainforest. It’s good fun for all ages, especially if you haven’t done ziplining before. If you have done big ziplines elsewhere, you might find this one a bit tame compared with what you’re used to.

It’s more of an introduction to the rainforest and ziplining than an adrenaline rush, but still a really nice way to spend a few hours.

🚃 See tour details or book here.

16. Scuba Diving in St Lucia

There are some beautiful diving spots around St Lucia. The underwater landscape is shaped by the same mountains that make the island so dramatic above sea level. That means steep drop-offs, rocky ridges and reefs that are home to colourful fish and other marine life.

If you’re an experienced diver, we don’t think it’ll be the most jaw-dropping diving you’ve ever experienced, but it’s still a really enjoyable morning or afternoon out.

And if you’re new to scuba diving, St Lucia is a great place to get started. The water is warm, visibility is super clear and the instructors are really friendly.

🤿 Certified diver tour (1-5 days of diving, includes tanks, weights, dive master and lunch on the boat)
🤿 Beginner diver tour (1 tank dive, includes tanks, weights, instructor and lunch on the boat)

17. Try SNUBA (the No-Certification Way to Dive)

If you want to go deeper than snorkelling but don’t have the time (or interest) to get scuba certified, SNUBA is a good in between.

You’ll wear a snorkel mask and a regulator, but instead of carrying a tank, your air comes from a raft above the water via a hose. It gives you more freedom than snorkelling, and a chance to explore reefs without needing to come up for air every few seconds.

It’s low effort, beginner-friendly and a great option if you’re looking at excursions in St Lucia to dip your toes into the diving world without committing.

🐢 Check availability for SNUBA here.

18. Rural Segway Tour

This one’s kind of random but actually really fun.

If you’re staying in the north and want something easy but active, this Segway tour around Mt Pimard is a good shout. You’ll head off-road on a 2 mile trail, learning about the plants and terrain as you go, with the added bonus of not having to do any real walking.

It’s good for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants to say they’ve done something a bit different.

19. Bamboo Rafting on the Rosaeu River

If you’re looking for something peaceful, romantic and completely stress free, this is it. We loved this experience.

You’ll float down the Roseau River on a hand-crafted bamboo raft, steered by your guide while you sit back with a drink in hand and take in the rainforest around you. It’s incredibly peaceful and honestly a really nice break from all the go-go-go stuff on most itineraries.

You can hop in the river for a dip, or wait until you reach Roseau Beach for a swim there. Either way, it’s one of the most relaxing excursions in St Lucia and definitely one of the most romantic.

🎋 Book our favourite tour: St Lucia Private Rafting Experience.

Best Boat Trip and Sailing Excursions in St Lucia

One of the best ways to explore St Lucia is by boat, and for good reason. Most of the top sights are along the west coast, and getting around by water is often faster (and way more enjoyable) than winding through steep island roads.

Below we’ve given you a list of the best sailing tours you can do in St Lucia.

⬇️ Read about each of these below

21. Powerboat Land and Sea Tour

If you’re short on time or prefer a faster pace, this land-and-sea powerboat tour is a great way to pack in a lot.

You’ll beach hop your way down the west coast, taking in and stopping at remote beaches and fishing villages. Once you get to Soufriere, you’ll hop in a car and head inland for a visit to the sulphur springs and mud baths, followed by Toraille Waterfall. After that, it’s back on the boat to visit the pristine white sands of Jalousie Bay, which sits between the iconic Pitons.

You’ll see some of St Lucia’s best highlights in one go on this tour.

Tip: Bring a dark or old swimsuit as the sulphur will stain and smells bad!

🚤 We’d do this land-and-sea powerboat tour again in a heartbeat!

22. Full Day Catamaran Cruise (Unlimited Drinks)

When your perfect day involves sunshine, sailing and rum punch, this is the catamaran cruise for you (unlimited drinks are included!).

Following a similar route to the powerboat tour above, but at a much more relaxed pace, you’ll navigate down the west coast and pass by incredible scenery and mountainous landscapes, including the Pitons. You’ll stop at Toraille Waterfall, the historical Morne Coubaril Estate and the sulphur springs, then head to Anse Cochon for snorkelling.

On the way back, you’ll cruise past the jaw-dropping Marigot Bay, one of the most picturesque spots on the island.

🛥️ See all the details and lock in your spot on the catamaran cruise here.

23. Sunset Sailing

If there’s one thing you have to do in St Lucia, it’s watch the sun setting. And there are few things quite like taking in the sunset while aboard a catamaran that’s bobbing in calm, lake-like Caribbean waters. It’s literally our idea of heaven!

This is something to do with your evening that’s a little different instead of soaking in resort entertainment, then this is one of the best excursions in St Lucia we’d recommend you book. 

You’ll head out in the late afternoon and with unlimited drinks and snacks included, you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. You might even get to see the elusive phenomenon of a “green flash” (we’ve only seen it a handful of times!) as the sun dips below the horizon.

🌅 Check availability for the sunset sailing tour here.

24. Private Luxury Day Sail

We’ve been on private day sails with friends, and honestly? They’re always one of the best days of our trip! It’s the kind of excursion to book when you don’t want to share the experience with strangers.

You get the whole 50-foot catamaran to yourself – no itinerary, just sailing along the west coast with as many unlimited drinks and snacks (including hors d’oeuvres) as you want. The crew are happy to let you set the pace as well. You can stop for swim stops, blast music or do absolutely nothing… whatever you feel like.

It’s definitely a “treat yourself” kind of tour, but it’s a really memorable way to see the best of St Lucia so it’s 100% worth it.

🛥️ This is private luxury catamaran cruise we recommend.

25. Learn to Sail a Racing Yacht in St Lucia

This isn’t your usual “chilling out and sipping on unlimited drinks all day” kind of tour, though you can still do that, to be fair. This is something a bit different.

You head out on a 40 foot racing yacht with a crew and they actually get you involved. You can hoist sails, learn some basic sailing terms (and immediately forget most of them if you’re anything like us) and even take the helm for a bit. It’s surprisingly fun, and something different from the usual excursions in St Lucia.

⛵️ Find a time that suits you for the hands on sailing tour in St Lucia.

Custom Tours and Combo Excursions in St Lucia

26. Build Your Own Private Island Tour

We’ve done a few set-itinerary tours and they’re fine… but sometimes you just want more control. That’s where this kind of tour comes in.

You basically hire a local driver for the day and build your own plan. Whether that’s chasing waterfalls, exploring fishing villages, stopping at beach bars, or just avoiding the places you’ve already seen. You’ll find with a lot of excursions in St Lucia, and other destinations, that pre-organised tours tend to have the same stops as each other. So this is ideal if you’ve done your research and want to avoid the typical tour routes.

It’s also a great middle ground between group tours and car rental as you don’t need to drive (and therefore won’t get lost!) and you have the freedom to roam but with local knowledge.

🚗 Book your private and customisable tour.

27. Should You Rent a Car in St Lucia? Pros and Cons

Renting a car is the best way to explore St Lucia on your own schedule, but it’s not for everyone.

The island looks small on a map, but the roads are steep, winding and occasionally more pothole than tarmac. That said, if you’re confident behind the wheel and want to explore beyond the usual tour routes, it’s a great option.

We’ve rented a car here before and loved the freedom. You can set off early, stay out late and visit up more off the beaten track places without relying on a schedule or group. But be warned: getting around takes longer than you’d think, and longer than Google Maps suggests (as we found out the hard way!) so just give yourself enough time and make sure you download offline maps before you set off on the twisty roads.

💡 Tip: Save this list and come back to it when planning your St Lucia trip – every tour is personally reviewed and linked for easy booking.

FAQs About Excursions in St Lucia