1. Sugar Beach
Nestled between the majestic volcanic peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, Sugar Beach (also known as Jalousie Beach or Anse des Pitons) prides itself in offering jaw-dropping views no matter which way you are facing. Combined with its gently lapping waves and fine golden sand, it is one of the island’s best-placed stretches of sand, if not also the prettiest.
At the base of the Pitons, the bottom drops 1,800 feet down a striking sea wall making it a prime dive location, too. Swim, splash and snorkel in the azure sea, lounge and bronze, but don’t forget your camera to catch the passing clouds play on the face of each peak, constantly changing hues from a bright emerald to the deepest forest green.
2. Reduit
If St. Lucia could boast a busy beach, Reduit would be it. Still quiet by most island standards, its Rodney Bay location fronts many of the island’s most popular all-inclusive resorts keeping it abuzz with sun-seekers, water sports enthusiasts, honeymooners and families alike, easily pleasing them all.
Another defining feature of Reduit beach is its length. While most of the beaches on the island are relatively short, Reduit carries on for a fantastic five miles, making it one of St. Lucia’s longest. Add a visit to the Splash Island Water Park and the shops and restaurants of nearby Rodney Bay and you’ve got the perfect St. Lucia beach day.
3. Anse Chastanet
Sharply dressed in silvery-black volcanic sand, stunning Anse Chastanet beach shares its name with one of the island’s top resorts. Despite its eye-catching appearance and exclusive setting, it is even more well known for its easily accessible underwater riches.
With an offshore coral reef and a steep wall drop-off, Anse Chastanet is one of St. Lucia’s best snorkel and dive sites, letting divers forego the dive boat experience for spectacular shore dives instead. For a break from the underwater fun, stroll to the northern end of the beach to find Anse Mamin, a quiet cove perfect for a casual picnic.
4. La Toc
If you’re out by the capital, Castries, escape the bustle at La Toc, a surprisingly quiet and secluded beach considering its central location. Fronting St. Lucia’s Sandals La Toc Golf Resort, the beach is small yet pretty and is adorned with the typical golden silky sand much of the west coast is known for.
Within a mile of the beach, guests will find numerous local bars and restaurants, a golf course, La Toc Battery and Government House historical sites, as well as Le Pavillion Royal Museum, showcasing the island’s rich culture and history. A visit to La Toc and its nearby attractions add yet another dimension to any St. Lucia holiday.
5. Grande Anse
There’s a reason endangered leatherback sea turtles, the ocean’s largest sea turtle, choose peaceful Grande Anse to lay and hatch their eggs on. The mountainous region surrounding this raw, unspoiled beach is void of busy tourist resorts and will soon become a new national park, surely aiding the leatherback’s survival.
As the only beach on our list on the eastern coast, it’s pounding Atlantic Ocean waves offer the island’s best surf breaks. Grande Anse is not recommended for swimming, but that doesn’t diminish its appeal as the perfect spot for a romantic stroll, a picture-perfect picnic, to watch sea turtle hatchlings make a break for the ocean or to simply get away from it all.
Life’s a beach, especially when you’re staying on the splendid shores of St. Lucia. Which beach is best for you? Ask our travel consultants to price your perfect beach getaway now
