Nature

Explore the rain forest | Bird watching | Waterfalls | Turtle watch

An island of natural wonders
waiting to be explored.

While many people tend to associate a holiday in the Caribbean with lazy days on white sandy beaches, St Lucia can offer this and a whole lot more.
For those willing to venture off the beaten track and put a little more effort into their vacation time, St Lucia can unlock a host of natural wonders most tourists fail to experience.
Pristine Rain forest, waterfalls with cool, natural swimming pools beneath, exotic bird life, giant marine turtles, and close encounters with whales and dolphins can all be experienced in and around this lesser known Caribbean island paradise.

Explore the Rain forest

Union Nature Trail, Medicinal Herb Garden, Wildlife Collection and Interpretive Center: Spend time with nature on a looped trail which takes you through a secondary dry forest in just about an hour. Many dominant tree species thrive here, and pretty birds can be spotted along the trail such as finches, warblers and hummingbirds. Discover the magic and wonders of herbs in the medicinal herb garden. To complement your trail experience, take a close-up look at some indigenous and a few exotic creatures at the Union Mini Zoo. An interpretive Center provides information on endangered species, vegetation zones and the forest by night and day. Union is a 10 to 15 minute drive from most hotels in the north.

Des Cartiers Rain forest: This is a real botanical paradise. Get off at Mahaut to explore St Lucia's most hidden lush Rain forest. Drive six miles in-land from the east coast main highway via a secondary road. There are real possibilities here of seeing the rare St Lucia Parrot (Jacquot). Trek through the ultimate Rain forest and discover much of St Lucia's endemic wildlife on this 2km trail. It takes 1 1/2 hours from Castries to reach this reserve.

Edmund Forest Reserve: In just over three and a half hours a guide from the Forest and lands Department will take you through the heart of the island into this forest reserve on the Western side of the island, to experience some of the most pristine nature on St Lucia. Along the trek you can see plants such as bromeliads, orchids, mushrooms, and lianes. At intervals, you are able to take long distance views of the Caribbean Sea. Emerging from the dark shade of the forest, a magnificent view of Mt Gimie, St Lucia's highest peak, fills the eyes. It takes 1 1/2 hours by bus from the northern part of the island to get to this reserve.

Barre De L'Isle Trail: This reserve gets its name from the fact that it is a ridge that divides the eastern and western halves of St Lucia. It takes about one hour to walk this trail and another hour to climb Mt La Combe ridge. This trail provides panoramic views of certain parts of the island from four look-out points along the way. Observe Mt Gimie and the blue, green Rain forest in the distance. You can also see the Cul-de-Sac valley and the Caribbean Sea, and gain commanding views of the community of Aux Leon, the expansive Mabouya Valley and Fond d'Or beach on the Atlantic coast. From Castries, it takes about 30 minutes by bus to get to this reserve.

Morne Gimie and the Gros Piton: These are all full-day climbs and are recommended for experienced walkers only. Local specialist guides show the way.

Enbas Saut Falls Trail: Enbas Saut, when translated into English means "below the falls" so it is not surprising that this trail is most famous for its two cascading waterfalls and clear pools perfect for a mid-hike splash. Remote, wild and unbelievably scenic, the Enbas Saut Falls Trail is set within the 19,000 acres of the Central Rain forest Reserve, six miles east of Soufriere at the foot of Mount Gimie, St Lucia's highest peak, and along the beautiful Troumassee River. Completed in 1996 by St Lucia's Forestry Department, the 4km long trail is the result of a special project funded by the government, the Rare Center for Tropical Conservation, and the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation. Before walking the Enbas Saut trail, you must get the permission of the Department of Forestry. For more information, contact the Department on (758) 450 2231/2078 or ask your tour representative. The more adventurous can drive to the trail start-past Soufriere, through Fond St Jacques and into the Edmond Forest Reserve.

Access to Trails: No one is allowed on these trails without the express permission of the Forest and Lands Department. For more information about hiking trails and St Lucia's nature reserves, call Forest and Lands on telephone (758) 450 2231 ext 306.


Bird Watching

Bird watching tours can be arranged with the Forest and Lands Department for between one and seven days. Visitors can observe some of St Lucia's rarest indigenous species, the St Lucia Parrot, the St Lucia Oriole, White Breasted Thrasher, Lesser Antillian Peewee, St Lucia Wren and many more. The following areas are designated as bird watching reserves: Piton Flore Reserve (north); Grand Anse (north); Edmund Forest Reserve (West); Bois d'Orange Swamp (north); Eau Piquant Pond (south).

Fregate Island Bird Sanctuary: Open year-round off the west coast near the fishing village of Dennery. For more information, visitors' permits and guides, contact the St Lucia National Trust on telephone (758) 452 5005.

Maria Island Bird Sanctuary: Open September to May off the coast of Vieux Fort in the South of the island. Closed for six months of the year to allow birds to nest in peace. Access to the island is by boat only. Visitors must go through the National Trust's Southern Area Manager, Julius James, on telephone (758) 454 5014. Well-qualified guides are provided who are fully-versed in this island's varied and abundant bird life.

Waterfalls

St Lucia's Naturalist Society provides a number of interesting guided walks to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Enjoy the surrounding forest and take a cooling dip in a natural pool as water thunders around you. To take part in these walks, contact Dr Marie-Louis Felix at the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Forestry on (758) 450 2958 for more information.

Turtle Watch

Between March and October, the shores of St Lucia play host to massive marine turtles which struggle onto the beach to lay their eggs before returning to sea. The waters surrounding St Lucia support three types of marine turtles, the Hawk Billed Turtle, the Green Turtle and the giant Leatherback turtle. The St Lucia Naturalist Society, in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries, has run Turtle Watch for the last 12 years offering the opportunity to see and even touch these fascinating creatures. Be prepared to stay awake into the small hours and dress warmly for a night on the beach. Good shoes must be worn and all participants are expected to bring their own snacks, water, torch, and camera. Turtle Watch runs every Saturday during the season. Contact Naturalist Society Chairman, Jim Sparks on (758) 452 9829.