St. Lucia family holidays and breaks

St Lucia is a great choice for family holidays if you’re looking for a Caribbean destination that will let you get under the skin of West Indian life, as well as one your kids will love, offering all the usual activities in, on and around the waves but also other activities such as abseiling and whizzing through the forest on a zipwire. 

Though it lives up to the Caribbean stereotype with its golden beaches, crystal-clear waters and lush interior, this mountainous island hasn’t become overly developed or sanitised, and though often glossed over as a glam honeymoon spot it has much more to offer than just posh digs. 

It’s also cheaper and easier to get to these days, and once you’re here, you’ll find an island with lots of energy, with reggae blasting from the windows and car horns beeping all day, at least in the towns. Inland, there’s a slower pace of life and lots to explore, especially the dramatic twin coastal peaks of the Pitons (remember Superman?) and rainforests teeming with plumed parrots, hummingbirds and wild orchids.

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Today

27°C
81°F

Carbon Footprint	7.61 tonnes CO2
Timezone	GMT -4
Local Currency	East Caribbean Dollar

What to do

Wander around the capital, Castries – a hustling, bustling place with a busy port. Landmarks include the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Derek Walcott Square (named after the island's Nobel Prize-winning poet), City Library and Fort Charlotte. 

Take a 15-minute cab ride from the port to Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay. Although pretty touristy and surrounded by resorts, the beach is great for families, with a gentle slope and safe waters. Facilities include a playground in yachty Rodney Bay Marina.

Alternatively, head across the channel to the more traditional fishing village of Gros Islet, or for something a bit more secluded, try Choc Beach, with placid waters and palm-fronded shade. 

Venture to Anse Cochon for snorkelling in clear waters with ample sealife, combining the trip with a lunch-stop in chi-chi Marigot Bay. 

Seek out a retreat in the beautiful Diamond Botanical Gardens on the west coast and have a dip in the natural springs. 

Discover the world’s only ‘drive-in’ volcano, Sulphur Springs, for a very different kind of dip – a mud bath finished by a wash in the sulphurous springs. Your kids won’t fail to be delighted with the whole stinky affair – prepare yourself for lots of eggy fart jokes. 

Venture to the idyllic public beach between the twin triangular Piton peaks (access is through the Jalousie Plantation Hotel). A tram takes to the sands, where you’ll find lots of shade, a small playground, decent snorkelling (bring your own gear), a beachfront restaurant and one of the most jaw-dropping views on the whole island. 

Delight in Soufrière, the oldest town on St Lucia, with a great marketplace decorated with colourful murals and gingerbread trim. Visit The Mourne Coubaril Estate, an active plantation with demonstrations of cocoa, copra, and manioc processing, a walk on an original street formerly used by mule carriages and a visit to a workers’ village. 

With wannabe pirates, go on a Jolly Roger cruise to Pigeon Island, a National Park where kids can let off steam as they climb to the top of the fort.  

With adrenaline junkies, head to Treetop Adventure Park, with a kids’ course with mini-ziplines and rope challenges. 

With over-2s, seek out the Rainforest Sky Rides Eco Park for a prime view of the forest and the island, after a gondola ride above the trees lasting about 2hrs 30mins. Ages 12 and up can whizz through the canopy on zip-frames. 

Sign up for a whale-watching safari: Hackshaw’s Boat Charters come highly recommended (book before arriving in St Lucia). You spend a few hours on a speedboat tracking pilot, sperm and humpback whales and the occasional orca; there’s no guarantee, but they do have a pretty good track record, and chances are you’ll see schools of dolphin too. 

Horse-riding is popular with families in St Lucia; ask at your hotel for a reputable stables.

Where to stay

There's a wealth of great accommodation for family holidays on St Lucia, whether on a room-only basis or all-inclusive. See our recommendations and deals in the right-hand column of this page or check Expedia for more great St Lucia deals.

When

Temperatures ranges are 18–25°C between December and May, and 24–35 °C between June and November, with July and August the hottest months. June to November sees the heaviest rainfall and occasional tropical storms (it's the official hurricane season).

The peak season is December to February, so try to schedule family holidays in St Lucia for March, April or May, when there are fewer visitors but the weather is still gorgeous.

How

Direct flights from the UK to Hewannora International Airport in St Lucia, some with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, take about 8hrs. Charter flights offer a cheaper alternative but tie you into a 7- or 14-day stay. 

St Lucia is GMT-4/5 so you'll need to factor jet-lag into family holidays.

See also our car-hire page.

Eat

St Lucia has an excellent range of restaurants, small cafés and roadside bars catering for most tastes. You can stick to western food in the hotels if that makes family holidays easier, but do try to branch out and try excellent Caribbean 'fast food' including rotis, fried fish and chicken with fries, callaloo soup (with the spinach-like vegetable, crabmeat, salt beef and avocado), stews with salt/fresh fish, chicken or mutton, and the ubiquitous jerk chicken, rice and peas.

Fresh fruit is always a treat, while wonderful juices include tamarind, coconut, passion fruit and soursop.

Cost

St Lucia isn't generally a low-budget destination for family holidays: expect to pay from £650pppw on a room-only basis to around £1900 for an all-inclusive 5-star in peak season.

For flights from the UK, budget from about £500pp.

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