Top Kid-Friendly Sites and Activities in St. Lucia

Famous for its dueling Piton mountains and lush hillsides surrounded by azure waters, the island of Saint Lucia was named the World's Leading Honeymoon Destination for the fifteenth year in a row by the World Travel Awards. But the Windward Island is more than an ideal escape for newlyweds; it's also an oasis for families.

Here's your guide to can't-miss kid-friendly sites and activities on Saint Lucia.

Sugar Beach Snorkeling

Sitting beneath the shadow of Petit Piton — the smaller of Saint Lucia’s two signature peaks — is Sugar Beach, a marine-life-rich sandy shore managed by Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. Ideal for rookie snorkelers, Sugar Beach provides a great spot for children to test their sea legs and get a glimpse of an angel fish or moray eel. Interested visitors can access the roped-off snorkeling area as guests of the resort, pay for a day pass or climb onboard a boat tour that contracts with the site, such as Sugar Boat Charters or Spencer Ambrose Tours, which stops for snorkeling excursions in the calm bay.

Knotty Girl Speed Boat Tours

From catamarans to sailboats, Saint Lucia has no shortage of boat tour operators, but for a high-energy ride that will keep children engaged, opt for KnottyGirl Speed Boat Tours. Based on Pigeon Island in Rodney Bay, at the northwesternmost point of the island, KnottyGirl’s gregarious crews welcome up to 28 passengers to show them some of the best views of the western coast and Pitons. (Note: The operator is available to pick up clients from many resorts nearby.)

As passengers navigate through the natural arch at Marigot Bay, there's a touch of movie magic: This was the backdrop for the scene from film “Pirates of the Caribbean” where Captain Jack Sparrow spies the hanging skeletons of captured pirates. Kids will also be mesmerized by the cliff jumpers who catapult off the famous rock formation to entertain passersby. (Note: Tell clients to bring cash if they’d like to tip the brave acrobats who swim to the stern looking for gratuity after each performance.)

Sulfur Springs Mud Baths

Bath time can be a tug-of-war in many families, but kids may rethink the activity after a visit to Saint Lucia’s Sulfur Springs. Located above the town of Soufriere, the Soufriere Volcano is the only drive-in volcano in the world, and a three-pool mud bath experience awaits in its center. Sulfur Springs Tours will pick up guests at their hotel or directly from a boat tour or cruise ship.

At the springs, clients will be treated to a messy, magical adventure: Everyone is encouraged to spread the spring’s thick black mud (a natural exfoliant) all over their bodies, then plunge into the toasty pools to rinse off. Kids will especially love walking from pool to pool or taking slides that connect the waters.

Morne Coubaril Estate Chocolate Tour

The story of Saint Lucia’s cocoa economy is a history lesson kids can appreciate, especially with the promise of chocolate at the end of a tour (and rum for the adults) from Morne Coubaril Estate. Founded in the 1740s, the once-prosperous sugar cane plantation is now a living history site and adventure park.

During the 40-minute Rum & Chocolate Tasting Tour, the thoughtful staff provide a hands-on experience, walking visitors through chocolate production, from drying the cocoa to doing the cocoa dance — fancy footwork performed inside a giant copper vat filled with cocoa beans. (Note: Children can partake in this activity.)

Splash Island

When little ones tire of making sandcastles, Splash Island at Reduit Beach will provide hours of entertainment. The floating bounce house is located by Bay Gardens Resort & Spa, and guests of that property — along with sister sites Bay Gardens Hotel [https://www.baygardensresorts.com/hotel], Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Marina Haven Hotel and Waters Edge Villas by Bay Gardens Resorts — enjoy free unlimited access. 

Clients staying at nearby hotels can also enjoy the attraction for a fee, as long as they are at least 6 years old and taller than 3.5 feet. Taxi transfers can be arranged from any of the many nearby resorts or directly from the Castries cruise terminal.

Where to Stay: Family-friendly Resorts on St. Lucia

Along with splash park access, Bay Gardens Resort & Spa offers kids program Coral Kids Club, which provides supervised activities for children ages 4 to 12. Young ones can join treasure hunts, nature walks and arts and crafts activities when parents need a break. Suites at Bay Gardens Resort & Spa include kitchens to allow for in-room dining, and some rooms encircle a pool that is just steps from the beach — a nice alternative for small swimmers who might be unprepared to navigate the strong surf.

On the luxury end of family-friendly resorts in Saint Lucia is Windjammer Landing. With 330 rooms that range from 400-square-foot oceanview spaces to a four-bedroom villa with a private pool and terrace, this Mediterranean-inspired oasis on Labrelotte Bay has all the amenities of the finest four-star resorts without sacrificing style to welcome youngest guests. For example, of its five restaurants, two (Jammers and Upper Deck) offer kids menus. And tucked behind its rows of signature blue-and-white-striped beach umbrellas, children will find a large deck box filled with beach toys for the taking.

Activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and waterskiing can all be arranged just down the beach at Windjammer Jetty, the on-site water sports dock. And Kids Fun Club handles the rest. With an ever-changing schedule of kid-friendly activities, from movies on the beach and kiddie yoga to cooking classes and Creole dance lessons, the Fun Club is designed to give little visitors a true taste of Saint Lucia — while allowing parents time for rest and relaxation.