Things to Do in Saint Lucia – Get Muddy, Explore Nature & Relax on a Sunset Sail
You’ll find Saint Lucia in the southern Caribbean, just south of Martinique, with Barbados to its east. St. Lucia is a mountainous island covered in lush green rain-forest and is home to the distinctive and easily recognizable Pitons (mountains), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A very popular Caribbean vacation destination known for romantic getaways, there’s also plenty of things to do in Saint Lucia for active travelers – If you know where to look…. You can enjoy time outdoors with a walk through a botanical gardens or on a nature trail. Thrill seekers can zip-line through the rain-forest or motor through the jungle on an ATV or Dune Buggy.
Our personal favourites include:
Saint Lucia Nature – Explore and Enjoy!
Saint Lucia is a gorgeous island, full of nature’s wonders…
The Tet Paul Nature Trail is a “must do” on the island. The hour long guided tour can be enjoyed by folks of all ages and physical ability. You will be treated with amazing views of the Pitons, as well as the south coast of the island. Your guide will also share his knowledge of local plant life on display there.
For another quiet day in nature, journey to the remote east side of the island to experience Mamiku Botanical Gardens which offers a variety of forest and plantation tours that feature birds, humming birds and butterflies along with flowers and plant life, including medicinal herbs.
The Millet bird Sanctuary is located just outside of Roseau and provides birdwatchers with a 2-mile loop trail through a rich jungle environment that is home to 30 species of birds.
If you’re really serious about nature, take a scenic boat ride over to the Fregate Islands Nature Reserve, an important nesting site for the amazing Frigate bird, or to the Maria Islands Nature Reserve – Home to two endemic species found nowhere else in the world: the Kouwès grass snake and the Zandoli tè ground lizard.
For the more adventurous, take a trip to the Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve (Rainforest Adventures) for amazing views and a few thrills, from riding their aerial tram or zip-line. They also have rain-forest trails to explore. Enjoy some of the more fun and active things to do in Saint Lucia…
Of course, your trip to St. Lucia is not complete without seeing the multitude of things to do in Soufriere – The most popular attractions include the sulphur springs, therapeutic mud-baths and mineral water pools, along with enjoying a refreshing shower under one of the island’s many waterfalls.
Coined ‘the only drive-in volcano in the world’, Saint Lucia’s sulphur springs feature small boiling and steaming mud and water holes near the top of the volcano. Once you’ve seen (and smelled 😉 that area, it’s time to get more interactive – Take a warm mud bath, then rinse off in a nearby mountain fed stream of water – Choose from a number of waterfalls in the area including the Sapphire, Toraille and Latille waterfalls.
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens provide a guided tour of their gardens and colourful waterfalls, along with an opportunity to relax in their Mineral Baths.
A number of Island Tours include a combination of the sulphur springs, Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Waterfalls along with other island attractions such as a banana plantation, an estate plantation, a beach stop and a local Lunch. Zip-lining, horseback riding and ATV tours are also available.
For more info on some of the more popular things to do in Saint Lucia, including tour operators who will help you get the most out of your day, check out our Things to do in Saint Lucia – Land Excursions page
Saint Lucia Sight-Seaing by Boat Tour 😉
For a unique perspective of St. Lucia, cruise down the west coast in a boat to check out Marigot Bay, the ‘tunnel of love’ and the majestic Pitons. You can take a speedboat, a cruiser, or sailboat, both catamarans and mono-hull yachts are available. You can even journey by glass bottom boat or pirate galleon.
It’s an amazing sight when cruising alongside dolphins and whales – Yes that’s a thing. You can also relax and feel the caribbean sea breeze in your face when you it’s sail under the power of the wind – What a great feeling!
Of course it wouldn’t be St. Lucia without a romantic sunset cruise.
For a change of view, you can reach the Soufriere attractions via the water, and boat tours usually include a beach BBQ or Plantation lunch. You can also find party boats and pirate themed tours for the kid in all of us 🙂
Wander around historic Fort Rodney & Signal Peak in beautiful Pigeon Island National Park, and recall how this strategically important island changed hands between the French and the English more than a dozen times over a three hundred year span.
Located on the north-west tip of Saint Lucia, near Gros Islet, remains of the old stone fort are perched on a peak that juts out into the ocean. Feel the warm breeze while you take in spectacular panoramic views of the island and Caribbean sea. When you’re ready, travel to nearby Rodney bay where you’ll enjoy having lunch at a restaurant on Reduit Beach. Great relaxing things to do in Saint Lucia for sure…
Located in the west coast town of Roseau, 20 minutes from the capital Castries, you can find the island’s only official rum producer. Perhaps not that well-known, St. Lucia Distillers produce some of the best rum in the Caribbean, winning dozens of awards from various spirits competitions around the world. They produce over ten different rums, including varieties of white, flavoured, spiced and aged spirits, as well as rum based liqueurs/cremes. Their aged and spiced rums are excellent, including some great premium sipping rums. You can visit the St. Lucia Distillers retail store front, which includes a rum sampling room and they offer factory tours as well. Its worth the trip to Roseau to check out these fine Saint Lucian rums.
For more information, including tour operators who can get you there and back safely, click on our St. Lucia Rum page
Enjoy Saint Lucia’s SOLEIL Summer Festival
There’s a number of festivals on the island, pretty much year round. There’s culinary events during the Food & Rum Festival, the St. Lucia ‘Carnival’ and plenty of outstanding music festivals. St. Lucia’s Jazz Festival culminates with a concert on majestic Pigeon Island, while the Roots and Soul Festival features reggae, conscious hip-hop, Afro-punk and R&B music. You can also experience Saint Lucia’s rich cultural, ethnic and artistic heritage during the island’s Arts and Heritage Festival. Oh, did I mention… St. Lucia celebrates Chocolate Heritage Month every August, with a number of local events, including chocolate based meals and beverages – Yum!
Gorgeous Gardens, Nature, Caves, Rum, East Coast Views & more…
You’ll find that Barbados is a unique Caribbean island. Not only is it the most easterly island in the Caribbean, Barbados is also distinct from it’s closest neighbours St. Lucia and St. Vincent for another reason. Barbados is a coral-based island, significantly different than the volcanic islands nearby. While best known for its English heritage and white sandy beaches, Barbados is home to gorgeous gardens, great rum, amazing tropical views and more. The island has plenty to offer sight-seeing travelers if you know where to look… Our personal favourite “things to do” in Barbados include:
Strolling Through a Beautiful Barbados Garden
Barbados may have more landscaped and manicured gardens than any other island in the Caribbean. Horticulturists and flower lovers alike will enjoy:
Hunte’s Gardens – A spectacular tropical garden situated on the grounds of a historic plantation in the heart of the island
The Flower Forest Garden – A 53 acre Nature Reserve in the Scotland District, displaying rare and exotic tropical blooms and foliage
Andromeda Botanical Gardens – A manicured landscape near Barbados’ beautiful east coast, featuring a variety of plants from around the world
Orchid World – A large garden near the middle of the island, with thousands of orchids on display!
Barbados is generally considered the birthplace of rum, having produced the golden liquid for over 350 years. The distinctive quality of Barbados rum is likely due to the island’s unique coral make-up, providing clean water and excellent sugar cane.
Founded in 1703, Mount Gay rum is world-renowned as being “the rum that invented rum”. Mount Gay offers tours of their historic distillery in St. Lucy county as well as a number of other rum tasting tours and workshops at their Bridgetown Visitor Centre. For a first-hand account, check out our Mount Gay Historic Distillery Experience Tour blog post.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Foursquare Distillery consolidated a number of the island’s rum producers at a centuries-old sugar plantation in the south end of the island. The distillery is now one of Barbados’ most environmentally friendly, where visitors are welcome to wander the grounds of the Foursquare Rum Distillery and Heritage Park. Self-guided tours of the factory and museums are available, as is the warm and inviting tasting room.
On the grounds of another centuries-old sugar plantation, St. Nicholas Abbey is home to a Jacobean mansion, Gardens, a Heritage Railway, as well as a relatively young ‘micro-distillery’. Guided tours include the rum distillery operation. For a more colourful and complete review of the plantation, check out our St. Nicholas Abbey blog post.
Appreciating Barbados’ Natural Areas
Once tourists venture from the popular west coast of Barbados and head inland, they’ll discover a number of options for leisurely strolls through forested areas, where the flora and fauna of the island can be enjoyed. Some of the best spots for nature include:
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve – An old-growth mahogany forest is the setting for viewing a variety of animals including turtles, green monkeys and small deer. The Reserve is also home to bird and iguana sanctuaries as well as the Grenade Hall Signal Station – A forested area with interesting artefacts and hiking trails.
Welchman Hall Gully – A unique sunken cave system complete with a large variety of exotic tropical plants and trees. The Gully is also home to a large troop of wild green monkeys
PEG Farm and Nature Reserve – The farm offers an Eco Tour that highlights agricultural and natural sites on the property, including breathtaking views of the rugged east coast from Hackleton’s cliff
Coco Hill Forest – A lush and hilly 53-acre rainforest and farm with hiking trails amid tropical flora and scenic look-outs of the east coast and Atlantic Ocean.
For a more detailed and colourful review of Welchman Hall Gully, check out our personal experience with our Welchman Hall Gully blog post.
Exploring Amazing and Diverse Barbados Caves
The island’s coral and limestone geology have resulted in large natural caverns with stalactites, stalagmites and flow-stones as well as incredible underground streams. Barbados is home to a couple of amazing and diverse caves.
Opened in the early 1980s, Harrison’s Cave is absolutely stunning. The cave system has more than a mile (2km) of tunnels, as well as streams and deep pools of water. The Great Hall is a massive cavern, almost 50 feet (15m) tall. You can enjoy a guided tour of the cave by comfortable Electric Tram, or by foot (Walk-In Cave Tour). You can even join an Eco-Adventure Tour that includes a hike to the cave prior to exploring the cave system on foot.
Located at the northern tip of Barbados, Animal Flower Cave is a natural sea cave with large underground ‘windows’ that are open to the Atlantic ocean! The cave is named after the ‘anemone’ creature that resides in some of the caverns’ pools. Other subterranean pools are deep enough for swimming! Above ground, there is a restaurant perched on the edge of the cliffs with spectacular views of the rugged northern coastline and ocean. For a more complete and colourful review, check out our Animal Flower Cave blog post.
For more information on Barbados Caves, including a list of local tour operators who can get you underground, click on our Barbados Caving page
Savouring Barbados East Coast Views
Tourists staying on the west coast will be enthralled with the contrasting rugged east coast. Hotspots and attractions include: Cherry Tree Hill – The second-highest point on Barbados providing breathtaking views of the island’s ‘Scottish Highlands’ hills and ridges as well as the rough east coast shoreline; Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill – This Barbados National Trust site features the last remaining 18th-century windmill in the Caribbean! Bathsheba – A quiet seaside village with a boulder-strewn, coral-filled beach; St. John’s Parish Church – Rebuilt in the 19th-century this remarkable Gothic church, with a famous resident, provides picturesque views of the east coast.
The capital of Barbados is home to an 18th-century British military structure known as the Garrison, a Unesco World Heritage Site as well as its interesting Garrison Tunnels. The town also features other historical buildings such as the country’s Parliament Buildings, a number of museums as well as George Washington House.
Can you imagine what it would have been like to live in a Caribbean “great-house” back in the day? Well, there’s a couple of places in Barbados that will transport you back in time: St. Nicholas Abbey – A plantation featuring a rare 17th-century Jacobian Great House, a newly restored/built Heritage Railway system as well as a working rum distillery. Tours include a short film from the 1930s, a train ride around the plantation to Cherry Tree Hill, as well as a sampling of rum; Sunbury Plantation Great House – A stunning 17th century restored Caribbean home featuring a large ‘fully set’ dining room, local prints and more…
For a more detailed and colourful review of St. Nicholas Abbey plantation, take a look at our St. Nicholas Abbey Blog post.
Finally, I should also mention that Barbados holds a variety of exciting events throughout the year including the Crop-Over Festival, various music festivals, a food & rum festival, a film festival and more – For the complete schedule, check out our Barbados Festivals and Events page.
Wildlife Attractions like Parrots, Iguanas and Red Footed Boobies!
A British Territory in the Western Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are peaks of the massive underwater Cayman Ridge. The Cayman Islands are located south of Cuba, between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Jamaica. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are situated east and slightly north of Grand Cayman.
If you’re wondering how to get to these remote islands… Don’t worry, there are daily island hopper flights from Grand Cayman that can fly you over quickly and easily. Local Grand Cayman boat operators can also cover the 80 miles (130km) and the cruise is fun in itself.
There’s plenty of unique and interesting things to do in the Cayman Islands, and that includes the lesser visited ones as well as Grand Cayman. Let’s take a look at some of our favourite attractions and things to do when visiting Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Things to Do in Cayman Brac
The first thing to know about Cayman Brac, affectionately known as ‘the brac’, is that the island is named for the 140 foot (43m) high bluff, or “brac” on the east end of the island. While not exactly daunting, it is the highest point of the Cayman Islands and provides some pretty spectacular views of the sea towards Cuba. The main attraction of the Brac is the National Trust Parrot Reserve. These protected lands are home to the remaining few hundred of endemic parrots that exist in the wild. There’s a mile long nature trail that loops through a corner of the reserve, allowing you to experience the area’s natural brush and forested habitat as well as mango trees, cactus and orchids. With any luck, you may even spot a parrot!
You’ll also find a couple of interesting low-key attractions on the island. Heritage House, a re-purposed old tannery, hosts cultural events and a local craft market. The Cayman Brac Museum features free exhibits showcasing the turtle trade, ship-building as well as the history of local hurricanes.
Things to Do on Little Cayman
If you’re looking for a quieter island than Cayman Brac, well Little Cayman, population 100 (there-abouts), will probably fit the bill 😉 One recommendation for something to do on the island is… Relax and do nothing – and by nothing we mean, meditate, read a book or go for some leisurely walks. When you’re ready for a little more excitement, you can hop on a bike and casually cycle around the island’s 8 mile (13km) loop stopping at wildlife viewing stations along the way.
The real attraction of the island is it’s relatively undisturbed nature. Little Cayman has gorgeous mangroves and lagoons, as well as salt ponds and tropical forests to explore. One area of interest is the Preston Bay Iguana Habitat. Here you can stroll along a boardwalk learning about what lives in the area from informational signs posted along the way. The real star of the show however, is Booby Pond Nature Reserve – A RAMSAR wetland, recognized by BirdLife International as an ‘Important Bird Area’! The 200 acre site is home to 10s of thousands of red-footed boobies along with frigates, herons, ducks, warblers, plovers, sandpipers and more. The Reserve has a visitor centre with an observation gallery equipped with some handy telescopes for examining the local flora and fauna.
If you’re looking for some fun and festivities, time your visit to coincide with the annual Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival. You can participate in the Caribbean’s premier pirate festival and the Cayman Islands’ largest national event which includes activities on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Events include parades, costume contests, scavenger hunts, street parties, boat races and more.
If you’re looking for something else to do on the islands, that will raise your pulse rate a bit higher, check out our Cayman Brac & Little Cayman Adventure recommendations blog
For our overview of the beautiful and diverse islands that make up the Caymans, click on our Cayman Islands Vacations page
Looking for Things to do in Jamaica? Discover the Black River Safari
It was an exciting day! We were headed to Jamaica’s south-west coast to enjoy three amazing excursions – The Black River ‘Boat Safari’, YS Falls and the Appleton Estate Rum tour. All great things to do in Jamaica! We booked this 3-in-1 smorgasbord of adventures through Jamaica’s Amstar DMC.
This is part one of three blog posts from the day’s adventures – This one Focuses on the Black River Safari.
I’ll start by saying that it’s a fair distance from Montego Bay down to the Black River, just over 42 miles (70km). Lucky for us the bus was comfortable and our guide from Tropical Tours kept us busy by providing insight into the points of interest we passed along the way.
We left the concrete and noise of Montego Bay behind us and ventured into the mountains of St. James Parish. We had some great views of Jamaica’s beautiful interior as we winded our way through the mountains. We passed the quaint villages of Mount Carey, Montpelier and Shettlewood, getting a first hand view of how the locals live. From New Market to Middle Quarters the road traveled through an impressive valley before spilling out into the flatter rural areas of St. Elizabeth Parish.
A cluster of Egrets in the bush
When we finally reached the Riverside Dock, it was great to be able to stretch our legs. After checking out some souvenirs offered by local vendors, we boarded our pontoon boat and were ready for our Black River boat cruise – One of the many fun things to do in Jamaica. Just before we got under way, we noticed that it looked more like a green river than a black one, although that would change as we ventured further upstream. Although we had been listening to the enjoyable rhythms of Reggae music the last couple of days, I couldn’t help think about CCRs ‘Green River’ tune.
We pushed off from the dock and our pontoon boat took us out into the murky waters. Our boat operator ‘slash’ guide, immediately started telling us about the various vegetation and birds in the area. It didn’t take long for the view from the boat to get much more wild looking, and we settled in for a nice nature tour. The guide was informative and friendly, pointing out and describing the various flora and fauna that we encountered. He first mentioned that large portions of the river bottom was peat moss, and that is what gave the water it’s dark greenish hue.
Our boat guide also explained how the clumps of long vine-like branches bring water from the river up to the higher parts of the tree – Pretty fascinating. He also showed us Indigo plants growing at the sides of the river and explained that in the past, blue dye was extracted from these plants by European settlers and used for making ‘blue jeans’.
The banks of the river were mostly covered with a couple different species of mangroves along with various bushes and long shoots. There was really no ‘shore’ to speak of the entire boat trip. With the exception of the large ever-present mountains in the background, I again couldn’t help to think I was traveling through some southern bayou.
At a broad bend in the river, we came across a large patch of green lily pads floating on the water. In the background a local fisherman canoed by with his crab traps – apparently they’re quite the delicacy in the area. It was amazing to see him paddling the river in a traditional dugout style canoe – a real blast from the past!
As we journeyed up river, we saw plenty of birds near the water and in the trees along the river banks. There were a couple types of egret along with a variety of other birds, and we also saw a couple of ospreys! That’s all good, however we were really out there to see a Jamaican Crocodile…
Eventually the river narrowed and the water got much darker, OK it was black… This was my favourite area for sure – Again reminiscent of a southern US swamp, although the water here always appeared to be fairly deep. Here’s where we saw a couple of crocodiles. I have to say I’m not a big fan of feeding wild animals, however it did get them out of their hiding spots along the river banks and bring them out onto the water for everyone to see. The American Crocodiles that live in Jamaica’s Black River are relatively small as compared to their African and Australian cousins. Apparently they are also quite mellow, perhaps a reflection of the local people themselves 🙂
After spotting a few of the ancient reptiles, we turned around and moved considerably faster on the way downriver, back to the dock. Once there, we enjoyed a local lunch of beef stew, jerk chicken along with rice & peas (although I think they were beans) and fruit punch (sans rum). Tasty – That hit the spot.
In summary, this enjoyable boat cruise is just one of the many incredible things to do in Jamaica. The tour lasted just under an hour and a half. While there were a number of other boats on the river, I didn’t find it crowded or touristy. Admittedly, we had set out to see a crocodile, although we ended up really appreciating the boat cruise itself. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and there was lots of nature to see with plenty of opportunities for photos to capture and bring home memories.
Cultural and Natural Treasures of the Caribbean Islands
Looking for something special in the Caribbean islands? These wonderful places have been deemed worthy by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Centre of being of significant cultural or natural value. These sites preserve our heritage – Our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations!
When it comes to the Caribbean islands as well as coastal areas of the Americas, this includes archaeological Indigenous sites, well preserved historical European structures, along with breathtaking and rich bio-diverse natural sites. UNESCO’s intent is to strengthen the Caribbean’s sustainable development and the role of local communities, which is vital for heritage protection and management. A well protected World Heritage site contributes directly to environmental, social and economic development and helps better the life of local communities in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean has 31 (including seven tentative) Cultural sites, 19 (including seven tentative) Natural sites along with 4 (including two tentative) Mixed (Both Cultural & Natural) sites. Three of these sites are in danger of irreparable damage due to direct and indirect human activities – They are Belize’s “Natural” Barrier Reef Reserve System; Venezuela’s “Cultural” Coro and its Port; and Honduras’ “Natural” Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve.
Our favourite ‘Cultural’ World Heritage sites in the Caribbean include:
Saint Kitts & Nevis – Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
This well preserved Fortress makes for an imposing sight. The fortress is built on a steep volcanic hilltop, approximately 755 feet (230m) high, yet seemingly a natural part of the Caribbean island’s main mountain range. This fortification must have been extremely intimidating in it’s day. The fortress is an excellent example of British military architecture used in the Caribbean in the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s – This is the earliest surviving example of “Polygonal System” design. Covering almost 40 acres (150k sq. m), the main features of the multi-leveled fortification include it’s massive stone wall, with it’s commanding view (read cannon range) of the surrounding coastline and Caribbean Sea, along with it’s main building the Citadel, also know as Fort George.
Puerto Rico – La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site
Over the last 500 years, a series of defensive structures have been built in this Caribbean Island to protect it’s Capital, San Juan. These fortifications provide an excellent example of European military architecture traditionally used in the Caribbean to protect important cities and ports. These Spanish built structures reflect Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and French Enlightenment designs and construction. This Heritage site includes the structures of La Fortaleza, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, Fort San Juan de la Cruz, the Devil’s Sentry Box, as well as the town now known as Old San Juan.
La Fortaleza has been used as a fortress, an arsenal, a prison, the residence of the Governor-General, as well as the residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, for which it is still used today. Castillo San Felipe del Morro, or just “El Morro” for short, with it’s dominating command over the entrance to the Bay of San Juan, was probably the most iconic and feared Spanish built fortress in the Caribbean. The remaining fortifications were an expansion to the over-all system.
Few other Caribbean islands offer tourists a place for a full day’s walk-about of sight-seeing featuring old fortresses and protective stone walls (almost three miles [5km] long) along with the charming town of Old San Juan itself – Great for indulging in history, culture, and shopping!
For more information on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico and the tons of fun that can be had there, check our our Puerto Rico Active Vacations page
Cuba – Old Havana and its Fortification System
Built by the Spanish on the northern shores of the west end of this Caribbean island, the capital Havana grew over the centuries into an eclectic combination of residences and defensive fortifications. The old historic centre, with it’s plazas and narrow streets, retains it’s 17th and 18th century European architecture – Featuring grandiose commercial buildings along-side private homes with balconies, wrought-iron fences and enchanting internal courtyards.
Some of the oldest and largest stone fortifications in the Caribbean islands were built in Cuba starting in the early 1500s, right up to the 1900s. The complex system of fortifications that protected Havana, its port and its all-important dockyard is comprised of: the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña – one of the largest fortresses in the Caribbean; Castillo de la Real Fuerza – one of the oldest fortifications in the Caribbean; Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta; Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, along with a number of other smaller fortifications.
Mexico – Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza
When you think of the iconic Mayan pyramid, Chichen Itza has to come to mind.
Photo Credit – Vincent-Ko-Hon-Chiu
This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres ever built on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula. Influenced by close to a thousand years of diverse habitation, the area demonstrates the fusion of Maya and Toltec construction, as well as monuments and art. Buildings that still remain today from the Mayan-Toltec civilization include the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo (pyramid) and El Caracol circular observatory.
Dominica – Fort Shirley (Tentative List)
The Fort is located on the south side of Cabrits National Park, on a small point jutting into the Caribbean Sea on the west side of the north end of the Caribbean island. Nestled between two hills, the fortifications were first built by the English, then augmented by the French. The area provides an amazing vantage point over the beautiful Bay of Portsmouth and the rugged landscape of Dominica. The Fort and Park provide a calm area to relax in, for those coming from the strenuous travel through the island’s mountainous geography. Fort Shirley consists of a main garrison with seven gun batteries, seven cisterns, powder magazines, ordnance storehouses, bakeries, iron forge and barracks for officers, hundreds of soldiers as well as their support staff and slaves. This site is of historical significance for the following two reasons.
In 1802, the 8th West India Regiment revolted, with African slave soldiers taking over the garrison for three days. They protested living conditions and the constant threat of being sent to work on the plantations. The revolt resulted in all slave soldiers in the British Empire being made free a few years later.
The Fort was successfully defended by the English from French attacks on numerous occasions in the late 1700s and early 1800s, although it is a sea battle that is it’s claim to fame. The Battle of the Saintes, considered to be one of the the most important naval battles in the history of the Caribbean – An offshoot of the American Revolutionary War, the naval battle took place within view of the fort in early April, 1782. England’s Admiral Rodney was victorious, re-confirming Britain’s ownership of their colonial territories in the Caribbean.
For more information on the Nature Island of the Caribbean, check out our Dominica Active Vacations page
Our favourite ‘Natural’ World Heritage sites in the Caribbean include:
Belize – Barrier Reef Reserve System
Photo Credit – Evergreen
This amazing area contains the largest barrier reef complex and one of the healthiest eco-systems in the northern hemisphere – Making it a top candidate for the most rewarding place in the Caribbean for snorkeling and boating. Seven protected areas encompass reefs, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries, as well as offshore atolls and hundreds of sand and mangrove cays. The area provides habitat for threatened species such as marine turtles, manatees and the American crocodile. This natural paradise is home to over 200 types of marine flora, over 500 fish species as well as bird colonies of red-footed booby, brown booby and the common noddy.
The Reserve System is comprised of: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve; Blue Hole Natural Monument; Half Moon Caye Natural Monument; South Water Caye Marine Reserve; Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve; Laughing Bird Caye National Park; and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.
Dominica – Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Photo Credit – Evergreen
Perhaps the most dramatic mountains in all of the Caribbean islands are found on this quiet isle. The Park, along with two Forest Reserves, are full of diverse rugged beauty making Dominica one of the most challenging Caribbean islands for hiking. The National Park combines lush tropical forests with barren volcanic features and is home to the 4,400 feet (1,342m) high volcano peak of the Trois (three) Pitons. The Park’s 27 square miles (70 sq. km) are dominated by a rugged mountain range filled with steep peaks and narrow canyons – Here you can find dozens of fumaroles and hot springs, a couple of freshwater lakes, a number of volcanoes as well as a lake with water so hot, it boils!
While the Park contains the massive pitons and Dominica’s largest lakes, Boeri Lake and Freshwater Lake, perhaps the most impressive and interesting areas lie further south-east. Here you will find the aptly named Valley of Desolation, an unworldly barren rocky valley of volcanic activities including hot springs, fumaroles and bubbling mud holes. Of course there’s also Boiling Lake, a waterfall fed flooded fumarole whose water is a constant rolling boil.
For more information on the Nature Island of the Caribbean, check out our Dominica Active Vacations page
Jamaica – Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
Photo Credit – R Miller
The Park is home to one of the Caribbean’s largest mountain ranges and the highest peaks in Jamaica. It’s tallest, Blue Mountain Peak stands 7,402 feet (2,256 m) above sea level. While driving the roads in the area are an adventure unto themselves, this is one of the best areas in the Caribbean for hiking and mountain biking. This massive Park covers 100 square miles (260 sq. km) of heavily forested mountainous landscape. The elevation variations in the Blue and John Crow Mountains provide a diverse natural system consisting of tropical montane rain-forest, a unique mor-ridge forest as well as an elfin forest.
The Park contains one of the richest bio-diverse areas found in all of the Caribbean islands, with an exceptionally high proportion of endemic plant and animal species – Indicating that Jamaica evolved somewhat separately from other islands. Plants include rare lichens, mosses and a variety of flowering plants. Home to several species of amphibian, bird and mammals, the Park is a protected area for the conservation of a number of globally endangered frog and bird species.
For more information on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, including the wide variety of adventures and tourist attractions to enjoy, click on our Jamaica Active Vacations page
Honduras – Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
The tropical reserve protects some of the most diverse plant and wildlife in Central America, as well as being home to more than 2,000 indigenous people who are managing to preserve their traditional way of life. Bordered by the Caribbean sea on the north, the mountainous Reserve is part of a conservation complex which includes another Reserve as well as a National Park. The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve contains rain-forests, wetlands, Savannah as well as coastal lagoons. Home to over 500 plant species and more than 400 types of birds, 200 types of mammals, as well as over 100 reptiles, amphibians and fish. Of note is the critically endangered Mexican Spider Monkey, the endangered Central American Tapir and Great Green Macaw, the vulnerable Giant Anteater, West Indian Manatee and pheasant like Great Curassow, as well as the near-threatened Jaguar, boar like White-lipped Peccary and Guiana Crested Eagle and Harpy Eagle. A number of ancient sites, some with petroglyphs can also be found in the area.
Cuba – Desembarco del Granma National Park
Found at the south-west tip of the Caribbean island, this remote and quiet Park covers approximately 124 square miles (320 sq. km), including more than 23 square miles (60 sq. km) of marine territory. The land in the Park is an excellent example of ongoing geological processes, featuring a dramatic karst landscape filled with sinkholes, caves and canyons. The magnificent coastal cliffs provide beautiful natural views as well – From the land and the sea!
Mexico – Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Photo Credit – Vincent-Ko-Hon-Chiu
Located on the Yucatán peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea, the massive Reserve, translated from Mayan as the ‘Origin of the Sky’, covers over 1,540 square miles (4,000 sq. km) of land, including 75 miles (120km) of coastline along with a large number of mangroves. The Reserve contains tropical forests, palm Savannah along with well preserved wetlands filled with mangroves, marshes, lagoons and sand beaches. There’s a large marine area in the park as well. The Reserve is home to over 300 species of birds, hundreds of types of fish, along with amazing and rare wild cats such as Jaguar, Puma and Ocelot as well as the Central American Tapir. Of special geological interest in this Biosphere is the hundreds of ‘petenes’ or small islands, that appear/disappear in the marsh lands as is the ‘cenotes’ or karst sinkholes, found further inland.
Saint Lucia – Pitons Management Area
Photo Credit – Marc Patry
Perhaps the most iconic image in all of the Caribbean islands, St. Lucia’s Pitons rise sharply from the sea, making for fantastic photo-ops as well as hiking. Covering almost 12 square miles (30 sq. km), the area encompasses the Piton Mitan ridge with it’s two volcanic spires, hot springs and fumeroles, including the renowned Sulpher Springs, along with a marine area approximately 7 miles (11km) long and just under a mile (1km) off shore – This marine area is full of coral reefs and steep underwater walls – Like a subterranean extension of the Pitons themselves. At 2,526 feet (770m) and 2,438 feet (743m) high, the Pitons are an imposing home to tropical forests and dry forests as well as elfin woodlands at higher elevations. The area is home to over 100 hundred plant species – including eight rare species of trees, 27 types of birds along with small mammals (including bats), as well as a number of reptiles and amphibians. Off the coast of St. Lucia, the sea contains over 100 species of fish, along with an assortment of corals and sponges. Ancient Petroglyphs have also been found in the area.
For more information on the beautiful island of St. Lucia, including a long list of things to do on the island, check out our St. Lucia Active Vacations page
