St Lucia Activities: In addition to the wide variety of opportunities to hike, bird watch and tour St. Lucia's outstanding natural attractions, the island has a full range of recreational facilities. Visitors may enjoy the leisurely pleasures of touring the island by horse, chartering a yacht for an evening sail or day cruise, or relax with a round of golf. For those who enjoy the thrill of more vigorous pursuits, there are plenty of places to windsurf, dive, water-ski, or enjoy tennis or squash. There are also a number of activities more closely related to the traditional life of St. Lucia, including deep-sea fishing and the weekly "jump-ups" at Gros Islet.

Carol shopping for spices in Castries local market

Helicopter Tours: There are few more exciting ways to view the splendid beauty of the island than by helicopter. Visitors can embark upon flights that loop around the northern and southern portions of the island, offering aerial panoramas that include the steaming cauldron of Soufriere and the emerald carpet of the National Rain Forest.

Windsurfing: Most hotels offer instructors and first-class equipment for Windsurfing. The most popular spots for intermediate and advanced windsurfers are at Cas en Bas and Vieux Fort. Beginners will find the calmer waters off the west coast more manageable.

Sailing: Yachts can be chartered (self-sail or skippered) through a number of charter operations housed in marinas at Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay . Both areas have safe anchorages, shower facilities, restaurants and bars, grocery stores, and yacht maintenance facilities. Day boat trips include stops at fishing villages and secret coves, and many of St. Lucia's natural treasures. Sunset cruises along the northwest coast afford a breathtaking view as the sun dips over the horizon. Meals and beverages are usually included in the tours.

Scuba Diving/Snorkelling: St. Lucia's warm clear waters and numerous spectacular reefs and marine life offer a perfect environment for both beginners and expert divers. Many hotels offer scuba diving facilities and snorkelling equipment and there are a number of independent dive centres offering short boat dives, night dives and a variety of scuba courses. The Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet reefs and an old sunken ship are some of the underwater haunts waiting to be explored.

Scuba prep at Anse Chastenet

Golf: St. Lucia has two golf courses, the Sandals La Toc and the Cap Estate public course, which is run by the Cap Estate Golf Club. The club offers a nine-hole course, which can also be played as 18. The clubhouse has a fully-stocked bar and pro shop. Temporary memberships, lessons from the resident pro, and golfing equipment are available. For more information, call 450-8523.

Squash: Squash courts are located near the Cap Estate Golf Club, the St. Lucia Yacht Club, and at the St. Lucia Racquet Club.
Horseback Riding: International Riding Stables in Gros Islet (tel: 452-8139) offers fully insured riding for all levels. There are a variety of trail rides, plus a fascinating riding tour featuring a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside, with extra time for swimming and more riding along the beach. Another facility, Trims Riding School (tel: 452-8273), is located at Cas en Bas.

Shopping: St. Lucia offers shoppers the option of browsing for duty-free imports like designer perfumes, crystal and china at Pointe Seraphine, a harbour-front shopping complex. Or, experience market day, when farmers' wives flock to Castries' 100-year-old outdoor market and gather under parasols to display their colourful wares. Fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, woven baskets and other local crafts are offered. Local handicrafts can also be found in a number of shops in Castries, in addition to hand-screened batik apparel and prints featuring island scenes at Caribelle Batik factory and Bagshaws silk-screening studio.

Fitness Centres: There are several well-equipped gyms, most with aerobics classes. Body Inc., located at the Gablewoods Mall
(tel: 451-9744), offers weight training, step and regular aerobics, and a cardio centre. The staff includes world-renowned body builders Rick Wayne and Mae Sabbagh. Gonard La Borde's Gym on Hospital Road (tel: 452-2788) has modern Weider equipment. Caribbean Fitness Expression in Vide Boutielle, Castries (tel: 451-6853), offers jazzercise, step, stretch and tone sessions, a large weight room and restaurant. Some of the major hotels also have well-equipped gyms.

ST LUCIA HOTEL GUIDE