Scenic Route to Soufriere St Lucia

Marigot Bay

Beyond Morne Fortune south of Castries, the road twists and turns and goes up and down through spectacular scenery to Marigot Bay. Marigot Bay, 8 miles away, through jungle vegetation, up mountains and down past the broad banana plantations dominating the valley. “Yachties” flock to the natural harbor and large marina, where once Admiral Rodney bamboozled the French by disguising his fleet with palm fronds. You can also enjoy a drink in Doolittle’s, a boat ride across the bay, named for the 1966 movie Dr Doolittle shot here.

Anse La Raye and Canaries

The main road now winds its way south across the mountains in a series of hair-raising hairpins; several rivers have formed natural harbor bays along the coast, and the villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries are filled with colorful fishermen’s houses.

Anse La Liberte

At Anse La Liberte, just outside Canaries, a new campground and Environmental Education Center is opening up complete with hiking trails and tent huts and an outdoor cooking center, reachable by water-taxi.

Soufriere

At Soufriere, about 5 miles further south, old wooden buildings line the streets, slender coconut palms border the dark volcanic sand, fishing boats and yachts bob in the emerald-green bay and the dark-green wooded peaks of Petit Piton (2414 ft) and Gros Piton (2600 ft) create a magnificent backdrop.

Anse Chastanet Marine

The dramatic scenery continues underwater at the Anse Chastanet Marine, a few minutes north of Soufriere, where the diving and snorkeling is known as the best on the island, with more than 25 different types of coral in the reefs and impressive sponges at the foot of Petit Piton across the bay.