St. Lucia combines dramatic volcanic scenery with beautiful Caribbean beaches. Its sheltered west and north-coast beaches generally stay clear, making it a solid choice for travelers who want both scenery and good water quality.
St. Lucia is a volcanic island in the eastern Caribbean. The west coast — facing the Caribbean Sea — is calm and sheltered. The east coast faces the Atlantic and sees more wave action and occasional sargassum.
St. Lucia's west coast beaches (Reduit, Marigot Bay, Anse Chastanet) stay relatively clear of sargassum due to their sheltered position. The east coast sees more exposure. Overall, St. Lucia has lower sargassum risk than Mexico's coast or Punta Cana.
St. Lucia changed hands between Britain and France fourteen times — more than any other Caribbean island — earning it the nickname 'Helen of the West Indies' for being so endlessly fought over. The twin Piton mountains rising dramatically from the sea were landmarks used by sailors navigating the southern Caribbean for centuries, and the natural harbor at Castries was one of the most strategically important in the Eastern Caribbean during the age of sail. St. Lucia has produced two Nobel Prize laureates — more per capita than any country on Earth — including poet and playwright Derek Walcott, whose epic poem 'Omeros' reimagines Homer's Odyssey on the waters and shores of the Caribbean.
"He rules the swelling of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them." — Psalm 89:9Live seaweed levels, surf, water quality and hotel deals — updated daily. Free.
View Live Conditions →