St Lucia

St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly clear emerald waters and brightly coloured tropical fish, perfect for snorkelling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's beaches are public and travellers can pop onto any of the island's most famous stretches of sand. Some of St Lucia's best beaches include Anse Cochon or the solitary beaches on Anse Comerette. Anse Louvet is one of the best beaches for snorkelling, while the sheltered bay at Anse Chastanet is great for younger and more inexperienced swimmers.

For cruise passengers to St Lucia, the Castries Central Market will be the first port of call for those looking to stretch their legs, do some shopping and take in some local culture. This wonderful fresh goods and produce market provides a great introduction to the vibrancy and colour of St Lucia, as well as a tasty introduction to its incredible range of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also numerous food stalls in the Castries Market, selling local favourites such as freshly-prepared curries and jerk dishes. Across the road from the Central Market is the Vendor's Arcade, which is probably the best place to shop on the island for crafts, curios and souvenirs. Visitors looking to take advantage of duty-free deals should head to Pointe Seraphine (located on the northern end of Castries' harbour), where a modern mall offers discounted prices on items such as liquor (especially local rum), perfumes and jewellery.

Address : John Compton Hwy, Castries City

Located in the Diamond Botanical Gardens, the Diamond Waterfall is a popular attraction and a great walk for the whole family. This waterfall is created by the water from the bubbling sulphur springs of the Diamond Mineral Baths and changes colours a few times a day, from yellow to black, then green and finally grey.

Address : Diamond Botanical Gardens, Soufriere Estate, Soufriere

Website : www.diamondstlucia.com

North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on St Lucia, local or visitor.The renowned Friday night 'jump-up' starts at around 10pm when the streets are blocked off, scores of vendors arrive with delicious snacks and cold beers, bars open their doors and speakers are set up on street corners. The party goes on most of the night.Gros Islet also offers daytime activities for families. Children as young as two years old can enjoy riding at the International Riding Stables with trained guides, while older children can enjoy riding ahead, depending on their level of experience.Children will also love the riding tour with a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside and a stop on the beach for swimming and cantering through the lapping waves.

Although St Lucia's mountain bike trails may not be the easiest in the world, they are definitely some of the most beautiful. An attraction geared more towards older children and adults, jungle biking is a great way to see the island and get outdoors with the family for a fun-filled day.Bikers will ride past the ruins of an 18th-century French-colonial sugar mill, an old church, and a reservoir. There are plenty of great locations to stop for a picnic, and seasoned bikers can take the Tinker's Trail for a thrilling ride. Children's bikes and helmets are available to rent.

Address : Anse Chastanet Resort, Anse Mamin

Website : www.bikestlucia.com

Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history.Pigeon Island features two white sand beaches and an interpretation centre, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The centre includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.

Address : Located in Gros Islet, in the northern region of Saint Lucia

Website : www.slunatrust.org

Children will go mad for this exciting tour aboard the Brig Unicorn, the actual boat from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. The 140-foot (42-metre) replica of a 19th-century tall ship takes passengers from St Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere into the open waters to explore the mystical Caribbean Sea. Lucky sailors will even get to experience the ship's cannon being fired, walk the plank or swing into the sea from the ship's ropes. The ship drops anchor at Pigeon Island, where old ruins can be explored. Lunch and drinks are served on the cruise back to St Lucia. Booking is essential.

Address : Rodney Bay Marina

Website : www.seaspraycruises.com

Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colourfully-painted arcaded buildings against the backdrop of dense jungle.Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.

Known as the 'world's only drive-in volcano', Sulphur Springs - located near the gorgeous town of Soufriere - is a popular tourist attraction for visitors to St Lucia. Sulphur Springs is a dormant volcano (some scientists say that it is due to erupt within the next 100 years), and the on-going physical and chemical processes at the site are at once thrilling and deeply interesting to experience.The first thing you'll notice as you approach Sulphur Springs is the overwhelming smell of sulphur in the air - in fact, the presence of sulphur is so strong in the area that you shouldn't wear any silver jewellery in case it gets discoloured. Once inside, from the safe confines of a boardwalk tourists can gawk at seething, bubbling mud pots and their 50-foot steam vents rising from the volcanic crater, and admire the strange orange, purple and green streaks left on the surrounding rock by mineral deposits.The highlight of the visit is the chance to take a hot bath in the sulphur-enriched mud - which supposedly does wonders for your sinuses. A unique and exciting attraction, budget at least two hours to take it all in.

Address : Sulphur Springs Access Rd, Soufriere

Website : soufrierefoundation.org/discover/attractions/sulphur_springs_park/

The Pitons - two volcanic plugs that stand like sentinels on the headland outside the St Lucian town of Soufriere - are not only UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but provide active visitors with a glorious opportunity to do some hiking in what are uniquely picturesque surrounds.Gros Piton, with an elevation of about 2,500 feet (770m), is the more popular to climb, as it is not as steep at Petit Piton, and boasts a richer variety of plant and animal life as well as superior views from its summit. The trail that leads up Gros Piton begins at an elevation of about 600 feet (180m), and ascends quite sharply through dense tropical vegetation, broken here and there by cool caves and rocky outcrops that provide outstanding views of Petit Piton rising from the expanse of the Caribbean Sea below.The climb takes about four or five hours in all, and can be undertaken by fit visitors with little or no mountaineering experience. Local guides, trained in emergency medical procedures, are available for hire and will enrich your hike by pointing out interesting flora and fauna along the way.

Address : The Pitons are linked by the Piton Mitan ridge

Website : whc.unesco.org/en/list/1161

St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Centre, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.

Address : Located in the southern part of St. Lucia