Family Fun in St. Lucia

Endless exciting activities coupled with kid-friendly properties make St. Lucia an ideal family vacation destination. This Eastern Caribbean island's lush landscape and beautiful beaches are also a perfect setting for families to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Several island properties offer kids' programs that keep the little ones entertained during the day, allowing parents a round of golf or to indulge in a spa treatment. After all, parents need a vacation too!

ACCOMMODATIONS:
St. Lucia offers a variety of accommodations including all-inclusive resorts, intimate beachfront hotels, private villas and affordable guest houses. Below are some family-friendly options:

Jalousie Hilton Resort & Spa: This luxury resort is nestled between St. Lucia's landmark Piton Mountains located in the south near the town of Soufriere A sparkling secluded white-sand beach frames the resort and the Caribbean bay. Visitors will find a world-class spa, fitness center, tennis courts, basketball courts, water sports, scuba diving, and more. The property offers a kids Activity Club, meal options, babysitting services and supervised activities for children of all ages. For reservations visit: www.jalousie-hilton.com, or call: 758 459 7666.

Windjammer Landing: This resort located in the north of the island near Castries, is well known for its family activity programs. The Jacquot Fun Club arranges daily activities for kids including nature walks, historical tours and visits to the mini zoo, among other fun and educational outings. Along with babysitting and nanny services, Windjammer also has a superb Teen Program where teenagers and adults engage in recreational activities together, such as windsurfing or kayak racing. An option for mother/daughter quality time is a trip to the on-property Serenity Spa that offers special treatments for kids.

There are a variety of villas to accommodate families of various sizes and age groups. The spacious villas are also the perfect relaxed setting for special time together as a family. For more information visit: www.windjammer-landing.com, or call: 758 456 9000.

St. James' Club/Morgan Bay: This secluded property located in the north near Castries, offers 22 acres of breeze-filled palms bordered by private white-sand beaches, great for an action-packed family adventure. The property offers a separate family swimming pool and three different restaurants to choose from for dining. The Kids Club has a full range of activities for children, and the property also houses a life-size game of chess. The Caribbean-club-style, 238 guest rooms feature a terrace or balcony with spectacular ocean and garden views. For more information visit: www.Eliteislandresorts.com, or call 758 450 2511.

The Rex St. Lucian: This family-friendly resort is conveniently located on the white sands of Reduit Beach on Rodney Bay, a popular area for dining and nightlife. Part of the three Rex hotels, this resort features open-air beachfront dining, an Asian-themed restaurant, along with a light refreshment terrace in the shopping plaza. Facilities include a swimming pool, water sports on the beach and lighted tennis court. There is nightly entertainment in the cocktail lounge and piano bar with specialty evenings such as pirates' night. For more information visit: www.rexcaribbean.com, or call: 758 452 8351

Club St. Lucia by Splash: This northern resort consists of bungalow-style accommodations in five villages clustered around "Seaside-Cove", where the five pools and four restaurants are located. Each village has it own "mayor" whose sole purpose is to ensure the enjoyment of the guests' vacation. The resort's extensive kids' programs include; a supervised nursery, Baby Parrot's Nest for 3 year's and under; Jacquot's for ages 4 to 8; Cicero's for ages 9 to 12; and Jump Club for teenagers. The kids' programs activities and excursions include the beach olympics, nature hikes, a playground and fort, crafts, painting classes and a game room. For more information visit: www.splashresorts.com, or call: 758 450 0551.

INNtimate Inns St Lucia: This program was initiated to promote the lesser known and affordable accommodations on-island. These properties offer families a great value and include guest houses, self-catering apartments, limited-service hotels, full-service hotels and villas. All of the accommodations included in the program have similar principles, offering a combination of personalized St. Lucian hospitality, high standards of accommodation and affordable prices. For more information visit: www.inntimatestlucia.org.

Villa Rentals: For groups or families seeking private, luxurious accommodations, Tropical Villas St. Lucia offers a wide variety of villas from one to six bedrooms. For reservations or information, visit www.tropicalvillas.net, or call 758 450 8240.

ACTIVITIES:
Above all, family vacations provide the opportunity to spend quality time together. There are active excursions for the whole family like jungle biking, hiking tours, horseback riding and snorkeling. A number of nature and historical tours are available for families to learn about wildlife and the local culture.

Biking in St. Lucia

Bike St. Lucia's Jungle Biking: The Caribbean's only jungle biking facility is located adjacent to the Anse Chastanet Resort on Anse Mamin, one of St. Lucia's oldest plantations. Guests pedal by 18th-century French-Colonial ruins of a sugar mill, an old church, a three-million-gallon fresh water reservoir and deep into the jungle. The manicured trails were designed to accommodate both first-time and experienced riders on Cannondale suspension bikes. Children's bikes and helmets are available for those eleven and under. For reservations visit: www.bikestlucia.com, or call 758- 451-BIKE (758-451-2453.)

Exploring St. Lucia

Exploring on foot is a healthy way to share time together as a family and appreciate the island in all its natural wonder. The island's Heritage Tourism Program offers events, activities and sites island-wide, with walking tours to learn about the island and its fascinating Kweyol (Creole) history and traditions. For more information visit: www.heritagetoursstlucia.com.

Fond Latisab Creole Park: Visitors tour a community in Fond Assau that illustrates the typical St. Lucian way of life.

Fond D'or Nature & Historic Park: Fond D'or combines various stages of St. Lucia's history including three different sugar processing technologies and an archeological site where several Amerindian settlements once lived.

Fond Doux Estate: This working plantation was one of the earliest estates established by the French in the mid-18th century. There are three trails – from easy to moderately strenuous – leading to the old ruins.

Balenbouche Estate: This 19th-century estate house and working plantation features trails leading to the Balenbouche River and secluded beaches. Explore the remains of an 18th-century sugar mill and a collection of artifacts left behind by the Amerindians.

Hiking in St. Lucia

There are a variety of trails leading hikers through the rainforest, old plantation grounds, along beaches and landmark attractions. Families will see spectacular waterfalls, indigenous flora and fauna and local birds. Guided hikes can be arranged through hotels or the Forest and Lands Department. For more information, call: 758 450 2078.

Please note it is an offence under the Forest Soil and Water Conservation Ordinance Act to attempt to access trails without permission from the Forest and Lands Department.

Barre De L'isle Trail: This moderately strenuous two-hour trail divides the eastern and western halves of St. Lucia.

Forestiere Tropical Forest Trail: This tour goes into the heart of the St. Lucian countryside to the rural community of Forestiere and through the dense forest adjacent to the town.

Eastern Nature Trail: This trail is a 3½-mile trek along the Atlantic coastline on the east side of the island. After the hike, drive to Latille and indulge in a twenty-foot waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation.

Horseback Riding

International Riding Stables combine swimming and a beach picnic during a full-day excursion. Children as young as two can join the fun by riding with one of the trained guides, while older kids can ride by themselves depending on their level of experience. For more information call: 758 452 8139 or 758 484 9995.

Trims National Riding offers one or two hour riding sessions four times a day and also welcomes children. For more information call: 758 450 8273.

Snorkeling: St. Lucia offers a stunning variety of coral, sponge and marine life. Spectacular reefs have developed around a number of sunken ships, which are home to large gorgonians, black coral trees, gigantic barrel sponges, purple vase sponges and black lace corals. There are a number of snorkeling sites around the island and tours can be arranged through any hotel while on-island.

Whale & Turtle Watching: St Lucia is recognized as one of the leading whale watching sites in the Caribbean. Over 20 species are regularly spotted throughout the year, including humpbacks, pilot whales, sperm whales and spinning and spotted dolphins. The community of Desbarras has formed a group to protect and promote nesting of the leatherback turtle at Grand Anse beach. The evening tours last all night and are organized during the months of March through July.

The Brig Unicorn Pirate Sail: Take a tour around St. Lucia on a real pirate ship! The kids will be thrilled to sail on the same ship that was used in the Disney movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean." The tour begins in Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere. A tour of the drive-in volcano is included followed by a traditional Caribbean lunch served on the Brig Unicorn and sail by notorious pirate's coves. There is a chance to go snorkeling, swing into the sea from the ship's ropes or even walk the plank. Book the excursion on a Thursday for Pirates Day, when crew members dress as pirates and offer face painting. For reservations call Sea Spray Cruises at 758 452 9842.

Maria Islands Nature Reserve: These tiny islands in southern St. Lucia, east of Vieux Fort, are home to rare wildlife and birds. The Maria Island experience takes you through the back roads to Vieux Fort and by boat to the home of two species found nowhere else in the world: the Kouwes Snake and the Zandoli Terre lizard.

Pigeon Island National Landmark Museum and Interpretive Centre: Pigeon Island contains more history than any other attraction on St Lucia. Once the home of the Amerindians, Pigeon Island also served as a pirate hideout and military base. The museum is housed in the former British officers' mess building, which has been restored to its 1808 plans. A modern "hands-on" display brings Pigeon Island's fascinating history to life.

For more information on the island of St. Lucia, call (888) 4-STLUCIA, or visit www.stlucia.org, the official site of the St. Lucia Tourist Board.