St Lucia, St Lucia…Ideas please?

[blue_water]

Can anyone suggest a smaller, independent tour operator that we can inquire with about a tour that visits areas other than the springs and waterfall and hours riding on a bus, possibly? Something more local perhaps?

Other options we looked at are noted below…still researching! 😄

TIA!
 

 

We’ve been wanting to vacation to St Lucia for years and have yet to do that! @reedprincess has provided great information to us during our research over the years. But we are first cruising to the island once more…

 

We (two couples) have researched this forum and others, reviewed the cruise line and third-party excursion options and guest reviews, and looked into the independent excursion/tour operators that we typically prefer…

The primary options we see are the catamaran excursions that include coastal tours and snorkeling, land tours that include long drives to visit the sulfur springs/waterfall and Marigot Bay, if lucky, and a combination cat/bus excursion…None of these appeal to us due to how crowded the catamarans are, and the length of time riding in a bus.

A day pass at a resort is also a non-starter…we still look forward to staying at one of the many beautiful resorts one day!

We are looking into a private cat sail if we can interest others in our roll call to reduce the price/person, that would be amazing…

 

 

[PORT ROYAL]

6 hours ago, blue_water said:

Can anyone suggest a smaller, independent tour operator that we can inquire with about a tour that visits areas other than the springs and waterfall and hours riding on a bus, possibly? Something more local perhaps?

Other options we looked at are noted below…still researching! 😄

TIA!
 

 

We’ve been wanting to vacation to St Lucia for years and have yet to do that! @reedprincess has provided great information to us during our research over the years. But we are first cruising to the island once more…

 

We (two couples) have researched this forum and others, reviewed the cruise line and third-party excursion options and guest reviews, and looked into the independent excursion/tour operators that we typically prefer…

The primary options we see are the catamaran excursions that include coastal tours and snorkeling, land tours that include long drives to visit the sulfur springs/waterfall and Marigot Bay, if lucky, and a combination cat/bus excursion…None of these appeal to us due to how crowded the catamarans are, and the length of time riding in a bus.

A day pass at a resort is also a non-starter…we still look forward to staying at one of the many beautiful resorts one day!

We are looking into a private cat sail if we can interest others in our roll call to reduce the price/person, that would be amazing…

 

 

Know @reedprincess will kindly respond.  One can recommend from personal experience https://mysticmantours.com/tour-item/catamaran-charters/

 

 

[reedprincess]

Head to Pigeon Island and enjoy the 2 hikes, beach, SNUBA, ruins, and great meal and drinks at Jambe des Bois.   Taxi runs $45usd one way, $10usd entry fee. Pretty sure companies like Serenity Vacations still offer a day trip inclusive of transportation, entry, Sun chair and cooler of drinks. 

 

Or a cat tour with Mystic Man - they do a cruise group tour, but they're not the huge hundred people cats 

 

Or private rental a cat with Hackshaws - their Lady Anne is set up for small or private group more luxury experience..

 

The coastal cat tours include stops at the volcano and mud baths, usually Toraille waterfall and maybe botanical gardens or Morne Coubaril for lunch, etc.  They're not just sailing trips, FWIW..

 

If you're wanting a cool day sail on an old wooden sailing yacht, try Jus Sail. They're fantastic..

 

Bateau Mygo, from the Chateau Mygo family of businesses, does private charters also.  

 

Horseback riding with Sandy Hoofs up north is lovely n

 

Segway tour in Rodney Bay is fun and different and interesting..

 

See if Jasmine's Lucian Food Tour is operating on the day you're in town - excellent, excellent walking tour around greater  Rodney Bay area tasting multiple different local food and drinks, all from off the beaten path restaurants that the average tourist wouldn't even know were there 

 

Good luck narrowing down your options - loads to explore and enjoy, even on a day stop, and the above barely scratches the surface.  

Enjoy, happy sails! 

 

 

[blue_water]

Thank you @PORT ROYAL and @reedprincess!

We are indeed looking at two private cat sails that are just 4 - 5 hrs and look lovely! 
 

Trying to reduce my already lengthy post, I failed to note that we actually enjoyed some time at Jamba de boos last day visit - we loved the cuisine, staff, and their “White Sand” cocktail! So we wanted another option, but I admit we considered going back there! ☺️ Maybe after our excursion!
 

As I noted, we are not interested in the sea, land, or land/sea excursions to the mud baths, etc. We would want to spend time to the south one day on a land vacation, and I’m sure that will be amazing.

 

We would be interested in a more personal, less-mileage island tour - if that even makes sense. I will continue to research that. And we will also look into Jasmine's Lucian Food Tour, thank you for the great recommendations!

[blue_water]

We will definitely keep Jasmine’s Food & Culture tour in mind, sounds like a perfect way to enjoy part of our day - thank you for the suggestion! 🙏
 

We would love to hear of any favorite taxi drivers or smaller tour operators who we could work with for a mini-tour, including a stop at Jambe de Bois. We share our favorite, trusted driver with visitors to Mexico, and having that option here would be wonderful!

The typical excursions through COSOL are just too big or crowded, I’ve not yet looked at Island Man and Fram tours which are suggested in another thread…

[PORT ROYAL]

43 minutes ago, blue_water said:

We will definitely keep Jasmine’s Food & Culture tour in mind, sounds like a perfect way to enjoy part of our day - thank you for the suggestion! 🙏
 

We would love to hear of any favorite taxi drivers or smaller tour operators who we could work with for a mini-tour, including a stop at Jambe de Bois. We share our favorite, trusted driver with visitors to Mexico, and having that option here would be wonderful!

The typical excursions through COSOL are just too big or crowded, I’ve not yet looked at Island Man and Fram tours which are suggested in another thread…

Island Man is popular with land vacationers and cruisers, so do suggest an early exchange and booking.

[reedprincess]

Marius Taxi and Tours - Lerris Marius 

Explore St Lucia - Francis Junior 

Serenity Vacations

Real St Lucia Experience

Love Love Love Tours - Shabbee King

Nio Rose

Rising Sun - Mark

and so forth

 

Maybe take a look at the Helicopter Tour of the island. The helipad is right nearby, maybe $10-12 one way ride. You can do the partial or while island tour.  Very unique views. 

 

[Thedonkeycentrehalf]

We also try to avoid the sometimes uncomfortable mini bus tours.

 

Following recommendations on here, we booked a private tour with Island Man.  We had a nice air conditioned vehicle to ourselves and our driver Ricardo adapted our schedule to get ahead of the cruise tours so it wasn’t mobbed when we got to the sulphur baths or falls.

 

They will also tailor your tour for you so I would recommend having a look at them.

[blue_water]

Yes a personal tour is sooo much nicer!

 

We are working with 5 operators mentioned by @PORT ROYAL and @reedprincess about a slightly shorter tour that involves Castries, Marigot Bay, and Soufriere but not the volcano or other sights outside Soufriere. But we do want to get at least a quick look at the area with lunch while looking at the Pitons if possible…

Thank you for the suggestions, we will report back after our visit in 369 days! 🙈🙏

Edited March 25 by blue_water
Typos

[PORT ROYAL]

5 hours ago, blue_water said:

Yes a personal tour is sooo much nicer!

 

We are working with 5 operators mentioned by @PORT ROYAL and @reedprincess about a slightly shorter tour that involves Castries, Marigot Bay, and Soufriere but not the volcano or other sights outside Soufriere. But we do want to get at least a quick look at the area with lunch while looking at the Pitons if possible…

Thank you for the suggestions, we will report back after our visit in 369 days! 🙈🙏

One can recommend The Mango Tree - Check out the Chef’s Specials (tastebud joys) on the daily board - but do book early for that very desirable front row table overlooking the Pitons.

BIL & SIL took a Buffet lunch at The View as part of a private tour a few years ago, which they enjoyed with a distance view of The Pitons

I will invite @reedprincess to suggest alternatives for consideration, being excellent for both food and views.

 

Enjoy checking out the Websites, the photos, the Menus and the ambiance in making a selection, but with a big note to self, do book early for a prime view table.

 

[reedprincess]

13 hours ago, blue_water said:

Yes a personal tour is sooo much nicer!

 

We are working with 5 operators mentioned by @PORT ROYAL and @reedprincess about a slightly shorter tour that involves Castries, Marigot Bay, and Soufriere but not the volcano or other sights outside Soufriere. But we do want to get at least a quick look at the area with lunch while looking at the Pitons if possible…

Thank you for the suggestions, we will report back after our visit in 369 days! 🙈🙏

Lunch with a view in Soufriere - kinda hard to miss, anywhere in the town.

 

Beacon for an outstanding local buffet lunch. Reservation needed 

Saltfish at Green Fig -reservation recommended 

Seashells at right on the beachfront in Soufriere

Petit Peak

Dasheene at Ladera (reservation needed- and usually, non-resident guests do not get front row tables)

Mango Tree - reservation recommended 

Pavilion at Caille Blanc (views across the bay to the Pitons, absolutely breathtaking) reservation recommended 

Harmony at Paradise Beach at the base of Petit Piton - reservation recommended 

Hotel Chocolat has a lovely view of the top of Petit Piton, reservation recommended 

 

Personally - Seashells on the beach, Pavilion, Saltfish or Beacon would be my choices .. 

 

[blue_water]

Thanks for the suggestions! We’d be looking for more of a casual place, cafe, or even a food stand for a bite, nothing fancy…
I’m sure there are many options right in town…
 

[PORT ROYAL]

33 minutes ago, blue_water said:

Thanks for the suggestions! We’d be looking for more of a casual place, cafe, or even a food stand for a bite, nothing fancy…
I’m sure there are many options right in town…
 

Plenty of street food places and shacks in/around the town.  Also, Rum Shops.

[reedprincess]

3 hours ago, blue_water said:

Thanks for the suggestions! We’d be looking for more of a casual place, cafe, or even a food stand for a bite, nothing fancy…
I’m sure there are many options right in town…
 

You will not see both Pitons from in town. Only Petit Piton. 

Seashells is casual, beachfront, delicious and beautiful views 

Petit Peak is waterfront, gorgeous views 

If you're wanting quicker and casual - you're not going to be getting any views really, but some good options include

Big Yard

The Dream

Container Bar

At the beach park, there's a snack bar, Blue Anchor for sandwiches, hot dogs, etc..

Waterfront in town has Mwen Gen, Belle Vieux and KFC. 

The Dream, Camille's, Skippers, etc all in town, but no views.. 

Enjoy 

[blue_water]

Thanks!

We’re planning on a cat sail that includes a stop at Sugar Beach so we’ll get views during the sail…

We may end up not spending enough time in Soufriere for lunch, but I do appreciate all the great info, we will save that for our future lad visit!

[rexdillinger]

 

[PORT ROYAL]

OMG!….. The video makes the place, ambience, food, beach etc., look worse than one experienced (once only)…. 
So glad one takes Cap Maison when selecting an AI.

Thank you for posting……

 

[blue_water]

The day pass inclusions look great to us, especially for the price! Thanks for sharing! The lack of lounges is always a concern at these resorts and this one is no different…

 

We’re planning on returning for a land visit in the future, splitting out time between the south and north areas, and I’ve reviewed Bay Gardens Resort and other properties in the Rodney Bay and Gros-Islet areas. It is one of those slightly more affordable beach resorts, and of course his is a very busy area.

Thanks again for your very insightful review and the informative video!
 

[rexdillinger]