With it's needle-like twin peaks the 'Pitons' soaring up from the sea, St. Lucia has come to symbolize the romance of the Caribbean. Lush natural beauty and a seductive French-creole heritage has garnered this jewel of an island the World Travel Award for "World's Best Honeymoon Destination" seven years in a row.
Wedding Requirements
Getting hitched on Saint Lucia is even easier now that same-day marriages are permitted. Authenticated copies of your passports, birth certificates and 'Decree Absolute' or Death Certificate (in case of previous marriage) will need to be processed at least four working days in advance by a local solicitor, or let a wedding planner handle the formalities. For more information visit weddingsinstlucia.com.
What To Do
Destination Wedding Forest-clad mountains to spectacular black-sand beaches, few islands offer such a diverse array of tropical settings for a wedding. Rainforests (Fond D’or), exotic botanical gardens like Makiku, waterfalls, old plantations (Fond Doux) and of course, beaches (the ones on the Caribbean coast catch the best sunsets for photos) are all open for weddings, and the mighty twin peaks Pitons can serve as a breath-taking backdrop. The island’s historic, mostly Catholic, churches provide beautiful venues for religious ceremonies. And yes, scuba weddings can be arranged.
Rainforests The natural wonders of this verdant isle go far beyond popular attractions like the smoldering, sulfurous “drive-in” volcano at Soufriere and the 18th-century hot mineral baths at the foot of the island’s largest waterfall Diamond Falls, rumored to have been patronized by Marie Antoinette. Numerous trails lead to remote waterfalls and a chance to spot elusive wildlife like the jacquot (St. Lucian parrot) in the 19,000 acre Central Rainforest Reserve. More challenging scrambles up St. Lucia’s highest peak, Mount Gimie in the Edmund Forest Reserve, and the popular Pitons reward hikers with majestic views of the island.
Beaches White sand or dark, take your pick. For white sand, head to the popular five mile-long Reduit Beach on historic Rodney Bay or Jalousie Beach, dramatically set at the foot of Les Pitons. If its silver-grey volcanic sand you crave, try Anse Chastanet, home to good snorkeling and the popular eponymous resort; Anse La Raye, a fishing village that also hosts the Friday night fish fry and street party; and Anse Cochon, a remote cove usually reached by boat. For private-island charm, a tiny ferry shuttles bathers across a narrow channel to the palm-shaded white sand strand at the yachters’ haven of Marigot Bay.
Scuba Diving Spectacular drop-offs, wrecks, coral gardens and plentiful marine life make St. Lucia a favorite for divers. The walk-in reef at Anse Chastanet, the gorgonian and coral encrusted Key Hole Pinnacles, and the gentle glide down the wall at Superman’s Flight all rate as some of the best dives in the Caribbean. A once-a-year dive can be made every August off Anse Chastanet -- that's the night of “Coral Sex” (seriously), when billions of amorous polyps joyously spurt clouds of eggs and sperm to create new coral growth.
Off The Beaten Path
Waterfalls St. Lucia has dozens of waterfalls, some that draw crowds (Diamond Falls is a biggie), some of which stay blissfully untouched. Errand Falls, near the east-coast town of Dennery, is harder to get to—you need to hike or mountain bike in but the effort is worth it when you cool off under the 50-foot-high cascade. Considered the island’s most scenic falls, it’s an relaxing spot for an afternoon picnic. — Peter Zaremba
