Good beaches

[emt204]

We are going to St Lucia in January 2014 and are looking for recommendations for good beaches. We have visited Rodney beach which we found very crowded and disappointing.

[GillD46]

Marigot Bay is nice, but St Lucia isn't really full of good beaches.

[Kendhni]

Another vote for marigot ... Not much there but nice for snorkelling

[Suekersh]

The best beach we have found in St Lucia is Jalousie beach which is in between the Pitons. Not easy to get here and really only viable by sea.

PO do a snorkel trip here on a fast catamaran. You get about 2 hours there. To the left as you get off the boat is the snorkel area and to the right is the beach. It is part of an exclusive hotel so drinks are expensive but it is a lovely beach and it is quite shallow for a few yards. Easy to get into the sea and it is just wonderful.

We have done a private trip here with Cosol but he takes you most of the way by mini bus then he calls his mate and they meet you at a little fishing village and take you the rest of the way by boat. You tell him what time you want to go back and he collects you and Cosol meets you at the fishing village.
That way you can have as long as you want on the beach. It is probably only worth while if there are at least 6 of you wanting to go. I think last time it cost us 25 dollars each plus tipping the boat man and the driver.

The PO trip is approx 40 pounds.

Sue

[Suekersh]

We went to Marigot one year and we weren't very impressed so wondering if we didn't go to the right place. The taxi dropped us at the bay then we had to get a little ferry boat across. There was a restaurant/ bar there called dr Dolittles which was fine. Not much of a beach very shingley sand. The water was clear away from the bar but we saw sewerage near to bar and found an open outlet which looked a bit dodgy so we didn't go back in the water after that.

Sue

[Quizzical Bob]

We spent a week's holiday at Rodney Bay. It's a very long bay with lots of beaches so you should be able to find something you like. Did you go as an organised group?

[Ray Scully]

We went to Marigot one year and we weren't very impressed so wondering if we didn't go to the right place. The taxi dropped us at the bay then we had to get a little ferry boat across. There was a restaurant/ bar there called dr Dolittles which was fine. Not much of a beach very shingley sand. The water was clear away from the bar but we saw sewerage near to bar and found an open outlet which looked a bit dodgy so we didn't go back in the water after that.

Sue

You were at the right place Sue, it is quite pretty, however the small 'beach' is not at all spectacular.

OP

We find the far end of the beach near to the inlet a bit saner
However we have also been to Pigeon Island a bit further on than Rodney Bay but quieter
the following is taken from the Telegraph


Pigeon Island (2)

On the southern side of Pigeon Island, just inside the entrance to the national park, are two sheltered, shaded and extremely picturesque little strips of golden sand.

Who goes?
Families, those looking for a peaceful alternative to busy Reduit Beach across the bay, and visitors from yachts moored out in the bay.

What is there to do?
Swim, sunbathe (there are loungers to rent), and explore the historic park (see our recommended attractions) if you get bored.

Bars and bites
Follow the shore along from the second beach and you'll soon come to Jambe de Bois, a rustic, waterfront café that does drinks, and inexpensive sandwiches, rotis and salads for lunch. Otherwise, the park is ideal for picnics, with lots of shaded, grassy areas.

Getting there
You can drive: despite its name, Pigeon Island is connected to the mainland, and there's a big car park right outside the entrance to the park. Access to the park - and therefore the beaches - costs EC$13.35 (£3), EC$2 (50p) children 5-12, under 5s free. To reach the beaches, turn left once inside the park. You can also get a water taxi to Pigeon Island from Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay Village.

[Suekersh]

Ray,

thanks for that info. Pigeon island sounds like it is closer than Jalousie beach. Do you know if there is ny snorkelling at a pigeon Island?

Sue

[Ray Scully]

Sue

I seem to recall there were some guys snorkeling the rocks at the end of the beach.

Ray

[emt204]

Thank you for all your replies. As there will be 6 of us I will look into the Cosol Tours.

[Suekersh]

Great choice Cosol tours. We did the island tour with them the first time in st Lucia. Fabulous day out but only about an hour at Jalousie (this is how we found this beach). A Booze van follows you around so that you can have rum punch or beer or soft drinks. You try out local food and hot bread and cheese.

The 2nd time we told him we just wanted Jalousie without the full tour. No problem he even caught up with the booze van on the way back and treated us to the rum punch and beer and also stopped off for the hot bread and cheese on the way back to the ship.

Have a great time.

Sue