Booking excursions before you go? What to do St. Lucia
 

Has anyone booked -- or would anyone recommend booking -- excursions on or from St. Lucia before you go?

We are staying at Jalousie in October, and I'm wondering if there's any savings or disadvantage in booking excursions separately from the hotel and in advance of our stay.

Who are the recommended tour operators, say for the Botantical Gardens or a day sail to the Grenadines? Or, do you highly recommended booking on-site at Jalousie either before the trip or after we get there?

Has anyone been to the volcano on St. Lucia AND the Big Island of Hawaii? How do they compare?

Any self-guided hikes recommended?

Can't wait!

We waited until we got to the Island and booked directly from the Sandals tour desk. We did the shopping tour, the Land and Sea excursion, which took us to the volcano, botantical gardens, all around St. Lucia and then we boarded a Catamaran and did snorkeling. Also did the jeep safari, which was the best. We went all through the interior of St. Lucia to the banana planations and a gorgeus waterfall.

We also wanted to do the ATV tour and go the the Grendines, but we ran out of time and money. The excursions were quite pricey. Many people just rent a cab for the day to go sightseeing. Also check out www.sunlinktours.com. There excursion prices is along the same as what Sandals charged. It was just conveneint to book at Sandals tour desk.

For self guided hikes, try Pidgeon Point. It's down the road from the Sandals Grande.

I agree to wait until you get there to book. You are already staying near many of the attractions. The exception to that would be The Grenadines trip. It is about a 1 hour flight to Union Island and then a day sail. When I went in 2004, I think it was daily, the most recent thing I have read is that it is now 2x week. If that is something you want to do (and it is worth the $$), I would book it in advance. I would book it for the earliest day that you can go, then if it is cancelled, you will have another try. Sun Link offers this trip.

Although I haven't been to Hawaii, I feel certain that I can tell you that the volcanos don't compare. The one in St. Lucia is really just a bubbling pit of sulfur gasses. You can "drive in" very close to it, as it claims to be the world's only drive-in volcano. Don't get me wrong, I loved St. Lucia for the mountainous greenery, but the volcano/sulphur springs were very disappointing. We booked a private driver for a tour of the island, which was well worth it, but the volcano visit was NOT the highlight of the trip. We lunched at Ladera, so we were able to get a glimpse of Jalousie below near the beach. I think you made a great choice for a hotel. We stayed at Sandals Regency as well as Sandals Grande, and while it was nice, I wouldn't do an all-inclusive the next time but would instead be more adventurous.

Thanks, gang. Appreciate the help. :) I think I've officially spent more time planning the honeymoon than the "wedding day." Got my priorities in order! lol

Sorry, perchy, but IMHO you DO have your priorities in order.

The wedding day is just one day and will fly by. Don't stress too much over it and put too much value on it. The honeymoon is the start of the marriage.

I've been to St. Lucia and went on the botanical gardens and volcano tour. I was very dissapointed. It wasn't worth our time. We regretted leaving our resort. We stayed at the Anse Chastanet and were more than happy laying on the beach, snorkeling and scuba diving. Wait till you get there and see what mood you're in.

Has anyone been on the canopy tour?

I agree with fluffnfold, there's no way the St. Lucia volcano could compare (and I haven't seen BI volcano either). But on the other hand, it is so near to your hotel, and is usually included on "the tour", so you might as well see (and smell) it!

Be sure to get over to Anse Chastanet for snorkeling and roti lunch at their outdoor lunch restaurant. I believe you can take a water taxi from your resort...

Also, Castries is definitely worth seeing. If you can go on market day (most likely Saturday), early, you would see firsthand an authentic Caribbean marketplace and town.

joan,

I'm thinking of making a run to St. Lucia maybe next February. What's your top ten list of things to do in St. Lucia?

JAGIRL,
My first suggestion really doesn't have a much to do with St Lucia. Since you have voiced how difficult it is to island hop from Jamaica, I would recommend a day trip to the Grenadines while you are there. Beautiful place and hard to get to from the states too.

Seeing Soufriere and the Piton's is a must. If you were to stay in the northern part of the island, recommend a day trip down there. If you stay in that area, disregard that. We hired a taxi and did all of the main attractions, but then again, we don't live in this paradise like you do. We thought the Botanical Gardens were pretty and have some interesting history, but I wouldn't rate it on a top ten list.

We enjoyed the Castries Market alot and bought trinkets, spices and hot sauces there.

There is really alot to do, just depends on what you like. There are lots of organized tours or you can be adventureous and rent your own vehicle.

hey brendag,
I actually went to St. Lucia a couple of years ago for the Jazz festival. Apart from the festival I didn't do anything! :)
St. Lucia is a direct flight from Montego Bay so that's part of the reason it got chosen for another visit ;)
I'm gonna try for at least 4-5 days in St. Lucia.
Looking at sunlink tours and they do look interesting, especially the aerial tour and the drive in volcano tour. But the volcano seems to get mixed reviews on here...?
I definitely want to at least attempt the Grenadines.

Hey jagirl, I'm no expert, believe me, having been once for a week at Anse Chastanet, and once for a week in a private villa (incredible). It's been awhile too, but I'll give it a shot!

KVR's jeep tour sounds wonderful, and I know there's a great day sail I've read about here, between the north and Soufriere, but I would definitely recommend staying in the Soufriere area anyway - it is just so beautiful. We rented a car and drove around, the island is so big, lots of little villages, check out the following:

Soufriere of course. Lunch at the Hummingbird, snorkeling at AC, maybe snorkel at Jalousie (I believe they'll let you park if you have lunch with them). Dinner at sunset at Dasheene at Ladera.
Marigot Bay, another beauty. We ate lunch here on our self tour.
Crafts at Choiseul.
Jump up Friday at Gros Islet (we never did this because we didn't want to drive late at night, but you could take a taxi).
Shopping, dining, sightseeing at Castries - you can take a water taxi all the way back to Soufriere, what fun.
Viex Fort, and hey check out the whole windward side of the island for me and report back, OK? :D

Anybody else?

thanks joan. I hear ow did a trip report on St. Lucia. I'll try and find it.