Bird Watching and Hiking on St Lucia

While you book a luxurious room at the Cap Maison on the edge of the Caribbean Sea on St Lucia for the warmth, beautiful scenery and stunning beaches, you will also be pleased to know that should you enjoy dabbling in a bit of bird watching or hiking, you have found the perfect place in which to do so.

St Lucia is part of the Lesser Antilles and sits on the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It was named by the first French settlers after St.Lucy of Syracuse and was first settled in the 1500s and 1600s. Over the centuries it changed hands a few times and today is a great place to relax and do a spot of bird watching and hiking while being pampered at the Cap Maison.

Bird watching

With over 170 species of birds calling the island and surrounding area of St Lucia home, from the Cap Maison on the northern part of the island you are in an ideal location to get to spot some of them. The rainforest seems to go straight into the Atlantic Ocean, and a short trip will give you the chance to see the St. Lucian Oriole and the less well-known White Breasted Thrasher. From there, you can head into the Des Cartieres Rain Forest and keep your eyes peeled for the St Lucian Parrot, which has been seen more and more since efforts to increase the population of this spectacular bird. On the high cliffs of the southern coast, at Moule a Chic, use your binoculars to spy on the tropical birds in between enjoying the amazing panoramic views over the southern waters. Then, head back to the wetlands near the southern coast and see the Ospreys and Avocets and Stilts.

Hiking

While you may think of beaches and white sands when you conjure up images of the Caribbean islands, one of the most notable features of St Lucia is the sheer amount of mountains and rain forests. Many of the trails are maintained and coordinated by the Forestry Department and National Trust and are therefore well organised and usually well signposted. Leave the Cap Maison area at the northwestern point of the island and pick up the Barre de L’ Isle Trail that cuts through the centre of the island to the top of Morne La Combe. You could then head along the Edmond Rain Forest Reserve Trail, which takes you through some of the most densely forested areas on the island, where you can see the St Lucia pines and keep your eyes peeled for local bird species. If you want something with a bit more heft and upward slope, try the Gros Piton and Petit Piton. You'll get a bit of a workout as you ascend these ancient volcanic plugs and get to take in the views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cheryl Matthews works for the Essential Hotel Collection. If you’re looking for superb accommodation, like the world famous Cap Maison, we offer a handpicked portfolio of privately owned hotels. We have an intimate knowledge of every property and can provide the perfect accommodation to make your island dreams a reality.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.