Saint Lucia has two golf courses, respectful of the island's landforms and intended for both experts and beginners: a 9-hole considered a real sporting challenge and an 18-hole renowned for its lush and tropical setting and accessible to all.

The Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort is one of the most beautiful and difficult golf courses in the Caribbean.

Located in the heart of the rugged hills of the island, it offers 9 holes perfectly scattered along narrow alleys adorned with emerald green vegetation and flamboyant tropical flowers.

Measuring only 2,9 km, the short configuration of the terrain leads to changing strategies regularly. Irregular breezes sometimes burst and make the selection of the club delicate, while the narrow holes require exact precision.

On hole 8 at the bottom of the hill for example, a simple stale or draw could take you straight into a jungle of white cedars, almond trees and bamboo.

Golfers who have a weakness for tradition will learn more about this course where the 28 caddies are always available to players to advise them on the choice of club to use. Indeed, golf caddies are compulsory during a golfing stay at Sandals hotels in Saint Lucia.

The La Toc golf course is in fact not to be missed under any circumstances, if you are already an expert on the little white ball. With its 9 greens and numerous obstacles, it gives a hard time to the best golfers.

It is the perfect place for a golf vacation in Saint Lucia, focused on challenge, relaxation and paradisiacal landscapes.

An 18-hole championship course

The second acquisition of the Sandals group in 2017, the Saint Lucia Golf & Country Club located in the north of Saint Lucia and more precisely in Cap Estate, is also the only 18-hole championship course on the whole island.

No wonder that with its 6 kilometers in length and its par-71, it is one of the most popular courses in the Caribbean. Its primary quality is that it is suitable for beginners as well as for experienced players, thanks to varied terrain and technical passages.

Decorated with palm trees, artificial pools, sumptuous tropical trees and natural obstacles, the course is rightly considered one of the best suited to high level competition.

The creators of the Saint Lucia Golf & Country Club have thought of everything to welcome their visitors in the best conditions: a pro-shop (with duty-free rates), a club house, a training area with pitching, bunkers and putting green, an equipment rental shop and even a restaurant and bar with a terrace.

With its greens between green hills and turquoise lagoon, the 18-hole Saint Lucia golf course also delights lovers of beautiful landscapes. With each stroke, the view of the Caribbean Sea changes to become more and more beautiful.

The picture, particularly contrasted between the bright green of the lawn and the intense blue of the lagoon, constantly reminds us that we are in the heart of the Caribbean, on one of the most beautiful courses in the whole region. A true tropical paradise to practice your swing well during your vacation in Saint Lucia.

The icing on the cake, the Jamaican group Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has endeavored to completely renovate the course over the past two years, with a view to a more family-friendly welcome. On the program: conference rooms, a leisure complex for families, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a squash court, new restaurants and facilities for conferences and seminars ...

Vertigo of the Pitons of Saint Lucia

© David Raynal

But let's now go to the discovery of this small tropical island of 620 km², with a double colonial and linguistic heritage (French and English).

Mineral signature of the island, the Petit Piton and the Gros Piton have been listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 2004. Planted like teeth of emerald staring at the blue of the ocean at more than 700 meters from the sea. he altitude, the two telluric needles are part of the Qualibou volcanic chain, also called Soufrière, the main volcano of the island.

A must-see attraction of this volcanic pebble planted in the sea, the Tet Paul natural path is accessible to all levels. This 45-minute hiking loop offers visitors breathtaking views, including that of the 5-star Sugar Beach hotel with its fabulous white sand beach and that of the breathtaking Petit Piton (743 m). It joins a belvedere which finally provides hikers with a phenomenal panorama of the Gros Piton. Along the way, walkers will discover traditional medicinal plants and exotic fruits.

Much more difficult, the ascent of the Gros Piton (770 m), will give you intense sensations. The start is at Fond Gens Libres, a picturesque and flowery hamlet, made up of multicolored small houses, a few kilometers south of the typical and lively town of Soufriere. However, the conquest of this sugarloaf-shaped monolith is reserved for hikers in good physical condition.

The climb is steep, especially in the second half of the route. The staircase path is often dotted with tree stumps and boulders. Halfway, on a short passage, the view is unique on the Petit Piton.

Saint Lucia, wild beauty

Photo: Calabash Cove Resort & Spa / DR

The wild beauty of Saint Lucia can also be discovered from the interior of the island, thanks to a network of trails, "Nature Trail" or "Forest Trail", which plunge visitors into the heart of exuberant and paradisiacal vegetation.

Dazzled by the dazzling colors of tropical flowers, bewitched by the subtle smells of mangoes, bananas, magnolias or even orchids, surrounded by tree ferns, but also by the song of the many species of exotic birds, tourists advance in search of the emblematic parrot of the island: the Amazona Versicolore, also called Jaco!

In 1970, the national bird of Saint Lucia that was found in the wild was threatened with extinction and only about 150 specimens remained. Today, thanks to the efforts of the authorities to protect it, its population is constantly increasing.

A little everywhere nature is revealed by borrowing the impressive lines of zip line, (zip line in English) the suspended footbridges or even the "tram" a gondola of 8 people which quietly flies over the canopy. For more than an hour, a guide will give you a wealth of information on plants, trees and avifauna.

In fact, whether contemplative or sporty, there are many options for discovering the splendors of Saint Lucia: by helicopter, boat, kayak, all-terrain vehicle, sailboat, bicycle, bus, taxi, or on horseback ... The choice seems endless!

Honeymoon

Photo: Joe Mac Nally / DR

Renowned for its resplendent natural beauty, its romantic atmosphere and its epitome of luxury, Saint Lucia is the ultimate place for couples who want to unite or intensely live their honeymoon. There are also different ways to get married on the island!

The ceremony takes place according to your desires, in the fabulous gardens of a very beautiful hotel, East Winds Inn, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa in the Rodney Bay area, on the beach, at Anse Chastenet Resort or at Ladera Resort with direct view on the pitons, feet in the sand, at the Coconut Bay Resort in the South, for a yes in front of the turquoise and translucent waters of the Caribbean Sea.

On the practical side, it suffices to stay on site for at least 3 days, but it is possible to stay only one day on site by making a specific request. All the documents must then be submitted to the French Embassy: passport, birth certificate, affidavit stamped by a notary for those under 18 and a certified translation, if the documents are not in English.

Some companies offer to manage everything for you to free you from any worries, and allow you to wait for D-Day with your toes in a fan. Many hotels organize weddings within their establishment and offer packages adapted to all your desires.

Several hotels in Saint Lucia also specialize in welcoming couples and offer luxury services. This is particularly the case with the Jade Mountain 5 * Luxe hotel. More than a simple establishment, it stands out as a true sanctuary for lovers who wish to find themselves in the heart of unspoiled nature.

All of the hotel's suites are equipped with a private infinity pool and a neat, romantic and intimate design decoration.

Desire for robinsonnade

The south and the windy and wild west coast of Saint Lucia are finally distinguished by its small picturesque fishing ports, Micoud, Praslin, Dennery and its exceptional natural treasures which compete with the more urban and trendy atmosphere of the capital Castries and North seaside resorts.

On land, as at sea, the authentic discovery of Saint Lucia is above all through meetings, often very warm and friendly with the locals. Sea trips with local fishermen, nights in charming guest houses with typical Creole decoration or visits to the chocolate and rum factories, will make your stay a lasting memory.

David Raynal

Practical information from Saint Lucia

To play golf :

Sandals Regency La Toc (9 holes)

Castries Saint Lucia

Sandals Saint Lucia Golf & Country Club (18 holes)

Cap Estate

https://www.sandals.fr/activites/golf/

Climate - Meteorology

From January to May: dry season.

From June to December: wet season. Temperatures peak from June to August (up to around 35 ° C), often accompanied by a cool breeze.

August to October: period of tropical and cyclonic storms.

Jet lag - Flight time

There is a time difference of 5 hours in winter and 6 hours in summer between France and Saint Lucia.

When it is 12 p.m. in Paris, it is 6 or 7 a.m. in Castries.

Flight time: around 8h.

Entry formalities - Visa

Your valid passport and return ticket will be required. No visa is necessary as long as your stay does not exceed 42 days.

Languages

The official language is English, but the population also speaks a Creole similar to that of the French Antilles.

Saint Lucia Tourist Office

Representation: C / O Unique Experiences (Isabelle Coornaert) France, Belgium, Monte-Carlo, Geneva.

76 rue d'Alleray 75015 Paris France - info@stluciafr.org
T + 33 (0) 1 45 32 00 83 - M +33 (0) 6 74 20 49 97
Site  https://www.stlucia.org/fr/ - Facebook SainteLucieFrance
Twitter SaintLuciaFR - Instagram @travelsaintlucia

Go to Saint Lucia:

By plane

From Paris-Orly, Air France (with Air Antilles) flies to Saint Lucia via Fort de France.

https://www.airfrance.fr

Air Caribbean

The company operates daily, except Mondays and Tuesdays, a flight between Fort-de-France and Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia. Performed in ATR 72, these flights only last about twenty minutes.

Phone. : 0 890 648 648 • Internet: www.airantilles.com

Once in Martinique, you take a small plane between Fort de France and Castries airport, north of Saint Lucia. Baggage is checked in from start to finish and you do not pass through customs in Fort de France.

By ferry

Inter-island ferries leave from Castries in Saint Lucia and Le Marin in Martinique. The Express des Iles company offers a high-speed catamaran service between Saint Lucia and Martinique (2 hour journey): http://www.express-des-iles.com .

For more information on cruises and ferries: www.slaspa.com  (Saint Lucia Air & Sea Port Authority).

Where to eat in Saint Lucia:

The Pink Plantation House

Discover this French Colonial House which celebrates its 140th anniversary. Nestled amidst tropical greenery, its gardens offer panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. Its restaurant is famous for its authentic French Creole cuisine, local fruit juices and special cocktails.

Chef Harry Drive, The Morne, Castries • Tel. : +758 452 5422

E-mail : wildorchidstlucia@hotmail.com

Where to sleep in exceptional places?

East Winds Inn
La Brelotte Bay, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
+ 1 758 452 8212
http://eastwinds.com
info@eastwinds.com

Sweet Plantation & Resort Fund
Phone: 1-758-459-7545 / 7548
Fax: 1-758-459-7790
https://www.fonddouxresort.com/contact
info@fonddouxresort.com
Soufriere LC09 101

Jade Mountain

1000 Anse Chastenet Road Soufriere
Phone: 1-800-223-1108.
Fax: 758-459-7700
http://jademountain.fr
jademountain@ansechastanet.com

Ladera Resort
Rabot Estate, Soufriere, LC09 101
Tel: 1 758-459-6600
https://www.ladera.com

Calabash Cove Resort & Spa
Bonaire Estate, Marisule
Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, WI
Tel: 1 758-456-3500
info@calabashcove.com
https://calabashcove.com 

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
Old Fort Saint Lucia
Phone: 00 1 877-252-0304
https://cbayresort.com

Fancy a mountain bike ride?

www.bikeslucia.com

Anse Mamin
Monday-Friday: 8 am-15:30pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8 am-13:30pm

Slightly set back from an idyllic beach north of Anse Chastenet and accessible on foot by a coastal path, Anse Mamin named after the owner of the old plantation, invites you to laze around and swim. Slightly set back, Jungle Biking offers you safe mountain bike rides. The guide gives information on the history of the remains of this site from 18^e century. It is also possible to travel alone in this old plantation of 600 hectares. Full equipment provided.