There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife encounters in Saint Lucia, whether you’re trekking through the jungle, visiting beaches, or on or under the water. Saint Lucia’s rainforest is a habitat for many rare birds and plants, as well as the agouti, iguana and mongoose. The best way to experience the rainforest is with a well-informed guide, on one of the nature trails maintained by the Forestry Department. For bird enthusiasts, there is the Millet Bird Sanctuary Trail. Over 30 species of birds can be found there, including five endemic species: the Saint Lucia parrot, Saint Lucia black finch, Saint Lucia oriole, Saint Lucia pewee and Saint Lucia warbler. This trail also provides breathtaking views of the Roseau Dam, the largest in the Eastern Caribbean. The beach at Grande Anse is a seasonal nesting site for endangered leatherback turtles, and from March to August you can join a patrol with the Desbarra Grande Anse Turtle Watch Programme.
(Photo: Purple throated Carib © Saint Lucia Tourist Board)
Spot pilot whales, sperm whales, humpbacks and false orcas up close, as well as spinners, spotted, bottlenose and Fraser dolphins.
If it’s marine life you’re interested in, there are a number of options for getting up close and personal. Whale- and dolphin-watching tours run all year long, and offer the opportunity to spot pilot whales, sperm whales, humpbacks and false orcas up close, as well as spinners, spotted, bottlenose and Fraser dolphins. If snorkelling or diving are your thing, then there are great sites to explore around the island with rainbow coral reefs and varied marine life. It’s possible to see octopus, turtles, moray eels, parrot fish and even sea horses.
(Photo: Whistling frog © Adam Strange)