St. Lucia With Kids: Ultimate Family Vacation Guide 2024
Are you planning to visit St. Lucia with Kids and need help planning your Itinerary? This comprehensive, family-friendly St. Lucia guide is a great start!
We recently visited St. Lucia with our four-year-old and one-year-old kids. If you ever doubted that St. Lucia is a great family destination, then be assured that it certainly is. This picturesque Caribbean island offers a perfect blend of relaxation in family-friendly resorts and exciting nature adventures for all ages.
Some of our favorite things to do in St. Lucia with kids were a bean-to-bar chocolate-making experience, wandering through the rainforest and plantations, visiting the Soufriere Volcano, a private boat excursion around the island, exploring the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and spotting beautiful hummingbirds all around, and watching the sunsets!
Whether visiting for the first time or returning for another taste of its charm, St. Lucia promises an unforgettable family vacation.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for any sales made through such links – at no extra cost to you.
Before we dive in further, this is a mini section of my favorite family hotels, which I would recommend, and tours that we loved.
Hotels:
Tours:
- Chocolate-making tour by Hotel Chocolat
- Private full-day charter
- Sulphur Springs and Mud baths
- St. Lucia Land and Sea Tour
Is St. Lucia Good With Kids?
We have been there, doubting whether a St. Lucia vacation with kids was a good idea or if it was a destination for honeymooners only. But if your family loves outdoor adventures and hanging out at the beach, St. Lucia is ideal.
The island offers many activities and attractions, from stunning waterfalls and nature trails to Volcano visits, water adventures, and wildlife spotting in the rainforest. So be assured that you will find something exciting to do for every age.
Best time to Visit
St. Lucia has a warm tropical climate year-round, with a dry season from December to May and a wet season from June to November.
Be aware that the wet season can bring heavy rainfall and the chance of hurricanes, particularly in August, September, and October, which can impact outdoor activities.
For the best weather, consider visiting in the spring, specifically in March, when you’ll enjoy warm weather and plenty of sunshine. We went in March, and each day was more beautiful than the other.
Airport Transfers
Most international flights arrive at the Main St. Lucia International Airport (UVF), where you must arrange an airport transfer to your resort.
You may find a few hotel options near the airport but expect the most popular hotels and resorts in the Castries and Soufriere area, which are about 1 – 1.5 hours away.
Make sure to get a comfortable ride. The island is tiny. However, the roads are bumpy and mountainous, with some winding roads. You may need to prepare anti-motion medications if you or your kids get motion sickness. My son rarely feels anything during our road trips, but he got slightly uncomfortable driving around St. Lucia.
Here are some tips to make your long airport transfers more comfortable:
Book a Quality Airport Transfer Car – We booked our airport transfer with Viator, which worked well. The air-conditioned car was comfortable and spacious, with St. Lucia rum, light refreshments, and some plantain chips waiting for us! The driver was very polite and professional.
He also shared so much insight and valuable information about the island and stopped for beautiful lookout spots! Later, we used the same car service to visit other destinations from our Itinerary. Book your car service here.
Rent a car. If you do not mind driving on the left side, this can be a great option to accommodate your family.
Book a helicopter transfer. This is an excellent alternative to taxis, and it will take less than 15 minutes to get to your resort hassle-free. I wish we knew more about this. It would have been a fun little adventure to add to our guide and save time.
St. Lucia Family Resorts
St. Lucia offers a range of accommodation options in various locations. Some popular areas to stay in include Castries, North St. Lucia (Gros Islet/Rodney Bay), Soufriere, and the Pitons. Each region has its unique attractions and amenities.
Windjammer Landing Resort (All Inclusive)
We stayed at this resort and had an excellent experience overall. Here are things that make Windjammer Landing very family-friendly.
- The resort offers guests an option for an all-inclusive stay.
- There is an unlimited shuttle at the resort, helping guests get from their villas to the main area and back to their villas any time of the day. We have so much respect for all the staff who took hundreds of turns daily to transport guests back and forth.
- The resort has a complimentary VIP Kids’ Club for ages 4-12, with various supervised activities, including very cool interactive activities like storytelling and movie nights at the beach.
- Each villa at Windjammer is well-suited for families and is equipped with kitchens and balconies.
- The resort offers multiple family-friendly restaurants on-site. Our favorite place was Papa Don’s, the Italian restaurant. It is the busiest restaurant, so make a reservation a few days before for each day you want to visit.
Cons: The only downside I can think of is the location. The resort is in the Castries area. Since our Itinerary included many off-resort adventures near Soufriere, we had to drive more than one hour each time to get to our destinations.
Book Windjammer Landing Resort
Sugar Beach Viceroy Resort
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, is located in Soufriere on the west coast of St. Lucia, nestled between the majestic Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. It is a stunning hotel to splurge in during your family vacation in St. Lucia.
The resort provides activities for children, including a kids club with supervised activities such as treasure hunts, arts and crafts, and sports.
Additionally, there are family-friendly amenities such as a family pool and a range of water sports suitable for children.
You are very close to most outdoor adventures here, and your commute will be significantly short, making this an excellent choice to get around with kids.
We visited Sugar Beach during our boat trip, and it was stunning. Even if you do not stay here, a day trip to Sugar Beach is still a great way to spend a day in St. Lucia.
Cons: The price tag can be not so budget-friendly when visiting as a family.
Book Sugar Beach Viceroy Resort
Coconut Bay Resort & Spa (All Inclusive)
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is a premium all-inclusive resort 5 minutes from Saint Lucia Airport.
Situated on 85 acres, the resort offers two distinct wings: Harmony, which is the adults-only section, and Splash, which is the kid-friendly section.
Here, you will enjoy the largest waterpark on the island, designed for all ages! Your kids will never want to leave this place.
The resort features nine restaurants, 7 bars, five pools, a water park, and a full-service spa for guests of all ages.
The resort also offers a free airport shuttle service.
Cons: While conveniently located by the airport, you are further from the island’s experiences and natural outdoor adventures.
Things to Do in St. Lucia With Kids
View Pitons From the Sea or Land
No trip to St. Lucia is complete without viewing the iconic Pitons. If traveling with older kids who are up for an adventure, take a family-friendly hike or a boat tour.
We chose to take a private Boat trip around Soufriere, which was one of the highlights of our trip. Seeing the Pitons from the water was breathtaking and memorable.
Visit Pigeon Island National Park
Pigeon Island National Park: Step back at Pigeon Island National Park. You’ll discover centuries-old military ruins and can climb to Fort Rodney for panoramic views. It’s educational and fun, with lots of space for the kids to run around.
Visit Soufriere Volcano and Sulfur Baths
Visiting the Sulphur Springs volcano in St. Lucia is an educational and unique experience for kids and adults.
We witnessed the world’s only drive-in volcano and observed Volcanic activity. Although the volcano is dormant, seeing hot, bubbling volcanic activity was mind-blowing.
There is an unpleasant sulfur scent once you get closer to the volcano. It was as baVolcanotten eggs, but seeing the Volcanic bubbles was worth it!
Afterward, we went for natural mud baths, believed to have therapeutic properties. Every local we met advised us to do this, so we did not want to regret it later and went for it.
The truth is, I think my kids were still too small for this and were not too excited. The baby even got scared looking at muddy strangers. I think older kids will have much more fun with mud baths.
Rainforest Aerial Tram
The Aerial Tram in St. Lucia offers children a unique and family-friendly experience. It allows them to explore the rainforest from a distinctive treetop view.
Kids aged 12 years and older can enjoy the adventure, accompanied by a specialist guide, as they glide through the treetops in an open-air gondola, experiencing the lush environment and diverse wildlife.
The excursion also provides educational opportunities for children to learn about the rainforest ecosystem and its inhabitants.
Splash Island Water Sports Park
Splash Island Water Park in St. Lucia is the Caribbean’s first open-water sports park on the famous Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay.
To enjoy Splash Island Water Park, set up on the water, Six-year-olds must wear life vests regardless of their swimming abilities.
Visit Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
One of my favorite places to explore with kids was the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden. The gardens contain many beautiful flowers and plants, and we also spotted hummingbirds! Here, kids can explore and learn about different plant species.
The trail to the waterfall is kid-friendly, and no hike is necessary. We could even take a heat break here with so many plants around.
We did not do a tour for this and explored on our own, but you have an option for a guided tour, too!
Take Chocolate Making Tour by Hotel Chocolat
If your kids love chocolate, they will love this immersive and educational experience of the chocolate-making process from scratch. You will learn how cocoa beans are grown, including grafting a tree, walking through a rainforest, and hand-crafting your chocolate bar.
While children under age eight cannot get involved in the chocolate-making process, my 4-year-old still had a lot of fun exploring the cocoa plantation, seeing the beans, and watching how we molded the chocolate bar with some tastings!
The tour is very informative and well-organized. I highly recommend it if you have a half-day to devote to it.
Book Chocolate Making Experience Here
Things to do in St. Lucia With Babies and Toddlers
Island getaways are the best vacation for babies and toddlers, and our 16-month-old would agree if he could. If your babies are anything like mine, my toddler loved being around us doing any activity. He was genuinely happy being around his family
Beaches – Baby had the best time chilling at the Windjammer Landing family-friendly beach and Sugar Beach. He also loved the boat tour and napped well during the ride.
Diamond Falls Botanical Garden was a big hit for him, too. He could not stop running around and checking out rocks and leaves. It was one of the best places for him to hang out. The trail is kid-friendly, and no hike is required to get to the falls.
Cocoland Waterpark—Get a day Pass to Coconut Bay Resort and Spa for a fun day at Cocoland! This is the largest waterpark in St Lucia, with slides, splashes, and a lazy river. There is something for kids of all ages.
When writing this post, the days for ages 3-11 are USD 50, and for ages 12+, they are USD 150. Note that the passes depend on availability, so call the resort in advance and reserve your spots!
Best Beaches to Visit in St. Lucia With Kids
Reduit Beach – Reduit Beach is a popular destination in St. Lucia, known for its long stretch of white sand and inviting turquoise waters. The beach offers various amenities, including nearby restaurants, resorts, and water sports activities. It is considered one of the island’s largest and most popular beaches.
Anse Chastenet — Anse Chastanet Beach is located in St. Lucia and is known for its picturesque views of the Piton Mountains and excellent snorkeling opportunities. The beach is accessible, and free parking and restroom facilities are nearby. Dining options are available at the nearby Anse Chastanet Resort.
Sugar Beach—Visiting Sugar Beach for a day can still provide a memorable experience, as the resort offers a variety of activities and amenities suitable for a day trip. Families can enjoy the beach, water sports, and the V Team Kids Club, which provide opportunities for relaxation and entertainment during a day visit.
Eating in St. Lucia With Kids
When dining in St. Lucia with kids, knowing that many restaurants offer child-friendly menus and accommodations is helpful. The local cuisine includes fried or grilled fish, green figs, saltfish, and stewed meats. Additionally, it’s common for restaurants to provide high chairs and kid-friendly dining environments.
While most establishments offered the kids’ menu, there were few options for kids. The most popular options are fried fish sticks, salad and fries, mac and cheese, and chicken fingers. We mostly opted for locally caught fish options, whether grilled or fried.
One thing to note is that we noticed that local dishes, in general, have many flavors in St. Lucia—mostly West Indian flavors.
Suppose you or your kids are sensitive to any specific flavors. Make sure to mention it at the restaurant.
- Local delicacies to try in St. Lucia:
- Stew chicken
- Fried plantains
- Callaloo soup
- Green figs and saltfish
- Local fish
Visiting St. Lucia With Kids: Practical Information
Before you visit St. Lucia with kids, you must understand the transportation options, know where healthcare facilities are, and familiarize yourself with safety guidelines. This will ensure a smooth and worry-free trip.
Healthcare Facilities
- Hospitals: Major emergency hospitals are located in Castries and Vieux Fort. Additionally, several clinics are throughout the island.
- Pharmacies: Stock up on essentials as pharmacies may close early or be unavailable in remote areas.
Safety Guidelines
- Natural Hazards: Avoid natural hazards such as uneven footpaths or sudden rainstorms. These can create slippery conditions.
- Beach Safety: Always obey lifeguard warnings and be mindful of solid undercurrents when swimming.
- Mosquitos: Bring a Mosquito spray with you. You may need it depending on the weather and how rainy it was before your arrival.
Is St. Lucia Expensive For a Family Vacation?
It is no secret that a family vacation to St. Lucia will be costly. We noticed a significant difference here compared to other Caribbean islands, excluding Turks and Caicos, which was comparable in budget.
Here are some tips to manage your budget during your St. Lucia vacation with kids:
- Accommodation: Look for family-friendly resorts with value deals, especially during the off-season from May to October.
- Eating Out: You can save on meals by dining at local eateries instead of resort restaurants. Stocking up on snacks and quick meal options from local supermarkets can also help keep costs down.
- Transportation: Taxis can be costly, so consider renting a car for your stay
- Sightseeing: Many natural attractions in St. Lucia are free or have a low entry fee. Plan your Itinerary around these natural wonders to maximize your experiences. A few of those include Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay. The beautiful beaches in St. Lucia are also usually open to the public at no cost.
St. Lucia With Kids: Summary
There you have it—the comprehensive guide to visiting St. Lucia with kids with plenty of activities to entertain kids of all ages! You have many options here, whether you visit Soufriere for chocolate making, Sugar Beach relaxing, snorkeling, hitting the waterpark, or staying all day at the beach and indulging in subsets.
