8 Best Beaches in Saint Lucia

From golden sands in the shadow of the Pitons to secluded coves, here’s where to find your perfect patch of paradise.

The first time I visited Saint Lucia, I was blown away by the island’s gorgeous landscape: the twin Piton Mountains, the miles of lush, tropical forests and the dozen or so beaches that ring the tiny island. Saint Lucia’s topography makes it one of the most unique in the Caribbean. It also stands out for another reason: the island is the only country in the world named after a woman. 

Saint Lucia has traditionally been a honeymoon haven, but it’s been attracting more solo and group travelers drawn to its adventurous side. From zip-lining over the rainforest to soaking in volcanic mud at a natural sulfur spring, or signing up for a guided hike of the Pitons, Saint Lucia is a playground for adventure seekers. 

The beaches in Saint Lucia are pretty spectacular too, ranging from sugary white to volcanic black sand. Whether you’re planning a trip to Saint Lucia to celebrate a milestone anniversary or disconnect for a few days by yourself, you’ll probably want to include a visit to the island’s stunning shoreline. Below, check out our guide to some of the island’s best beaches. 

Found on Saint Lucia’s southwestern coast, Sugar Beach is one of the island’s most sought-after destinations and it gets its name from the soft, sugary white sand. The beach is about 15 minutes by car from Soufriere, a cruise ship port and one of the main tourism hubs of the island. What makes this beach so special? Sugar Beach is nestled between the majestic Pitons and offers travelers one of the best views of the famous peaks. The famous beach is also the location of Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, but you don’t need to stay at the resort to access the beach. Visitors can get dropped off or park in the adjacent free parking lot and then take a steep walk down to the public beach. Bring your own towel or inquire with a local vendor about renting a beach chair for the day. Also, look for Blaze’s Boat Bar, a floating bar run by a local known as “The Smoothie Man.” He serves fresh smoothies—with or without alcohol—directly from his boat.

Another great beach is Pigeon Island Causeway Beach, located on Pigeon Island, a national landmark open daily from 8 am to 5:30 pm. The island is on the northern tip of Saint Lucia, about a 10-minute drive from the center of Rodney Bay. Pigeon Island is connected to the mainland of Saint Lucia by a bridge and this tiny island (a little over 40 acres) offers a few swimming areas, like the popular Pigeon Island Causeway Beach. The beach can get lively on weekends and cruise ship port days, so consider planning your visit for midweek for a more private experience. For an added thrill, consider hiking up Signal Point. At the top, you can explore Fort Rodney, a military fort built by the British to protect the island.

Boasting golden sand and clear water, Reduit Beach is a popular place to cool off. Tucked into the island’s northern side, the beach is only 15 minutes from Pigeon Point Island, so you could hit up both in one day. The shallow water is great for kids or those who want to spend the afternoon snorkeling and beach umbrellas and chairs are available for a fee.  Reduit Beach is also within a 10-minute walk from the shops and restaurants in Rodney Bay. After a day at the beach, grab a table at Matthew’s Rooftop Restaurant for a lunch of coconut shrimp and fire-roasted octopus, or come later to watch the sunset from the rooftop restaurant. 

Anse Cochan is a quiet, black sand beach on the western coast and the best way to access this beach is via Ti Kaye Resort & Spa. The beach is at the end of a steep 166-step staircase, where you’ll be met with a few wooden pergolas for shade. Anse Cochon is a popular stop for day tours, but the boats usually stay for about an hour before you have the beach to yourself again. Ti Kaye Resort & Spa offers beach chairs (for a fee) and guided snorkel trips, making it a great home base for the day. Make lunch reservations at the hotel’s casual beachside bar, Ti Manje, or dine at the formal hillside restaurant, Kai Mange.  

Arguably one of the best beaches for snorkeling or scuba diving in St. Lucia, Anse Chastanet is a peaceful beachfront home to a resort with the same name, Anse Chastanet Resort. The black sand beach is on St. Lucia’s southwest coast and runs about a quarter of a mile long. If you’re snorkeling, the beach has a buoyed off “no-boat” area, ensuring the reef is preserved. The beach also has a world-class scuba diving center, Scuba St. Lucia, which offers equipment rental, group trips and lessons. The coral reefs are teeming with colorful fish, but if you’d rather stay on the surface, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards from the hotel’s watersports rental center.  

For a truly serene beach experience, consider a short hike to Anse Mamin, which is connected to Anse Chastanet by a picturesque beach path. The brief ten-minute walk leads you to the uncrowded, crescent-shaped cove. Anse Mamin is more secluded than Anse Chastanet and is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat (and the sunsets here are second to none.) If you’re hungry, the Jungle Beach Bar & Grill, operated by the Anse Chastanet Resort, is perched directly on Anse Mamin Beach. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from watermelon gazpacho to BBQ Dorado fish burgers and a decadent coconut mango panna cotta for dessert. 

Less visited than other beaches, Cas en Bas beach is on the island’s north end. The white sand beach, facing the Atlantic, benefits from the tradewinds and the windy area makes it a perfect sport for kiteboarders. If you’re looking to take lessons or rent equipment, check out Kitesurfing St. Lucia. The C-shaped remote beach is also ideal for horseback rides and you can book a scenic ride through the rugged terrain and across the beach through Trim’s National Riding Stable. On the weekends, locals come to picnic and fish, but weekdays are pretty uncrowded. Also near Cas en Bas Beach is Marjorie’s Beach Bar, one of the island’s most beloved beachside restaurants. The rustic watering hole serves local dishes, including grilled fish, and a stiff, spiced rum punch. 

Smuggler’s Cove, a secluded beach on the northern tip of Saint Lucia, is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and can be reached by a steep 90-step staircase. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll be rewarded with a nearly perfect golden slice of beach. A few loungers belonging to the neighboring Cap Maison Hotel are scattered on the sand, but there’s still plenty of room to lay out a beach towel and enjoy the quiet view. The beach is also home to The Naked Fisherman Restaurant, one of the island’s top restaurants. Make reservations to sample the restaurant’s shrimp toastadas and saltfish, and be sure to enjoy a little post-meal break on the beach before your climb to the top.