Area guide · UNESCO World Heritage
Soufrière and the Pitons in one page: the UNESCO peaks and the Gros Piton climb, the Sulphur Springs, Diamond Falls, Tet Paul, the cacao estates, Dasheene and Orlando’s, and the island’s most spectacular hotels.
Plan your trip:The Pitons and Soufrière in depth
The back story
Everything you need for a day or a week below the Pitons: what the UNESCO site protects, how hard the climbs are, the drive-in volcano, Diamond Falls, cacao estates, where to eat and where to stay.
The back story
The town below the Pitons, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of volcanic peaks, hot springs and reefs.
Twin volcanic spires from the sea
The UNESCO World Heritage Site around Soufrière: 2,909 hectares of land and sea taking in Gros Piton (770 m), Petit Piton (743 m), the Sulphur Springs and the reefs below.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
The island’s classic climb
The guided climb to the top of Gros Piton: a 4 km round trip through forest and volcanic rock, usually 4 to 6 hours, with a certified local guide required.
Gros Piton Nature Trail, near Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
The steeper, harder twin
A very challenging 3.2 km round-trip scramble up Petit Piton on fixed ropes, taking 3 to 5 hours; a professional guide is mandatory.
Pitons Management Area, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
The “drive-in volcano”
Steaming vents and bubbling pools inside an ancient crater near Soufrière, billed as the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano, with mud baths fed by warm springs.
Malgretoute, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A waterfall stained by the volcano
Six acres of gardens on the historic Soufrière Estate, with the Diamond Waterfall, coloured by minerals from the Sulphur Springs, and warm mineral baths.
Soufrière Estate, P.O. Box 278, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
The Pitons from the “stairway to heaven”
A short trail through farms and gardens near Soufrière to a 360-degree viewpoint over both Pitons, with Martinique and St Vincent visible on clear days.
Chateau Belair, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Plantation life and a zipline
A historic plantation above Soufrière with estate tours, a zip-line canopy adventure and the hike to Sapphire Falls.
Morne Coubaril Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Stand under a 50-foot fall
A 50-foot waterfall in the rainforest near Soufrière, easy to reach, where you can stand beneath the cascade in the pool.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A warm waterfall between the Pitons
A waterfall between the Pitons where warm mineral water runs into small pools.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A waterfall walk with Ladera
A waterfall near Soufrière reached on a short nature walk, offered as an experience by Ladera.
Rabot Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
From cacao pod to chocolate bar
Hotel Chocolat’s hands-on tour on its 6-acre Project Chocolat site at Rabot Estate, following cacao from the tree to a chocolate bar you make yourself.
Rabot Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Off-road in the forest
ATV rides on forest trails and inland terrain around Soufrière.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Soufrière’s farms, chocolate and rum
Soufrière tours focused on local farming, chocolate making and rum, listed by the tourism authority.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Reef off the sand
A volcanic-sand beach near Soufrière with calm water and one of the island’s best shore snorkelling reefs, starting just offshore.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A quiet beach in the forest
A secluded beach surrounded by rainforest, reached by a 10-minute jungle path from Anse Chastanet.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
White sand between the Pitons
The white-sand beach between Gros Piton and Petit Piton, one of the most photographed coastal scenes in the Caribbean, reached via the resort.
Val des Pitons, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Boats beneath the Pitons
The waterfront of Soufrière, framed by the Pitons, with boats, small beaches and local life.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Listed by the tourism authority
The dive centre on the beach at Anse Chastanet Resort, in the Soufrière marine reserve, a short swim from the reef.
Anse Chastanet Resort, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Listed by the tourism authority
A dive shop on Hummingbird Beach in Soufrière, close to the Pitons dive sites.
Hummingbird Beach, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Tours from Soufrière
Sailing and fishing tours from Bay Street in Soufrière.
Bay Street, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
The view straight between the Pitons
Ladera’s open-air restaurant, high on the ridge between the two Pitons, led by Chef Nigel Mitchell, with a Wine Room for a six-course tasting menu.
Ladera Resort, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Chef Orlando’s table in Soufrière
Chef Orlando Satchell’s restaurant at the entrance to Soufrière, serving Caribbean tasting menus built on fresh local ingredients, Tuesday to Saturday.
Bridge St, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Chocolate on every course
Hotel Chocolat’s restaurant on the Rabot Estate, the island’s oldest working cacao farm, where cacao appears on the menu and in the cocktails, with views to Petit Piton.
Rabot Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Breakfast to dinner above Soufrière
The restaurant of Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel on the Anse Chastanet road, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a view of the Pitons.
Anse Chastanet Road, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Candlelit dinners in the trees
The resort’s hillside and beachside restaurants, from tropical fine dining with a dinner menu that changes daily to Creole flavours, a St Lucian-Indian menu and simple grilled fare.
1 Anse Chastanet Road, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Dinner beside a coloured infinity pool
Jade Mountain’s own restaurant, led by award-winning Chef Allen Susser, served al fresco beside a coloured infinity pool, with the Celestial Terrace above for sunset cocktails.
Jade Mountain, P.O. Box 4000, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Lunch between the Pitons
The restaurants and bars of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, on the sand between the Pitons: Bonté, Saltwood, The Terrace, Jalousie Grill and The Cane Bar.
Val des Pitons, La Baie de Silence, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Home cooking near Diamond Falls
Local Saint Lucian cooking on the road to the Diamond Botanical Gardens, listed by the tourism authority.
Diamond Botanical Gardens Road, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A stop in the Fond Doux valley
A restaurant and bar at Fond Doux, near Soufrière, listed by the tourism authority.
Fond Doux, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Rooms with no fourth wall
Twenty-nine open-walled sanctuaries high above Anse Chastanet, 24 of them with a private infinity pool, framing the Pitons and the sea.
P.O. Box 4000, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Two beaches in a marine reserve
A resort on a 600-acre estate fronting two soft-sand beaches, Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin, inside the marine reserve, with its own dive centre.
1 Anse Chastanet Road, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Between the two Pitons
Villas, bungalows and residences in the valley between Gros Piton and Petit Piton, running down to Sugar Beach, with the Rainforest Spa set in the canopy.
Val des Pitons, La Baie de Silence, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Open-wall suites on the ridge
Open-wall suites on the ridge between the Pitons, home of Dasheene restaurant, with Gros Piton climbs and bamboo rafting among its experiences.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Sleep on a cacao farm
An adults-only, open-air boutique hotel on the Rabot Estate, the island’s oldest working cacao farm, with lodges looking towards Petit Piton.
Rabot Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Villas with Piton views
A family-run villa resort on the Stonefield Estate above Soufrière, with a spa and The Mango Tree restaurant.
Stonefield Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Cottages on a cocoa estate
A locally owned 19th-century working cocoa estate near Soufrière, with eco-conscious cottages hand-crafted by Caribbean artisans.
Fond Doux, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Private-pool villas in the rainforest
Romantic villas with private pools and Piton views in a secluded rainforest setting above Soufrière.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A hillside hotel near Soufrière
A small hillside resort near Soufrière, with rooms and wedding packages.
Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Above Soufrière, facing the Pitons
A villa hotel on the Anse Chastanet road, home of The Pavilion restaurant.
Anse Chastanet Road, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
A drink between the Pitons
The bar of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, on the beach between Gros Piton and Petit Piton.
Val des Pitons, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Creole cooking near Rabot
A Creole restaurant and bar near the Rabot Estate above Soufrière, listed by the tourism authority.
Rabot Estate, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
On the tourism authority’s spa list
Jade Mountain’s boutique spa and fitness studio, with treatments in the spa or in the privacy of your sanctuary, and yoga at sunrise and sunset.
Jade Mountain, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
On the tourism authority’s spa list
Sugar Beach’s spa set within the rainforest canopy, drawing on volcanic minerals and locally grown cocoa, with a temazcal steam dome.
Val des Pitons, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Car hire in Soufrière
Car hire based in Soufrière, handy for the south-west.
P.O. Box 289, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
How to get there
About 45 minutes from Hewanorra by road; by boat or catamaran from the north.
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority says the 4 km round trip usually takes 4 to 6 hours, and a certified local guide is required.
About 45 minutes by road, according to the tourism authority.
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