St. Lucia offers adventure for couples
Photos and text by Kathy Hagood

St. Lucia thrusts steeply from the calm, turquoise Caribbean like a lush, green island fantasy.

The island’s signature dual peaks, Les Pitons, are majestic even from the air. Oprah Winfrey’s “O Magazine” named the breathtaking Pitons one of the “Five Places to See in Your Lifetime.”

Newlyweds Sean and Amanda Mallon were taken aback by the views of the island as they arrived by air for their honeymoon. They found St. Lucia to be even lovelier than the photographs in their travel brochures.

“We had no idea that this kind of volcanic island beauty was available in the Caribbean. It’s so much easier and quicker to get here than to fly to faraway Hawaii,” said Amanda Mallon of St. Louis.

The Mallons chose St. Lucia for their honeymoon because of the variety of activities it offers, including touring a sugar cane plantation and a drive-in volcano, hiking in the rainforest, zip-lining through the forest canopy, sailing, snorkeling, diving and fishing.

Adventurous couples seeking a destination wedding or honeymoon on an island that offers much more than sun, sand and sea may want to opt for St. Lucia as well.

One of the Windward Islands, St. Lucia is located in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean chain. The island’s subtropical temperatures are tempered by cooling trade winds. Brief, sporadic showers are common from June to November.

Although the island is a British Commonwealth, its French past is evident in the names of its towns and geographical features and in the French and English patois spoken by natives.

Charming fishing villages, including Soufriere, periodically add splashes of color along St. Lucia’s coast. Taking a catamaran sail along the west coast for a picnic on the beach and snorkeling is a popular excursion. The trip starts from Soufriere with rum punch and island music as each guest boards.

History buffs will be interested in visiting the Balenbouche Estate tour. Now a bed and breakfast, the estate features verdant grounds and the ruins of its old sugar cane plantation. Then it’s on to Sulfur Springs Park, the island’s famous drive-in volcano.

Steaming vents surrounded by lush jungle offer up both an exotic atmosphere and a rotten-egg smell that may remind Space Coast visitors of the Indian River Lagoon on a not-too-overpowering day. Visitors will want to soak their feet or hands in the therapeutic sulfur waters of the caldera.

“St. Lucia is full of surprises,” said Sean Mallon after testing the warm chocolate-colored waters and finding them soothing.

But don’t worry too much about the next eruption on St. Lucia: The 4.5-square mile crater at Sulfur Springs was formed 40,000 years ago.

Another adventure the island offers is zip-lining through the forest canopy. The system of harnesses, pulleys and horizontal traverses allows visitors to fly between huge trees and get an up-close view of bromeliads and orchids.

Afterwards take the opportunity to hike through the rainforest to the dazzling Errand Waterfall. The cool water provides a refreshing dip.

St. Lucia boasts a variety of resorts. One of its best upscale values is the new Coconut Bay Resort & Spa near Vieux Fort.

An all-inclusive resort, Coconut Bay successfully caters to both couples and families, which is especially important for brides and grooms bringing children and/or extended families and friends with them for a wedding.

George and Stacie Kendall of Derby, England, for example, recently married and honeymooned at the property. Their son and 12 other family members accompanied them.

“This is a great place for us all to get together and spend some time relaxing,” George Kendall said.

The Kendalls were thrilled their son could enjoy himself with activities at the children’s camp or at the resort’s waterpark while they spent time alone with each other in the pool or taking excursions.

The resort performs weddings at its picturesque oceanfront gazebo and has an indoor reception hall. Obtaining a marriage license in St. Lucia is relatively inexpensive ($125 to $200, depending on the length of your stay) and easy to obtain.

Because adult accommodations are segregated from family areas and accommodations, the Mallons found the resort offered them a secluded getaway for their honeymoon.

The two enjoyed an ocean-side couples massage at the property’s Kai Mer Spa, dined at the resort’s adult-only Belagio and Silk fine-dining restaurants and took advantage of the star gallery lounge and late-night disco.

“Because there are adult-only pools and other areas, it’s been perfect for us. We love children but you don’t necessarily want them on your honeymoon with you,” Amanda Mallon said and laughed.

In the heart of the resort everyone is welcome at the centrally located pool, snack bar and buffet restaurant Coconut Walk. The restaurant features scrumptious fresh pastries and a variety of entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you find yourself indulging a bit too much in the resort’s diverse cuisine you can walk it off among Coconut Bay’s 100 acres of coconut palms.

For more information on St. Lucia and license requirements for getting married there, visit www.stlucia.org

For more information on Coconut Bay Resort and Spa, St. Lucia visit www.coconutbayresortandspa.com