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Natural Treasures

Discover the true riches of the Caribbean away from the beach in Saint Lucia

June 18, 2023 17:30
Pitons view moa-0195 CREDIT SLTA
6 min read

Known as a favourite of honeymooners thanks to its beautiful beaches, great climate, luxurious resorts and almost universally friendly welcome, look beyond the romance and you’ll discover there’s far more to Saint Lucia than meets the eye.

With lush rainforests, cocoa plantations, the soaring Piton mountains, waterfalls, clear blue seas and even the world’s only “drive-in volcano” — complete with naturally heated thermal pools — the Caribbean island has plenty both on land and sea for nature-lovers.

Staying at East Winds on the north-west coast of the island, one of Saint Lucia’s smallest and oldest resorts with just 30 rooms, we had our first introduction to the island’s surprising variety on a tour of the 12-acre grounds with head gardener Sylvanus Lewis.

He’s been at the resort since 2006 and has a seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge not only of the 150 or so different species of plants and trees in the garden, but also their various medicinal properties, from cinnamon, peppermint and vervain for abdominal and digestive issues to hibiscus or pawpaw for high blood pressure.