Although we had already done an island tour by land, locals told us you haven’t really seen the Pitons until you see them from the ocean and as we were missing being on the water we booked an Island Cruise with Endless Summer Catamaran Tours .
We weren’t disappointed except for the fact that in order to keep to somewhat of a schedule (even though there was lots of wind) they used the motor even when the sails were up…. But it was good to be on the water and sailing.
Our tour left from Rodney Bay and we were fortunate that there were only about 30 people, this kept the tour small and personal and we soon discovered we weren’t the only Canadians on board! We met two other Canadian couples from St. John NB who were spending a week in St. Lucia before heading to Nevis.
As we left Rodney Bay we were treated to some interesting sights.
Motor Yacht 'A'
The first was the Motor Yacht ‘A’ a James Bond looking vessel parked in the Bay just off Pigeon Point (FYI check out this link…Motor Yacht A). We also came across two sleeping dolphins that weren’t bothered by us until we came too close…..
The Pitons through the haze...
It was a hazy day as we sailed down the Coast, but we weren’t disappointed, the view we had of the Pitons was amazing even through the haze.
Like the land tour our destination was the town of Souffriere. Here we transferred to small mini buses (10 passengers) that took us first to the Toraille Waterfall - a fresh water waterfall and tropical garden, then
to the only drive in Volcano - Soufriere Sulphur Springs
- Souffriere Sulphur Springs
and finally to a working Cocoa plantation - Fond Doux Estate- that supplies most of the cocoa for Hershey’s Chocolate in the US.
- Fond Doux Estate
It was at Fond Doux Estate Cocoa Pod Restaurant that we had lunch and sampled some great Caribbean food. There was chicken, fish, black beans with rice, dashing (taro), green salad and for dessert a banana cake all served with a rum punch or fruit juice.
St. Lucian’s are trying very hard to become self sustaining and doing a good job at it.
Local produce
You see lots of local produce in the grocery stores and markets. They produce their own chicken and pork and of course an abundance of fish - both salted and fresh.
Following lunch it was back to the boat with a stop at Anse Chastenet - a black sand beach - for a swim and snorkel. There were 6 large tourist Catamarans all trying to share the beach and reef, but despite the hundreds of people we did manage to enjoy a great snorkel along the reef.
Marigot Bay
A quick stop in Marigot Bay, where the movie Dr. Doolittle was filmed, then back up the Coast to Rodney Bay.
If you ever visit St. Lucia and enjoy being on the water, we recommend a Catamaran Cruise.
Bob & Donna
Preparing to return to Sint Maarten.
