Top 10 Hotspots for Superyacht Guests

With one of the best locations on St Lucia set on top a hill overlooking one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful harbours, the luxurious Marigot Bay Resort and Marina is perfectly positioned to offer guests direct access to the natural beauty, jewel-coloured waters and lush green mountains that the Eastern Caribbean nation is so renowned for.

Accommodating some of the largest superyachts afloat, the marina itself is a stunning haven to relax and unwind, and being located in the middle of the island’s west coast make it an ideal base for exploring north and south. Many sites are accessible by boat so you can make good use of your yacht’s tender or hire water and land vehicles direct from the marina team. Here's our round-up of the top 10 things to do on the island…
 

Indulge in a treehouse dinner at the resort complete with a personalised menu

Give the yacht’s chef the night off and meet with Marigot Bay Resort’s culinary team to devise a personalised menu and wine pairing to be served in the resort’s very own treehouse private dining venue. Nestled at the edge of the mangroves and overlooking the waters of the inner bay, this is a romantic and relaxing retreat perfect for special occasions. From starters of tuna tartare seasoned with citrus and soy sauce and organic locally grown tomato salad with fresh basil and handmade buffalo mozzarella, to mains including pan-roasted local mahi-mahi with tropical salsa, native pan seared chicken breast and St. Lucian pot fish which, as the name suggests, is caught in a fisherman’s pot and changes with the season, chefs can whip up anything that takes your fancy.

Take a helicopter tour over the Pitons

Few places offer scenery as spectacular as St Lucia, and what better way to take it all in than with a luxury helicopter tour? If your yacht already has one then you’re good to go but, if not, St Lucia Helicopters explore the heart of the island, revealing vast stretches of rainforest, beautiful coastlines and the soaring iconic peaks of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons.

Pamper yourself with a luxury spa day

If you don’t feel like travelling too far, the Spa Village at Marigot Bay is a picturesque spot to indulge your senses and energise your body and mind. An oasis of relaxation right on the doorstep of the marina with a wide range of treatments and rituals tailored to the individual needs of guests – think international treatments from VOYA and a host of locally-inspired and sourced rituals for a head to toe, day long pampering experience – be sure to add lunch and champagne into the mix to complete your day.

Alternatively, venture out to Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort’s Rainforest Spa, where treatments are delivered in stunning treehouses built over a lively stream. The couple’s treatment cabana offers a private soaking pool surrounded by lush vegetation and a fabulously romantic experience, and you can also enjoy a spa-inspired lunch at the Bayside Restaurant and a spot of snorkelling in the UNESCO World Heritage site just steps from the white sand beach.

Attempt the Gros Piton hike from the base of the Piton

An adventure suited to more active travellers, take your tender to the foot of one of Saint Lucia’s iconic landmarks, Gros Piton. With the help of a private guide, this invigorating 3-4 hour climb leads up to 2,619 feet above sea level, where a picnic lunch and bubbles will be waiting for you on arrival. Spend some time in the crystal clear waters and snorkel among the marine reserve before returning to your yacht for sundowners.

Head out for a golf day 

With three golf resorts on the islands, plus St Lucia Golf Club which is currently in development,  golf fans will be spoilt for choice. From a nine-hole course near Castries to a more impressive and challenging 18-hole course in Cap Estate which is designed by the iconic Greg Norman Golf Course Design, the views are iconic, with the latter sprawling across a lush tropical landscape that contrasts beautifully with the sparkling blue waters of both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Can you think of a better place to lower your handicap?

Credit: Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Club.

Sit down for a five-star dining experience  

While St Lucia’s plethora of locally grown fruit and vegetables and freshly caught fish make for some of the best Creole and Caribbean dishes in the world, if you’re looking for something really special, look no further than The Cliff at Cap. Situated in the luxurious Cap Maison, the clifftop location is second to none, boasting panoramic views that extend to Martinique on the horizon. Arrive for sundowners while it’s still light and stay for its sophisticated menu of French/Caribbean cuisine which includes dishes such as roast jerk pork belly with caramelised plantain.

Discover St Lucia’s impressive collection of rum on a private distillery tour

Rum is fast becoming as luxurious a tipple as the finest whiskies, and right around the corner from Marigot Bay, St Lucia Distillers offers the opportunity to learn all about the distillation process and taste some of the finest rums in the world. Avoid the crowds and book your own private tasting – just make sure there’s a driver waiting to take you back to your yacht!

Discover the island’s art scene

Home to both established and emerging artists who manage to capture the island’s stunning beauty, St Lucia’s eclectic art scene is well worth exploring. Your first stop should be St Lucia local Llewellyn Xavier’s Cap Estate studio, where you can schedule an appointment to meet the man himself. During the past four decades, his artwork has provided a virtual panorama of St. Lucia’s flora, fauna and folklore, and reflected his passion for protecting the fragile environment of the Caribbean islands and beyond. Elsewhere, the island’s leading sculptor Vincent Joseph Eudovic’s wood carving studio displays his most magnificent pieces, while the Inner Gallery in Bois d’Orange represents established and up-coming Caribbean artists and is one of the island’s most highly respected contemporary art galleries. 

Life’s a beach

Renowned for its heavenly beaches, St Lucia boasts everything from tranquil bays nestled in scenic national parks to family-friendly beaches that are the perfect spot to make use of your yacht’s tenders. Hire a private driver and head north from Marigot Bay to enjoy the northern beaches including Pigeon Island National Landmark with its military ruins; lively Reduit Beach - the island’s tourist hub - with its selection of bars and restaurants, or one of the many deserted beaches and coves that dot the coastline. Head south and you will see the expanse of sand at Roseau Bay, Anse la Raye where there is a Friday Night fish fry well worth attending, then onto the small fishing village of Canaries, Soufriere Bay and the stunning Sugar Beach which is home to the luxurious Viceroy Resort, the popular Cane Bar and Bayside restaurant. For a truly bespoke experience, end your day with a private BBQ cooked by one of Marigot Bay’s chefs, indulging in divine cuisine as you watch the sun go down.

Explore St Lucia’s remote waterfalls

With expert knowledge of St Lucia’s hidden gems, enlist the help of the marina team to organise a private tour to some of the island’s more remote and stunning waterfalls, such as the En Bas Saut Falls and Canaries falls. Hikes into the centre of the island, bathe in the lush waters and if you’re lucky, you might even catch sight of the Jacquot, St Lucia’s colourful parrot. Finish with a forest bath at the Jerusalem falls in water heated by the volcano.