Gros Islet Between History, Nature and Sport

Gros Islet can be explored through a range of interests: Pigeon Island National Landmark represents history and landscape, while jazz, cricket and golf add culture and sport to the picture. This gives you a variety of starting points for planning your stay.

Pigeon Island: History and Landscape

Pigeon Island National Landmark is considered an important monument to Saint Lucia’s history and a living museum in a natural setting. Its landscape includes tropical plant and animal species, small beaches, expansive lawns and shady clusters of trees. History and nature are both at the heart of this landmark.

Pigeon Island Beach, a sandy beach, lies within the National Landmark. The calm, clear water is considered suitable for swimming; water conditions may vary. If you plan to swim, take the conditions at the time into account.

Pigeon Island is also an important name for culture lovers: the landmark is the main venue for the annual Saint Lucia International Jazz Festival. As the annual event may not coincide with your travel dates, it is worth checking the festival dates when planning your trip.

Cricket and Golf in Gros Islet

Daren Sammy Cricket Ground is located in Beausejour, Gros Islet, and hosts international and regional cricket matches. If cricket is one of your travel interests, the ground is a specific point of reference. Check the schedule in advance if you plan to attend a match.

Another named destination for sports enthusiasts is Saint Lucia Golf and Country Club in Cap Estate, in the Gros Islet area. The locations distinguish the two options: the cricket ground is in Beausejour, while the golf club is in Cap Estate. This lets you plan your trip around the sports that interest you without conflating the two locations.

These places give your plans specific points of reference. Check match or event dates to see how they align with your travel dates.

A Broader Look at Saint Lucia

Further afield on Saint Lucia, the Pitons Management Area offers a different perspective on the landscape. This multipurpose conservation and management area lies in the southwest of the island. Gros Piton rises 770 metres and Petit Piton 743 metres above the sea; the Piton Mitan Ridge connects the two peaks. Petroglyphs and other artefacts in the Pitons Management Area bear witness to the history of the indigenous Caribs, who inhabited the area that is now part of Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia’s coasts also offer different points of reference: Anse Cochon lies on the west coast between Soufrière and Canaries, while Grand Anse Beach stretches along the east coast. Grand Anse is also an important leatherback turtle nesting site in the Caribbean. In the east of the island, Mamiku Gardens is a botanical garden in the hills; Latille Falls is surrounded by tropical gardens and rainforest vegetation. These places are part of the wider destination of Saint Lucia and should be distinguished from the features described in Gros Islet.

For more experiences on Saint Lucia, you could also consider the Tet Paul Nature Trail, with views of the Pitons, the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding area. The island’s history includes Fort Rodney, an 18th-century British fort on a hilltop, and the ruins at Pigeon Island National Landmark, which are associated with the battles between the French and the British. Castries Market was established in 1891; visitors can discover fresh produce, spices, handmade crafts and local specialities there.

Explore more areas: Gros Islet, Cap Estate, Rodney Bay, Corinth, La Feuillet.

Explore more destinations: Vieux Fort, Soufrière, Castries.

Back to the main travel guide: Saint Lucia.