Comparison St Lucia vs Barbados – Both known for their romantic seascapes and activity-packed destinations, St Lucia and Barbados are easily compared when it comes to which destinations in the Caribbean you should visit. Barbados is the more popular choice between the two islands, albeit not always the better choice. For us, we pick St Lucia in this battle and we’ll tell you more in the facts below.
Comparing St Lucia vs Barbados
St Lucia wins for us for its lush vegetation and the unique volcanic experience it offers, both for beautiful hikes and the underwater diving you can do. Barbados is a good contender with its varied blue beaches, some for relaxing and some for surfing. Either way, you will have a great Caribbean trip. Read here Saint Lucia vs St Kitts
While Barbados is popular, it also has become much more touristy, and therefore more expensive. That is however balanced with great public transportation. But if you plan your trip well, St Lucia has a lot better to offer especially if you want a more active beach trip and a more unique one at that!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki
Related Travel Guides – Barbados vs St Lucia
- How to Get from St Lucia Airport to the City Center
- Best eSIM and Best Prepaid SIMcards for St Lucia
- What to Wear when in St Lucia
- Best Prepaid Simcard for Tourists in Barbados
- Best Bajan Breakfast – Best Breakfast in Barbados to Try
Things to do in St Lucia
St. Lucia definitely has a lot of unique things and experiences to offer in the Caribbean with its twin peak volcanoes and geothermal attractions, green rainforests, coral reefs, mountain ranges, beautiful blue beaches and waterfalls, and more nature.
Let’s look at the top things to do in St. Lucia.
The Beaches of St Lucia
1. La Toc Beach
This beach is located in the southern part of Castries St. Lucia and is a long stretch of white sand beach, is not too touristy, so it’s still a bit of a hidden gem in St. Lucia. It’s picturesque, small, and beautiful and could be a fun area for you to spend your time in if you’re staying close.
2. Pigeon Island Causeway Beach / Pigeon Island National Park
In this park, you can have a great panoramic view of St. Lucia’s northwest coast from Pigeon Island National Park. This location is across from Rodney Bay.
3. Malabar Beach
Malabar Beach is the main public beach in St. Lucia’s capital, Castries. It’s a beautiful long white sand beach, with waters you’d love to swim in or a location to lounge at.
4. Jalousie Beach / Sugar Beach
Easily one of St. Lucia’s incredibly blue waters, it’s almost unrealistic. Jalousie beach is great for snorkeling and of course a little bit of swimming. It’s part of a marine reserve. Jalousie Beach is connected to a Marine reserve, which makes the place protected and preserved.
5. Marigot Bay
Marigot Bay, St. Lucia’s most beautiful bay is an area you can stay in when you are visiting St. Lucia. Surrounded by hillsides, and palm trees. Easily one of the most beautiful bays and beaches in St. Lucia.
6. Sandy Beach
Sandy beach is a long white sand beach in St. Lucia, located at Vieux Fort. Here you’ll see the Maria islands so it’s a nice place to lounge around, and do some kitesurfing, although not the best beach for swimming.
7. Anse Chastanet Beach and Reef
Snorkeling and Diving in Anse Chastanet Marine National Park If you want to experience underwater beauty, the Anse Chastanet Marine National Park is the one to see. It’s the underwater experience for the twin peaks, and not only will you see beautiful coral reefs, you can also see fishes and underwater animals that will amaze you and a great experience to do in St. Lucia.
8. Anse de Sables
For a beach best for surfing activities in St. Lucia, go to Anse de Sables. White sands and water are incredible here.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN SAINT LUCIA
Top Things to Do and See in St. Lucia
9. Pitons
One of the most unique things to see and experience in St. Lucia is the Twin Peak Pitons, a UNESCO heritage site. These Twin peaks tower over St. Lucia island and can be seen with an oceanic background. The two peaks are Gros Piton at 798 meters and the Petit Piton, at 750 meters high.
If you’re curious, yes, these peaks can be climbed, albeit, really difficult. If you’re into diving, they can also be explored as underwater cliffs, and of course, you can admire them from afar, as it atop the beautiful beaches of St. Lucia. Definitely not to miss when you’re on the island!
10. Castries
11. Hiking the Tet Paul Nature Trail
Near Soufriere lies St. Lucia’s best hiking trail and a great way to explore the island outside of the usual beaches and water activities, something you may occasionally want to get away from. Tet Paul Nature Trail definitely is one of the most beautiful trails on the island, and if you want a more active Caribbean trip, definitely a thing to do in St. Lucia.
12. Soufrière
Soufrière is St. Lucia’s fishing village is a great look at a living village in St. Lucia and can add to new experiences for you in the Caribbean. If you are looking for more things to do, definitely worth a visit. Visit the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and see its architecture.
13. Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park
For more parks to see, the Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park is another popular stop. It’s an 18th-century estate, with a Creole restaurant on the property.
14. Sulphur Springs Park Scenic Drive, Mount Soufriere
An active geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles is one of the most unique things to do in St. Lucia. You are really driving in a volcano here, and you’ll experience heat pools and sulfur in the air.
15. Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, Waterfall & Mineral Baths, Soufrière Estate
Waterfall experiences – now that’s something that we love! And the Diamond Falls is another thing you can visit in Soufriere
16. Rodney Bay
One of the most popular tourist hubs in St. Lucia, Rodney bay is a great beach stop and of course one of the top reasons why people go to the Caribbean. It’s great for swimming, and where a lot of St. Lucia’s popular resorts are. It has great nightlife and definitely the area to visit or stay in if it’s a fun time you are in for in St. Lucia. You’ll find Rodney Bay at the northern end of the island, on Gros Islet.
The biggest shopping mall in St. Lucia is also found here, and for water activities, you have the Rodney Bay Marina.
17. Hiking the Enbas Saut Waterfall Trail: Edmund Rain Forest Reserve
If you’re looking for more mountain activities, St. Lucia has another hiking trail, the Enbas Sau Waterfall trail is in the area of Mount Gimie (St. Lucia’s highest mountain peak). It’s definitely a steep hike, with about 2 a half-hour trail into it.
18. Morne Fortuné
Morne Fortuné is the mountain, also known as the Hill of Good Luck, overlooking the harbor is Castries, the capital of St. Lucia. It’s beautiful and definitely historical, in case you’re looking for extra activities to do on the island.
19. Shopping at Castries Market
Buy souvenirs and spices to take home with you from the Castries Market.
20. Derek Walcott Square
Here you’ll see the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, and a great area to admire the capital, walking around, looking at all the greenery and beauty.
Things to Do in Barbados
Barbados is a Caribbean island, and part of the British Commonwealth. The whole island is about 21 miles long, and it can take you about 3 hours to tour the whole island. It has amazing beaches, with the Wet of Barbados popular for the capital Bridgetown, and with the luxury resorts, and the east of Barbados popular for rugged beaches and stronger water, good for surfing.
Check Activities to do in Barbados!
Visiting West Barbados vs East Barbados
Let’s compare the Barbados West Coast and the Barbados East Coast. In the West is Barbado’s capital, and beaches popular for the beautiful and warm blue waters with the Caribbean coastline and upscale hotels and neighborhoods. While on the East coast of Barbados, you have strong and rugged waters, due to the Atlantic Ocean, but still gorgeous blue and offers beautiful sands as well, as well as swimmable water, albeit a little less calm than the west coast.
Let’s look at some of the top beaches in Barbados.
Beaches in Barbados
1. Crane Beach
Crane Beach – One of the best beaches in Barbados, and easily the world. Waves are a little strong which can be good for boogie boarding. Sand is so beautiful it sometimes looks pink with the sun, and with rugged cliffs surrounding it.
Crane beach is on the South East coast of Barbados. It is a public beach in Barbados that is good for swimming, and you it has a glass-front beach elevator and a staircase to go down to the beach for swimming. Crane beach is protected by a natural coral reef.
2. Rockley Beach
Another beach that is good for swimming and is of course blue and gorgeous is Rockley beach, in Bridgetown Barbados. This area has a coastline of resorts and places to eat.
3. Paynes Bay Beach
The Platinum Coast or Paynes Bay Beach is one of Barbados’s top beaches, this one on the west coast. If you’re looking for more of a calm beach for swimming in Barbados, this is a great option. The Platinum Coast (Paynes Bay Beach) is also known for its beautiful colorful neighborhood.
4. Bottom Bay – Barbados vs St Lucia
A beautiful bay surrounded by palm trees and cliffs, Bottom Bay is located in the southeast part of Barbados, where you have Palmetto Bay, Cave Bay, Crane Beach, and Lord’s Castle.
5. Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is located on Barbado’s west coast, with Carlisle Bay’s Marine park a perfect place for scuba diving. This is where Bridgetown, Barbado’s capital is located.
Other Top Sights to See in Barbados – Barbados vs Aruba
6. Bathsheba
Bathsheba has Barbados’ Rocky Beach known for its surfing activities. Main destination in the east coast of Barbados
7. Holetown
Holetown is where the first place the British settled in Barbados, and now known for its watersports and nightlife.
8. Saint Lawrence Gap
Where the top restaurants and luxurious hotels in Barbados are, on the South Coast of Barbados. Dover Beach is a beautiful beach to visit here.
Final Thoughts – St Lucia Vs Barbados St Lucia is our Winner, the Better Trip
Do you agree with our pick? Although you can’t go wrong with either St Lucia or Barbados, we pick St Lucia as the more unique, adventurous, and Caribbean destination to explore and see! We love beaches however we love to hike a lot too, and new terrain to explore with options of wonderful beaches and unique experiences like volcanic hikes and underwater diving. If you’re more looking for the typical blue and while sand Caribbean trip, you might like Barbados better!
Feel free to use our links for discounts. Using our links will help us continue with the maintenance of the website and will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys.
Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.