Windward Escape is situated in the exclusive Cap Estate at the northern tip of the tropical Island of St Lucia, a gated community set amongst 1500 acres of rolling hills, between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. With an 18-hole championship golf course and the two idyllic beaches of Cotton Bay and Le Sport just a few minutes’ drive away you won’t need to go far to enjoy your wonderful surroundings. Slightly further afield you’ll find the beautiful Pigeon Island only 4km west of the villa and vibrant Rodney Bay just 6km south.
Pigeon Island National Park, a picturesque 44-acre national landmark boasts a beautiful white sandy beach set amongst stunning scenery. After soaking up the sunshine and swimming in the azure waters, you can visit the museum or climb to the vantage point of the historic Fort Rodney for awe-inspiring views including that of neighbouring island Martinique. You’ll also find two lovely restaurants and a brilliant rum bar located in the underground warren beneath the fort.
Other notable beaches include the natural black sandy beach of Anse Chastanet, where you can scuba on most of the Island’s beautiful coral reef, or perhaps you’d like to head to Grande Anse 25km south, where you can watch endangered leatherbacks crawl out of the water and lay their eggs on the shores. Or for family fun head to Reduit Beach, where banana boats whiz across the water and beach front bars pump out lively music. It’s also home to Splash Island Water Park, an essential excursion for kids of all ages.
For lively town life, you have Rodney Bay just a ten-minute drive away with its bustling nightlife and attractive marina bursting with glamorous supersized yachts, and great restaurants. A short distance from the marina, you’ll find Rodney Bay’s huge shopping complex; The Baywalk Mall. A hotspot for shoppers across Saint Lucia, this incredible centre has over eighty shops, a huge variety of restaurants and the only casino on the island.
The authentic St Lucian vibe however can be found in Gros Islet just a few minutes from Rodney Bay, where the historic streets are lined with rum shops and fishing shacks draped with drying nets, and the sound of reggae can always be heard day and night. Delve into culinary delights such as freshly cut coconut, BBQ chicken and freshly caught cod, and party the night away at a Jump Up – the fabulous rum infused street parties this area is famous for.
This dynamic Island offers such a wide range of activities. Catch a dollar bus half an hour to St Lucia’s vibrant capital Castries on a Saturday morning, where you’ll find row after row of market stalls, piled high with mouth-watering fruits and spices. Or head to the epic rainforest in the south and take the canopy tour or for the adrenaline junkies amongst you, try ziplining through the trees. Or if hiking trails are for you then perched along the southwest coast and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the dramatic twin peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton are among the Caribbean island’s most memorable landmarks, so grab some appropriate footwear and climb the larger of the two for some spectacular views.