Jen Tyler heads to St Lucia to check out what Coconut Bay offers the travelling kiteboarder: stunning backdrops, smooth winds, and warm waters!

When we first got the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority email inviting us to visit, I responded with an instant YES! Then I grabbed my phone and went to Google to check out its location among the 700 Caribbean islands! If you're in the same boat as me, it's a gorgeous island between St Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique. You can easily spot St Lucia as it's home to the Pitons, a World Heritage Site located in the Southwestern part of the island. Petit Piton is 743m high, and Gros Piton is 798m high, but they look the same size and are stunning from a distance - they are also the two symbols on the St Lucia flag. 

Another standout point for us was their popular slogan and the national motto, ‘One Love, One Saint Lucia’ It reflects the unity and solidarity among the people of Saint Lucia, emphasising the importance of togetherness and mutual respect regardless of differences. Combining that with an abundance of rainforest in the central part of the island and the most stunning beaches, we couldn't wait to make the trip over.

We took a direct flight from Gatwick Airport to Hewanorra International Airport on British Airways, which was easy. The flight over was 8hr 15min, and if you have kids, you'll fully understand how much we dreaded the flight with our 3-year-old; BA ensured we were comfortable, fed and hydrated the whole time, and the flight went smoothly. We instantly felt the warm Caribbean breeze when we got off the plane. It was 26c, the sun shone, and we couldn't wait to see St Lucia.

We picked up our bags and walked outside. As soon as we went through passport control, we submitted our entry forms (they'll give you those on the flight). It was busy for such a tiny airport, but there was a Coconut Bay Resort kiosk, and Jean Pierre was waiting for us there. He walked us over to his Toyota Landcruiser, where he had a child seat for Ryan and drove us to the resort. Travel Saint Lucia booked us into a gorgeous all-inclusive resort called Coconut Bay Resort, the only resort in the southeastern part of the island, in Vieux Fort, the biggest town in the southeast.

The drive from the airport to the resort is about 5 minutes, meaning you could be at the Surf Shack (the resort's watersports facility) just 45 minutes after landing!

Once we arrived at Coconut Bay, Mia Chin, the Resort's Guest Relations Manager, greeted us with the biggest smile and the most delicious, refreshing cocktails. I had googled the resort before we arrived, but what I saw once we arrived blew my mind! Palm trees were everywhere: a watersports centre directly on the beach, eight restaurants, seven bars, five pools with three waterslides, a gym, tennis and basketball courts, and more!

Our vibrant and sunny room had gorgeous views of the palm trees and the main pool. Two bathrobes, slippers, and a kids' gift pack were provided for Ryan—you'll notice him wearing his blue cap throughout the whole trip!

Wind & Weather

The Caribbean islands enjoy a hot, tropical climate year-round, with temperatures for most destinations ranging from the high 20s Celsius in the winter to low 30s Celsius in the summer.

If you're planning a trip to Saint Lucia, make sure it's sometime between December and July. The windiest months are December and March. From December to March, the trade winds blow 18 – 25 knots and sometimes stronger. Coming from the Northeast, this gives a cross-shore direction at Coconut Bay. Some days, the wind averages 15 – 20 knots from March to July.

Speaking with the guys here at the surf shack, there is a relatively undiscovered wave spot 10 minutes upwind that really comes alive in the right conditions. The guys mentioned overhead-height left-handers coming in nicely with no one around to get in the way!

Between February and May, the weather is driest. Temperatures are pleasantly warm year-round, with average highs ranging from 25c to 30c at sea level, though it can be significantly cooler up in the mountains. You can expect typical Caribbean weather changes from rain clouds passing through to blazing sunshine.

You won't need a wetsuit, but we recommend you pack a rash vest to avoid sunburnt!

The Surf Shack / Kiteboarding Spot

The spot is suitable for all kitesurfers, regardless of your level. With waves on the outer reef and flat water inside the bay, there are choices for kitesurfers who like to vary their sessions. If you want to travel light, the Surf Shack has loads of kit available for rental, including kites, twin tips, surfboards, wings, foils and more. The instructors at Surf Shack are on hand for lessons and further coaching should you be looking for it.

The stunning area is a postcard-perfect holiday destination, so for families or mixed groups that include non-kiters, there's still plenty for them to do and enjoy. The Surf Shack is cosy with everything you need, including toilets, showers, a compressor, and a massive white sandy beach where you can land and launch your kite safely. We'd recommend you bring a snack and some water, as it's about a 10-12 min walk from the resort.

If you're travelling alone, you're in good hands! Linus, Notice, Jeremy and Andre will instantly make you feel at home. There's a whole wall dedicated to the photos and postcards of previous visitors and returning guests. Several riders I met at the centre visit yearly and absolutely love it. We also met many pilots who kite at the surf shack during their layovers. As we mentioned before, Hewanorra airport is only 5 min away! They even gifted the surf shack a wind sock at the centre.

For kitesurfers not staying at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort, storage facilities are available, and it is possible to rent equipment, too, if you want to travel light. They currently offer Naish gear at the Surf Shack. They also have loads of surfboards for rental.

It's worth mentioning that if you're travelling with your family, Coconut Bay Resorts offers a Kidz Klub for children between the ages of 12 and under with a variety of activities, including Finger painting, little tykes times, visits to the Animal Sanctuary, SPASH TIME!, and more. It's a walk-in service, so you can quickly drop the kids off and go for a session without worrying about booking in advance. They'll also give you a local cell phone to call in and check on the kids. They are open from 9 AM - 5 PM daily. They also offer a babysitting service in the evening, but you must book that beforehand.

Getting Around

Getting around the island is easy. There are shuttle services and private taxi services that run for the resort daily. You can also hire a car. We used drive-o-matic, and they were brilliant. The office is located exactly 3 minutes from Coconut Bay resort; ready to sign, they'll pick you up from the reception and take you to the office. They had all. Ready to sign, a car seat they'll, and the car was in mint condition. You can also drop the car off at the airport, which makes it super convenient to travel with a 3-year-old and loads of kite gear!

Free airport transfers are included for those staying at the Coconut Bay Resort, and other excursions can be booked through the resort tour desk. Alternatively, taxis are readily available at the airport and most resorts, which is a simple solution to get around.

No Wind

If the wind isn't working in our favour, there are loads to do at the resort, including the pool/waterslides, daily entertainment, themed nights, foam parties and more. Coconut Bay Resorts also offers daily activities, including Poolside Bingo, volleyball, Aquacise, pilates, yoga, (and some more)

We highly recommend that you scout Vernon and take one of his Aquasize classes at the main pool—his energy is hard to miss! 

Or if you decide to leave the resort, we recommend you contact Jean-Pierre or Tage from Travel Saint Lucia and ask them to take you to Soufriere. We spent a day out with them, starting at the Sulpher Springs Mud Bath, located to the southwest in the part of Soufriere, a name given by the French meaning 'sulphur mine' because of the town's proximity to the site. This is the most popular tourist destination on the island (If you time it to get there for 9:30ish, you'll easily beat the crowds), with about 200,000 visitors annually, and after that, make sure you visit the world's only drive-in volcano. I thought it was a dormant volcano, but it last erupted in the 1700s. The tour guide mentioned that they watch for signs that the volcano would likely erupt with monitors. If SO2 is detected at a non-erupting volcano, it could be a sign that it will erupt soon. By monitoring the amount of SO2 being emitted from an active volcano, it is possible to calculate the amount of magma that is supplying the eruption) They also monitor the animals' behaviour in the area; it was exciting to see, and we'd recommend you check it out.

Another recommendation, especially if you're into walking and photography, you should head to Tet Paul. You'll get gorgeous views of Gros and Petit Pitons, Jalousie Bay, and the yachts in the Caribbean Sea. You'll also be able to spot other towns, including Choiseul, Maria Island, and Vieux Fort. The views are truly breathtaking!

Another activity we'd highly recommend you check out is Fond Doux, located on a historic 19th-century working cocoa estate. Surrounded by rainforest, cocoa fields, and tropical gardens, this experience is authentic history, culture, and character. It's 100% Saint Lucian-owned, managed, staffed, and considered among St. Lucia's leading sustainable resorts. Make sure you ask for Clinton! We had him as our guide, and he was brilliant. He was knowledgeable and funny and known to be one of the best cocoa dancers in Saint Lucia, and we got to witness it first-hand.

We also highly recommend exploring the island's northern part of the island. Rodney Bay has gorgeous views of yachts moored in the marina and at anchor,, accompanied by loads of vibrant bars and restaurants. As you venture beyond Rodney Bay, don't miss the opportunity to visit Pigeon Island. Originally an isolated island in the Caribbean Sea, it was ingeniously connected to the mainland in 1972 through the construction of an artificial causeway, utilising soil excavated during the creation of the Rodney Bay Marina. Pigeon Island, characterised by its twin peaks, holds historical significance, boasting numerous forts, including an 18th-century British fort and Fort Rodney, strategically utilised by the British to surveil French ships from nearby Martinique. Recognised as a national park in 1979 and subsequently designated as a national landmark under the stewardship of the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) in 1992, Pigeon Island stands as a testament to the island's rich heritage and natural beauty, awaiting your exploration - don't forget a good pair of walking shoes for this one, especially if you want to make it to the very top! 

Food & Drink

Coconut Bay is an all-inclusive Resort with nothing short of variety when it comes to food. As I mentioned previously, they have eight excellent restaurants to choose from, from casual beachside to top-end fine dining, including Coconut Walk Market Place, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers pretty much everything you could think of, including Miss Emee's Mamma Mia station, a grill, seafood, salads you name it.  There are also themed dinners on the pool deck (including Caribbean Night and Country & Western), Flip Flops, a casual made-to-order grill, and Jerk Tree House, which is Caribbean cuisine and more!

We tried Silk, which serves Asian cuisine, and it was sensational; La Trattoria, which is a little more casual and set outdoors near Flip Flops and serves the most delicious Italian cuisine; and Calabash on our final night, which offers Caribbean cuisine and that I would have to say was my personal favourite.

There are so many choices to keep things interesting during your stay!

Nightlife

Carribeans like to party. FACT! And we loved every second of it.

The resort has plenty of entertainment for all ages, with themed evenings, films under the stars suitable for families, adult-only pool parties, music and poolside bars. There isn't much on offer locally around Coconut Bay Resort, but if you stay a little further away, you might find some local nightlife in some of the other main towns.

During our stay, we were lucky to witness Saint Lucia's 45-year independence day, which was one of the highlights! Singers and dancers overtook the pool deck, leaving the crowd in awe.

Accommodation

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is right on the spot and is an award-winning, all-inclusive resort. This is your best bet if you want to be as close as possible to the kitesurfing action and first on the water when the wind picks up. The resort is split into two sides – Harmony, which is adults-only, and Splash, which is family-friendly and offers more for kids. There are 250 rooms with a garden or ocean view and several suites. There are other accommodation options with resorts and hotels along the coast, though you will need transport to get to the kite spot if you stay elsewhere. If you decide to stay off-site, the watersports complex Surf Shack offers secure kit storage (for a charge) and equipment rental, which is available if needed.

There are an abundance of accommodations on the island, ranging from luxurious resorts to cosy Airbnbs and hotels. During the final leg of our trip, we stayed at the SeaView Apartments in Morne. True to its name, the property boasted breathtaking views of the sea. What pleasantly surprised us, however, was its prime location on top of a hill, offering panoramic views of the ocean, the rainforest, the domestic airport, and the lively cruise ship terminal. Lounging on our terrace, we found ourselves in a state of relaxation, yet still able to witness the vibrant energy and occasional rain showers coming in. And as if that weren't exciting enough, we were treated to the several majestic rainbows gracing the horizon - Truly unforgettable! 

Internet

The Internet on the island is generally quite good, but of course, it depends on the connection available where you are staying. If necessary, check the details with the resort before you arrive. At Coconut Bay Resort, the standard connection is available in all rooms and central areas, and you can pay to upgrade to the premium, faster connection if required.

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Coconut Bay Resort Saint Lucia Travel Guide
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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