Vieux Fort Holidays

Vieux Fort sprouted onto the scene in 1605, when a bunch of Dutch sailors built a fortress here to keep an eye on the next-door island of St Vincent. Over the years, the pirate Blackbeard’s said to have used the area as a hidey-hole for his stolen goods, and the Americans built an airbase here during World War 2. Today, it’s blossomed into a laidback town where sun-worshipping and seaside dining take priority.

The coast around Vieux Fort offers up two different options. To the east, you’ll find Anse des Sables Beach, a hefty belt of sand that’s backed by palm groves and a handful of restaurants. Head west, meanwhile, and Vieux Fort Bay steals the show. It’s bagged a rep for being one of the top kitesurfing and windsurfing spots in St Lucia.

A holiday to Vieux Fort puts the Maria Islands Nature Reserve – a pair of reptile-riddled protected islands – at your fingertips. The territory’s a mile offshore, and is loaded with critters like migrating birds, crayon-coloured iguanas and the elusive Saint Lucia racer, the rarest snake in the world. You can nab yourself a guided tour of the area at Vieux Fort’s port.