Today, Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort also represents a historic transition: during the Second World War, Beane Army Airfield was built here. The airfield was later expanded and is now Hewanorra International Airport, the island’s main airport. As Saint Lucia’s long-haul airport, it is located in the Vieux Fort region. The progression from wartime airfield to today’s airport links a historical development with the region’s current role in air travel.
From Coastal Views to Wind Sports
Cape Moule à Chique rises above Vieux Fort Bay and overlooks the city’s industrial port. The Moule-a-Chique Lighthouse stands on Moule-a-Chique, the island’s southernmost point. It was built in 1912 and is about 730 feet above sea level. The bay, port and lighthouse offer distinct points of reference along the coast: a striking coastal landscape meets the industrial port here.
Anse Sable in the Vieux Fort region offers a different coastal experience. It is popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Those interested in wind sports will find a specific point of reference here; its sporting focus differs markedly from the historical perspective offered by the lighthouse and former airfield.
Nature and Sport Around Vieux Fort
The Maria Islands are located in the destination’s surrounding area. In 1982, the Government of Saint Lucia declared them a nature reserve because of their particular importance as a wildlife habitat and their unique flora and fauna. More than 80 plant species are found on the islands. The Maria Islands complement Vieux Fort’s coastal and sporting themes with a focus on nature conservation.
Football is also part of the local scene: Vieux Fort National Stadium is a multipurpose venue currently used for football matches. This gives the area a land-based sporting point of reference alongside windsurfing and kitesurfing at Anse Sable. The two activities offer different perspectives on the region without describing the same experience.
Saint Lucia in a Broader Context
The wider destination of Saint Lucia offers a broader landscape and cultural perspective. The Pitons Management Area in southwestern Saint Lucia is a multipurpose area for conservation and management. Gros Piton and Petit Piton rise 770 and 743 metres above the sea, respectively; the Piton Mitan Ridge connects the two peaks. Petroglyphs and various artefacts in the Pitons Management Area bear witness to the history of the Indigenous Caribs, who inhabited the area.
Anse Cochon is also among the attractions of the wider destination of Saint Lucia: this tranquil bay lies on the west coast between Soufrière and Canaries. There, visitors can snorkel and dive among marine life and coral reefs. This offers a different coastal perspective from Anse Sable, where windsurfing and kitesurfing take centre stage.
For a glimpse of market life and local produce, Castries Market is another destination to explore in Saint Lucia. The market was established in 1891. Visitors can discover fresh produce, spices, handcrafted goods and local specialities there. Thus, the wider destination offers a distinct market and cultural experience alongside scenery and water sports.
Discover more destinations: Vieux Fort, Gros Islet, Soufrière, Castries.
Go to the broader travel overview: Saint Lucia.
