Vieux Fort: Coast, Sports and History

The coast, water sports and aviation history shape the character of Vieux Fort. These different themes can offer a starting point when choosing a holiday rental: would you most like to focus on the scenery, sporting activities or the island’s history?

Coastal views and a lighthouse at the southernmost point

Cape Moule à Chique rises above Vieux Fort Bay and overlooks the town’s industrial port. The Moule-a-Chique Lighthouse stands on Moule-a-Chique, the southernmost point of the island. Built in 1912, it is about 730 feet above sea level. The bay, views of the port and the lighthouse’s exposed location give the destination a distinctly coastal character. If you enjoy combining different themes when planning a holiday, you’ll find a striking historical landmark here alongside the water.

Water sports and football

Anse Sable is a popular spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Water sports are therefore a clear focus in Vieux Fort. The Vieux Fort National Stadium offers another sporting option: the multipurpose venue is currently used for football matches. These two examples appeal to different interests, from windsurfing and kitesurfing to football. They can help you plan your trip around the activities that interest you most.

The airport’s history

Hewanorra International Airport is located in the Vieux Fort region. It is Saint Lucia’s long-haul airport and the island’s main airport. Its history dates back to the Second World War, when Beane Army Airfield was built in Vieux Fort. The former airfield was later expanded and is now Hewanorra International Airport. This connects the airport’s role today with a specific historical chapter of the destination, without separating the region’s history from its present.

Nature in the surrounding area

The Maria Islands are located near the destination. 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. This protected natural area adds a distinct perspective on the surroundings to Vieux Fort’s coastal and sporting themes. When planning your trip, it is helpful to bear this natural context in mind: the Maria Islands are nearby, not within the destination itself.

Vieux Fort in the wider travel region of Saint Lucia

The wider setting may also play a role when choosing where to stay. The southern island region, centred on Vieux Fort and Hewanorra International Airport, is known for its wide-open landscapes, impressive coastal views and more leisurely island pace. This description applies to the broader region; it does not automatically describe every place within it.

The Pitons Management Area in southwest Saint Lucia offers a different landscape and cultural perspective. It 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 area bear witness to the history of the Indigenous Caribs who inhabited what is now the area.

Find a holiday rental that suits your interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Vieux Fort, you can start by deciding what you want your stay to centre on: windsurfing and kitesurfing at Anse Sable, the coastal scenery of Cape Moule à Chique, football at the National Stadium or the airport’s history. The wider setting of Saint Lucia adds other landscape and cultural themes to the mix without replacing what makes Vieux Fort distinctive.

Discover more destinations: Vieux Fort, Castries, Gros Islet, Soufrière.

Go to the overview of destinations: Saint Lucia.