Saint Lucia: One of the Caribbean’s Best Kept Secrets

During my 30-year career in the travel industry, Saint Lucia has long been a favorite of my clients and is on many a bucket list. My husband and I first visited this beautiful lush island in 1995, and since then, I’ve returned more than ten times to enjoy all this island has to offer. On this trip, we decided to return to the Sandals Halcyon Resort–a favorite of ours that brought back memories of our first visit to the island. Flanked by Martinique to the north and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the south, Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets.

As a Saint Lucia specialist, choosing a hotel was straightforward, but we wanted to experience a new way to travel from the airport to our resort.  I had remembered that Kelly Fontenelle, a board member with the Association of Black Travel Professionals, (ABTP) recommended the Funtosee Island Water Ferry in a recent webinar. This ferry regularly shuttles travelers from the island’s Hewanorra Airport to luxury resorts on the mainland. Used as an alternative to a helicopter or long car ride, Funtosee Island Water Ferry is the most popular way to get to the  resorts from the airport. 

When our flight landed, we took advantage of the ferry’s “Fastrak”  service which expedited us through Customs and Immigration and directed us straight onto the ferry in just minutes. The ride, which lasts for up to two hours, allows you to experience views of the iconic Pitons up close, enjoy wildlife encounters of tropical birds and marine life, and enjoy warm Caribbean breezes as you make your way to your resort. The crew is hands-on, entertaining passengers with live music, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and light snacks while providing ongoing commentary about the island and its history. The ferry was a new option for us, but one that we will recommend to our clients if they want to maximize their vacation experience. 

Through my partnerships with ABTP and with other experts in the industry, I have been able to rely on expert recommendations that help me to plan the best possible experiences for my clients. We are excited to share this experience with our travelers to Saint Lucia.