RSSAnse la Raye and Canaries are two typical coastal communities that lie south of Marigot Bay. Both are centred around small beaches that have plenty of wooden fishing boats. To the east of both these settlements are rivers with waterfalls that offer an opportunity to enjoy a cool refreshing swim.
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The Anse la Raye River empties into the ocean just south of town, and a fifteen-minute walk along its banks from the bridge brings you to a fifteen-metre waterfall with natural swimming pools at the base and a flat area for picnicking. |
The town of Anse La Raye is a generally pretty with welcoming and friendly people. It is crowded with vendors selling fruit and the narrow streets leading from here into the interiors are lined with dilapidated homes. A small and neat town green looks on to a small beach and there are several brightly painted fishing boats and drying nets seen here. You might also see fishermen hauling in the flat, long-tailed skates after which the village is named.
Less than 5 km further from this town is the small fishing village of Canaries, believed to have been named after the Arawak kanawes or clay cooking pots that have been found in this area. The beach here is dotted with colourful fishing boats and heading south from here bring to some beautiful waterfalls along the Canaries River.
Guides are easily available and even the townsfolk will take you to these for around US$25 per person. South of the river is the St Lucia National Trust camping site at Anse la Liberté. This is however not accessible by road and thus you can either walk to the site or take a boat from the Canaries waterfront that will cost about EC$5.
