The green training kite is soaring above me in the bright blue sky, seemingly with a mind of its own. As I loosen my grip slightly, my instructor, Linus, slowly removes his guiding hands from the control bar and encouragingly tells me: “That’s it, now you’ve got it.”
I’m not so sure, but I do know flying a kite is just as much fun as I recall from my childhood. My feet are still firmly on the sand of the mile-long Anse de Sables beach at the Coconut Bay resort for this introductory lesson to kitesurfing.
Shortly afterwards, the sight of Linus rising up out of the water on his board, lifted by a gust of wind he expertly catches with his kite, is awesome – and feels some way off for my abilities.
It takes an average of nine hours of lessons, before a beginner is able to stand themselves up on the board in the water, we’re told.
© Press Association ImagesAnd, with this four-star resort barely a five-minute car journey from Hewanorra International Airport, on the south of the island of St Lucia – guests need not waste any time, as they can be in the water within an hour of touching down.
Having accepted I likely won’t master kitesurfing anytime soon, I take advantage of the free kayaking available at the surf shack, enjoying a gentle bob-along in the turquoise sea, which is glistening in the golden sunshine.
As children whizz down the slides in CocoLand – the island’s largest waterpark – the adults can indulge in a rum milkshake cocktail at the swim-up bar, and even take it along for the ride in the 1,500ft lazy river.
For adults who prefer some peace and quiet, the over-18s-only Harmony section is the perfect tranquil escape. Sun-tracker beds, hammocks, pools and an outdoor bar provide the ideal setting to lie back, read or just soak up the sun.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been as relaxed in my life,” I tell spa therapist Gabina when she finishes my massage.
The resort’s Sanctuary spa has three of these wooden cabanas, which open out on to the water and feature two beds, meaning couples and friends can enjoy the soothing experience together.
The spa offers other fragrant treatments, such as a honey and lemongrass scrub, aloe vera wrap or ginger green tea body polish, as well as facials, manicures and pedicures, to keep holidaymakers fresh.
© Press Association Images“Coming to Saint Lucia and not seeing the Pitons is like travelling to Paris without checking out the Eiffel Tower,” I overhear someone say as we soak up the sun and sea breeze on our catamaran journey to see the majestic mountains from the water.
While it might be tempting not to leave a resort where every whim appears to be catered for, seeing the real Saint Lucia is a must.
As we travel on our tour bus through the winding streets to the marina at Laborie, we marvel at the multicoloured houses of pinks, light blues and greens, along the banana and mango tree-lined roads.
Our early start means we can savour a jam-packed day of boating and snorkelling, followed by an afternoon mud bath at the world’s only drive-in volcano, near the town of Soufriere.
After sitting in the hot sun, the water at the marine reserve by Sugar Beach feels chilly to start with, as I step off the boat. But I soon acclimatise and, with my snorkel mask in place, I peer down into the majesty of the coral landscape below, spotting a variety of brightly-coloured fish and even some small brown squid.
The imposing sight of the Pitons from the boat as we cruise back to land sparks a rush for cameras, as everyone does their best to capture the must-have shot holding a bottle of Piton lager – complete with mountains on the label – in the foreground, as the two domineering peaks stand tall.
Back at the hotel that night, with the gentle serenade of tree frogs, I decide I could get used to this idyllic island life.
P.S.
St Lucia forms part of a chain of volcanic islands known as the Lesser Antilles. It is famous for its volcanic geography and geothermal activity. Heat from the Earth’s core creates natural hot pools and bubbling mud springs where you can enjoy a natural, relaxing bath.
Factfile:
Factfile
IBA holidays (britishairways.com) offer a seven-night all-inclusive break at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa from £1,251 per person (two sharing) including flights from London Gatwick on October 5.
The Land and Sea Excursion is £88, and kitesurfing and spa treatments are extra, with prices available at cbayresort.com
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