unparalleled in my opinion. Now addicted to Caribbean food, I couldn’t leave without trying the hugely popular Jerk Shack on the main deck. The fun treehouse was built to meet demand after the jerk served at limited times by the main pool was so popular the queues would stretch around it. I can see why. Cooked fresh to order, you have the choice of jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk sausage and escovitch fish served accompanied by your choice of side. Caribbean rice and peas was my latest obsession and a no-brainer with my chicken – chef’s kiss! For an ultra-romantic meal together, be sure to book a private oceanside dining table at La Luna Restaurant for multi-course gourmet dining and white-gloved service with the usual St Lucia smile. Breakfast is served at Coconut Walk, where there’s a myriad of live cooking stations, so you can help yourself to whatever takes your fancy. Alternatively, Veranda is not to be missed. Looking out over the beach it serves a variety of oh-so naughty but delicious breakfasts including Coconut Bay’s French Toast Croissant Sandwich. So bad, but sooo good! There’s an array of bars throughout the resort too, all serving an extensive menu of cocktails, which I made it my business to try! I’ve always wanted to experience a swim-up bar, so I paid a visit to the one on the Splash side quick smart. Island Vibrations cocktail in hand, there I literally lived my best life. For a true taste of the Caribbean though, head to Paradise Beach Bar located on the resort’s beautiful stretch of beach. T-shirts gifted by guests from around the world adorn the shack’s ceiling, for a chilled-out community vibe as you take a break from sunbathing. If rum’s your thing, I’d recommend paying a visit to Peter John’s Lounge for a Rums of the Caribbean tasting led by the resort’s rum master. I enjoyed it so much that I headed straight to the resort gift shop for a couple of duty-free bottles! Sugar Cane Rum Bar also serves over 30 of the Caribbean’s finest rums, so go ahead, embrace the spirit of the island. DIVE IN Coconut Bay is a popular location for watersports enthusiasts. Being on the Atlantic side of the island, its coastal breezes make the resort’s beach the ideal spot for kitesurfing from November to April. The Surf Shack’s certified team of instructors will be happy to work with you whether you’re a beginner or an expert, and all the equipment you could ever need is available to borrow as a guest of the resort. My knowledgeable instructor, Linus, gave me a demonstration before the wind dropped, followed by a short tutorial on a wing foil to give me a taster of what’s possible. Snorkeling equipment is also available to borrow, and the beach has a man-made reef near to shore that’s ideal for beginners and children, or for more advanced snorkelers, there’s a sunken WWII plane offshore you can swim or kayak out to. ISLAND VIBES When you check in, you’ll receive the resort’s newsletter detailing the activities you can enjoy throughout your stay as well as the day trips you can book. I was lucky enough to experience the Catamaran Land & Sea Adventure. Our fantastic expert guide, Spencer from Nerv’s, collected us from the resort bright and early to take us to Laborie to board a catamaran for an ocean trip to the Pitons for a spot of snorkeling. All equipment was supplied for us, which was good news for me it being a first. We were delivered to two assigned sites for snorkeling, where we had the chance to watch a huge variety of St Lucia’s ocean life go about its business. The catamaran’s crew were wonderful in looking after those of us who were less confident. We disembarked at Soufriere and feasted on a Caribbean buffet lunch at The Beacon perched on a hilltop overlooking the Pitons, before jumping back on the minibus with Spencer. Next, we made our way to Torraile Waterfall which, located just minutes from Soufriere, is one of the island’s most popular. The 50-foot drop of water offers the ultimate power shower for those brave enough to stand beneath it; another memory that will stay with me for a lifetime. Our final stop was Sulphur Springs Park, home of the world’s only drive-in volcano. At its heart, on the site of the last recorded eruption in 1766, is the mud bath. Guides boast that a dip will make you look 10 years younger. Well, I don’t know about that, but my skin did feel incredible afterwards! As well as day trips and watersports, there are plenty of activities on site at Coconut Bay including art lessons, yoga, aquafit, and dance classes. There’s also no shortage of nightly entertainment across various locations, plus weekly themed nights – country and western on Tuesdays and carnival on Saturdays. Carnival Night is so… much… fun! A riot of colour, music and dancing performed by the island’s residents and resort entertainment team, it’s not to be missed. I’ve rarely felt so much joy all in one place. In fact, a highlight of my time in St Lucia must be the people in general. The team at Coconut Bay are wonderfully friendly and welcoming, they really can’t do enough for you. They make you feel a part of the family and excel in creating a truly special atmosphere. So, don’t delay. Find out more at https://cbayresort.com Scan to view video BOOK IT Rates start from £527 a night on an all-inclusive basis, based on two people sharing a Deluxe Garden Splash or Deluxe Garden Harmony Room. There are direct flights with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways from London. Special rates are also available at https://cbayresort.com/specials-uk HONEYMOON REVIEW 93
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