Saint Lucia is a small, lush tropical island in the Caribbean with the turbulent Atlantic Ocean on its eastern shore, and calm Caribbean Sea on the west. Saint Lucia is a lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown. The dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. Not to be missed is the Soufriere volcano, the world's only drive-in volcanic crater.