Pigeon Island National Park

Introducing Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island has a spicy history dating back to the 1550s, when St Lucia’s first French settler, Jambe de Bois (Wooden Leg), used the island as a base for raiding passing Spanish ships. Two centuries later, British admiral George Rodney fortified Pigeon Island, using it to monitor the French fleet on Martinique. Rodney’s fleet set sail from Pigeon Island in 1782 for his most decisive military engagement, the Battle of the Saintes.

With the end of hostilities between the two European rivals, the fort slipped into disuse in the 19th century, although the USA established a small signal station here during WWII.

In the 1970s a sandy causeway was constructed between Gros Islet and Pigeon Island, turning the island into a peninsula, and in 1979 Pigeon ‘Island’ was established as a ­national park.

It’s a fun place to explore, with paths winding around the remains of Fort Rodney, whose partially intact stone buildings create a certain ghost-town effect. The grounds are well endowed with lofty trees, manicured lawns and fine coastal views. Near the gate is a kitchen dating from 1824 and further on is the main fortress. A vague path leads you around the coast of the ‘island’ – it’s a great way to take it all in. The walk takes about 20 minutes.

At the top of Fort Rodney Hill, you’ll find a small but well-preserved fortress, a few rusting cannons and a spectacular view. You can see south across Rodney Bay to the rolling hills dotting the coast, and north past Pointe du Cap to Martinique. For more views, continue north past the stone foundations of the ridge battery to the top of the 359ft Signal Peak, about a 20-minute walk.

Pigeon Island (admission EC$13; 9am-5pm, center closed Sun) is administered by the St Lucia National Trust. You find a pub and a restaurant selling sandwiches at moderate prices.

Most of the coastline around Pigeon Island is rocky, though there’s a pleasant little sandy beach just east of the jetty.

It’s about a 20-minute walk along the causeway from Gros Islet to Pigeon Point.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009