Anse La Raye Falls

Anse La Raye, Anse La Raye District, St Lucia

About Anse La Raye Falls


Hiking Distance: 600m round trip
Suggested Time: 30 minutes

Date first visited: 2008-11-28
Date last visited: 2008-11-28

Waterfall Latitude: 13.92115
Waterfall Longitude: -61.02355

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Anse La Raye Falls was a pretty cascade inland from the small, but charming fishing town of Anse La Raye on the western side of the island of St Lucia.

Of the handful of falls that we’ve seen on the island, we thought this was one of the better waterfalls to visit.

Anse_La_Raye_Falls_024_11282008 - Anse La Raye Falls
Anse La Raye Falls

It probably had a cumulative height of around 15m over over three or four discernable drops.

Once we left the car (see directions below), we followed a trail that began by descending down some steps on end of the shack.

The shack itself had some writing on it warning that the Anse La Raye stream was part of the village’s drinking water so they did not want people bathing in it.

After the short descent, the trail then meandered alongside the creek before we started to see the waterfall after some 5 minutes or so.

We then had to cross the creek, which we had no trouble with during our visit (especially since we were wearing Keens).

Anse_La_Raye_Falls_006_11282008 - Julie about to cross the Anse La Raye Stream
Julie about to cross the Anse La Raye Stream

Once on the other side of the main creek, we pretty much stood right in front of the Anse La Raye Falls.

Even though this spot was pretty sufficient for getting our fill of the falls, I noticed there was a trail to the left of it that went up steeply along some steps.

It was quite lengthy and I didn’t make it all the way to the end, but it appeared to be a roundabout trail leading to the top of the waterfall (though I’m not totally sure since I didn’t go all the way; so someone please correct me if I’m wrong).

Authorities

Anse La Raye Falls resides in the Anse La Raye Quarter of St Lucia. It is administered by Government of Saint Lucia. For more information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting their website.

Anse_La_Raye_Falls_001_11282008 - Approaching the shack by the trailhead
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_009_jx_11282008 - The trail to Anse La Raye Falls begins just past this side of the shack
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_010_jx_11282008 - Some writing on the shack at the trailhead for Anse La Raye Falls
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_002_11282008 - The shack and cars
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_003_11282008 - The Anse La Raye Falls Trail immediately descends from the road
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_005_11282008 - The trail follows the Anse La Raye Stream
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_008_11282008 - Julie getting closer to the Anse La Raye Falls
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_010_11282008 - Looking right up at the attractive Anse La Raye Falls
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_013_11282008 - context of Julie checking out the Anse La Raye Falls
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_015_11282008 - Another look at Julie checking out the Anse La Raye Falls
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_020_11282008 - Angled view of Anse La Raye Falls as we got right up to its base
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_036_11282008 - Julie crossing before the Anse La Raye Falls as she heads back to the trailhead
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_037_11282008 - Contextual view back at the Anse La Raye Falls as we headed back to the trailhead
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_041_11282008 - Last look at the Anse La Raye Falls from right across its milky plunge pool
Anse_La_Raye_Falls_007_jx_11282008 - Looking back across the Anse La Raye Stream towards the waterfall as we headed back


The route for both getting to the Anse La Raye Falls and the trailhead itself were not well signposted during our visit.

Since we were coming from the northern part of the island at Gros Islet, we had to drive to Anse La Raye town, then drive into its narrow main street.

From there, we went over a couple of speed bumps, then turn left onto another small street (had we gone to the bridge crossing the Anse La Raye River, we went too far).

Anse_La_Raye_001_jx_11282008 - Driving the narrow streets of Anse La Raye on our way to the Anse La Raye Falls
Driving the narrow streets of Anse La Raye on our way to the Anse La Raye Falls

There was an arrow sign posted onto a building saying “La Sikwi” (which was a sugar mill) at the intersection.

We followed the arrow and continued down the small side street following more “La Sikwi” signs until we went past the La Sikwi Sugar Mill entrance and continued into the forest.

At this point, the road degenerated into a rough dirt road.

It looked like it was prone to floods, which might explain why it was in the shape it was in during our visit.

It was doable by our rental car (a 2wd passenger vehicles) probably because the road was dry enough, but even then, I’m sure a high clearance vehicle would’ve probably been a safer bet.

However, if the road is wet from rain, then I can imagine it being very difficult to proceed past this stretch.

Anse_La_Raye_002_jx_11282008 - Looking back at the main drag of Anse La Raye, which was the town where we left the main road and headed further inland towards the Anse La Raye Falls
Looking back at the main drag of Anse La Raye, which was the town where we left the main road and headed further inland towards the Anse La Raye Falls

So beyond this flood-prone section, the road improved again and then went uphill.

We noticed a shack with some writing on it, which hinted to us that this was the trailhead.

So we parked in a pullout near the shack.

Just to give you some context, the drive from Gros Islet to Anse La Raye town was about 34km (taking us at least an hour). Gros Islet was on the opposite side of the island from the airport some 65km away (or 90 minutes by vehicle). The flight from the Miami International Airport to the Saint Lucia Airport was on the order of 4 hours.

Find A Place To Stay

Sweep from downstream of the falls all the way to the very top of the falls

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Tagged with: anse la raye, saint lucia, gros islet, caribbean, waterfall, rental car, la sikwi



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Anse-La-Raye & St. Lucia robbed at gun point on april 29.2010 carnival victory cruise lines shore excursion…bike and hike. June 3, 2010 3:43 am by Jerry - April 29.2010. Our group of 14 went to Anse-La-Raye water falls on a carnival victory shore excursion and 4 members were robbed at gun point by two masked men. Will not ever go back to the island of St. Lucia. Please take precaution..Not a joke...The un-employment on the island is over 35% ..Not a safe… ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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