Laborie
A traditional Caribbean fishing village
Driftwood sits on the edge of Laborie, on St Lucia’s south-west coast, where life still follows the quiet rhythms of a working Caribbean community.
Life in Laborie
The village of Laborie is built around a sheltered bay, where life moves at a slower pace.
Fishing boats come and go from the harbour, neighbours stop to talk in the shade, and small streets lead down to the beach. English is spoken everywhere, but you’ll often hear Saint Lucian Creole (Kwéyòl) as well — the island’s French-based language that reflects its deep cultural roots.
Visitors often say the same thing: Laborie feels different. The pace is slower, the atmosphere relaxed, and village life unfolds naturally around you.
Life by the Sea
In Laborie the beach isn’t just for visitors — it’s part of daily life.
In the afternoons locals gather by the water to swim, talk, play football or simply watch the light change across the bay. Music drifts from nearby bars, fishermen clean their catch along the shore and the village gradually settles into the evening.
Early each morning the village comes to life as fishermen land their catch — one of those small rituals that quickly becomes part of the rhythm of staying here.
Eating in Laborie
Laborie has a small collection of relaxed places to eat and drink, all within a few minutes’ walk of the beach.
Local favourites include Mama Tilly’s Bar & Grill, known across the island for its incredible home cooking. Other welcoming village spots such as Chunky’s Bar, Café en Ville, Melly’s, Zoe’s Restaurant and Bar, and Chef William’s Sand Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant on the waterfront.
Menus are refreshingly down to earth, with fresh fish, Creole dishes and seafood alongside barbecue chicken and pork, rotis and other comforting favourites. Vegetarian options are widely available, and most places can accommodate dietary requirements with a little notice.
At weekends, places like The Big Bamboo often fill with music and dancing as the village becomes a little livelier.
Exploring the Island
Laborie is a wonderful base for exploring not just the south, but the whole island.
Within easy reach are the Pitons, the Sulphur Springs volcanic mud baths, the beautiful Diamond Botanical Gardens in nearby Soufrière, along with rainforest trails, waterfalls and quiet beaches along the coast.
Because St Lucia is relatively small, it’s also easy to explore further north — including Marigot Bay, Castries and Rodney Bay — before returning in the evening to the calm of village life by the sea.
Hewanorra International Airport is only 20 minutes away, making Laborie one of the most convenient places on the island to stay.
Plan your stay
Check availability and start planning your stay at Driftwood.
If you have any questions about the cottage, the treehouse or visiting St Lucia, feel free to get in touch — we're always happy to help.
For the best availability and rates, book directly through our website