The Maria Island Nature Reserve is a quiet respite from everyday life St. Lucia. The islands were declared a nature reserve in 1982, and today, you’ll find over 80 plant species and five unique reptiles populating the area. Since they’re only accessible by boat, however, the quickest way to reach them would be by booking a private tour through the St. Lucia National Trust.  Beginning at the National Trust Regional Office, visitors will be guided from the mainland to Maria Major, the biggest island, where they can hike, scuba dive, or simply sunbathing. More importantly, kids will have plenty of space to run around. Make a day out of it, and be sure to pack a picnic with all your kid’s favorite foods, as there are no other facilities on the islands. Any kid interested in wildlife will have a field day here. None of the animals are harmful, so if you’re lucky enough, kids may be able to spot the Saint Lucia Racer, one of the rarest snakes in the world, or the St. Lucia Whiptail, a reptile local to the area.