QUALIBOU OR SOUFRIÈRE – SAINTE-LUCIA

Descritpion

Qualibou, also known as the Soufrière volcanic center, is a volcano consisting of a caldera located in the southwest of the island. Partially submerged by the Caribbean Sea, it extends 5 kilometers in length and 3.5 kilometers in width. It was formed approximately 32,000 to 39,000 years ago following the eruption of Choiseul tuff, a porous rock formed from the consolidation of volcanic ash. This eruption also caused the formation of lava domes at the bottom of the caldera. This large depression also includes the geothermal areas of Sulphur Springs, a major tourist attraction that now attracts 200,000 visitors a year, as well as Gros Piton and Petit Piton, formed before the caldera, and eruptive vents.

Biodiversity

The Qualibou region is known for its unique ecosystem, making it a crucial area for environmental preservation. It features a variety of landscapes, including a coastline with a rocky bay and a sandy cove, as well as different types of vegetation depending on the altitude around the caldera, ranging from dense lowland forests to mountain forests.

Located in the Pitons Management Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qualibou shares a biodiversity similar to that of Gros Pitons and Petit Pitons. This region is home to a wide variety of underwater species, including 168 species of fish, corals, mollusks, and many others.

The area is also home to endemic bird species, such as the island’s national bird, the St. Lucia Amazon (Amazona versicolor), also known as the St. Lucia parrot, an endangered species. Other endemic species include the Saint Lucia Oriole (Icterus laudabilis) and the White-footed Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni).

Ecotourism potential

The area is protected by the SMMA (Soufriere Marine Management Area), an NGO approved by the government of Saint Lucia, responsible for regularly monitoring coral reefs, water quality, and other environmental resources. It also ensures that regulations in the fishing and tourism sectors are enforced to preserve the site.

On the Sulphur Springs side, these fumarole areas are accessible by car and have a secure path guiding visitors as they explore the site. The site is also very popular with tourists thanks to its swimming facilities, hot baths, and detoxifying mud masks, a natural remedy for eczema, arthritis, joint pain, and sunburn. The site also features a 15-meter-high waterfall on the side of a cliff, flowing into a pool in the center of a landscaped garden.