Every beach on the island of St. Lucia, including those that are part of the top resorts, is open to the public. The beaches on the western side of the island front the tranquil turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and are favored for swimming and water sports, while the wild but beautiful eastern side churns with the more turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Although scenic to explore by horseback or jeep, the western beaches are not preferred for swimming.