Diving and Snorkelling in St. Lucia

Divers from all over the world know the exotic beauty and warm crystal waters of St Lucia. A great deal of care has been exercised to ensure that the island, as well as the surrounding water remains as pristine as it was a generation ago when it first began attracting divers in search of a paradise less travelled.

As mountainous below sea level as it is above, St Lucia offers incomparable sightseeing for divers who are drawn to the tremendous variety that nature has to offer: huge gorgonians, black coral trees, gigantic barrel sponges, purple vase sponges and lace coral. Angelfish, black beauties, golden spotted eels, seahorses, Stingrays, nurse sharks, turtles and many varieties of schooling fish are as plentiful as they are colourful and varied. A few submerged shipwrecks and a mysterious serpentine creature of mythical proportions known as "the thing" add to the excitement of diving in the waters of St Lucia.

Scuba Diver	Sponge	Cave
Coral	Coral Reef	Eel
Scuba Diver	Snorklling	Making Bubbles

Listed below are some of the islands most intriguing underwater sites:

Anse Chastanet: One of the most dramatic spots for divers is the stunning Anse Chastanet reef in the southwest of the island. The shallows , with depths to 25ft can be entered directly from the beach. The reefs falls away from 20-140 ft in a unique coral wall that continues from Anse Chastanet Bay around the headland of Grand Caille and in towards the harbor of Soufriere, providing some of the best diving in St Lucia.

Anse La Raye: Known as one of the finest wall and drift dives in St Lucia, Anse La Raye can be found below a shallow wall. Interesting formations at the slope which consists of huge bolders, stimulate the eye and imagination.

Coral Gardens: Located at the base of the Gros Piton, the Coral Gardens offer breathtaking scenery above and below the water, where five finger coral runs from a depth of 15-50ft.

Fairy Land: At the point of Anse Chastanet, a plateau named Fairy Land slopes gently from 40-60ft. Since strong currents here keep the corals and sponges clean and the viewing is excellent and, this site is ideal for underwater photography.

The Key Hole Pinnacles: Voted one of the '10 Best Dive Sites" by Caribbean Travel & Life, The Pinnacles are described by the magazine as 'four coral and gorgonian-encrusted seamounts that rise tantalizingly up from the ocean depths.

Lesleen M Shipwreck: The Lesleen M, a 165-foot freighter, was sunk by the Department of Fisheries in 1986 to provide an artificial reef. It lies upright in 60 ft of water near Anse Cochon on the west coast, just south of Marigot Bay. Divers can tour the ship in its entirety.

Superman's Flight: Names for a scene on St Lucia for the movie Superman II, this site is a drift dive on a gentle wall that drops to 1600ft. Good visibility created by strong currents permits crystal clear viewing for underwater exploration. Divers can enter the water here at the base of Petit Piton.

The Thing: According to those who have seen it "The Thing" is said to be St Lucia's own "Loch Ness Monster on Vacation" Seen regularly (but only at night) one may catch a glimpse of this mysterious creature at Anse Chastanet.

St Lucia accommodates divers of all levels, including absolute beginners, at its many dive centres around the island. Some of them are listed below:

ST LUCIA'S SCUBA CENTRES

Scuba Steve's Diving is St. Lucia's newest full service PADI dive centre and is situated in Rodney Bay Marina within 5 minutes of most Hotels andResorts in the area (free transfers are provided). We offer daily 1 and 2 tank boat dives, the full range of PADI courses from absolute beginner to Divemaster as well as special programmes for children from age 8. Our mottois "Top quality service at an affordable price". We look forward to seeing you soon!

Dive Fair Helen - Owned an run by a St Lucian environmentalist with more than 10 years experience in marine research, Dive Fair Helen is sanctioned by the PADI system and offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses with an emphasis on marine preservation.

Scuba St Lucia - An SSI Platinum/PADI facility, Scuba St Lucia runs two of the islands longest established and first 5-star PADI centers - one located at Anse Chastanet, the other at the Rex St Lucian. They offer daily dives to some of St Lucia's most pristine underwater marine parks. Resort course for beginners, certification courses, two tank dives, wreck dives and night dives are some of the attractions offered. Equipment rentals for yacht charters are also available on a weekly basis.

Ever mindful of its great natural treasures, St Lucia has maintained its environmental integrity through conscientious development. The island has defined a new tourism sector - Nature Heritage Tourism and through the combined efforts of the St Lucia Tourist Board Ministries of Tourism and Planning and the St Lucia National Trust has targeted a variety of natural and historic sites and attractions to receive financial and marketing support.

NOTE: If staying at any of our apartments or villas we can make diving and snorkelling bookings on your behalf at preferential rates. Please complete our enquiry form above.

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