Saint Lucia is a favorite Caribbean destination for many travelers. Its lush landscapes, iconic Pitons reaching over 2,600 feet (790 meters) high, gorgeous beaches, and many historic plantations give visitors plenty to see.
Below the surface, the topography is equally impressive, with dramatic wall dives, swift currents, and shallow shelves housing everything from frogfish to seahorses.
Diving in Saint Lucia
Divers credit Saint Lucia’s swift currents for the gin-clear visibility. They reveal schools of fish sprinkled over healthy reefs and enough macro life to keep any underwater photographer content. Balmy water temperatures range from 78˚F (26ºC) in the winter to 84˚F (29ºC) in the summer. This means you’ll usually need nothing more than a 3mm shortie to stay warm. And with a whopping 24 marine reserves scattered around the island, there’s no shortage of diving available.
With such impressive dive conditions, we turned to PADI Pro Scott Kerr at Anse Chastanet for his take on the best dive sites in Saint Lucia.
Here are seven must-dive sites in Saint Lucia that belong in your logbook.
1. Anse Chastanet
Opposite the resort that gives the site its name, the close proximity to the shore and shallow depths makes Anse Chastanet a shoo-in for shore diving. The reef itself is a mecca for macro. What’s more, it’s also home to St. Lucia’s elusive Loch Ness Monster – a slithery, long, worm-like creature known as “The Thing” and rumored to make an appearance on night dives.
2. Fairyland
Fairyland is a Divemaster’s favorite. The strong currents and flow of nutrient-rich water keep its abundance of corals and sponges vibrant in color, making it one of the most colorful reefs in St. Lucia. This nutrient flow also attracts a variety of marine life, from schools of fish to graceful rays, creating the perfect conditions for underwater photography! The wall offers exhilarating drift diving, allowing you to effortlessly glide past stunning reef formations. In the shallows, you’ll often encounter curious sea turtles, especially hawksbill and green turtles, feeding among the coral. Keep an eye out for parrotfish and moray eels as they weave through the reef. Fun fact: Fairyland gets its name from the magical appearance of the coral gardens, which seem to glow in the dappled sunlight. This adds a dreamlike quality to each dive.
3. Keyhole Pinnacles
Much like an underwater version of the Pitons, this Saint Lucia dive site is famous for the four dramatic seamounts that rise from the depths, almost up to the surface. The site offers stunning views of black and orange Gorgonian sea fans, colorful corals, sleepy grouper, and color-changing filefish. There’s even a chance to spot seahorses, frogfish, and other macro life here. While exploring, it’s important to be mindful of these delicate creatures. Be sure to avoid touching or disturbing them, allowing their unique behaviors to unfold naturally. Below is a guide for practicing responsible marine life interactions, which will help protect their habitats.
4. The Wreck of the Lesleen M
If you’re a fan of wreck diving, head to the Lesleen M. Located in Anse Cochon Bay, this 165-foot (50-meter) freighter was purposely sunk in 1986 to make an artificial reef. It resides in waters ranging from 40 to 65 feet (12 to 20 meters) deep, making it accessible to all divers. Easy access to the hold and engine room makes for great photo ops. The wreck also provides shelter to a nursery of French angelfish, moray eels, and plenty of other reef fish.
5. Superman’s Flight
The cliff above this dive site, at the base of Petit Piton, was used in a scene in the 1980 film Superman II, giving the dive site its name. However, they could just as well have named it after the moderate current that flows along this sloping wall, making it a favorite for drift divers. Superman fans can tap into their inner hero. The crystal-clear currents will take you soaring on a ride past soft corals, massive sponges, schools of grunts, and colorful parrotfish.
6. Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island is a 44-acre islet located in Gros Islet in the north of Saint Lucia. Historically, the Island was isolated from the Saint Lucia mainland until 1972. However, the island was then joined to the west coast by a man-made causeway. The main dive site of Pigeon Island sits just offshore and access to the site is by a short boat ride.
This stunning Saint Lucia site offers a healthy mix of hard and soft corals, starting from around 10 meters/33 feet. Descending deeper, a kaleidoscopic vibrant coral reef is revealed. The maximum depth here is around 18 meters/60 feet, which makes it suitable for all levels from Open Water Divers upward. In the deeper sections, there are coral bommies and boulders which add to the drama of the site’s topography. Look out for the spotted eagle rays that cruise through here along with schools of snappers and jacks. This is a wonderful dive to relax, hover, and watch the show!
7. Anse La Raye
This site is a firm favorite with regular Saint Lucia divers and professionals. The name of the site translates literally to “Bay of Rays” due to the marine life that is spotted here – stingrays and eagle rays abound!
Topographically the site is a mix of steep sloping reef and vertical walls. Adorning the densely coral covered slope and wall you’ll find a vibrant mix of gorgonian fans, sea whips, and huge barrel sponges. If you are planning to shoot wide angle images during your trip then Anse La Raye is a must!
Due to the depth of the dive it is recommended for those with an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or above. The main wall starts at around 18 meters/60 feet and descends to 34 meters/110 feet. Likewise, because the site is also prone to currents, experience diving in drifts is recommended.
Are You Ready for Saint Lucia?
The best time to visit Saint Lucia is November to May to avoid the rainy season and potential storms. What’s more, with plenty of US airports and European capitals offering direct flights to Hewanorra International Airport, there’s never been a better time to come. So, if you are ready for the dive trip of a lifetime then grab your tanks and dive right into your next Caribbean adventure.
