In St. Lucia, visiting divers can do more than explore beautiful reefs. They can actively contribute to a healthier ocean. Here are a few ocean conservation opportunities in St. Lucia offered by PADI Dive Shops.
Scuba St. Lucia at Anse Chastanet
Anse Chastanet has a Reef Life & Renewal Program offered by the on-site dive shop, Scuba St. Lucia. Activities include cleaning and maintaining nursery structures, monitoring coral health and out-planting coral fragments onto the reef (when conditions allow). The dive shop also offers guided coral nursery visits, coral maintenance dives and the Coral Restoration Distinctive Specialty course.
In addition to coral restoration, Anse Chastanet and Scuba St. Lucia offer other ocean conservation activities such as Dive Against Debris® surveys, the PADI Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course as well as fish and turtle identification programs. Many of these experiences are available to both divers and snorkelers, and anyone, regardless of certification level, is welcome to attend the topside educational presentations.
Eastern Caribbean Diving
Eget Martyr, the PADI Course Director at Eastern Caribbean Diving, has specialized training in coral reef rescue and restoration. She plans to revitalize the dive shop’s biorock artificial reefs project, but is waiting on funding. When her funding goal is reached, the dive shop will train aspiring divers, current divers and fishermen as Reef Rescue divers.
In the meantime, Eastern Caribbean Diving has adopted the dive site Barrel “O” Beef. “We do periodic cleanups at this reef, involving both staff and guests. Most of the trash removed from this site are fishing lines, lures and makeshift sinkers,” Eget said.
The dive shop also collaborates with organizations to offer ocean awareness programs for kids at local schools. For more information about Eastern Caribbean Diving’s ocean conservation programs, please contact the dive shop. If you’re already on island, you can find Eastern Caribbean Diving at the Harbor Club St. Lucia in Rodney Bay Marina, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
The dive shop at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort also takes an active role in protecting St. Lucia’s vibrant coral reefs through coral gardening and reef restoration. These efforts protect against erosion and sustain marine biodiversity. Reducing marine debris and safeguarding habitats essential to local wildlife are also a big part of the ethos at Sugar Beach.
Local and visiting divers are welcome to take part in any of the activities mentioned above. To make arrangements, contact the dive shop by email, by phone or by visiting the dive shop. Sugar Beach is located between the iconic Pitons and Sugar Beach in the southwest part of the island.
Ocean Conservation and Adventure in St. Lucia
St. Lucia is known for its beauty above and below the waterline. Scuba diving and ocean conservation are just a few of the activities available for eco-conscious adventurers. Click the button below to learn more about scuba diving in St. Lucia.
