10 Reasons Scuba Divers Love St. Lucia
![st lucia](/sites/default/files/styles/655_1x_/public/scuba/images/2019/02/st-lucia-scuba-magazine.jpg?itok=PK2Hzxk-)
Stuart HillThe eastern Caribbean gem of St. Lucia entices divers with dreamlike vistas both topside and below the surface.
Divers Guide
Average Water Temp: From 78 to 84 degrees F
What to Wear: 3 mm wetsuit in summer, 5 mm in winter
Average Viz: From 40 to 100 feet
When to Go: Year-round
Operators: ansechastanet.com; scubastlucia.com
1) Superman’s Flight
Soar like the Man of Steel himself on this colorful drift dive. Part of the well-protected Pitons Management Area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Superman’s Flight snakes through one of the brightest reefs in the Caribbean. Neon oranges, greens, purples and pinks paint the reef by way of healthy corals, sponges and gorgonians.
2) Pigeon Island National Landmark
If you’re a history buff, be sure to carve out time to visit Pigeon Island. Roam the ruins of this historic military base, and climb to the fort’s gun platform for a spectacular look at the Caribbean. On a clear day, you’ll see Martinique to the north and the Pitons to the south.
3) Anse Cochon North
Not all of the best diving is boat diving. Just a few miles south of St. Lucia’s famous Marigot Bay lies the secluded Anse Cochon Beach. Access the shallow, critter-strewn reefs of Anse Cochon North through Ti Kaye Resort and Spa, which has an on-site dive shop for renting tanks and gear.
4) The Pitons
Not only do they make for an Instagram-worthy backdrop to your surface intervals, but St. Lucia’s iconic twin peaks are also perfect for adding some topside fun to your underwater getaway. Regarding hiking-and-diving rules, challenge yourself to scramble up volcanic rocks and take in the breathtaking view from the top.
5) Frogfish
Macro photographers, take note: These tiny masters of disguise can be found sprinkled throughout almost all of St. Lucia’s reefs. There are so many of them, in fact, that some sites claim to have “a frogfish for every diver.” With plenty of species variety, you’re sure to get more than a few good shots.
6) Anse La Raye fish fry
During the week, Anse La Raye is just like any other small fishing town. But the streets come alive on Friday nights. Every week (with the exception of Good Friday), locals and travelers come together for a block-party fish fry to celebrate the music, food and drinks of St. Lucia.
7) Lesleen M wreck
Easy penetration into the cargo hold makes the Lesleen M great for wreck divers of all levels. The 165-foot freighter was purpose-sunk in 1985, and is now encrusted with corals, attracting marine life from spotted morays and spiny lobsters to schools of yellowtail snapper.
8) Fairyland
The ultimate array of creatures hides out among the vibrant barrel sponges, corals and sea fans of Fairyland. North and south currents converge at this site in the Pitons Management Area, creating a nutrient-rich spot for stingrays, octopuses, turtles and multiple species of eel.
9) Sulfur Springs Park
Spend an afternoon at St. Lucia’s popular Sulfur Springs Park. Drive up to the dormant La Soufrière Volcano to see its steamy, boiling mud pools. Then soak in a hot spring, exfoliating your skin with some of that mineral-rich volcanic mud. End your trip washing off under a 50-foot waterfall.
10) Daini Koyomaru
Sunk to create an artificial reef in 1996, the Daini Koyomaru now sits in 70 to 110 feet of seawater. Penetration is tricky because the ship turned upside down while sinking, but if you’re looking for a safer challenge, try to spot the tiny resident seahorses that guard the bow.