Saint Lucia: Where Dreams Do Come True

A “postcard-pretty destination” may be a description that’s used for lots of islands, but it is one that perfectly captures the inspiring natural beauty of Saint Lucia. This Eastern Caribbean island captivates visitors from the moment they arrive. If you’re a diver, this is an island that will steal your heart—it offers stunning dive sites, rich marine life, an eco-conscious approach to its natural resources, and a host of treasures for you to explore during your surface intervals. If you’ve never been, here’s why the island should be on your dive vacation wish list.

On Saint Lucia, crystalline blue waters, lush rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls and vibrant coral reefs await you. There are over 22 world-class dive sites—from stunning drop-offs and fascinating wrecks to thrilling drift dives and exquisite shallow reefs. Saint Lucia recently won 10 awards in Scuba Diving Magazine’s annual Readers Choice survey—more than 8,500 readers and web visitors participated in the survey—including a Top 10 Award for Best Overall Dive Destination.

Saint Lucia is an ideal destination for scuba divers, combining stunning dive sites, rich marine life, eco-conscious practices, and the charm of the island itself.

Frogfish Photography

Lots of islands can boast about their tropical weather and ocean views, but not all of them have over two dozen dive and snorkel sites located close to shore like Saint Lucia does. The island is home to a number of dive shops, each equipped to meet the needs of vacationing divers, regardless of their skill level. Want to take your training to the next level? Dive shops on the island provide professional PADI training. Don’t want to lug your dive gear through the airport? You’ll find top-notch gear to rent. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a beginner, traveling solo or in a group, looking to dive at every opportunity or wanting lots of surface intervals, Saint Lucia dive resorts and operations can tailor the perfect dive vacation to fit your personality and needs.

The dramatic landscape found on the island is reflected in its exciting underwater seascape. There are colorful coral reefs, abundant marine life and beautiful formations, including swim-throughs, walls and pinnacles. Dive sites are located on the island’s western side where the water is the calmest. Most sites are only a short boat ride from the dock, and many of them are ideal for both novices and advanced divers.

A person in scuba gear swimming near coral

Explore over 22 world-class dive sites, featuring vibrant marine life, historic shipwrecks, and thrilling drift dives including the iconic Piton Wall.

Frogfish Photography

For example, you can explore the top of Anse La Raye Wall in about 60 feet of water or descend deeper to advanced-diving depths. Either way, you’ll discover one of the most beautiful dropoffs in all of the Caribbean. Hawksbill sea turtles, spiny lobsters, spotted eagle rays and schools of grunts are often found here. If you’re a brand-new diver, you’ll love how comfortable the diving is at the 25-foot-deep Anse Cochon South. Underwater photographers also flock to this site as it abounds with frogfish, nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, moray eels, trumpetfish and flounder. If you’re an advanced open-water diver, you’ll want to visit the nearby wreck Lesleen M, which is beautifully encrusted in corals and sponges and attracts loads of fish, such as yellowtail snappers and blue chromis that swirl around this 165-foot former freighter.

The wall dives—which are a spectacular reflection of Sait Lucia’s majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gros Piton and Petit Piton—earned the island a Top 5 Readers Choice Award for Best Wall Diving. Piton Wall is blanketed in sea whips, soft corals and feather duster worms. Another site to put on your wish list: Keyhole Pinnacles, four extraordinary seamounts that rise from the ocean floor. If you’re a diver who likes to drift with the flow of the water, don’t miss the thrilling site known as Superman’s Flight, which takes divers past some of the most colorful reefs in the Caribbean.

Saint Lucia is home to a variety of professional dive shops, each equipped to meet the needs of every diver.

Frogfish Photography

If there are snorkelers in your group, they’ll discover that nearly every shallow dive site can be explored with only a mask, fins and snorkel, including Anse Chastanet, Anse Cochon, Sugar Beach and Piton Wall. One popular site at the base of Gros Piton—Coral Gardens—offers aquarium-like conditions and loads of tropical reef fish. If someone in your group is ready to go beyond snorkeling, they can try a Discover Scuba course offered by local dive operators.

Perhaps best of all, Saint Lucia’s dive sites are protected by either the Soufriere Marine Management Area or the adjacent Canaries/Anse la Raye Area. The island’s dive association, along with other island agencies, support the efforts of these conservation areas, ensuring that they will be enjoyed by future generations of divers. In fact, for eco-conscious divers, Saint Lucia actively supports a number of sustainable initiatives, including Green Globe certified properties, ethical cuisine offerings, underwater conservation programs and more.

Have you’ve been dreaming about your next dive vacation—someplace tropical, tranquil and beautiful? It’s time to book a vacation and pack your bags for one of the Caribbean’s most impressive islands. St. Lucia’s gorgeous scenery, healthy coral reefs, friendly people and charming culture all combine to provide the perfect place for a memorable vacation. All you have to do is plan your trip!

charming culture all combine to provide the perfect place for a memorable vacation. All you have to do is plan your trip!

The dramatic landscape found on the island is reflected in its exciting underwater seascape.

Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

2025 READERS CHOICE AWARDS

In 2025, Saint Lucia won 10 Readers Choice Awards: Overall Dive Destination, Beginner Diving, Advanced Diving, Wall Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Photography, Health of Marine Environment, Macro Life, Wall Diving, Shore Diving and Snorkeling.