Introduction

Arrival on the island of Saint Lucia is at Castries, where the airport is located. The transfer to Soufrière, where our hotel was located, takes less than two hours and follows a winding coastal road through mountains and pastoral forests. Renting a car is an interesting option for getting around the island freely. Even so, there's not much in the way of excursions, with the exception of a few hikes in the interior of the island and several treks to the surrounding peaks. It costs $80 to climb the Gros Piton on foot. It's a pity that everything in Saint Lucia has to be paid for, even a walk in the forest leading to a deserted beach where garbage washes up from the sea...

Travel facts

Diving type

Destination

easily accessible

bargain destination

Diving level & type

for beginners

for advanced divers

shore diving

liveaboard

Diving Characteristics

pelagics

lots of fish

lots of corals

interesting underwater scenery

Other activities

attractive natural spots

gastronomy

night life

beach

snorkeling

Infrastructures

• diving center
  

  Action Adventures Divers

  
  Action Adventures Divers (diving center)
  telephone : 1 (758) 459 5599

  fax : 1 (758) 459 5599

  email : aadivers@candw.lc

  internet : www.aadivers.net
  rating : 2 / 4 stars

  comments :

  Operated by Chester and his brother, this dive center, while relatively basic, serves its purpose effectively. The center utilizes two boats to access dive sites, and thankfully, these sites are only a short ten-minute boat ride away. Chester and his assistant, Joël, are friendly and efficient, enhancing the overall diving experience. Diving in Saint-Lucia offers a richer marine life experience compared to Saint-Vincent, with a more abundant variety of fauna and flora. While the Mermaid I boat may not be luxurious, it is highly functional and comfortable, making it an excellent choice for dive cruises.

  
  
• hotel
  

  Hummingbird
  Hummingbird (hotel)
  telephone : 1 (758) 459 7232

  fax : 1 (758) 459 7033

  address : Anse Chastanet Rd, Box 280, Soufriere, St. Lucia West Indies

  email : hbr@candw.lc

  internet : www.nvo.com/pitonresort
  rating : 4 / 4 stars

  comments :

  Nestled amidst lush greenery and located right on the beach, the "Hummingbird" hotel offers a unique and serene experience. The hotel comprises several charming bungalows scattered around a beautiful pool area. Guests can enjoy stunning sea views from the garden, pool, and restaurant. One of the most enchanting features of this hotel is the frequent presence of hummingbirds near the balconies, adding to the natural beauty of the surroundings. The reception and overall service at the hotel are outstanding, ensuring a flawless stay. Accommodations are comfortable, and the culinary offerings are exceptional. In summary, the "Hummingbird" is a place that beckons you to return and highly recommend to others. Additionally, the hotel's convenient location allows for a five-minute walk to the nearby town.

  
  

Diving Sites

• 

  Anse Chastenet

  rating : 3.5

  depth : 20 m
  description :
  
  Although this site is renowned as one of the world's most beautiful spots for snorkeling, it also offers a splendid dive. It's particularly suitable for beginners, who can explore depths ranging from 5 to 18 meters. The marine life here is incredibly rich and diverse, as are the corals. Expect to encounter schools of barracudas and jacks, along with turtles and angelfish, all amidst an underwater landscape featuring hills and valleys.
  
  
• 

  Fairyland

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 20 m
  description :
  
  The drop-off starts from a plateau at 12 meters and gently descends to 65 meters. Due to the often strong current, diving here involves drifting. The marine fauna is extensive, especially with schools of soldiers and lutjans. The flora is lush, with varied corals. Notably, the barrels are impressively sized and shaped, and the sponges surprisingly clean, likely due to the current. We also spotted an octopus, a snake, several lobsters, and some sizable stonefish, in addition to the usual reef fish.
  
  
• 

  Keyhole Pinnacle

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 40 m
  description :
  
  This dive entails circling four volcanic peaks, with their tips barely five meters below the surface and their bases around thirty meters deep. You can descend even further down the steep slope to about fifty meters and beyond. The landscape between the peaks is remarkably diverse, with plentiful and healthy corals, including striking black and orange gorgonians. Some areas feature remnants of "finger corals" affected by El Niño. We were joined by a huge barracuda for a moment.
  
  
• 

  Superman's flight

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 20 m
  description :
  
  Petit Piton rises to over 800 meters, with the submerged part of the wall dropping to 460 meters. The terrain alternates between vertical sections and gentle slopes, adorned with soft and hard corals, as well as sandy areas. Despite the seemingly repetitive landscape, the dive is enjoyable as you allow the current to carry you along, affording ample time to appreciate the marine life. During our dive, we encountered a turtle, the first of our stay in Saint Lucia and the Grenadines, and a group of five barracudas along with two humphead parrots.