Join Blue Planet on this incredible adventure to St Lucia, the quintessential island paradise. Enjoy the majestic peaks of the Pitons reaching to the heavens, the splendor of lush rainforests and the hypnotizing blue-green waters of the Caribbean breaking just off shore. The island’s landscape, people, customs and cuisine intertwine to provide the perfect setting for the vacation of a lifetime. Witnessing the magic of coral spawning will be the icing on the cake!

St Lucia

The only sovereign nation to be named for a woman, this Eastern Caribbean island personifies adventure and inspiration. Just a mile and a half from the picturesque town of Soufriere on the island's south-western Caribbean shoreline, you will find the stunning 600-acre resort Anse Chastanet. Nestled amidst tropical forests with soft sand beaches bordering on pristine coral reefs, Anse Chastanet is in complete harmony with its natural surroundings – and, along with Jade Mountain, possesses certified sustainable achievements that give back to the environment. This is the perfect scuba hideaway for those seeking a tranquil or romantic vacation spot.

Scuba St. Lucia is situated just steps away from Anse Chastanet beach in the heart of St. Lucia's world-renowned Soufriere Marine Management Area Marine Park - perfect for both shore and boat dives with a complete range of guided activities. Founded in 1981, the dive center has established itself as one of the Caribbean's top diving destinations with a focus on having fun and ecological awareness – a cornerstone of the resort's mission. Their well-equipped scuba store includes three compressors, rental dive gear and an underwater photo and video center. 

The Diving

Minimum dive certification/experience:  Open Water Diver, or we can complete open water certification training there.

The house reef makes an amazing and easy first – or any time – dive, day or night. Just 15 yards beyond the water's edge, the reef's remarkable ecosystem offers an amazing profusion of unusual tropical marine life in as little as 20 feet all the way to 140 feet of wall drop-off in calm clear water. Be sure to keep your eyes open for flounders, octopus, needle fish and turtles. Or drop down over deeper dense coral growths to see puffers, moray eels, parrot fish, lobsters and even seahorses. The reef is a unique dive site for all abilities and is especially good for macro photography. 

Ready for more? After the reef, let one of the resort's amply outfitted dive boats take you to dramatic walls beneath the majestic Piton Mountains. Even better, "drift dive" it at Superman's Flight at the base of the Petit Piton, used in the filming of Superman II. Soft corals, sea whips, gorgonians, large feather duster worms and a profusion of fish life abound. 

Wrecks here are at accessible depths. The sunken freighter, Lesleen M, is a 20-minute boat ride to what is now an artificial reef project by the Department of Fisheries, and home to soft coral, sponges, hydroids, sea turtles, juvenile fishes and of course whatever preys on them. 

Full appreciation of the reef's marine biology is only achieved with a surreal night dive, revealing critters of the evening such as bioluminescent organisms, octopus, lobsters, starfish, sleeping parrot fish and even "the thing" - a mysterious resident creature yet to be identified even by our expert guides. Maybe you will be the one? 

Coral Spawning

Coral Spawning happens once a year and is one of nature’s most spectacular and rare performances. A handful of guests at Anse Chastanet, St Lucia, are lucky enough to witness this marvel annually as the natural wonder occurs right off the beaches of this charming resort.

Once a year, coral release millions of packets of egg and sperm cells that appear as massive underwater clouds of white and pink upward-moving “snowfall”. Each year, Anse Chastanet’s scuba diving team incredibly and accurately predicts the night spawning and prepares to take novice and experienced divers and snorkelers to observe the remarkable phenomenon which turns the seas yellow and pink. It is one of nature’s most spectacular and rare performances.

First discovered in the 1980's at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, this annual mass reproduction phenomenon is now known to be critical to coral reef – and our own ecosystem’s - survival. Tropical coral reefs, although out of sight, are essential to our world-wide food chains.

Other Activities

There’s plenty to keep you occupied top side as well: snorkeling on local reefs, hiking, birdwatching, non-motorized watersports, sailing and a visit to an old French Colonial plantation. Or relax on the beach, visit the spa, take a yoga class or a nap in a hammock.

Travel

You should plan to fly into St Lucia (UVF) on Saturday, August 24.  For the return, plan to depart UVF any time on Saturday, August 31.  Please email or call the shop before booking your flights! 

Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a cancellation fee of $250 and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip. 

Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information.