Scuba St. Lucia

The best scuba diving and snorkeling are found along the southwest coast, and many serious divers base themselves at nearby hotels like Jade Mountain and Ladera. Scuba St. Lucia, a PADI-certified dive center, is owned by Anse Chastanet, but its courses and equipment rental are also available to non-guests. Anse Chastanet’s reef, part of the Pitons’ UNESCO World Heritage site and a protected marine park, is covered in soft coral and barrel sponges. Its plateau area suddenly falls away from about 20 to 140 feet, making it attractive to both scuba divers and snorkel aficionados. More than 150 fish species populate the reef, including parrotfish, needlefish and peacock flounders. The center offers diving courses for all levels, including seminars on digital underwater photography.