Scuba Diving Near St. Lucia

The crystalline waters that gently lap against the sandy shores of St. Lucia offer the perfect place for scuba diving.

Both expert divers and beginners alike will enjoy the warmth and clarity of the water, along with the abundance of marine life. Exploring the wonders of the Caribbean Sea is a perfect addition to your vacation on the island of St. Lucia.

The underwater world of St. Lucia is a wonder to behold. Snorkeling and scuba diving allow you to observe various aquatic animals like sea horses, frog fish, batfish, and other exotic and delightful creatures. Dramatic coral walls that begin only a few feet from shore drop off steeply into the ocean. Snorkelers and divers can swim right up to the animals, though it's recommended that they do not touch the ocean's wildlife. St. Lucia has some of the most scenic underwater settings in the Caribbean, and you can experience it all while vacationing on the island.

St. Lucia is one of the only places in the world where divers can actually experience coral spawning, the process in which coral begins to produce and build new reef. The process is said to look like an upside down snow storm, as the living coral releases pink and white packets of reproductive material that drift to the surface to complete fertalization. Several dive companies host night dives so that visitors may experience the spawning first hand.

This is just one of the reasons why St. Lucia is renowned as one of the best diving spots in the Caribbean, and snorkeling is popular as well. There are numerous gorgeous locales for aquatic exploration. The island's natural beauty is further magnified by its underwater world. All you need is a mask and fins and you're ready for your afternoon snorkeling excursion.

St. Lucia's Dive Sites

St. Lucia is a diver's paradise. The warm, clear waters surrounding the island are home to various forms of marine life, including a vast coral reef formation, sea turtles, octopus, and a multitude of exotic fish species like peacock fish and needle fish. There are plenty of amazing places for diver's to explore, such as shallow platforms with sandy gullies in the middle of low coral spurs, and breathtaking vertical coral walls that plunge into the ocean depths well past the depths of safe diving. You only have to go about 10 yards out into the water to reach the coral, which is an extraordinary ecosystem submerged in about 20 to 140 feet of clear blue water. For a unique and unforgettable experience, visit one of the eerie underwater shipwreck sites.

You'll find 8 dive operators, some dive shops, and at least 16 different dive sites in the area.

Dive Operators and Shops

The dive shops you'll be able to find are shown in the chart below.

If you're ready to go diving, you can check with Scuba Steve's Diving. To explore St. Lucia from under the water, try one of the tours by Scuba Steve. This owner operate center offers personalized services that are unmatched. They are situated in Gros Islet, in northern St. Lucia.

A second option is Scuba St. Lucia. One of the most highly acclaimed resort scuba centers on the island, Scuba St. Lucia is a PADI 5-Star Facility, an SSI Dive Resort, a Universal Referral Center, and a National Geographic center. It is the longest running center on the island and has hosted over 45,000 dives. You can call them at (758) 459-7755.

A third good option is Dive Fair Helen. Dive Fair Helen is owned and operated by an environmentalist, making this the perfect choice for divers who care about doing their part in keeping underwater conditions pristine for the next generation of divers. In operation since 1992, you can also trust that they have the experience and training necessary to guide you on your St. Lucia dive adventure. They're located within downtown Castries.

The following table offers some key facts concerning the area's dive operators.

Dive Services

Check out the table just below for an indication of what typical dive services cost in this area.

Dive Sites

A few details regarding some of the area's dive sites can be seen in the following chart.

To learn more concerning diving, including helpful suggestions and tips for both experienced divers and beginners, read our comprehensive Caribbean diving article.