Snorkeling in Saint Lucia

The island’s west coast is sheltered from trade winds. Most snorkel spots in Saint Lucia can logically be found there. Many small bays and shallow reefs well suited to snorkeling can notably be found around the city of Soufriere and the Pitons.

Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin (separated only by 700m and linked by a path) are probably the best spots directly accessible from the shore in Saint Lucia. As they are included in a marine preserve where fishing is controlled, they shelter thriving aquatic life and preserved seabeds. In the Pitons region, snorkeling along the shore is also possible north of Soufriere bay or in front of Sugar Beach resort. Heading north towards Castries, Anse Cochon and Marigot Bay are also nice spots.

Saint Lucia’s steep landscape made it impossible to build roads along many coastal areas. Those isolated coastlines can only be reached by boat. Many local agencies offer snorkeling day or half-day tours. Excursions to Petit Piton and Gros Piton, which include drift snorkeling (following the current) are very popular. Operators also offer tours to Trou au Diable and the Keyhole Pinnacles, but these spots are less adapted to snorkeling because of an important water depth.

Saint Lucia’s coastal waters attract a colorful aquatic life, typical from the Caribbean reefs. You will easily spot butterflyfish, surgeonfish, grunts, triggerfish and angelfish over seabeds packed with sponges and gorgonian. Several moray eel species also dwell on the reef and lobsters can be seen, especially in the preserved areas. Sea turtles can sometimes be spotted, notably in Anse Chastanet, but they remain rare along Saint Lucia’s coastline.

When to go snorkeling Saint Lucia?

Snorkeling is possible all year round in Saint Lucia, thanks to its warm tropical climate tempered by trade winds. Temperatures seldom vary from their yearly average (77°F/25°C to 82°F/28°C). The dry season (January to May) is ideal to practice snorkeling, even if temperatures can be lower than the rest of the year. The rain season (June to December) is wetter, but the sky rarely remains overcast all day long. It is often advised to avoid the months of July, August, September and October, when hurricanes can occur.