St. Lucia: Dec. 7-14, 2024

Saint Lucia is anything but an ordinary island. Her mountains, jungles, beaches, and historic sites radiate history, beauty and a sense of living poetry. Of course, it’s not possible to see every corner of the island during your visit, and even many locals live here their entire lives without discovering all of her secrets. Saint Lucia’s history is as rich as it is vibrant. The island is a virtual gumbo of cultures, and her people have a deeply held sense of cultural identity that they vigorously celebrate to this day. The west coast of Saint Lucia is home to Soufrière (the original French capital) as well as Anse Chastanet Beach, which is one of the top snorkeling beaches in the area.

Architect owner Nick Troubetzkoy believes passionately in nature. So he created a hotel that makes the foliage and the flowers, the perfumes and the peaks, the sea and the bird song an integral part of your vacation experience. The estate encompasses 600 lush tropical acres bordering two soft sand beaches. Not only do you get a World Heritage Site anchored by the twin peaks on land, the resort’s two crystal-clear bays are part of a designated marine reserve protecting miles of colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. With such a unique setting as his canvas, Nick Troubetzkoy was inspired to design a one-of-a-kind resort. He was committed to an environmentally conscious development before “green” became fashionable.

Scuba St. Lucia is just a mile and a half from the picturesque town of Soufriere on the island's south-western Caribbean shoreline, and is part of our Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts. 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 - perfect for both BEACH AND BOAT DIVES. Their well-equipped scuba store includes three compressors, rental dive gear, and an underwater photo and video center.

The ANSE CHASTANET 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 sea horses. The reef is a unique dive site for all abilities, and especially good for macro photography.

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. This is also the place to try a first wreck dive for the newly certified.

Frequently, wrecks are at challenging depths requiring additional experience and skills, but not here. 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. Spectacular closer-to-home afternoon boat dives include Fairyland, Turtle Reef, Grand Caille, Trou Diable, and The Pinnacles. Don't forget Turtle Reef to see rare and endangered sea turtle species adjacent to turtle grass beds.

• 7 nights Superior accommodation at Anse Chastanet

• Daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner

• 12 boat dives, 2 night dives, and extra scheduled shore diving

• All taxes

• Roundtrip airport transfers

• Welcome cocktail

• Manager’s Rum Punch party

• Mini-sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, use of tennis court and equipment

• Guided tour of Old French Colonial plantations

• Round trip air from Minneapolis (to be announced)

• Beverage package (unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages) ($462 per person)

• $15 Marine Park fee to be paid in cash on site

• Diving equipment, Nitrox (Nitrox $75 + taxes for the week), dive courses

• Incidental charges: Individual group members will be responsible for their own charges including but not limited to beverages and bar bill, telephone, internet usage, sightseeing, equipment rental of any sort, gratuities and any other items of a personal nature.

• Scuba certification card required for each diver.

• We recommend all divers purchase DAN membership.

• A passport is required for travel.

*All rates quoted by Scuba Center include a 2% discount for cash/check payments.

Reservations / Deposit Information:

• $500 deposit is required at registration

DAN Membership & Diving Insurance

Sample packing checklist