Saint Lucia

A managed marine area under the two Pitons, where reef walls drop into deep blue water.

🤿 In the water: Reef walls and coral slopes, Hawksbill and green turtles, Spotted eagle rays (sometimes), Reef fish, moray eels and octopus, Southern stingrays in the sand

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Spinner dolphins (often, from the boat)

When: Dec-May. Diving runs all year. December to May is drier and often calmer. There can be strong currents at some points, so guides choose the site on the day.

Rules and fees: Divers in the Soufrière Marine Management Area pay a small park fee of US$5 a day or US$15 a year. Boats tie up to moorings here, because anchoring is restricted to protect the reef.

A bay north of Soufrière where the reef starts a few metres from the sand.

🤿 In the water: Shallow reef from the beach, Hawksbill turtles (sometimes), Reef fish and small reef life, Night dives with octopus

When: Dec-May. Good most of the year. Swell can reach the bay in winter, and after heavy rain the water can be less clear.

The deep sea off the west coast, home to sperm whales, pilot whales and many dolphins.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Sperm whales (a family clan that stays mostly around Saint Lucia and Martinique), Short-finned pilot whales, Spinner and pantropical spotted dolphins, Bottlenose, Fraser's and Risso's dolphins (less often), Humpback whales (sometimes, about February to April)

When: Dec-May. Whales and dolphins live here all year. The sea is often calmer from December to May. Sightings are never sure.

A wild beach on the Atlantic side where leatherback turtles come to nest at night.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Leatherback turtles nesting (guided night watch, no lights), Hawksbill and green turtles nesting (fewer), Hatchlings going to the sea (later in the season)

When: Mar-Aug. Leatherbacks nest from about March to August, and hatchlings go to the sea until about October. The sea here is rough and not for swimming.