St Lucia

An island dominated by dramatic volcanic peaks, St Lucia is one of the most visually stunning islands in the Caribbean and a favourite holiday destination. The island is home to towering mountains bedecked in lush rainforest, wonderful beaches and excellent scuba diving.   

Part of the Eastern Caribbean region, St Lucia’s history and culture is as rich as her natural wonders. A melting pot of cultures and peoples including Carib, Afro-Caribbean, English, French and Dutch, the island offers a warm welcome to visitors throughout the year, with a range of festivals and events, including the St Lucia Carnival in June and July.  

DIVING IN ST LUCIA  

St Lucia’s natural beauty continues below the waterline, with excellent diving along her entire western coastline. St Lucia’s diving is characterised by clear, calm waters with an average temperature between 26 and 29°C.  

In total, St Lucia has 25 dive sites to explore and divers can explore its volcanic pinnacles, sheer walls, shipwrecks and colourful coral reefs. The northern reaches offer a wide variety of scenery with a higher chance of larger marine life such as turtles and rays. Farther south, the Soufriere Marine Reserve is home to some of St Lucia’s most famous dive sites.  

RODNEY BAY   

Located in the north-west of St Lucia, Rodney Bay is the location of our partner dive centre. The marina is the departure point for diving excursions and a popular spot for restaurants and bars.   

Other highlights of this beautiful area of St Lucia include Pigeon Island, a small islet immersed in history that is now connected to the main island by a causeway, and the vibrant Castries market, founded back in 1650. 

Dive Saint Lucia is our partner dive centre on the island. Located in the popular Rodney Bay area at the Harmony Marina Suites hotel, this British-owned and run dive centre caters for fun divers, those looking to learn to dive, and budding snorkellers.   

Daily boat diving is offered to all the dive sites of St Lucia from their two custom dive boats, Shirley and Volan. Taking up to 10 and 15 divers respectively, the boats are some of the fastest on St Lucia and ensure no dive site is more than 50 minutes from the marina.   

Two dives are offered each day departing at 9am and returning between 12.30 and 14.30, depending on the dive sites visited. A relaxed approach ensures you will not be rushed and will be able to get the most from every dive.  

A full range of PADI diving courses are available, from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water course upwards. Daily snorkelling boat trips are also offered for non-divers, with a minimum age of 8 years old.  

Nitrox is available for certified divers, along with a full range of well-maintained Scubapro and Cressi diving equipment for hire. 12L tanks are available with both DIN and A-clamp fittings. 

DIVE PACKS

A range of dive packages are available to pre-book for certified divers, starting from just 4 dives up to 16 or more dives. Two dives are offered per day, plus occasional night dives. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.  

PADI courses can also be pre-booked for those learning to dive or furthering their education.  

EXTRAS IN RESORT

• Night dives (min 4 divers) USD100  
• Nitrox: USD15 per tank  
• Equipment hire: USD20 per day. Individual items also available.   
• Pony bottle USD5 per cylinder.  

GETTING AROUND

St Lucia is not a large island; however, its mountainous terrain and winding roads mean journeys can be part of the adventure. To see the highlights of St Lucia including the drive-in volcano at Soufriere and the twin peaks of Gros and Petit Piton, we suggest a tour or private car rental as taxis can be expensive.  

We recommend staying in the north-west of St Lucia in Rodney Bay. Not only is this the location of our dive centre partner and an excellent marina, the north-west of St Lucia is also very scenic, with a wide range of accommodation and dining options to choose from. Rodney Bay is a one hour and twenty-minute transfer from Hewanorra International Airport in southern St Lucia.   

CLIMATE AND WATER TEMPERATURE   

St Lucia benefits from a warm, tropical climate throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from 23 to 31°C. The most popular time to visit coincides with the driest months from December to April. May and June bring more humidity but remain a popular time to visit. The green season is from July through to December, characterised by short sharp showers, particularly in the mountainous central area. Hurricanes are possible but rare.  

Diving is available year-round, with water temperatures consistently between 26 and 29°C.   

WATER VISIBILITY

Average visibility is between 20 and 30 metres. The best visibility tends to coincide with the dry season and can reach 50 metres.  

TIME

GMT -4 hours  

CURRENCY

The local currency of St Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. US dollars are also widely accepted, but exchange rates vary.  

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Direct flights are available from London Gatwick and Manchester to St Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport. 

Flight duration: UK to St Lucia: 9 hours.

Departure tax: Included in flight tickets

PASSPORTS & VISAS

For UK citizens your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. Visas are not required for UK citizens.

VACCINATIONS

For the latest advice on COVID requirements, please refer to UK foreign office advice or ask the friendly Regaldive team.

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.