Outdoor Activities

Diving

Making Bubbles in St.Lucia

Regarded by many as one of the very best Caribbean Islands for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, St Lucia boasts some very fine reefs indeed. There are two main areas, first and foremost, Soufriere and the Pitons has an incredible range of sites. Secondly, there is the Anse Cochon area. Lets start with Soufriere.
To the north of Soufriere, the Anse Chastanet Reef, possibly the finest shore dive to be found anywhere in the Caribbean, is not only a dive site, but also a superb area to snorkel, as the coral reef starts in just a few feet of water and extends to well beyond scuba diving range. Extending out from the southern end of the beach, around the Grand Caille headland, then back almost to Soufriere.
The area provides something for everyone, gentle dives in shallow water with little current, dramatic drop-offs and walls, not to mention caverns and small caves, all densely covered by many species of corals, and reef fish too numerous to count.
To the south of Soufriere lie St Lucia's famous landmarks, the Gros and Petit Pitons, thrusting conically from the depths of the Caribbean sea to well over 2,000 ft. There are fantastic dive sites along the base of both Pitons, most sites being very steep slopes, on the Petit Piton a wall extends from the surface to many hundreds of feet. Coral cover is excellent and the fish life diverse.
Half way from Castries to Soufriere is Anse Cochon. With very good snorkeling right off the northern end of the beach, the coral starts in standing depth, gradually getting deeper as you swim away from the beach. Dives also start from here, but for the more experienced divers, the Anse La Raye side of the Pointe La Ville headland will prove much more enjoyable.
Starting with finger reefs at Anse Galet, and turning into steep coral covered bolder slopes, with small but very pretty gorgonian covered walls towards the pointe. Out in the center of Anse Cochon lies the wreck of the Lesleen M, a 165 ft. freighter deliberately sunk back in 1985 and the wreck of a dredger sunk in 1996. The Lesleen M has since matured beautifully, becoming heavily encrusted with many colorful soft corals, gorgonians and sponges.
In a nutshell, St Lucian diving is all about diversity. Almost every coral known in the Caribbean can be found at one location or another. It is because of the numerous coral types that habitats can be found for a staggering range of reef fish and invertebrates. In the past the fish were considered small, due mainly to over fishing, with the advent of the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) this is changing. Not only are the fish already noticeably larger and more numerous, they are also, much more approachable. Each year it can only get better.

Sample St.Lucia's Eastern Delights

With mile after mile of rugged, untouched coastline, St Lucia's eastern side treats visitors to an altogether different island experience.
While you should be able to catch a glimpse of the delights of Dennery or the unspoilt beauty of Fregate Island on your way north from Hewanorra Airport, there is no better way to explore the natural wonders of St Lucia's Atlantic coast than on foot along the newly established Eastern Nature Trail.
The Eastern Nature Trail was recently developed by the St Lucia National Trust within the proposed Praslin Protected Landscape-some 871 hectares of outstanding natural beauty between Dennery Village to the north and the Praslin community to the south.
The new 3.5 mile trail is intended as an addition to the Fregate Islands Nature Reserve trail network. It skirts the east coast offering panoramic views across the Atlantic and some spectacular scenery.
Starting the trail at its northern most point at Mandele you will be immediately stunned by the beauty around us. The winding trail runs parallel to the sea, but high above it, for the greater part of its length so views of waves crashing and foaming on the dark rocks below made for some excellent photo opportunities.
The long waving grasses and sparse vegetation of the trail start eventually made way for dense cacti, thicker xerophytic forest and some welcome shade from the hot sun.
Our first stop came after the first mile at Anse Galet. Here we were treated to bananas, fresh green coconut water and other refreshments being sold by an enterprising local vendor. But be warned, he may not always be there so be sure to carry plenty of your own water to drink along the way.
After this the trail dips down to a stony beach before winding back up the cliff to Trou Zombie-believed by the Amerindians to be a dwelling place for evil spirits.
With one mile left to go, the scenery becomes even more dramatic with a number of interesting geographical features such as wave cut arcs and caves, as well as the chance to spot some of the 38 bird species which have been identified along the trail, including the Frigate Bird, the Red Billed Tropic Bird and the Brown Moody among others.
In addition to the abundant bird life, the trail also boasts some 116 species of plants and seven significant Amerindian sites. You may also spot St Lucia's harmless boa constrictor, or even the world's smallest non-poisonous snake, leptotyphalps bilineata.
The trail ends at the Fregate Islands Nature Reserve Interpretations Centre and from here you can choose to extend your tour of the East by taking a canoe trip to Praslin Island for a cooling dip or a snorkel, and by having lunch at a local restaurant.
The St Lucia National Trust has put together a package which includes lunch, the services of a tour guide, refreshments on the trail and the boat ride to Praslin Island. A percentage of the fee is donated to the Praslin and Mamiku community to help improve residents' quality of life.
The trail itself is well kept but can be slippery after heavy rainfall. Sturdy trainers or lightweight hiking boots are recommended and be sure to carry plenty of water. There are exit points at the end of each mile for those looking for a shorter nature jaunt.
For more information, telephone the National Trust Eastern Area Office on 455 3099, the Trust's head office on 453 1495/5005, or ask at your hotel service desk once you arrive.

A chance to meet our marine cousins

There is something enchanting and exciting about coming face to face with sea creatures which are 20 metres long, weigh approximately 44 tonnes and make noises that can be heard up to five miles away.
The experience of encountering whales in their natural habitat makes for an adventure not easily forgotten.
What is even more mind boggling is the affinity that one feels for whales and dolphins when paths cross, even if their appearance is so unlike that of other mammals.
The Caribbean waters have long been noted for their unique aquatic life, coral reefs and tropical fish. They are also a haven for Sperm, Pilot and Humpback whales and bottle-nosed dolphins.
The female Sperm whales along with their calves, and the Pilot and Humpback whales are found in the St Lucian waters all year round. The male Sperm whales come to the tropical waters in large numbers during the mating season which last from October until January. When they are ready to travel back to the temperate waters off New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Canada and around Antarctica, they take with them the young males who are strong enough to make the long trip.
Unlike other whalewatching destinations, in St Lucia you can see different species of whales all year round.
Chris and David Hackshaw are the only commercial whale watchers on the island and their success rate at sightings is very high with an average 10 sightings out of 12 trips.
Whale watching trips start from Vigie Cove, near the capital, Castries, where you will board the "Blue Boy" and get a preview of what to look for out in the ocean. You will also have the chance to listen to some taped whale and dolphin sounds.
After the briefing the boat cruises out of the cove in search of these marine mammals.
Using a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) David heads directly to the spot where the whales were last sighted. Sonar equipment is also used in tracking these marine mammals.
David hears something that no one else does and we head south towards Soufriere and the magnificent Pitons.
Suddenly David's call of "whale at one o'clock", sends everyone scrambling in excitement over to the side of the boat. Sure enough there they were, a school of about 20 or more Pilot whales.
They appeared to be feeding seemingly unaware of our presence.
The glistening black bodies of the huge males disappeared under the water in a series of shallow dives only to reappear a second or two later in a different location.
The best seat in the house is on the bow which provides a great view of the whales swimming and diving in unison.
As quietly as they had appeared they began to swim all around forming a circle around the boat. Too soon they decided to swim away leaving only memories of their graceful movements in the blue black water.
So we enjoyed the warm St Lucian sun and the salty sea spray a little longer hoping to sight some fun loving dolphins.
Suddenly and silently the dolphins appeared from nowhere. From their jumping and frolicking it seemed that they were delighted with our visit to their watery home.
The entire trip lasts about three hours and the experience of being there among these magnificent mammals is priceless.
Tours can be arranged through Sunlink at 452-8929 or contact David or Chris Hackshaw at 453-0553.