Scuba Diving Trips in St. Lucia

Diving in St. Lucia is like diving through a kaleidoscope of color. The clear blue waters allow you to immerse yourself in colorful coral, beautiful reefs and a variety of marine life. Because of the 60-100 feet visibility, you’ll get an up-close look at sea creatures most people only see in the movies.  

St. Lucia is a volcanic island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is the second largest of the Windward group islands in the Lesser Antilles and is northwest of Barbados. The island is about 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. St. Lucia is about a 3 hour and 40-minute flight from Miami, FL. 

The island’s capital, Castries, is home to about one –third of the country’s population. St. Lucia has more mountains than other Caribbean islands. The Piton mountains are the island’s most famous landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The summit is approx. 2,600 feet above sea level. 

St. Lucia was one of the last European colonies to gain its independence from the British Commonwealth in 1979. With the island’s diverse history, it is home to a variety of cultures. Carib culture has a strong influence on the island, but it also has a mix of English, French and Dutch elements. The official language of St. Lucia is English, but Kwéyo’l, a mix between French and African languages, is spoken in rural areas. 

Jazzy Champagne Sunset Cruise

Once a week the double decker motor catamaran Miss Babsie takes guests on a sunset cruise. Sip champagne and listen to jazz from one of St. Lucia’s best saxophone players as you cruise into the sunset.  

Dive Insurance

Dive insurance is required on all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN dive insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended for all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN trip insurance.

Currency 

St. Lucia has its own currency, the Eastern Caribbean dollar. Most places accept U.S. dollars, though you might be given change in Eastern Caribbean dollars. Tip: Always carry some cash because the option to pay by card isn’t always available. 

Language 

The language most commonly spoken in villages and rural areas is Kwéyo`l, a creole language that is a mixture of French and African languages. English is the language of instruction in the schools and the language used in business, governmental institutions and most formal settings. 

Water/Food

The main water supply in St. Lucia is chlorinated and considered safe to drink, but may taste a little strange if you are not used to the chlorine. Ice served in drinks is usually made from tap water and is also considered safe to drink. Bottled mineral water is available in hotels and shopping malls and is inexpensive if you prefer not to drink tap water. St Lucian food is a combination of Creole with French and West Indian influences. Fresh seafood is abundant and often caught locally and many of the upmarket restaurants serve locally produced vegetables and fruits. Other popular Caribbean dishes are lobster and stewed fish, plantains, and Callaloo, a spinach-like soup made from the leaves of the dasheen plant.  

Etiquette & Customs 

The dress code at the resort in the evenings is smart casual. Gentlemen usually wear collared shirts and Bermuda shorts in the evenings. Light cotton or linen clothing is the most comfortable. You should wear dry clothing in the beach restaurant and a light cover-up at lunch. 

Taxes 

The government imposes an 8% occupancy tax on hotel rooms, and there’s a $26 departure tax for both airports. Children 11 and under don’t pay departure tax. 

Tipping 

St. Lucia doesn’t share quite the same tipping culture as the U.S. Most restaurants and bars will add 10 percent for service to the bill — anything additional is up to you. That said, St. Lucia is an island that relies heavily on tourism, so feel free to tip to your heart’s content if you feel you’ve received exceptional service from your taxi driver, tour guide or bartender. 

Weather and Climate 

St. Lucia has a tropical climate. August and September are the hottest two months with temperatures reaching 95º – 100º F. Trade winds provide cooling breezes most of the year. St. Lucia enjoys an average of 7 – 11 hours of sunshine daily year-round. The sun in St. Lucia can be very strong and it is very easy to become sunburnt. A sun hat and sunscreen (Coral Safe) is recommended at all times. Rainy season is between June and November. Humidity is particularly high during July, August and September (the hottest months) as the trade winds ease off. St. Lucia is located in the hurricane belt. Generally, the strongest storms coincide with the rainy season, which runs from June to November. Trip insurance is highly recommended.