St Lucia
It will not take you long to see why the island became known as the Helen of the West Indies - and why the French and British empires spent almost two centuries fighting to possess her.
The island's French legacy can still be heard in the local patois, seen in the many Gallic place-names and enjoyed in the irresistible French Creole cuisine to be found in hotels, restaurants and bistros.
Now,St Lucia, its lush peaks shooting up from the sea in between St Vincent and Martinique, attracts sun-seekers - many of them honeymooners, who find that the natural and unspoiled island more than lives up to all of their Caribbean dreams. At 238 square miles (616 sq km), St Lucia is large enough to provide visitors with breathtaking contrasts and small enough to ensure that tourists who want to laze their days away in peace and quiet can do just that.
In the nature reserves, rainforests, botanical gardens and coastal mangroves you'll see exotic trees and flowers, magnificent tropical birds and marine life. Between March and August, you might be sharing a beach with turtles, which have clambered out of the sea to lay their eggs.
You'll see banana and cocoa plantations, the crater of a dormant volcano, bubbling sulphur springs, mineral springs in which visitors can bathe, 18th-century forts and sleepy coastal villages. And could you really leave St Lucia from one of its two international airports without seeing the Pitons, the massive twin volcanic cones that have become the island's signature landmark?
Lovers will search out secluded beaches and nightbirds will find entertainment in the hotels and bars. Yacht crews will find dozens of safe harbours, from small coves to an 83-acre (336,000 sq m) marina and the large natural harbour, once the world's 14th busiest port, which is overlooked by Castries, the lively capital town where French Creole houses can still be seen. Divers, snorkellers, hikers and golfers will all find happiness on St Lucia.
Diving:
The island is at the tip of an underwater volcano where both beginner and experienced divers alike will enjoy the stunning variety of coral, sponge and marine life. Artificial reefs have developed around a number of sunken ships, which have become home to huge gorgonians, black coral trees, gigantic barrel sponges, purple vase sponges and black lace corals. You'll see turtles, nurse sharks, seahorses, angel fish, and golden spotted eels, to name but a few, among the dazzling cross section of Caribbean marine life
There are several spectacular dive sites just off St Lucia, ranging from easy to challenging. A number of shipwrecks provide adventure and exploration for divers. For the experienced only, off the southern part of the island, the Waiwinette freighter lies 90 feet below. The currents here make this dive extremely challenging, whereas further up the coast off Castries, there is a pleasant wreck dive in 20 feet of water for those less experienced.
Anse Chastanet: One of the most dramatic spots for divers is the stunning Anse Chastanet reef in the southwest of the island. The shallows , with depths to 25ft can be entered directly from the beach. The reefs falls away from 20-140 ft in a unique coral wall that continues from Anse Chastaner Bay around the headland of Grand Caille and in towards the harbor of Soufriere, providing some of the best diving in St Lucia.
Anse La Raye: Known as one of the finest wall and drift dives in St Lucia, Anse La Raye can be found below a shallow wall. Interesting formations at the slope which consists of huge bolders, stimulate the eye and imagination.
Coral Gardens: Located at the base of the Gros Piton, the Coral Gardens offer breathtaking scenery above and below the water, where five finger coral runds from a depth of 15-50ft.
Fairy Land: At the point of Anse Chastanet, a plateau named Fairy Land slopes gently from 40-60ft. Since strong currents here keep the corals and sponges clean and the viewing is excellent and, this site is ideal for underwater photography.
The Key Hole Pinnacles: Voted one of the '10 Best Dive Sites" by Caribbean Travel & Life, The Pinnacles are described by the magazine as 'four coral and gorgonian-encrusted seamounts that rise tantalizingly up from the ocean depths.
Lesleen M Shipwreck: The Lesleen M, a 165-foot freighter, was sunk by the Department of Fisheries in 1986 to provide an artificial reef. It lies upright in 60 ft of water near Anse Cochon on the west coast, just south of Marigot Bay. Divers can tour the ship in its entirety.
Superman's Flight: Names for a scene on St Lucia for the movie Superman II, this site is a drift dive on a gentle wall that drops to 1600ft. Good visibility created by strong currents permits crystal clear viewing for underwater exploration. Divers can enter the water here at the base of Petit Piton.
The Thing: According to those who have seen it "The Thing" is said to be St Lucia's own "Loch Ness Monster on Vacation" Seen regularly (but only at night) one may catch a glimpse of this mysterious creature at Anse Chastanet.
Getting There:
Total flying time: approximately 8hrs 45mins (add a further 60mins for flights via Antigua or Barbados).
British Airways: Departures from Gatwick via Antigua on Wednesday and Sunday. Free regional add-ons from certain airports are included, subject to availability.
Virgin Atlantic: Departures from Gatwick on Tuesday (via Barbados: direct in winter months) and Friday and Sunday (non-stop).
bmi: 1 departure per week on Mondays from Manchester.
There are also charter flights from regional airports and many package deals which may represent good value, depending on your circumstances.
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The main international airport in the south requires quite a lengthy drive over to the north of the island where the majority of hotels are located. Remember that tropical rain showers are what give the island its immensely lush vegetation although they tend to be heavy but brief and followed by bright sunshine. Bear in mind that volcanic islands tend to have darker sands although in the north of the island most beaches are golden.
St Lucia by Trevor Thorpe
Scuba St Lucia
Scuba Diving Magazine's Guide to St Lucia
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