Best snorkeling in the Caribbean for underwater photography
Caribbean - Saint Lucia
Definitely not recommended for snorkelling photography
In
St Lucia good snorkeling locations seem few and far between.
Less to photograph in St Lucia than with easier access, better visibility and less driving in Grand Cayman,
(plus much more hospitable people there and more to do).
In St Lucia the prevailing wind obviously is from the East but sufficient seems to curl around and to come
down the West coast to reduce the underwater visibility
at the snorkeling spots there.
Even dive center managers are ignorant of the need for weight belts for snorkeling photography.
As we couldn't find any dive shops, even in Castries, our snorkelling photography was severaly hampered
by the lack of belts.
St Lucia is a geologically beautiful island - mountainous, scenic with rain
forests.
Unfortunately, every old truck, car, fridge, stove etc has been abandoned to add numerous rust eyesores.
Too many St Lucians are surly, unhelpful and some downright aggressive. None of the easy going
West Indian charm and humour found in abundance elsewhere.
By law all beaches have to be open to the public. However, the entrance to some are blocked by
barriers. Only after a pointless grilling from a surly security officer are you allowed to pass.
There are better places than St Lucia for snorkelling photography.
Outline of St Lucia - with the three major snorkelling photography spots shown in yellow
There are other places but those shown are apparently the 'big' three.
At the
Windjammer Landing resort in Labrelotte Bay (North of main town of Castries - asterisk) even dive
centre said snorkelling was pointless there. So, lent weights and taken by boat to a small cove
just North but ... a few rocks, poor visibility
and few fish. Very disappointing for all.
Hired a car, drove North to Pigeon Point from the Windjammer resort, but strong winds, white horses etc.
so, didn't get in.
Then drove to the much lauded Anse Chastanet but the dive centre manager
refused to rent weight belts. Apparently they aren't necessary!!!
'Short' drive to Anse Chastanet takes nearly two hours (from Labrelotte Bay) on mountainous
road but breathe taking scenery - including rain forest.
The snorkel there is covered below, but after the dive my wife was accosted while taking a photo.
We drove to Anse La Raye but it looked far to 'local'.
After being accosted, surly beach security guards, two disdainful unhelpful dive centre managers, we
started to take notice of the two-finger signs
being directed at us as tourists in an old hire car.
We were frankly too scared to take a risk for
somewhere (Anse La Raye)
that is probably no better than Anse Chastanet.
- Windjammer Resort- Labrelotte Bay
Built in and on a steeply sided bay - views are special.
3 restaurants - food is OK and 2 bars - local Piton lager is good to my taste.
Beach is fine and generally a good, albeit not
in-expensive, place to stay.
A snorkeling area is buoyed off to the left of the beach.
Do not venture outside the buoys. The game for some speed boat drivers is to see how close they can
pass the buoys at full speed. It is unnerving to be snorkelling and down just a
few feet away.
Apparently is another snorkel spot at the right end.
In many places there were few fish. To the right is a nice exception.