News
Lovin’ Saint Lucia: Diving in the Shadow of the Iconic Pitons (Part 1)
Whilst we have been lucky enough to dive in much of the Caribbean, Saint Lucia was still on our wish list. Until November, when we got a chance to visit this beautiful island on a 6-night diving trip that would see us enjoy incredible scenery both above and below the waves. We were able to sample three different hotels, dined at a host of local eateries, spoke to local school kids about the ocean and even took a tour into the rainforest canopy. Find out all about this trip over this series of three blogs on Scubaverse.
The Pitons are the most recognisable volcanic peaks in the Caribbean and are the symbol of Saint Lucia. Our first couple of days of diving would be in their shadow and what a backdrop they make. They are in the south of the island, and as we were based in the north, we had a 30-40 minute boat ride to take in the stunning coastline. We watched as pelicans and brown boobies hunted in the shallow water just off the coast, as we put our dive gear together.
Alas extremely heavy rain the day before we arrived had caused havoc with the visibility. The more northern dive sites were to remain un-divable all week. Even the southern dive sites we were heading to now had suffered. We were not holding out much hope for our images. But as we dropped below the surface at our fist site – Superman Drift, we were stunned at the healthy and colourful reef that greeted us. This must be a very special dive in good conditions, as we were delighted with it even though the vis was down to just around 10 meters.
At Keyhole Pinnacles, a moray eel took a shine to us and accompanied us for the majority of the dive. Just when we thought it had settled and found a crevice in the reef that suited, he or she would see us move away and come out free swimming alongside us.
Fairyland and Anste Chastanet also delighted us with sponges, coral and marine life covering every inch of our dives. It was wonderful to see large, healthy elkhorn and staghorn corals. The swim through at the end of the dive, filled with glassfish, was a real treat to finish off this part of our diving.
Saint Lucia is very well known for its beauty. It has to be the most stunning of Caribbean islands with its lush rainforest covering the hills and mountains and tumbling down to the white beaches and sparkling blue water. But for us it was the warmth of the people that put Saint Lucia firmly in our hearts. Our crew at Eastern Caribbean Diving could not have been more helpful and the greeting we got from every member of staff at the Bay Gardens Marina Haven made us feel so welcome.
Nick and Caroline were hosted by:
Gear News
Go anywhere with Stahlsac
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
The most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.
- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
Blogs
EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba
In a video recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of new scuba diving training agency NovoScuba.
Find out more about NovoScuba at www.novoscuba.com.
-
News3 months ago
Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs3 months ago
Creature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months ago
Murex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Gear Reviews3 weeks ago
GEAR REVIEW – Revolutionising Diving Comfort: The Sharkskin T2 Chillproof Suit
-
Blogs2 months ago
Diver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Gear Reviews3 months ago
Gear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
News2 months ago
PADI Teams Up with Wellness Brand Neuro to Drive Ocean Change and Create a Blue State of Mind
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
Save the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida