It’s Dive O’Clock Somewhere: Anse Chastanet on St. Lucia
Anse Chastanet Beach Bar and Scuba St. Lucia as seen from the dive boat.
Becca Hurley
The tropical oasis of St. Lucia is a diver’s delight. Shore dives, night dives, walls, wrecks and drifts are right at your fingertips and ready to be explored. Luckily, there’s a dive shop that does it all — Scuba St. Lucia, jointly operated by Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet resorts. It’s a PADI Five-Star facility and the longest established dive operation on St. Lucia, but the best thing about this shop? Its close proximity to one of the best watering holes on the island, Beach Bar at Anse Chastanet Resort.
Happy Hour Dive Site: Piton Wall
Why It’s an Editor’s Pick: The twin peaks of St. Lucia have lured travelers to this Eastern Caribbean gem for decades. Hikers climb for the views from the top, but divers have the opportunity to explore lesser-traversed sides of the Pitons: their submerged sheer walls where the rocks jut into the sea. Piton Wall is situated at the base of Petit Piton. The site is located in Soufriere Marine Management Area, so the sea life is abundant and healthy. It’s only a short boat ride from the resort, and with a stunning up-close view of the majestic mountains, you’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier surface interval.
Signature Experience: Photographers, take note: Some of the most colorful and cool creatures in the sea make their home on the wall, from delicate soft corals and feather duster worms to sea turtles, tiny shrimp and lobsters. If you’re looking for an amazing backdrop to create your perfect shot, you have a good chance of finding it at Piton Wall.
Enjoy a frozen cocktail after a day of diving at one of Anse Chastanet's private beaches.
Becca Hurley
Post-dive, take in the stunning evening views with a cocktail that has a little extra kick.
Watch the Sunset during Happy Hour at: Beach Bar at Anse Chastanet
Why It’s an Editor’s Pick: It’s all about location, and for divers, Anse Chastanet Resort’s Beach Bar is has the best location of any bar on St. Lucia — right next door to the dive shop. Watch the sun dip into the Caribbean Sea at this inviting open-air lounge on the palm-fringed Anse Chastanet beach. A thatched roof gives the oceanfront bar a picture-perfect extra touch of paradise.
Signature Drink: The Stairway to Heaven is an Anse Chastanet staple. The drink is made by blending dark rum, orange juice and coconut cream with Seventh Heaven Liqueur, a sweet and spicy ginger liqueur infused with Bois Bandé, a local spice known to have aphrodisiac properties. Served blended or on the rocks and with a slice of pineapple on the rim of the glass, the Stairway to Heaven will have you relaxing St. Lucia-style in no time.