St. Vincent and St. Lucia

[divesergeant]

OK, we're still a few months away from our trip to Grand Cayman, but we're looking past that toward the following trip.

St Lucia and St Vincent intrigue us. Does anyone have recent first-hand experience on either island? Of interest is; dive operators, lodging, tour operators, dining... Heck, you all know what I'm lookiing for!

Thanks.
DS

 

[Lottie375]

Hi DS,
recommend the following Dive operators for St Lucia:
- Dive Fair Helen
- Scuba St Lucia (based at the Anse Chastanet resort in Soufriere)

Where will you be staying.

As for dining - there's Anse Chastanet, Ladera, La Haut (nice for lunch), all in Soufriere. There are loads more restaurants up around Castries and Rodney Bay area.

Any other information you need - just shout!

Lottie

 

[Damselfish]

We've gone to Saint Vincent a number of times, I think 3-4 times on land and dove there on the Wind Dancer last winter. As far as I'm concerned the place to stay there is Young Island, and we do the meal package there as I believe do most people. We've always dove with Dive St. Vincent, as other ops have come and gone and mostly been gone when we happened to be there. Indigo Dive has been running for some years now and I don't think I've heard anything bad so I might try them out next time.

This is one of our favorite trips and we'd do it more often if it wasn't a pain to get there. (Maybe they'll actually finish the new airport and get decent air service someday, but of course that will probably change things too.)

 

[divesergeant]

Lottie375 and Damselfish,

Thanks for the info, it is exactly wht I was hoping for; good info from repeat visitors.

We haven't selected lodging yet, in fact we haven't decided for sure about the destination, but we're leaning hard toward a week on each island.

The whole 'getting there' thing looks like it can be a challenge, but that might be what is keeping the islands the way they are.

As we get closer to actually going, count of several more questions!

Thanks again,
DS

 

[Damselfish]

Another island to consider is Bequia. You can get there on the ferry from St Vincent. Very interesting funky little place with some good diving. We stayed at the Gingerbread, which was quite nice except no A/C and louvered windows with no screens. Netting over the bed but it was either sweat or be eaten.

 

[divesergeant]

Thanks Damselfish,

Bequia looks real interesting, too.

There are so many islands. Less than four years to retirement and then we'll have to start on the island a month club in order to get to them all!

DS

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

I've been trying to do just what you're talking about!! I'm trying to visit as many islands as I can before. . . . Anyway, this year I'm adding Aruba and Dominica to the list! I haven't been to St. Vincent yet but was in St. Lucia several years ago. We rented a house up the hill from Anse Chastanet and I can second the recommendation for the dive op at the resort and the food there. Overall impressions of St. Lucia: It is a jungly island. It is relatively poor. The locals are friendly but mind your West Indian manners. Always start any interaction by asking "How are you today?". The diving was very good around the Pitons/Soufriere. I saw my first and only Portugese Man O'War in St. Lucia. There is quite a bit of drift diving and the dive Superman's Flight is not to be missed. Consider a helicopter from the airport to Soufriere. Your flight will generally get in late and the roads between the airport and Soufriere can be a bit white knuckle. Good luck!

 

[divesergeant]

Hi Tim,

It looks like a St Vincent / St Lucia trip will probably be our next. While not too many folks seem to have been to either, most all speak highly of them. Sounds good to us; less crowded destinations with good reviews!

Good luck on your quest to get to as many islands as you can before...! I know what you mean about the "before...". Mrs DS and I are both are blessed with good health and good finances right now, but I've seen how so much can change in a blink.

DS

 

[tvictory]

I'd second the recommendation of Saint Vincent and Young Island Resort. Do the meal plan at Young Island. We dived with Dive Saint Vincent but I'd try Indigo if I returned. The diving is great and especially great for macro photographers as there are many unusual critters.

 

[Lottie375]

It is a jungly island. It is relatively poor.

What he said...If any of you fancy doing some top-side activities while you are visiting the island. Try out the Drive-In Volcano and sulphur springs (located about 15 mins drive southwards from Soufriere). I haven't been there myself, but it is highly recommended!

I saw my first and only Portugese Man O'War in St. Lucia. There is quite a bit of drift diving and the dive Superman's Flight is not to be missed.

Wow, Tim, you lucky, lucky diver - have never seen one (Do I want to?).

Lottie