Anse Chastanet Marine National Park

The coral reef at Anse Chastanet is home to plenty of marine life. Divers can observe colorful sponges, soft corals, boulder coral, and brain corals. They may also see a variety of species in the coral gardens, including parrotfish, goatfish, wrasse, barracudas, as well as frogfish in a nearby cavern.

Snorkel the shallow fringing reefs along the shoreline from the beach. There are a few locations with huge stones that provide intriguing terrain to investigate. The myriad different sponges that can be highly colorful stand out on these reefs. Hard corals are sparsely distributed on the reefs. There's a soft coral garden to explore, complete with fans, plumes, and rods in good condition. Seagrass beds right offshore, in front of both beaches, can offer interesting fish life, turtles, and rays to watch. The reefs are not in perfect condition. Corals in certain regions are in poor health, sea fans appear strained, and algae are evident in some areas.

The plateau's edge is marked by a 46-meter plunge into a lace coral habitat teeming with lobsters, crabs, and eels. Plate coral begins at depths of less than 30 meters. Anse Chastanet is a protected beach with spectacular views of the Pitons above the level. Anse Mamin, about a 10-minute walk away, is less busy, with a nice isolated vibe and excellent snorkeling.

Location: Old French Road, St. Lucia