![]() ![]() Given the large number of popular dive sites St Lucia features it’s not surprising that there isn’t unanimous consensus on which ranks as the most beautiful. Or better yet, take to the waters yourself and be immersed in a world of vivid colors and abundant aquatic life. You don’t have to take our word for it, just ask veteran divers who have traveled the world to enjoy their hobby. The waters around St Lucia boast some of the most scenic dive sites in all the Caribbean. Lucia will enhance any holiday experience. Just what does a barrel of beef look like anyway? To see for yourself, simply contact your tour desk or give one or the local dive operators a call. ![]() The site also has the advantage of being in close proximity to the dive operations in the north.īy now you might be thinking back to the title and, like us, wondering exactly where the name, ‘Barrel of Beef’, came from. Because of the richness of life, fishermen’s traps are nearly always present and must be left alone.įourroura Rock makes for an excellent night dive with a profusion of Blue Tang, Cuddlefish and Octopus activity added to the excitement. Besides the schools of fish, turtles, Southern Rays, Tarpon, Moray Eels, and Ring Morays, many other species are common around Fourroura Rock. ![]() One of the highlights of the dive is found at 20 feet of depth on north side moving toward Pigeon Island where divers enter a “forest” of soft corals up to 15 feet tall. The currents have resulted in the corals spreading laterally providing widespread colourful panoramas in every direction. Abundant lobster, crab and a full variety of fish, especially juveniles, are seen everywhere. Masses of corals are found at depths up to fifty feet. The normal approach is from the south side and then, depending on the flow of the moment, an either clockwise or counterclockwise drift pattern is employed. Upon arriving at the site, the directions of the current must be judged before divers enter the water. Because Fourroura Rock is an area of unpredictable and often strong currents, local dive operators usually reserve it for experienced enthusiasts only. This modest spectacle has also earned the feature the nickname ‘The Wash’.Īs the bottom falls away from Fourroura Rock the reef features form numerous small ravines and little nooks which are ideal for diver exploration. The feature is rather conspicuous to those on the beach or in one of the seaside hotels as waves nearly always are smashing into the rock sending white water high in the air. Listed on the maps as Fourroura Rock, the outcropping sits roughly a half-mile off Reduit Beach. Perhaps we should say, dive in and go with the flow because ‘Barrel of Beef’ is one of the local names for an outcropping of rock which is surrounded by numerous coral reefs set amid swirling currents that make up one of the most popular dive sites in the north of St. Deep-water lace coral is also found in this area.ĭEEP: In the deeper part of the reef, at about 100 feet, other corals give way to plate coral, with layer upon layer of delicate porcelain-like growths stacked one on top of the other. This portion of the reef is often visited by many schooling fish, and has a wide diversity of marine life, including various corals, sponges, crabs, lobsters, moray eels, and much more. Most of the dives offered by various dive operators are at mid-range depth (between 50-60 feet), allowing divers to see the full range of the reef from the sparkling water surface to the deep reef. It forms a solid wall of mixed corals and other marine species. MEDIUM: The reef drops off steeply from 20 to over 140 feet in depth. At the base of the cliff there is a large cavern with resident frogfish. Goatfish, parrotfish, chromis and wrasse are found all over the shallow reef, and barracudas are also often observed cruising through the water column. SHALLOW: There is a plateau area with depths of 5-25 feet with many brightly colored sponges and soft corals, as well as large brain corals and boulder corals. This very popular reef has three distinct areas: Take a few short steps across the warm volcanic sand of the Anse Chastanet beach and one will find themselves at this spectacular reef. ![]()
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