Soufriere Marine Management Area
Soufriere Marine Management Area
Soufriere Marine Management Area
4.5
About
A protected strip of reef with a remarkable diversity of coral formations. A spectacular dive.
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4.5
106 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
35
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Lolly’s Look
New York City, NY14,980 contributions
Feb 2020
While the Soufriere Marine Management Area was not spectacular. I have been to sulfur springs that were much larger and more gtand..but...we were on the island and this is one of the main tourist spots. It was still a lot of fun and an experience. I would say GO FOR It!
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laidbacknz
Auckland Central, New Zealand61 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
We self drove down to Sugar Beach, parking at the guest car park and walking or if you are lucky, catching a golf cart down to the beach. We went on a whim and it turned out to be a highlight of our day in Soufriere.
There is a dive shop on the beach, from which you can hire snorkel gear or go the full hog and scuba dive, though I don't know what the prices are like as we had our own gear.
Only 2m from the beach the tropical fish abound, by 5m out there is purple, orange, red, green and yellow coral formations, amazingly colourful fish, puffer fish, sea snakes, and lots of other fish that I couldn't identify. It was totally unexpected to see so much, so close to the beach and my mother (who hasn't snorkeled in 20 years!!!) managed an hour in the water even without fins as it was easy to take a rest in the shallows then go back in again.
Highly recommended.
If you patronise the hotel (bar or restaurant) then the golf cart back to the car park is complementary.
There is a dive shop on the beach, from which you can hire snorkel gear or go the full hog and scuba dive, though I don't know what the prices are like as we had our own gear.
Only 2m from the beach the tropical fish abound, by 5m out there is purple, orange, red, green and yellow coral formations, amazingly colourful fish, puffer fish, sea snakes, and lots of other fish that I couldn't identify. It was totally unexpected to see so much, so close to the beach and my mother (who hasn't snorkeled in 20 years!!!) managed an hour in the water even without fins as it was easy to take a rest in the shallows then go back in again.
Highly recommended.
If you patronise the hotel (bar or restaurant) then the golf cart back to the car park is complementary.
Written 26 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greenman868
Port of Spain, Trinidad3 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
We did the tour. My wife & daughter did the mud bath, they loved it very much. Our visit to st lucia went sour the night after we visited this spot.
Written 29 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carscott
Clemmons, NC219 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
A lovely area for snorkeling that will take about 90-120 minutes max. There are several chairs for your use and a couple local vendors. The water taxi docks right at the snorkel area, and this is probably the best way to get there.
Realize that the road to the marine park is actually the road to Sugar Beach Resort. Do not try to walk here from Soufriere – the climb up and down is just too strenuous. Rent a water taxi from Soufriere and save yourself hours of headache. If you are driving it’s an easy drive on good roads. However, you must park in Sugar Beach visitor parking and walk the last 2/3 mile straight down hill. There is no way for you to drive all the way down to the marine park so be ready for a walk down. You can catch the Sugar Beach Hotel shuttle back up if you enjoy a drink in their beach side bar and present it to the shuttle driver. This will be about $10 but it’s worth it to get the ride back up to the top. Again, look into a water taxi from Soufriere as it takes about 10 minutes and won’t cost you much more than that $10 drink!
Realize that the road to the marine park is actually the road to Sugar Beach Resort. Do not try to walk here from Soufriere – the climb up and down is just too strenuous. Rent a water taxi from Soufriere and save yourself hours of headache. If you are driving it’s an easy drive on good roads. However, you must park in Sugar Beach visitor parking and walk the last 2/3 mile straight down hill. There is no way for you to drive all the way down to the marine park so be ready for a walk down. You can catch the Sugar Beach Hotel shuttle back up if you enjoy a drink in their beach side bar and present it to the shuttle driver. This will be about $10 but it’s worth it to get the ride back up to the top. Again, look into a water taxi from Soufriere as it takes about 10 minutes and won’t cost you much more than that $10 drink!
Written 15 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHStargazer12
New Hampshire63 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We walked down to Anse Chastanet to snorkel just about every day during our trip. The Marine Management area is beautiful and well managed. There is an area marked off for the coral reef on one side of the beach but you can go to the other end of the beach or to Anse Mamin as well for additional snorkeling.
We truly enjoyed the beauty of the marine life. We saw so many fish, large schools, vivid colors and even found a squid and watched it change colors as it tried to camouflage itself. Underwater life is amazing and being able to experience this in St Lucia, and capture it on video, was a highlight of our trip.
I would definitely recommend checking out the Marine Management area. Anse Chastanet has a first rate dive center so you could do a tour there or through one in Soufriere, or just go down to the beach and do it on your own.
We truly enjoyed the beauty of the marine life. We saw so many fish, large schools, vivid colors and even found a squid and watched it change colors as it tried to camouflage itself. Underwater life is amazing and being able to experience this in St Lucia, and capture it on video, was a highlight of our trip.
I would definitely recommend checking out the Marine Management area. Anse Chastanet has a first rate dive center so you could do a tour there or through one in Soufriere, or just go down to the beach and do it on your own.
Written 29 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa S
Denver, CO9 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Was definitely the best place to snorkel out of the 2 areas we went to. Quite a bit of different fish (many schools)- (not as many as Hawaii captain cooks bay) but that is hard to beat . No worries of boats , not too many people , calm waters. fun by all
Written 3 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marysvillian
Perth, Australia70 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Chester runs a small snorkelling and diving business from a beach hut on the northern side of town (just past the cemetery). He is well organised, has good equipment and a boat to take you out to a reef area for the dive/snorkel.
On the morning of our tour, Chester accompanied another tourist on a scuba dive while Tristan taught us to snorkel and then showed us the many varieties of fish to be seen there. He was patient and considerate, putting in a great deal of effort to make sure we saw and learned as much as possible during our 2 hour snorkel. The water was quite warm and perfectly clear.
On our return trip we took a close look at the bat cave which can only be seen from the water...an added little bonus!
On the morning of our tour, Chester accompanied another tourist on a scuba dive while Tristan taught us to snorkel and then showed us the many varieties of fish to be seen there. He was patient and considerate, putting in a great deal of effort to make sure we saw and learned as much as possible during our 2 hour snorkel. The water was quite warm and perfectly clear.
On our return trip we took a close look at the bat cave which can only be seen from the water...an added little bonus!
Written 1 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lawton186361
Oxford, UK97 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Went as part as another trip. Was nice to experience. Went through the mud bath, covered myself in it and washed off back in the hot springs if you dare! Skin felt great afterwards. Went on a Sunday and wasn't too busy but heard the it's really busy on other days, especially when the cruise ships come in.
Written 4 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safarigreg
St. Kitts233 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Excellent snorkeling area and it is on a great beach. We had fresh coconut water to drink and mangoes to eat from a vendor who was on the beach in a Canoe loaded with all sorts of tropical fruits. We also enjoyed the marine life and felt very safe all around. I would highly recommend the experience
Written 16 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mbrunet
Claresholm, Canada173 contributions
We took a Catamaran ride from the north down to this beautiful olace to do some snorklin. A very nice find indeed tons of colourful fish great aquatic reefs saw a coral sea snake.
Written 20 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, we would like to catch a water taxi from Sugar Beach to the base of petite Piton to snorkel a short while. Do you know if the water taxi will wait for us and how much it will cost
Written 21 October 2018
Hi, You can negotiate anything. I would check with the hotel though and have them arrange the taxi. To be safe, I would have the water taxi wait for you because it is a little remote where you're going. I don't know cost, sorry. Enjoy your time!
Written 10 November 2018
We have had several great experiences at anse cochon but wanted to try soufrierre or anse castenet when we are out and about in our hire car. So, which will be the easiest to get to by road and which will give us a different experience please. We are experienced snorkellers with our own gear including safety buoys so are quite happy in the water. Not so happy with steep drives/hikes to the beach. Many thanks for any advice.
Written 1 October 2015
Hi, my family and i are planning a trip for this winter and we are looking for different activities. is there swimming with dolphins around this resort??? and what are some of the highly recommended avtivites for people of all ages?
Written 1 July 2015
A Tripadvisor member
Denver, Colorado
Hello, There is so much to do. You can check my reviews for St. Lucia under FRISCOBOY for starters. I am not sure about swimming with dolphins, you can google that. There is scuba, snorkling, waterfalls, drive in volcano, hot springs, mud baths, Gros Piton hike(very tuff for most), great food, lighthouses, great overlooks, St. Lucia helicopter tours. The list goes on and on, not enough time for everything. Your can order some travel info thru St. Lucia tourism. My reviews gave a lot of info, check them out. Take care and enjoy, the island was a blast and a vehicle is a must if you really want to see things.
Written 4 July 2015
Could you tell me what the fees are for scuba diving at the park
Written 10 March 2015
While I snorkelled with Chester, here's his contact details so you can ask him how much his scuba dives cost. His business is called "Action Adventure Divers".
His number is " 1 758 459 5599 (Dive shop),(if no answer please leave a short message on the voice mail and we will return your call immediately), 1 758 485 1317 (cellular), or email us at aadivers@candw.lc"
Written 11 March 2015
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