Lesleen M and Vicky B Wrecks - Anse La Raye
Alright, North Shore Canoe Club. We know what you’re thinking: "A canoe club? Really?" But hear us out. This spot, tucked away in the Hauraki Gulf, has a surprising amount going for it if you're into something a bit different. Forget your technicolour coral. Here, the charm is in the unexpected. You gear up on the docks, which is pretty straightforward, then slip into the water. The first thing you'll notice are the thick aquatic reeds in the shallows, almost like an underwater meadow. We love poking around here; it’s a nursery for all sorts of juvenile fish and we've even spotted freshwater eels tucked amongst the stalks. Follow the rocky ridge gently sloping down, and you’ll hit the muddy bottom where, yes, visibility can drop, especially in summer with those thermoclines. But that’s when you slow right down and start looking for the small stuff. We've seen Black Stingrays gliding along the bottom and delicate White-striped Anemones clinging to the rocks. It’s a site that rewards patience, perfect for macro lovers or anyone keen to see the overlooked side of New Zealand's underwater world. It’s not for the faint of heart, or those chasing big pelagics, but for a quiet afternoon of exploring the overlooked, it’s our pick.
- Location
- Anse La Raye, St. Lucia, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.927100, -61.058100
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: West Coast (incl. Anse la Raye/Canaries Local Fisheries Management Area and Anse Cochon, Anse Galet and Anse la Verdures)
Best Time to Dive in Anse La Raye
The warmest water temperatures in Anse La Raye occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.7°C (air: 25.5°C)
- February: 27.7°C (air: 25.5°C)
- March: 27.7°C (air: 25.9°C)
- April: 27.7°C (air: 26.8°C)
- May: 27.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
- June: 27.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
- July: 27.7°C (air: 27.4°C)
- August: 27.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
- September: 27.7°C (air: 28.1°C)
- October: 27.7°C (air: 27.8°C)
- November: 27.7°C (air: 26.9°C)
- December: 27.7°C (air: 26.2°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Anse La Raye
- Anse La Raye Wall - 15-40m (wall)
- Dive Fair Haven
- LESLEEN M - 18m (wreck)
- Turtle Reef - 5-18m (reef)
- VOLGA - 7m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Lesleen M and Vicky B Wrecks
- Dive Saint Lucia/Scuba Steve’s Diving - ["PADI"]
- Eastern Caribbean Diving - ["PADI"]
- Sandals Dive Center - St.Lucia - ["PADI"]
- Sandals Grande St. Lucian - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Anse La Raye
Home to 261 recorded species including 232 reef fish, 11 whales & dolphins, 6 sharks & rays, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 other.
Notable Species
- Greater Soapfish (Rypticus saponaceus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Lawyer (Halichoeres radiatus) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Jack (Epinephelus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
- Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Soapfish (Rypticus subbifrenatus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
- Cluck (Pareques acuminatus) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) - Reef Fish
- Pearl Blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Damselfish (Stegastes adustus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Lesleen M and Vicky B Wrecks
Based on average water temperature of 27.7°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories