Turtle Reef - Anse La Raye
Turtle Reef in Anse La Raye is exactly what it sounds like. We’ve probably spent more bottom time here than anywhere else on St. Lucia, and for good reason: it delivers what it promises. It’s a gentle slope, mostly around 10-15m, with a mix of coral patches and those lovely turtlegrass beds that act as a magnet for grazers. You’ll spot hawksbill turtles almost every time we’ve been down, munching away without a care. Our favourite encounters are often with the honeycomb cowfish, just pottering along, completely unbothered. The reef itself feels healthy and calm, with plenty of grunts and slender parrotfish moving through the corals. If you’re a newer diver, or just after a relaxed dive where you can truly slow down and observe, this is our top pick. The ease of the site means you can really take your time, watching those turtles and feeling the gentle sway of the water.
- Location
- Anse La Raye, St. Lucia, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.940000, -61.048000
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 5-18m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Anse Cochon
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)
- Lesleen M and Vicky B Wrecks (wreck)
- VOLGA - 7m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Turtle Reef
- 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 Turtle Reef
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