Lesleen M Wreck - Soufriere & The Pitons

The Lesleen M, a 50-metre freighter, was deliberately sunk in 1986 and now rests upright on a sandy bottom, its mast reaching up towards the surface. We love this wreck for its accessibility; sitting in just 20 metres of water, it’s a brilliant introduction to wreck diving. You can comfortably explore the cargo hold and bridge area, swimming through without needing to penetrate deep. Sunlight streams in through the open hatches, illuminating schools of big-eye anchovy that often swirl inside, providing a dazzling display. Coral and sponges have really taken hold, transforming the metal into a living reef. Look closely and you’ll spot Planehead Filefish blending in perfectly, or a Collared Eel peeking from a crevice. We’ve often seen barracuda hanging motionless off the bow, eyeing the smaller fish. For photographers, the wide-angle shots of the wreck’s silhouette against the blue are fantastic, especially in the late morning light. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a relaxed exploration of a vibrant artificial reef.

Location: Soufriere & The Pitons, St. Lucia, Caribbean
Coordinates: 13.855000, -61.065000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 10-20m
Difficulty: Beginner

Marine Protected Area: West Coast (incl. Soufriere, Rachette Reefs, Petit Piton, Gros Piton and Anse Chastenets)

Best Time to Dive in Soufriere & The Pitons

The warmest water temperatures in Soufriere & The Pitons 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: 23.3°C)
February: 27.7°C (air: 23.4°C)
March: 27.7°C (air: 23.7°C)
April: 27.7°C (air: 24.5°C)
May: 27.7°C (air: 25.3°C)
June: 27.7°C (air: 25.3°C)
July: 27.7°C (air: 25.1°C)
August: 27.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
September: 27.7°C (air: 25.7°C)
October: 27.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
November: 27.7°C (air: 24.6°C)
December: 27.7°C (air: 23.9°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Lesleen M Wreck

Anse Chastanet Scuba St Lucia - ["PADI"]

Marine Life in Soufriere & The Pitons

Home to 255 recorded species including 228 reef fish, 9 whales & dolphins, 6 sharks & rays, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 sea urchins.

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
Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) - Reef Fish
Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
Spotted Soapfish (Rypticus subbifrenatus) - Reef Fish
Jack (Epinephelus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Dusky Damselfish (Stegastes adustus) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Pearl Blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Lesleen M Wreck

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