Turtle Reef - Soufriere & The Pitons
Turtle Reef is an easy dive in the Soufriere marine park, just south of Sugar Beach. We often drop in here for a second dive, something relaxed after a deeper drift. The reef slope is gentle, mostly coral heads and sponges, making it a good spot for newer divers or those who want to take their time with a camera. Look closely among the corals for Banded Pipefish and Planehead Filefish, they're often tucked away. We’ve also had decent luck spotting Chain Morays here, particularly in the mid-depths around 15 metres.
- Location
- Soufriere & The Pitons, St. Lucia, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.866573, -61.078945
- Type
- reef
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)
Nearby Dive Sites in Soufriere & The Pitons
- ANGELN - 33m (wreck)
- Anse Chastanet Reef - 3-20m (reef)
- Coral Gardens, Saint Lucia (reef)
- Fairyland
- Lesleen M Wreck - 10-20m (wreck)
- Pinnacles - 5-25m (pinnacle)
- STANLEY BEE - 27m (wreck)
- Superman's Flight - 5-30m (reef)
- WAUWINET - 30m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Turtle Reef
- 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 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