Expand your knowledge of fish id at this lovely seaside resort in the heart of beautiful St. Lucia. The entire region is a protected marine area and excellent, easily accessible beach diving is available directly in front of the resort. When not diving or snorkeling, guests can enjoy many other activities including sea kayaking, jungle biking, yoga and sailing. Anse Chastanet is an environmentally-conscious, luxury resort with plenty of amenities and delicious food, making it a great destination for REEF surveyors of all levels. If you plan to attend REEF Fest 2018, this is the perfect post-REEF Fest survey trip. There are daily flights to St. Lucia from Miami International Airport, which a short drive from Key Largo.
Trip Type: Fish Survey and Invasive Lionfish: Click here to learn more about both projects.
Pricing: $2,249 based on double occupancy in a superior room. Non-divers are $1,959 based on double occupancy in a superior room. Upgrades to Beach Deluxe or Hill Deluxe rooms are available, please contact REEF Trips for more information and pricing.
Accommodations: Anse Chastanet’s Superior rooms are located at various levels on the hillside* and they are octagonal or rectangular in shape. The superior rooms have either coralina tiles, clay tiles or tropical hardwood floors, glass or wooden louvered windows, balconies and beautiful views of the Pitons and/or the Caribbean Sea. All of the superior rooms have fridges, electric water kettle, coffee makers and hair dryers. Handmade bathrobes and Molton Brown amenities are provided. There is daily housekeeping and turn down service. All rooms have king size beds, ensuite bathrooms with sink, shower and toilet. Upon request, extra bed or twin beds can be provided. In room amenities include fridge, coffee makers, in-room safes, hand made bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer, Molton Brown amenities, free Wi-Fi, twice daily housekeeping service with complimentary bottled water.
*Per Anse Chastanet's webpage: Please note that there are approximately 100 stairs leading from beach level to mid-hillside level, thus making the property unsuitable for those with walking difficulties or cardiac problems. A complimentary shuttle service from beachside to hillside level is provided any time it is requested.
Diving: 6 days of 2-tank boat dives are included in the trip package. Shore diving is available at Anse Chastanet's home reef, and most dive sites are within a 10-15 minute boat ride. Average water temperature is 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3mm wetsuit is recommended.
Price Includes: The trip package includes 7 nights of accommodations, 12 boat dives plus scheduled shore diving at Anse Chastanet's home reef, free nitrox, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, all taxes, round-trip airport transfers, welcome cocktail upon arrival, tanks, weights and weight belts. Participants may also join resort activities including sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, tennis, hiking, sunrise and sunset yoga.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $300 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar and REEF survey materials.
Additional Fees: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF - All flights, marine park fee of $15 to be paid onsite. Gratuities are not included and are at each individual's discretion. Insurance is not included, however REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. More information about dive travel insurance can be viewed here.
About the Trip Leaders: Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens is REEF's Director of Science. Christy is an expert at Fish ID and has led dozens of REEF Field Surveys over the years to all of REEF's survey project regions.
Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., is REEF's Invasive Species Program Coordinator. Prior to joining the REEF team in 2018, she studied the population dynamics and management strategies of invasive lionfish in the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos, working with the local stakeholders and communities on both islands to help improve removal efforts and gain a better understanding of invasive lionfish.
How to Sign Up: To reserve your space or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. A $500 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in St. Lucia, arriving on Sept. 23, and departing on Sept. 30. All participants are responsible for booking air travel. REEF is not able to book airfare.
Transfers: Transfers are included in the trip package. Upon arrival, participants will board a shuttle to Anse Chastanet resort, a 50 minute ride from the airport.