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In and out of the water the pristine Anse Chastanet Beach in Saint Lucia titillates the senses. Set on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia, the allure of this strand has much to do with how effortlessly the surrounding mountains, greenery and other natural elements blend with sandy white shores, and how peaceful it can feel to settle down here staring out at an ocean of the richest blues.
As the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is known for being lush and mountainous with lots of amazing beaches, it is not at all surprising that Anse Chastanet Beach in Soufriere falls into this category. This beach is known for great diving and it’s beautiful and peaceful ambiance.
These attributes are made even more appealing by the fact that it only takes a short boat trip to get to Anse Chastanet Beach from some of the best all-inclusive resorts Saint Lucia has on offer. Anse Chastanet Beach is also near some of the most popular attractions in Saint Lucia including the World Heritage site the Pitons and the Sulphur Springs.
In this article we’ll detail why Anse Chastanet Beach is worth a visit while in Saint Lucia and some of the best places you can stay on the island for an amazing vacation.
Picture: Anse Chastanet Beach with the Piton mountains in the background, offering a glimpse into Saint Lucia’s volcanic origins..
There are plenty of reasons Anse Chastanet Beach should be high on any travellers’ list of things to do in Saint Lucia. For starters, it is a gorgeous beach made even more amazing because of the surrounding natural elements like the Pitons (one of UNESCO’s 176 natural World Heritage sites), which are located in the vicinity.
Anse Chastanet Beach is also located in close proximity to other activities, restaurants, and not-to-be-missed dive sites. Here’s a few more reasons Anse Chastanet Beach just might be the perfect beach stop while in Saint Lucia:
Anse Chastanet Beach is a top choice for divers in Saint Lucia and that has a lot to do with the Anse Chastanet Reef which is thriving with marine life and some of the most vibrant coral reefs along the island’s coast.
The reef at Anse Chastanet Beach is near shore, which makes it easy to access by snorkelers. Anse Chastanet Reef is also buoyed off, which makes this protected marine reserve a no-boat zone.
Notably, there are two reefs on either end of this beach. Both of these are great for snorkeling and scuba diving. Sightings at the Anse Chastanet reef in particular which is home to more than 150 species of fish include parrot fish, grunts, sergeant majors, squirrelfish, needlefish, sea turtles, octopus, cuttlefish, crabs, trumpet fish, peacock flounders, puffers, seahorses and sea urchins.
There are also a variety of large sea sponges along the reef and a soft coral garden with lots of sea fans, plumes, rods and more. In the seagrass beds near shore, you can often catch glimpses of fish, turtles and rays.
Generally, Anse Chastanet Reef is considered one of the best reefs in Saint Lucia.
Insider tip: Love scuba diving? Guests of any of the three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia dive for free during their stay (max. two tanks per day). This includes professional equipment! Anse Chastanet Reef is regularly visited by Sandals’ dive boats.
Anse Chastanet Beach in Soufriere is just about 25 miles from Castries, Saint Lucia, so it isn’t that hard to get to no matter where you stay on this small island.
From Castries, you can get to Anse Chastanet Beach in about one hour and 20 minutes, while from Vieux Fort in the south where you’re likely to arrive via the Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), you can be at Anse Chastanet Beach with just an hour’s drive.
As this beach is in Soufriere Saint Lucia, while in this area you’ll also have the opportunity to see the Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton) up close.
Some of the other attractions in this area include the Sulphur Springs which is known internationally as a drive-in volcano where visitors can have a natural spa experience dipping into hot springs and mud baths. There’s also the popular Soufriere Estate, countless rainforest trails, waterfalls, and more.
Around Anse Chastanet Beach there are a few beachside restaurants and bars including Orlando’s Restaurant Bar which is about a 10-minute drive from the beach. One of the best things about Orlando’s is that there isn’t a set menu, but instead a five course tasting menu that varies on a daily basis according to what’s in season. The view of the Pitons from Orlando’s is unrivalled.
Other than that, you can also eat at Martha’s Tables which serves up local BBQ, cajun and creole food. This restaurant is only open at lunchtime on weekdays. Reservations are required.
There are many reasons to come to Saint Lucia including spending some time at Anse Chastanet Beach. Anse Chastanet, like many of the beaches in the south of Saint Lucia, maintains a relatively untouched feel that you’ll notice immediately once you arrive.
You’ll be able to sink your feet into soft sand and make your way to your vantage of choice where you can scope the incredibly clear waters, sunbathe, and spend as much time in the water as possible.
Surrounded by mountains and picture-perfect greenery, you will definitely feel compelled to take as many photos as possible to seal the moment. Views as well on this beach are award-worthy.
The perfect day at Anse Chastanet Beach can end with an incredible sunset hopefully with drinks in hand from a nearby bar like the Jungle Grill and Bar on Anse Mamin Beach which also serves delicious burgers. You can walk from Anse Chastanet Beach to Anse Mamin Beach by using the coastal path.
Good to know: Anse Chastanet Beach is a public beach with free access. Parking is also free. This beach includes nearby restroom facilities and visitors can also use the on-site restaurant, dive shop, or bar.
As Saint Lucia is known for its amazing beaches with calm, clear waters, this Eastern Caribbean island is a great destination to enjoy water sports. Anse Chastanet is a great beach for getting into water sports like kayaking, windsurfing, and diving.
Love water sports? All three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia include water sports for all guests. From stand-up paddle boarding to kayaking, from Hobie Cats to snorkel equipment - Sandals has it all. Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals Halcyon Beach even include motorized water sports such as tubing and water skiing, including professional instructions if needed!
While in the Anse Chastanet Beach area you’ll have plenty of hiking trails to explore through the mountains and right along the beachfront. One of these trails is a coastal path that connects Anse Chastanet Beach to the nearby Anse Mamin Beach. This is a fun trail not to be missed by those looking for a bit of adventure. There are also many wooded trails to explore around Anse Mamin Beach.
In addition to trails on and around the beach it is also possible to hike the nearby Gros Piton mountain which offers jaw-dropping views from the top of the towns of Soufriere, Vieux Fort, Choiseul, and even the neighboring island of Saint Vincent. The hike up Gros Piton can take 3 - 6 hours each way. Find out more about this hike here.
For a more leisurely walk around the Soufriere area it is also possible to do a guided tour of the town.
There’s plenty to do and see in Saint Lucia and if you’re starting in the south around Anse Chastanet Beach. This includes strolling through some of the small communities in the south of Saint Lucia near Soufriere like Canaries, Choiseul, and Laborie, or even doing a sightseeing tour that stops off in some of these areas.
There are plenty of options for excursions in the Anse Chastanet area including boat and helicopter tours, or land tours on jeeps, buggies, taxis and more. Land and sea combo sightseeing tours are also a popular option. Many tours include rainforest hikes with some even throwing in aerial tram rides and ziplining adventures.
The easiest way to get to Anse Chastanet Beach in Saint Lucia is via a tour, taxi, or boat trip. If you’re going via car rental, be sure to get accurate directions before heading out. It is a good idea to rent a vehicle with good ground clearance to get there as the road is quite rocky and narrow into Anse Chastanet Beach.
If you’re driving, once you get to Soufriere and take the turn down to the beach, drive slowly until you get to the parking area. Otherwise, just opt for a land taxi, a water taxi, or rent a boat. A water taxi from Soufriere to Anse Chastanet costs about $30 one way and you can even set up a tour that includes stops at other beaches in this area. In that instance, you’d need to negotiate a fare with the boat operator.
If you want the freedom of steering the boat yourself, a small boat charter can be procured for a couple hundred dollars for a half or full day rental.
Anse Chastanet Beach in Saint Lucia can be enjoyed year-round but there are certain times of year when a visit here can be even more magical. Whether you plan on diving or just enjoying the ocean, the best time to go to Anse Chastanet Beach coincides with the best time to visit Saint Lucia in general, which is mid-December to mid-April.
This is peak season, and it is also the time when sea temperatures average 79°F which is great for all things beach related. December to February also have slightly cooler and less humid days as well which makes a beach day during this time most ideal. Additionally, Saint Lucia marks the least rainy days during peak season which is great if you’ll be going to the island for a beach or dive vacation!
Anse Chastanet is definitely one of those beaches you’ll want to spend at least a couple of hours on while in Saint Lucia, especially if you’re visiting for the first time! Not only will you be able to enjoy a fun beach day here, but you’ll truly be able to press the reset button to pure bliss.
Excursions and boat trips to Anse Chastanet can easily be booked through your resort!
Picture: Sandals Grande St. Lucian boasting the calmest waters in all of Saint Lucia.
Want to enjoy unlimited cocktails in Saint Lucia during your entire stay? Book one of Sandals all-inclusive resorts and all food and (alcoholic) drinks are included. Better yet, if you book any of three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia you’ll get access to all three Sandals Resorts with a total of 27 high-quality restaurants and two golf courses (green fees are included in your stay). Even transfers between the three resorts are free of charge.
To learn more about planning a Sandals Resort vacation, contact one of our Vincent Vacations Representatives directly, or call 1-888-976-0061
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