Cover photo credit: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
St. Lucia’s pristine Anse Chastanet Beach is a treat for the senses both in and out of the water. Located on the southwest coast of St. Lucia, this beach is… The surrounding mountains, greenery and other natural elements blend with the white sandy beaches.and how peaceful it feels to sit here looking out at the deepest blue sea.
The Caribbean island of St. Lucia is known for being lush, mountainous and filled with great beaches, so it’s no surprise that Anse Chastanet Beach in Soufriere falls into this category. Known for its excellent diving It’s a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.
These features are made even more appealing by the fact that Anse Chastanet Beach is just a short boat ride away from St. Lucia’s best all-inclusive resorts. Anse Chastanet Beach is located near some of St. Lucia’s most popular tourist attractions, including the World Heritage Sites of the Pitons and Sulphur Springs.
Photo: An aerial view of Sandals Grande St. Lucian, an all-inclusive resort on its own peninsula.
In this article, we’ll detail why Anse Chastanet Beach is worth visiting during your stay in St. Lucia, as well as some of the best places to stay for a great holiday on the island.
The perfect getaway – Anse Chastanet Beach
There are plenty of reasons why Anse Chastanet Beach should rank high on any traveler’s to-do list in St. Lucia: Firstly, not only is the beach beautiful, but the surrounding natural scenery, including the Pitons (one of 176 UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites), makes it even more incredible.
Anse Chastanet Beach is also close to other activities, restaurants, and must-see dive sites. Here are a few more reasons why Anse Chastanet Beach is the perfect beach to visit while in St. Lucia:
1. Anse Chastanet Beach is full of underwater beauty
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Anse Chastanet Beach is the top choice for divers in St. Lucia, and it Anse Chastanet Reef The island’s coast is home to a wealth of marine life and some of the most vibrant coral reefs.
The coral reef at Anse Chastanet Beach Near the coast, Easy access for snorkelersAnse Chastanet Reef is also surrounded by buoys, and this protected marine reserve is off-limits to boats.
Of particular note are: Two reefs on either side of this beachBoth are great for snorkeling and scuba diving, especially Anse Chastanet Reef, which is home to over 150 species of fish. Parrot Fish, Growl, Sergeant Major, Hucho bream, Needlefish, Sea Turtle, Octopus, squid, Crab, Trumpet Fish, Peacock flounder, Pufferfish, Seahorses and sea urchins.
The reef also supports a variety of large sponges, and many soft corals such as sea fans, feathers, and rods. fish, Turtle and ray.
Anse Chastanet Reef is generally considered one of the best reefs in St. Lucia.
Photo credit: Miroslav Halama/Shutterstock.com
Insider Tip: Love scuba diving? Guests at any of the three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia can dive for free during their stay (up to two tanks per day). Professional equipment is included! Anse Chastanet Reef is regularly visited by Sandals’ dive boats.
2. Anse Chastanet has a great location
Anse Chastanet Beach in Soufriere is only about 25 miles from Castries, St. Lucia, so it’s not too difficult to get to no matter where you’re staying on this tiny island.
From Castries, you can reach Anse Chastanet Beach in around 1 hour and 20 minutes, while from Vieux Fort in the south, where you’ll likely arrive via Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), you can reach Anse Chastanet Beach in just an hour’s drive.
Since this beach is located in Soufriere, St. Lucia, you can also find the following in the area: The Piton family (Gros Piton and Petit Piton) Up close.
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Other attractions in the area include: Sulphur Springs It’s world-famous as the Drive-In Volcano, where visitors can enjoy a natural spa experience with hot springs and mud baths, and it’s also home to the popular Soufriere Estate, countless rainforest trails, waterfalls and more.
Photo credit: Solarisys/Shutterstock.com
There are several beachside restaurants and bars around Anse Chastanet Beach, including Orlando Restaurant Bar, about a 10-minute drive from the beach. The best thing about Orlando is that instead of a set menu, they offer a five-course tasting menu that changes daily depending on the season. Orlando’s views of the Pitons are unparalleled.
Alternatively, dine at Martha’s Tables, which serves local barbecue, Cajun and Creole cuisine. This restaurant is only open for lunch on weekdays and reservations are required.
3. Anse Chastanet Beach is beautiful
Photo credit: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
There are many reasons to come to St. Lucia, and spending time at Anse Chastanet Beach is one of them. Anse Chastanet, like many of the beaches in southern St. Lucia, is It remains relatively untouched You’ll notice it as soon as you arrive.
Sink your feet into the soft sand and make your way to your favorite vantage point, where you can admire the incredibly clear water, soak up the sun, and spend as much time in the water as possible.
Surrounded by mountains and picturesque greeneryYou’ll want to take as many photos as you can to capture the moment – the views at this beach are award-worthy too.
A perfect day at Anse Chastanet Beach can be capped off by watching the amazing sunset and having a drink at the nearby bar, Jungle Grill and Bar at Anse Mamin Beach, which also serves delicious burgers. You can walk from Anse Chastanet Beach to Anse Mamin Beach using the coastal path.
Good to know: Anse Chastanet Beach is a public beach with free access and free parking. There are restrooms near the beach as well as an on-site restaurant, dive shop and bar.
Things to do at Anse Chastanet Beach
Spending time on the water
St. Lucia is known for its fantastic beaches with calm, clear waters, making this eastern Caribbean island a great place to enjoy water sports. Anse Chastanet is a great beach for enjoying water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and diving.
Photo credit: Judith Lienert/Shutterstock.com
Do you like water sports? Sandals’ three resorts in St. Lucia offer water sports for all guests. From stand-up paddle boards to kayaks, Hobie Cats to snorkel equipment, Sandals has it all. At Sandals Grande St. Lucia and Sandals Halcyon Beach, Includes motorized water sports Expert instruction is also available for activities such as tubing and water skiing if required.
Go on a hike
The Anse Chastanet beach area has many hiking trails that take you through the mountains and along the beach. One of them is The coastal path that connects Anse Chastanet Beach with nearby Anse Mamin BeachIt’s a fun trail not to be missed for anyone looking for a bit of adventure. There are also plenty of forest trails to explore around Anse Mamin Beach.
In addition to the trails along and around the beach, Hike nearby Gros Piton From the summit there are breathtaking views over Soufrière, Vieux Fort, Choiseul and even the neighbouring island of St. Vincent. The hike to Gros Piton takes 3-6 hours one way. More information on this hike can be found here.
If you’d prefer to explore the area at your leisure, you can also join a guided tour of the town.
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Explore the area
There is a lot to do and see in St. Lucia. If you start in the south around Anse Chastanet Beach, you can also explore the small communities around Soufriere in the south of St. Lucia. Canary, Choiseuland Laborieor you can join a sightseeing tour that stops in some of these areas.
Photo credit: Benus C Mathurinn/Shutterstock.com
There are many excursion options around Anse Chastanet, including boat and helicopter tours, and land tours by jeep, buggy or taxi. Combination land and sea sightseeing tours are also popular. Many tours include rainforest hikes, and some even include aerial cable car rides and zipline adventures.
How to get to Anse Chastanet
The easiest way to get to Anse Chastanet Beach in St. Lucia is tour, taxi, Or a boat tripIf you are renting a car, make sure you check exact directions before you set off. The road to Anse Chastanet Beach is rocky and narrow, so we recommend renting a car with high ground clearance.
If you’re driving, once you arrive at Soufriere and walk down to the beach, drive slowly until you reach the car park. Otherwise, you can take a land taxi, water taxi or rent a boat. A water taxi from Soufriere to Anse Chastanet costs around $30 one way, and tours can also be organised to stop at other beaches in the area – you’ll need to negotiate the price with the boat operator.
If you prefer the freedom to operate your own boat, you can charter a small boat for a half or full day rental for a few hundred dollars.
Best Time to Visit Anse Chastanet
Photo credit: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
Anse Chastanet Beach in St. Lucia can be enjoyed all year round, but there are certain times of the year when a visit there can be even more magical: Whether you’re planning on diving or just enjoying the water, the best time to go to Anse Chastanet Beach coincides with the best time to visit St. Lucia, which is between mid-December and mid-April.
This is peak season, and it’s also the time when ocean temperatures average 79°F, making it perfect for any beach-related activity. December through February is a little cooler and less humid, making this the best time to spend time on the beach. Plus, St. Lucia experiences the least amount of rain during peak season, making it the perfect time if you’re heading to the island for a beach or diving holiday.
If you visit St. Lucia, don’t miss Anse Chastanet!
Anse Chastanet is one of those beaches you should spend at least two hours on during your stay in St. Lucia, especially if it’s your first time here – not only will it provide you with a fun beach day, it’ll also allow you to hit the reset button and enjoy some blissful relaxation.
Excursions and boat trips to Anse Chastanet can be easily booked through the resort.
Photo: Blue Caribbean waters lapping on the shores of Sandals Regency La Toc.
Want to enjoy unlimited cocktails while in St. Lucia? When you book at any Sandals all-inclusive resort, all meals and (alcoholic) drinks are included. Plus, when you book at any of the three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia, you’ll have access to all three Sandals resorts, with a total of 27 fine dining restaurants and two golf courses (green fees are included in your rate), plus free transportation between all three resorts.
Pictured: The new Halcyon Shore House Butler Suite with private pool at Sandals Halcyon Beach.
