We were all glad to anchor off Pigeon Island for a swim.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Pigeon Island anchorage"]
[/caption]We only stayed an hour before heading round to anchor off Rodney bay Marina. This was the place where the transatlantic racers, the ARC, finished, and there were many boats still flying the burgees. Evidently, it was possible in the past to anchor, gratis, in the middle of the marina, but this is no longer possible. New ownership has seen dredging, with a view to attracting the same superyachts we had seen at Antigua.
A sailing friend (Tom) had told us thta the Caribbean was changing, and soon would be spoiled altogether. he may be right.
Whilst provisioning at Rodney, we saw this square rigger. We hailed her and was told she was the Black Pearl, of Pirates of the Caribbean fame. Later research told us that we had been had, but she was lovely, nevertheless.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Not the Black pearl"]
[/caption]The following bay we continued Southwards down the West side of St Lucia. About halfway down, almost hidden from the Sea, is a tiny inlet, Marigot bay. In the past this picturesque anchorage must have been stunning, but, for me, it was overcrowded, and overused. Too many boats, and too many boat boys, constantly trying to sell things.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Boat boy"]
[/caption]In sailing to such places, we are, of course, part of the problem, and it always makes me think. We snorkelled and took a mooring buoy for the night. About £15.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Marigot bay"]
[/caption]Onwards Southwards the following morning, heading for our most Southerly point, Soufriere bay, and the magnifecent Pitons, volcanic peaks, spectacular in the extreme.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="St Lucia, Pitons"]
[/caption]You may just make out the forty foot Catamaran in this picture, for scale:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Soufriere Bay."]
[/caption]I'd been diving on most of the islands we'd visited, but only seen smashed coral and overfished reefs. When our skipper, Mark, mentioned diving here, I wasn't that keen. I did go in, and the reef was pristine. Very, very pleased, Louise and I had a beautiful 30 minutes, in one of the more picturesque dive locations I've visited.
- Diving, St Lucia
