Lesleen M Wreck

Soufriere · Soufriere · St. Lucia

The Lesleen M is St. Lucia's premier wreck dive and a testament to what happens when you give a ship to the sea and let nature do the decorating. This 50-metre coastal freighter was deliberately sunk in Anse Cochon Bay in 1986 to create an artificial reef, and in the four decades since, the Caribbean has transformed it into one of the most beautifully encrusted wrecks in the Lesser Antilles. The wreck sits upright on a sandy bottom at approximately 20 metres, with the mast reaching up to about 8 metres below the surface. Descending the mooring line, you first encounter the mast and superstructure, which are covered in a thick carpet of sponges, soft corals, and encrusting organisms in every shade of orange, purple, and yellow. Schools of horse-eye jacks and blackbar soldierfish swirl around the superstructure, and barracuda hover above in the water column, their silver bodies catching the light. The main deck and cargo holds are accessible through wide openings, and exploring inside reveals green moray eels coiled in the shadows, spiny lobster backing into corners, and scorpionfish sitting motionless on coral-covered ledges. The wheelhouse is a favourite spot for photographers, with French angelfish often framed perfectly in the windows. Every visit seems to reveal something new -- a tiny seahorse on the rigging, a juvenile drumfish hiding under a sponge, or a frogfish perched on the hull in textbook camouflage. What makes the Lesleen M particularly appealing is its accessibility. The 20-metre depth means Open Water certified divers can explore the entire wreck comfortably, with plenty of bottom time to swim around the hull and investigate the coral growth up close. The mild currents and protected bay location make it a reliable dive in most conditions, though the dry season from January through June offers the best visibility. The Lesleen M is usually combined with reef dives at nearby Anse Chastanet or the Pitons, creating a varied dive itinerary that showcases the best of St. Lucia's underwater world. The wreck is a short boat ride from Soufriere and is visited by operators from across the island. Come expecting a simple wreck dive and leave marvelling at the artistry of nature.