Excellent drift diving on shallow reefs that host massive sea fans and rare fish life The green peaks of Mount Gimie, Gros Piton and Petit Piton stake a firm divide between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. In between are beaches, waterfalls, steaming geothermal mud pits and the world's only drive-through volcano. The best beaches and most of the resorts are around Castries, the capital, but much of the diving is near Soufriere, a picturesque fishing village in the southwest nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano.The Anse Chastenet marine park has black-sand beaches and excellent drift diving on shallow reefs that host massive sea fans. At Anse Couchon there is excellent snorkeling and the wreck Lesleen, which has been in 65 feet of water for about 15 years. When you're done diving, go bird-watching at the Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve or visit Vieux Fort and stop by Choiseul for the island's best local art, woodcarvings and straw baskets.Air service to St. Lucia is on American, Air Jamaica and British Airways. There is a $20 departure tax. Money is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. US$1 = EC$2.70.