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| Image by Courtesy of Discover Dominica |
DIVING DOMINICA
Diving Dominica is an adventure for divers of all levels. Here the old cliché "There's something for everyone" truly does apply. There are shallow dives where divers can experience incredible vistas filled with frogfish, seahorses, batfish, flying gurnards, and magnificent sponges to dives at deeper depths where striking pinnacles jut from the ocean floor and marine life creates a dramatic backdrop. Other dive sites offer caves, swim-throughs, volcanic vents and vast sponge and coral gardens. The waters surrounding Dominica are also home to barracuda, eels, sea turtles, tuna, blue chromis and more. In between dives, take a boat excursion to the deeper waters to catch a glimpse of one of the more than 22 species of whales that frequent Dominica's waters.
Dominica has a surprising number of dive operators with a wide variety of diving options. Many also offer other activities including snorkeling, whale watching, eco-tours and more. Visit the PADI website for more information about PADI dive centers in Dominica.
TEN TO DIVE
A popular site that dive operators say is frequently requested, Champagne is a dive for all levels. Currents here are usually light, with sightings of seahorses, frogfish, and flying gurnards. The site is easily accessible from shore, and is also a well-known site for snorkeling. Champagne Reef gets its name from the bubbles produced from the underwater hot springs.
Also called L'Abym, the most impressive aspect to this dive is the magnificent wall. Starting at 25 feet with little current, divers of all skill levels can enjoy the incredible underwater topography and marine life.
A series of five pinnacles, Dangleben's vary in shape and depth, starting at about 35 feet. Typically there is a current, and as a result, fish life is abundant with jacks, turtles, barracuda, creole wrasse and more. The pinnacles form an incredible maze that's full of sponges, corals and sea life.
This site is at the southern end of L'Abym and consists of a series of deep-water pinnacles. The best view is at about 50 feet where the amazing array of colorful sponges and corals is at its peak.
Located at the northern tip of the island where the Caribbean and the Atlantic meet, Point Break offers stronger currents and large fish in great numbers.
The remains of an 18th century wreck can be found in only 15 to 30 feet of water, making this a great wreck dive for the open water diver. Spectacular pinnacles create an erie feel to the wreck site.
This dive is popular for several reasons. First, it's a shallow dive, and second, it's known as one of the best critter dives in the area with many opportunitues for sightings of seahorses, octopus, frogfish, snappers and much more.
A great shallow dive north of Whaleshark Reef with a beautiful swim-through teeming with eels, giant anemones, sea fans, sea plumes and vibrant, colorful corals.
Located south of the drop off at Great Savanne, this reef starts at about 55 feet and then drops off to 130 or more feet. Fantastic sightings of animal life including snails, cleaner shrimp, arrow crabs and more. Large barrel sponges and tube sponges are abundant.
This dive is northwest of Scott's Pinnacle and follows a volcanic ridge allowing divers to experience masses of black jack, tuna, snapper, Creole wrasse, blue chromis and much more. Curious barracuda might follow you on your dive.
Some resources for dive sites include Visit Dominica and The Nature island of Dominica websites.
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