Dive Packages:
Diving In Dominica
If you think Dominica’s topside is diverse! Wait until you
discover the world beneath the waves. Every adventure above
ground is cloned undersea. Divers from all corners of the
globe
are finding out that diving in Dominica is an exceptional
experience - where every plunge Is "living" proof of the
majesty
and spectacle of the underwater world.
Dominica is blessed with dramatic walls that plummet to
depths of 1,000 feet, seemingly only a fin's toss from the
dock.
Then there are the calm, crystal-clear waters. And exotic
marine life. Couple all that with qualified operators who offer
"quality" experiences (no "cattle" diving on crammed boats)
and it's little wonder why experts rate Dominica's seascape
experiences near the top of the charts.
Skin Diver Magazine, once considered the world's premier dive
publication, called Dominica "...The undisputed diving capital
of the Eastern Caribbean as well as one of the most unusual
and
popular dive locations in the world!"
Why is the Dominica under-sea world so unusually eye-
catching? Precipitous mountains, craggy canyons, colorful
scenery and even seething pools, which embellish the island's
interior, also parallel the vibrant world below.
Steep drop-offs, pinnacles, walls and dramatic topography are
all close to shore. Other Caribbean dive destinations, which
feature mainly sloping reefs, have a hard time comparing with
Dominica's dramatic sheer reefs.
Want hot samples of dives unique to Dominica? At two hot
springs you'll feel the water temperature increase. See
thousands of bubbles from subterranean volcanic activity
ascend to the surface.
The proximity of many dive sites being close to shore,
excellent
health of the reefs, and the diversity and density of coral life
and it gets easier to see why Dominica gets high marks. Then
there are the creature features.
Divers can expect to see many different kinds of fish and
marine
critters rarely seen at other Caribbean destinations. Seahorses,
frogfish, batfish, flying gurnards, electric rays, Caribbean reef
squid, sea snakes and sea urchins lead the list.
Another interesting dive in the same general area is L'Abym.
Divers (and snorkelers) delight at vertical walls rich with more
black coral and beautiful sponges. At Coral Gardens, an
overwhelming stand of nearly 100 yellow tube sponges is
found.
North up the coast, near the mouth of the Canefield River, is
the Canefield Tug Wreck. The 55-foot, well-preserved tug sits
almost upright in 80 to 90 feet of water.
It hosts sponges, gorgonians, tropical fish and, occasionally,
seahorses.
Farther up the coast is historic Rodney's Rock. Today it
brightens up the eyes of divers with its canyon-like features
and a variety of marine life. Yesteryear, it was lighted up like a
war-ship to scare off attacking French forces.
More good dive sites exist on the northern half of the island's
west coast.
At Coral Gardens North you'll find sponges and corals,
including growths of black coral.
Rina's Hole is one of the nicest shallow dives Dominica has to
offer. Azure vase sponges supporting golden crinoids and rich
finger corals are found at Maggie's Point on the central west
coast.
At the recently discovered Underwater Volcanoes and Springs
north of Pointe Ronde, everything is coming up bubbles.
Along the rim of a submerged volcano, divers see trails of
bubbles emitted from the ocean floor.
Caverns, arches, encrusted sponges; black coral and a
profusion
of invertebrates make Toucan Caves a "must dive" in the
northern reaches.
Douglas Point is another exceptional dive site with its vast
population of huge barrel sponges, purple tube sponges and
radiant corals.
Dominica offers a dive for every class of diver - a snorkel for
every non-diver.
Dive operators are well trained and very aware of their product.
Standards are high, safety is practiced, and equipment is well
maintained. Boats are, comfortable, well maintained and in
good condition.
If you think Dominica’s topside is diverse! Wait until you
discover the world beneath the waves. Every adventure above
ground is cloned undersea. Divers from all corners of the
globe
are finding out that diving in Dominica is an exceptional
experience - where every plunge Is "living" proof of the
majesty
and spectacle of the underwater world.
Dominica is blessed with dramatic walls that plummet to
depths of 1,000 feet, seemingly only a fin's toss from the
dock.
Then there are the calm, crystal-clear waters. And exotic
marine life. Couple all that with qualified operators who offer
"quality" experiences (no "cattle" diving on crammed boats)
and it's little wonder why experts rate Dominica's seascape
experiences near the top of the charts.
Skin Diver Magazine, once considered the world's premier dive
publication, called Dominica "...The undisputed diving capital
of the Eastern Caribbean as well as one of the most unusual
and
popular dive locations in the world!"
Why is the Dominica under-sea world so unusually eye-
catching? Precipitous mountains, craggy canyons, colorful
scenery and even seething pools, which embellish the island's
interior, also parallel the vibrant world below.
Steep drop-offs, pinnacles, walls and dramatic topography are
all close to shore. Other Caribbean dive destinations, which
feature mainly sloping reefs, have a hard time comparing with
Dominica's dramatic sheer reefs.
Want hot samples of dives unique to Dominica? At two hot
springs you'll feel the water temperature increase. See
thousands of bubbles from subterranean volcanic activity
ascend to the surface.
The proximity of many dive sites being close to shore,
excellent
health of the reefs, and the diversity and density of coral life
and it gets easier to see why Dominica gets high marks. Then
there are the creature features.
Divers can expect to see many different kinds of fish and
marine
critters rarely seen at other Caribbean destinations. Seahorses,
frogfish, batfish, flying gurnards, electric rays, Caribbean reef
squid, sea snakes and sea urchins lead the list.
Another interesting dive in the same general area is L'Abym.
Divers (and snorkelers) delight at vertical walls rich with more
black coral and beautiful sponges. At Coral Gardens, an
overwhelming stand of nearly 100 yellow tube sponges is
found.
North up the coast, near the mouth of the Canefield River, is
the Canefield Tug Wreck. The 55-foot, well-preserved tug sits
almost upright in 80 to 90 feet of water.
It hosts sponges, gorgonians, tropical fish and, occasionally,
seahorses.
Farther up the coast is historic Rodney's Rock. Today it
brightens up the eyes of divers with its canyon-like features
and a variety of marine life. Yesteryear, it was lighted up like a
war-ship to scare off attacking French forces.
More good dive sites exist on the northern half of the island's
west coast.
At Coral Gardens North you'll find sponges and corals,
including growths of black coral.
Rina's Hole is one of the nicest shallow dives Dominica has to
offer. Azure vase sponges supporting golden crinoids and rich
finger corals are found at Maggie's Point on the central west
coast.
At the recently discovered Underwater Volcanoes and Springs
north of Pointe Ronde, everything is coming up bubbles.
Along the rim of a submerged volcano, divers see trails of
bubbles emitted from the ocean floor.
Caverns, arches, encrusted sponges; black coral and a
profusion
of invertebrates make Toucan Caves a "must dive" in the
northern reaches.
Douglas Point is another exceptional dive site with its vast
population of huge barrel sponges, purple tube sponges and
radiant corals.
Dominica offers a dive for every class of diver - a snorkel for
every non-diver.
Dive operators are well trained and very aware of their product.
Standards are high, safety is practiced, and equipment is well
maintained. Boats are, comfortable, well maintained and in
good condition.
| Reefs flourish with layers of gorgonians. Huge stands of sponges are home to golden crinoids with their feathery, radiating arms. From north to south, dives sites are plentiful along the western (leeward) coast. Among the most popular are Champagne, The Pinnacles at Scott’s Head, Dangleben's Reef, L'Abym (sometimes referred to as "The Wall"), Soufriere Pinnacle, Coral Gardens, Rodney's Rock and Douglas Bay Point. These sites, and numerous others, unfold an underwater wonderland second to none. Divers can plunge into the crater of an underwater volcano. The Scott’s Head/Soufriere Marine Reserve (bay at the southern end of Dominica, eight miles south of Roseau) is a submerged caldera of a prehistoric volcano. Known as the Soufriere Crater, the entire bay is cradled by this ancient volcano. The crater is bordered by the isthmus at Scott’s Head to the south and the mainland to the east. The northern border (almost two miles to the north) and the western border are still submerged. Inside the perimeter of the crater, the steep vertical walls drop sharply to nearly 1,000 feet. Along the rim of the crater, pinnacles formed by lava flow reach upward. Some nearly break the surface. Within these boundaries, divers will note many exciting sights around the crater's rim. Scott's Head Pinnacles at the southern edge drops steeply into the crater's center and features a well- encrusted arch and schools of larger fish. Thermal underwater vents create thousands of bubbles, which rise to the surface at popular Champagne. Still on the northern edge, Dangle Ben’s Pinnacles offers five individual spires all climbing to within 30 feet of the surface. Each formation swells with corals and animal life. One wall is covered with black coral trees, while the next is home to immense sponges. |
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