Known as the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" for its beautifully unspoiled state, Dominica is not only home to Boiling Lake, which is the world's second largest hot spring, it is also home to many rare animal, bird, and plant species. Discovered by Christopher Columbus on a Sunday and named for the day of discovery (Dominica is Latin for "Sunday"), this beautiful island nation is surrounded by splendid dive sites suitable for all levels. Here is a sampling of just seven favorites.
Champagne Reef
Subterranean hot springs just off shore create the sparkling bubbles that give Champagne Reef its name. Frogfish, flying gurnards, squid, and sea horses are just some of the creatures you will encounter here during the day, and on night dives, watch for enormous crabs and unbelievably sized lobsters putting on a spectacular show. Champagne Reef is easy to access from shore and fun for snorkelers as well as for divers of all abilities.
Nose and Whaleshark Reefs
Deeper reefs beginning at about 55 feet and dropping away to depths beyond 130 feet, Nose and Whaleshark Reefs are outstanding places to see large pelagics including Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, and Barracuda. At Whaleshark Reef, hard corals attract the attention of tropical fish, while bright yellow tube sponges, gorgeous azure vase sponges, and incredible barrel sponges hide surprises galore. At Nose Reef nearby, arrow crabs, spotted flamingo tongue snails, banded shrimp, and Pederson cleaner shrimp can be seen, along with fish in every color of the rainbow. Both of these sites are favorites with photographers.
Toucari Bay
A great place to dive day or night, Toucari Bay is home to everything from puffer fish to octopus, plus trumpet fish, parrotfish, squid, rays, and many other creatures! Beautiful sponges and corals create a splendid backdrop for all of this life, and a maze of tunnels, some as long as 25 to 45 feet, create splendid swimthroughs where shimmering curtains created by schools of French grunts part to allow you to pass. Maximum depth here is 110 feet, and as you explore, be sure to look for hidden creatures including some frogfish so hideous that they are beautiful!
Scotts Head Pinnacle
Probably one of the most famous dive sites Dominica has to offer, Scotts Head Pinnacle features a huge rock formation known as Swiss Cheese, which features a swimthrough called Soldierfish Cave in honor of the soldier fish that live inside. Coral encrusted rock formations and more swimthroughs complete the site, with one tunnel cutting its way through the pinnacle itself. Maximum depth here is 120 feet - down at the bottom of the pinnacle, you'll find beautiful gorgonians and deep water sea fans, not to mention some big fish, crabs, and lobsters.
Rodney's Rock
A shallow site, yet a very popular one, Rodney's Rock features maximum depth at just 50 feet. One of the best critter dives you may ever experience, the site is teeming with all sorts of crabs and lobsters, spotted snake eels, stingrays, red heart urchins, sea cucumbers, sea horses, frogfish, octopus, and more. As you might imagine, this site is very popular for night dives, and it is a favorite with photographers too, particularly as the sea grass, gorgonians, hydroids, and sponges, including some huge barrel sponges, create such a varied backdrop for both macro and wide angle photos.
Rina's Hole
Another shallow site that is popular day and night, Rina's Hole features massive rocks beautifully encrusted with corals, huge yet delicate sea anemones, and all kind of marine life. Watch for schooling chub, plenty of macro life, and even the occasional spotted eagle ray, sting ray, or nurse shark.
L'Abym
Also known as La Sourcier, L'Abym features a massive wall that is safe for all skill levels to dive, despite the fact that further on down, you can see into the abyss 1,500 feet below. Beginning in the shallows along a shelf at 25 feet, and stair stepping its way down, this is a great site for encountering everything from solitary prowling barracuda to sea turtles. If you like wide angle photography, this is the place to be!
Whether you're coming to Dominica just to dive, or if you plan to visit the island's tropical forests, one of which is a UNESCO world heritage site, you are certain to enjoy every minute you spend here. Not only will you find magnificent life onshore and underwater, you may even get the opportunity to view the sperm whales that live in the area year round - a rare treat, to be certain. Space is limited, so plan well in advance to take advantage of the many wonders that await on the island of Dominica.