Not only is Dominica a place so stunning that it has been given distinction as the Caribbean's "Nature Isle," it also offers some excellent diving opportunities for those hoping to enjoy some challenges between lovely but mild sightseeing dives. Perched above an ocean abyss that drops down to depths more than 1,500 feet deep, this island nation has no shortage of walls, huge fish, and weirdly fantastic sea creatures to make your dives memorable ones. Here are four challenging sites you are certain to find thrilling.
Point Break
This aptly named dive site is situated at the northern tip of Dominica, where the Atlantic and Caribbean join forces. It's one of the few dive sites in the world at which you can actually dive two oceans at once! Strong currents and huge schools of big fish go together hand in hand, and this site has both. While you will have to travel some distance to get to point break, the rewards make the journey well worth the effort. Beginning at a depth of about 8 meters and dropping away to depths beyond forty meters, this site features fantastic rock formations covered in brilliant sponges and corals - don't be too surprised though, if you have no time to focus on all the macro life in the background!
Crater's Edge
Northwest of the popular Scott's Head Pinnacle dive site, a submerged volcanic ridge leads to Crater's Edge, where you'll find an almost unprecedented number of fish in abundance. A huge wall covered in giant barrel sponges creates the perfect backdrop for a scene that includes schooling rainbow runners and yellowtail snappers, along with tuna and cero, masses of bar jacks and scores of black jacks, all in hot pursuit of the equally numerous baitfish, which pack themselves into tight shoals and vigorously attempt to evade the larger fish that hunt them so adeptly. A pinnacle teeming with colorful blue and brown chromis, brilliant Creole wrasse, and thousands of other tropical fish that create a never ending swirl of color rises up nearby; this can be circumnavigated with ease. Watch for turtles here and along the ridge, and keep an eye out for the big barracuda that will sometimes come right up to divers in a manner that is charming yet slightly intimidating. Stick to the upper portions of this site and enjoy the view - the drop into the abyss below is a long one!
Suburbs
A rocky drop off that is sometimes swarming with activity and sometimes quite peaceful, the Suburbs dive site is often teeming with black durgon, huge stingrays, and big barracuda. It's a great spot to encounter sea turtles, and there are often schooling jack, tuna, and other big fish passing in the distance. If you can tear yourself away from this activity, and if the current is not moving you along too swiftly, you'll have time to check out the densely packed deep sea fans, the enormous sponges, and the many colorful crinoids; if you look closely, you'll get a look at the sea horses and other creatures that take shelter in and around the sponges and coral colonies. Mind your gauges and don't go too deep; this site leads far off into the blue depths.
Village
Located on the southern Atlantic side of Dominica, the Village dive site features a huge rock wall and a trio of pinnacles. Minimum depth here is about 10 meters, and as you make your way down to your chosen depth and then back up from one level to another, you'll find that the corals, sea fans, and soft corals are abundant and diverse, as are the many sponges that add even more color and texture to the site. Schooling fish in every color, shape, and size are found here, but the big ones tend to steal the show. Mind your depth, and enjoy drifting in the current that keeps the colors bright and the fish happily active.
Offering a rich history that includes war and conflict of all kinds, as well as splendid agricultural and environmental sites, topside Dominica has plenty to keep you occupied between dives. Enjoy your stay and don't be surprised if you find yourself planning a second trip once you've returned home and are back to your everyday routine!