Diving and Snorkeling in Dominica

Like many other Caribbean countries, diving and snorkeling are popular past times in the waters surrounding the island of Dominica.  More so in recent years than every before, vacationers have been planning trips specifically to dive Dominica. 

Dominica is considered to be one of the top ten countries for snorkeling in the entire world, and is no stranger to winning awards for its underwater landscapes.  This may be due in part to the Dominica Watersports Association, who works in conjunction with the Fisheries Division to ensure that marine life in Dominica remain respected and protected.  Diving is so popular in Dominica that the main hospital in Roseau is equipped with an emergency dive response center, which features a hyperbaric chamber.  

Visibility usually stands at about 100 feet, giving snorkelers especially a chance to view sites that are too deep for them to reach with a snorkel alone. 

Dominica law states that divers must dive with a local dive shop.  This not only ensures the safety of the diver, but helps to ensure that environmental laws are being respected.  Divers can expect to pay about $95(USD) for a resort dive course, $60(USD) for a single tank dive, and between $80 and $100(USD) for a two tank dive.  Most dive shops also rent out snorkeling equipment for around $10 to $25(USD) per day. 

Sites with Sights

Dominica is volcanic in origin, and the underwater terrain reflects that with it's edges, ledges, drop-offs, and overhangs.  Other underwater features include colorful coral reefs, sponges, gorgonians, and many varied species of marine life.  Most notably, over 190 species of fish swim the waters surrounding Dominica.

Divers can expect vertical drops from anywhere between 800 to 1,500 feet about a half mile off the island's shores.  Many of Dominica's divers head straight to Scotts Head Marine Reserve where they can explore the crater of a volcano, but other excellent dive sites include Brain Coral Garden, Cabrits Drop-Off, Cabrtis Marine Reserve, Nose Reef, Salisbury Falls,  and Toucari Reef. 

Meanwhile, there are nearly 30 sites where snorkeling is superb.  The waters off the west coast are especially calm, making snorkeling a treat.  Some great places to pull on your snorkel and jump in include Scott's Head Beach, where the coral reef is quite close to shore, Champagn and Toucari Hot Springs, and the Coral Gardens. 

Tips

Play it safe when snorkeling and diving in Dominica.  The following tips will help you make the most of your underwater adventure.

• Pay attention to currents and how your body responds to them; you don't want to drift too far off course.
• Wear a water proof watch to ensure you don't lose track of time, which can be easy to do underwater.
• Don't feed the fish or touch the animals or coral, this could cause their protective layers to be stripped away.
• Never stand or walk on a reef, and tread carefully in shallow water around reefs. Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays, and watch out for sea urchins, spines.
• Never wear jewelry. Caribbean fish, barracudas especially, seem to be drawn to shiny objects that look like their natural prey, small silver fish.
• Avoid jellyfish, fire coral, and other stinging creatures.
• Never reach into holes or crevices; animals - especially moray eels - like to make their homes in them.
• Shark sightings are rare, and sharks that are spotted are usually passive. If you do see a shark, stay calm, and if necessary, move slowly out of the water.
• Never remove anything from dive sites and reefs.
• Wear waterproof sunblock.  Sunburns are a common side effect of the hot Caribbean sun, even under water.

The waters off the coast of Dominica offer divers and snorkelers the opportunity to explore sites that have been ranked as some of the top underwater landscapes in the world.  Whether you spend a few hours snorkeling, or a day or two preparing for a dive, if you visit Dominica, this is truly an activity you won't want to pass up.