Dive Dominica

Pricing

Varies, depending on the type of package & accommodation. Contact us for more information.

Location

Dive Dominica is located just one mile south of Dominicas capital, Roseau.

Dive Overview

Dive Dominica has the good fortune to be located on the south-west coast of the island. This means you can be boat diving at the islands top dive sites in the Scotts Head Marine Reserve after a short 15-minute trip. Dive conditions and visibility are usually excellent, and the on-site dive center offers knowledgeable staff, safe and comfortable boats, and personalized service.

[Read More: Dominica Dive Travel Guide]

Dive Information

Dive Overview

All of the diving on Dominica takes place within one of three Marine Reserves: The Cabrits National Park Marine Section in the north, the Salisbury Marine Reserve in Dominica's central west, and the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve, the oldest Reserve on the island, located in the south west of the island. As it is just a short boat trip from Dive Dominica, most of the diving takes place in and around the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve.

All dive sites have permanent moorings. All visitors to our island are required to pay a small marine park users fee which helps fund the maintenance and upkeep of moorings and the parks. We uphold a strict "look but don't touch policy" to help keep our marine habitat pristine for many generations to come.

Not surprisingly, the topography of our dive sites mirrors that of our diverse landscape above. High mountain peaks above create dramatic drop-offs, walls and canyons below. Mountain passages become swim throughs and caverns. There are massive boulder fields and volcanic craters underwater just as there is above water. Pinnacles rise up everywhere. There are even active underwater fumaroles.

All of these conditions combine to create the ideal environment for some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Our professional dive staff know the environment and its inhabitants intimately and enjoy nothing more than sharing the beauty of this underwater world with you while at all times ensuring your safety.

Boat Diving Schedule

Dive boats depart at 8:45 am each morning for two-tank boat dives. We ask divers to be on board by 8:30. If we have your dive equipment, or you are renting our gear, our staff will have delivered it to the boat for you. Once on board, we do ask that you double check that all is in order and that all of your gear accounted for. If you are Nitrox certified and plan to dive with Nitrox please let us know when you register so we can be sure to set up a Nitrox tank for you. You will still need to analyze the tanks once on board.

Once everyone is settled, the boat captain will give a boat safety briefing, then off we go on the scenic motor for the mornings first dive. The dive sites to be visited any given day will be determined by a number of factors including guest requests, weather, availability and dive master/boat captain preference.

Once at dive site the dive master will give a thorough briefing, after which divers are free to enter the water. Dives last for approximately one hour, shorter for those who consume air faster. At many of the sites visited, the mooring ball is within 15' - 25" feet of water, enabling the safety stop to be "built in." Divers need not follow the dive guides in a closegroup, but we do ask that you keep the dive master within sight, which ensure you are also within his/her sight.

At the end of the dive, we'll head toward the next dive site, then change your gear over to a second tank while you relax for the surface interval. Depending on the sites visited and time spent at each, we are generally back at the dive dock no later than 1:00 pm. We'll take care of getting your gear rinse and stored so it is ready for you for your next dive day.

Afternoon boat dives can be arranged with advanced notice and minimums. A minimum of 8 divers is required for a one-tank afternoon dive; a minimum of 6 divers for an afternoon two-tank dive. The dives depart at 2:00 pm.

For Night dives, we generally set off just before sunset so our divers can enter the water at dusk. This not only gives our divers a chance to get acclimated to the changing light, but enables them to witness the major transition that is going on on the reef, as the daylight workers slow their pace and head to wherever they call home for the evening, and the nighttime shift at first slowly emerges before picking up the pace for a night of hunting.

Packages & Rates

Boat Diving

Dive prices are and may be subject to change. All Prices are quoted in US$ and include taxes and marine fees. Gratuities to your dive guides for good service are greatly appreciated.

Whale Watching

Dive Dominica offers whale watching trips every Sunday. The boats depart at 2:00 pm. Complimentary fruit juices and rum punch will be served on the return journey. The tour duration is 3 to 3 1/2 hours long.

Dominica's sheer underwater drop-offs create deep sheltered bays along its western coastline. These deep coastal waters are the feeding grounds for at six different species of cetaceans seen on a regular basis and an additional 16 on an occasional basis. All in all, 22 of the 33 species known in the Caribbean have been seen in Dominican waters.

The most commonly sighted cetaceans include short-fin pilot whales, false killer whales, melon head whales, pygmy sperm whales, and humpback whales.

But the most impressive ocean giant is the Sperm Whale. Dominica is the only country in the world the Sperm Whales can be sighted year-round, although sightings are most common between November and March. Juvenile and female sperm whales do not migrate, staying here 12 months a year. Mature male sperm whales, however, do migrate to and from polar regions to Dominica - and they come here especially to mate.

Just a short boat ride from Dive Dominica generally brings you into contact with the world's largest toothed animal in the calm turquoise Caribbean Sea. On the rare occasion, we go out and whales or some species are not sighted, youre sure to be treated to the antics of huge pods of dolphins leaping out of the water and swimming alongside the boat. Spinner Dolphin, Spotted Dolphin, Fraser Dolphin, and Bottlenose Dolphin are all regular residents of our waters.

Price: $69.00 pp (includes taxes).

Dive Dominica also offers a private whale and dolphin safari for up to 6 people for $687.70, subject to availability.

Underwater Gallery