Diving in Dominica
Diving the Scottshead Soufriere Marine Reserve in the Commonwealth of Dominica
Each dive site in the Marine
Reserve offers a different reflection of the volcanic action that created them.
The Soufriere dive sites offer up dramatic dives with deep walls, pinnacles,
massive boulders, chasms and gullies, setting the scene for fantastic
photographs. The depths plunge down thousands of feet, but some of the best
diving you will find ranges anywhere from 40 – 70 feet. Dive operators have a
maximum depth of 100 feet, so you are well within the optimum viewing zone.
While there isn't an overabundance of dive sites in the Marine Reserve, the
quality is such that you can dive the same site many times over and never get
bored.
This lush, vibrant reef is home to 200 fish, 28 species of
hard coral, and 10 species of soft. Due to its fiery, volcanic beginnings, the marine reserve's 19 dive sites each offer a different experience. Most representative of the Marine Reserve diving is Soufriere
Pinnacles, where three separate structures rise from 35 feet to the surface a
mere 300 feet from shore. Another site, Swiss Cheese has a stately 50 foot
archway where large schools of blackbar soldierfish and grunts commonly reside.
Aptly named Dangleben's Pinnacles are a set of five separate pinnacles in the
bowl of a volcanic crater where forests of black coral, yellow tube sponges and
other larger sessile invertebrates denote which pinnacle you are on.
Let's not forget that Dominica is also home to many
seahorses, turtles, frogfish, dolphins, sharks, and whales. If you want to see
it, if it is rare and interesting (like the red-banded lobster), it most likely
lives along the reefs of Dominica. Be forewarned, award-winning Dominica will
become the dive destination against which you measure the rest of your dives!
Click here to learn more about the boat dives or the boats you will take.
Fort Young Hotel works closely with Dive Dominica to ensure that all your diving needs are met. Rest assured that if you forget something at home and need to rent equipment, or if you need something repaired, you are in good hands. If you are interested in learning to dive or adding a new skill, the knowledgeable and talented instructors are happy to oblige. Or, if you are just looking for a guide to show you where the seahorses or frogfish live, they can do that too. All dives are guided by a divemaster, one per every eight divers on board. The captain rounds out your dive crew on board the five boats seating between ten and thirty divers respectively and will get you to and from the 19 dive sites in the Reserve. Non-divers and snorkelers are allowed on the boat for an additional $10, plus tax. Boats go out with a minimum of four divers in the morning and six in the afternoon.
View more information about special dives!
Safety is our first priority. All instructors, divemasters, and captains have current certifications in emergency first aid and CPR. There is also a recompression chamber on the island.
Click here to view topside attractions! Topside adventures await you when you have a longer surface interval. Whether you decide to whale-watch, hike to one of the magnificent waterfalls, go horseback riding, or more, Ken's Hinterland Adventure Tours and Travel will insure that your stay in Dominica is a memorable one.
Come visit in July when Dominica celebrates Dive Fest!
Click here to book your dive vacation with us by sending an email at sales@fortyounghotel.com.