Dominica: A Scuba Diving Paradise
David BenzOnce the home to a resident population of flying gurnards (now found occasionally), the dive site Pointe Guignard is a nice easy shallow dive. One of the highlights is a cannon that dates from the 1700s.
David BenzDangleben's Pinnacles is a series of five pinnacles that form a a fantastic maze of dramatic topography. They are home to schools of jacks, creole wrasse, yellowtail snappers and vividly colored corals, sponges and crinoids.
David BenzDepending on where you drop in — Scott's Head Point or Dropoff — you'll either have a mooring line or make a free descent. This wall is spectacular at any depth, with lovely, colorful sponges, and a 15-foot safety stop on a plateau that is exceptional.
David BenzPointe Guignard is often done as the second dive of the day. This barrel sponge is small compared to some of the huge ones found on the reefs here.
David BenzWe did Scott's Head Point as a live boat drift. And every diver on board agreed it is one of the best dives off Dominica's southwest coast.
David BenzBuddy Dive Dominica — trust us, this is dive service that's professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Thank you, Neils, Gus, Selwyn and Francisca!
David BenzErika rearranged things at Trafalgar Falls, but it's still a spectacular, easy (5-minute) hike. If you choose to scramble over the boulders to get to the pool, you raise the difficulty level.
David BenzThe humongous banyan tree at the Dominica Botanic Gardens.
David BenzThe beginning of a beautiful dive day, following a brief shower.
First: Do not confuse Dominica — the Eastern Caribbean island known as the Nature Island — with the Dominican Republic. Second: It's pronounced dom-i-knee-ka. Finally: The island was delivered a terrific blow from Mother Nature when Tropical Storm Erika pummeled the island with rain on Aug. 27, 2015. The photos afterward told the story: About 10 inches of rain fell in a few hours, turning rivers into raging torrents and hillsides into deadly mudslides.
But what we found on our visit this week (October 10-16, 2015) is a remarkable story of recovery and resilience. The airport has been reopened, the main roads are clear, most popular hiking trails are open, and the scuba diving is as fabulous as ever.
There are still villages in need, of course. And while the island is still accepting donations for its recovery efforts, the best way to help this pristine and unspoiled island is to plan a trip now and visit what is truly a tropical paradise like no other in the Caribbean.
Every dive site we dived with Buddy Dive Dominica at Fort Young Hotel was remarkably healthy — huge barrel and tube sponges showing no damage, and while there are lionfish that local fishermen and divers help control by catching and delivering to local restaurants, the fish life was stupendous. It was so heartening to see how well the island is protecting its marine resources. From the tiniest seahorse to the towering pinnacles that define the Soufriere Scott's Head Marine Reserve, you will be astonished by this underwater landscape, which mirrors the dramatic topside volcanic mountains that are so beloved by hikers and nature lovers.
(Our full report will be in Sport Diver in 2016.)
About Buddy Dive Dominica
Buddy Dive on Dominica is the ideal base from which to discover all that Dominica has to offer. At Fort Young Hotel, enjoy luxury amenities like Zemi spa, a pool with spectacular views of the Caribbean, the Jacuzzi deck, spacious rooms, exceptional service and superb dining.
