Secret Bay – Dominica
Ten (10) stunning and peaceful villas provide a 180-degree view over the mountain peaks of Dominica and the Caribbean Sea. Explore and Enjoy.
Dive in and Explore the Amazing Underwater Scenery of Dominica
Amazingly Clear Waters Offering Great Visibility
Dominica’s majestic mountains go deep into the sea. They offer magnificent diving walls and homes for many aquatic creatures. What is more, the deep, clean and crystal-clear waters of Dominica offer amazing clarity. The visibility of Dominica’s underwater life is truly amazing. There are many dive available and easily accessible dive sites.
Sporting several rainforest-clad peaks well over 1000m, the island rises almost vertically into the sky on the Caribbean side and drops into the depths just as quickly. In one place particularly, a 300m cliff face drops at sea-level to a further 1600m straight down. You can explore the reef and be hiking in the rainforest washing off in a waterfall that afternoon.
Reefs are Untouched and in Good Condition
In a good year, members of the Dominica Watersports Association may get a combined 4000 divers, the reefs are all in very good condition and virtually untouched as a result. Those who visit do so more than once, with many returning annually to become family friends and the only ones on the reef.
A Dive Site for Every Diver
As the youngest island in the arc of the Caribbean chain, diving in the Commonwealth of Dominica is as different as you will find anywhere in the region. No matter what experience you have; there will be a dive site to suit you. There are also three distinct areas to choose from, so pack your certification card and equipment and “come on down”.
Cabrits in the North
In the north of Dominica, at Cabrits National Park, there are gentle slopes extending from the peninsula out to sea that then begin to drop into the blue. The colors in this region pop, large elephant ear, azure vase and yellow tube sponges crate a vibrant palette of colour to offset the hard corals on the seafloor. The Toucari area is known for its lava tube and swim through, however the surrounding reef is definitely something to be enjoyed first. Other sites to enjoy as a slow and enjoyable first dive include Tube Reef, Split Rock, and Five finger rock.
Central Dominica
The central region has the only continental shelf on the west coast. The reef extends out to about a mile offshore and a mix of reef flat and walls are the norm. Highlights here include Nose reef for its proboscis like protrusions into the blue, Whale Shark reef which is a lovely reef flat and a short but beautiful wall cloaked with goodies and hidden invertebrate life. Because the area extends seaward, you never know what will pass you by. Turtles, big tuna, schooling jacks, rays and others are the norm here, even whale shark. One of the unique sites in Dominica is at Rinas reef and is something you have to experience if you are diving the area.
Dominica Dive Sites in the South
The south of the island is completely different and rather more dramatic; all sites are within a volcanic crater, encompassing the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve. Sites are all markedly different and quite dramatic. There are vertical walls at La Sorciere and La Bym (the Abyss), pinnacle dives at Danglebens, volcanic vents at the appropriately named Champagne and, for the more adventurous, Scotts Head Pinnacles and Craters Edge take you along the rim of (or through) the crater wall with the Atlantic on one side and the calmer Caribbean within the bay. Depending on operator and conditions, you could also dive around the corner into the Atlantic, where the reefs are totally different,
The Slower You Go the More You See
I made mention that the reefs are young, they are sponge dominated communities on a granite/andesite base, coral cover is secondary but by no means diminished. Diving in Dominica is a slow process, searching for critters not normally seen by day. Seahorse and frogfish are some of the usual suspects but up to 7 species of shrimp, and a wide variety of other hard to find creatures are the norm on a dive. The mantra of, “the slower you go the more you see” has never been truer.
Dominica is the Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean
Dominica is also known as the whale watching capital of the region, incredibly deep inshore waters mean a lot of food close to shore, huge pods of dolphin and a resident population of Sperm Whales are seen year-round. The researchers say that 27 species exist but most of us have rarely seen more than 16 throughout the year. Sport fishing is also available on full or half-day charter.
Getting There
Flights arrive daily from the region and Puerto Rico, most recently direct from Trinidad and from December will be direct from Miami. Phase one of the international airport construction (August 2021) has begun, so, by 2025 we will have the capacity for direct from Europe and beyond. For the time being, the island remains one of the untouched areas of the region, protected rainforest with numerous hikes to suit every level, some part of the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and protected waters, a rarity in the age of mass tourism and crowded boats. (COVID currently notwithstanding).
Here are our Top Picks for Accommodation in Dominica
Pagua Bay House – Dominica
A tranquil, and luxury boutique hotel overlooking the calming and stunning Pagua Bay in Marigot, Dominica. Enjoy free WIFI, parking and breakfast.
Fort Young Hotel – Dominica
Nature & Luxury. Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort located on the coastline of Dominica, in the capital of Roseau provides an all-inclusive Caribbean experience.
Cabrits Resort – Dominica
Dominica’s hidden gem. Cabrits Resort & spa is surrounded by Cabrits National Park and the sparkling Caribbean Sea.
The Champs Hotel – Dominica
The Champs hotel is a boutique hotel located in Portsmouth, Dominica.
Atlantique View Resort & Spa – Dominica
A boutique resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, located in Dominica.
Rosalie Bay Eco-Resort – Dominica
An eco-boutique resort nestled in the foothills of the Morne Trois Pitons where the Rosalie River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Villa Vista – Dominica
A peaceful and private villa located on Calibishie, Dominica, offering views of Hodges Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the volcanic red rock coastline.
Luxury Ocean View Villa in Picard – Dominica
Perched on the edge of the Northern Rainforest, view the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and all of Dominica’s natural beauty in a luxurious setting.
Calibishie Cove – Dominica
Open spaced bedrooms offer exceptional views of the Caribbean sea. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi and free daily continental breakfast.
All Photos courtesy Arun Madesetti.
Author and Photographer:
Arun Madesetti
Dominica-based Arun Madesetti is a Marine zoologist, scuba diver and photographer, specializing in Marine EIAs, reef surveys and monitoring, published travel writing, He is an award-winning photographer for model portfolios, nude/fine art, event, corporate and concert, weddings, underwater, wildlife, landscape and scenery. He specialises in community managed marine tourism development, Marine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects, Underwater inspections, Reef monitoring, Land and marine photography.
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