TRAVEL continued
spotted eagle rays, that typically aren’t found in the bay area. Further north, on the northwest tip of the island, is the Cabrits Marine Reserve that is a mix of volcanic sea caves (like Toucari Caves), coral reefs, and seagrass beds that are home to sea turtles, stingrays, sea pens, squid, flying gurnards, and sea- horses. The town of Portsmouth, second largest in population, has many old piers and docks along Prince Rupert Bay that make a good home for batfish, frogfish, and many more sta- tionary marine life. This historic settlement (and former capital of the island) was often a provisioning stop for Spanish treasure ships (as
Popular Dive Sites One of the most dived sites that shows off Dominica’s geot- hermal features is Champagne Reef south of Roseau where thousands of hot spring fissures emit streams of bubbles, and it feels like one is diving in a champagne glass. Near the bottom of these bubble streams, the water is noticeably warmer from the hot springs source underground. The site is also shallow enough for snorkelers to be able to get in on the action as well. Not far from Roseau is an abandoned rock quarry pier called Solomon Pier that hosts a wide diversity of marine life
among the construction wreck- age, such as schools of squid, lobsters, shrimp, lettuce sea slugs, crabs, frog fish, scorpion fish, sea horses, large sponges, soft corals, and more of the typical Caribbean marine life. Further south is Soufriere Bay which is a remnant of a volcanic crater with many dive sites fea- turing either shallow profiles or deeper ones down the crater. It also showcases underwater pin- nacles like Scott’s Head pinnacle and arched swim-through areas like the Swiss Cheese dive site. Here you get larger marine life such as sea turtles and rays, plus schools of larger fish such as jacks and barracuda. You will also find huge barrel sponges and gorgonians among the hard and soft corals. If you are an experienced and fit diver, Crater’s Edge and L’Abym are sites that drop off to deep walls (approximately
well as English and French) due to the abundance of freshwater rivers, hot springs, wood for re- pairs, and trade with the Kalinago tribe. There are many shipwrecks along the northern tip where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean in When planning a dive trip to Dominica, reserve afternoons and full days for excursions across the island. Rushing down from the nine volcanoes are approximately 365 rivers across the island and 18 named waterfall attractions, numerous hot springs, and a boil- ing lake (second largest hot spring in the world) that shows the vol- canoes are still active, but pas- sive. One popular tour takes you back to the sea for a whale and dolphin watching boat excursion. In addition to the resident sperm whale pod, over 20 species of whales have been seen passing turbulent waters. Topside Activities
1,500 feet/450+ meters) and overhangs where the Atlantic mixes with Caribbean for nutrient-rich waters that attract larger pelagic marine life but sometimes have stronger cur- rents. Central and Northern Dive Sites Unlike Soufriere Bay, the dive sites along the western Caribbean side in the Salisbury Marine Reserve consist of groups of coral reefs along a slope that ends in steep walls where you can encounter larger pelagic marine life, like PAGE THIRTY-TWO | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
through Dominica’s deep waters during migration. During the months of November to March, humpback whales also pass by the island. After a morning of diving, groups can arrange a multi-stop tour that starts off at the famous Titou Gorge where several scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were filmed. Visitors put on a life jacket with their swim wear and start swimming up a cool and clear mountain stream into a narrow volcanic canyon with tall cliffs that extend up into dense
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