The Commonwealth of Dominica
We live on a remote, practically unknown, incredibly beautiful and unspoilt Caribbean Island, called The Commonwealth of Dominica. Dominica is known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, though perhaps The Forgotten Island of the Caribbean would be a more apt name. Dominica is lush, green and unspoilt. The Island is part of the younger chain of Caribbean Islands (5 million years old) and therefore hasn't been eroded down as much as the older Caribbean Islands (which are 40 million years old). This means that Dominica has mountains (two over 4,500feet), rainforest, rivers, waterfalls and (sometimes) volcanic activity. Because of the mountains Dominica never had the big sugar plantations that other Islands had, and so remained relatively uncultivated compared to other flatter Islands. Dominica is home to the only remaining Carib Indians (the settlers before the arrival of Columbus), as well as many varieties of birds, and, due to the general lack of pollution and very low tourist volumes, has some of the most beautiful and un-touched reef left in the Caribbean. The diving in Dominica is very special. In the north of the Island (where we are based) we are the only dive shop, and that means we are diving on pristine reef. Dominica is home to many rare fish and critters, including Seahorses, Frogfish, Batfish, Electric Rays, Burr fish, many different types of Eels, Flying Gurnards, Scorpion Fish and Cornet fish. The reef itself is covered in a huge variety of sponges...yellows, oranges, reds, blues, violets, greens, browns.....colours everywhere...I have never seen healthy sponges anywhere....and of course, Turtles, Stings Rays, Eagle Rays, Barracuda and the chance of hear Whales singing in the distance. We dive, usually, in the Caribbean, but also, weather permitting, in the Atlantic, where we see different fish, sponges and corals. Above the waves, Dominica is a hiker’s
paradise. Dominica has many rivers (365) and waterfalls. Due to the
volcanic nature of the Island there are hot springs, hot waterfalls
and boiling lakes. Some waterfalls are over 100feet high. It is possible,
in less than three hours, to walk to the top of Dominica's highest mountain,
Morne Diablotin, which, at 4,747 feet, is higher than Great Britain's
highest peak! There are completely deserted white sand beaches on the
Atlantic side of the Island. And practically no other tourists....a
Hidden Paradise....
|
