Diving in Cabrits & Northern Coast
Why dive here
Cabrits & Northern Coast offers some of Dominica's richest diving, with 256+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and manta rays. Water sits around 27°C.
The diving around Cabrits and Dominica’s northern coast offers a different vibe from the more heavily dived south. Here, you’ll find walls that drop into the blue, often less explored and feeling wonderfully remote. We love the sheer lack of crowds, it’s a real treat to have a site mostly to yourselves. Our favourite spots here often feature healthy soft corals and sponges clinging to the walls, creating intricate textures. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff - the Shy Brotula is a fascinating find if you have a keen eye, and we’ve spent ages watching Mimic Blennies darting in and out of crevices. On some of the shallower muckier patches, we’ve found Caribbean hermit crabs scuttling about, always a fun distraction. The currents tend to be gentler than some of Dominica's southern sites, making it a good choice for newer divers looking to explore dramatic topography without the workout. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a patrolling Bigeye tuna out in the blue.
Cabrits & Northern Coast Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Cabrits & Northern Coast
Cabrits & Northern Coast Dive Sites
14 dive sites in Cabrits & Northern Coast
Cabrits Drop
Cabrits Drop, right off the northern tip of Cabrits National Park, is a wall dive we genuinely love. It’s a solid intermediate site, dipping from 12m down to 35m, perfect for when you want a bit more vertical excitement. As you descend, you’re enveloped by this deep blue, a sheer drop-off that just keeps going. The wall itself is draped in black coral and some absolutely massive barrel sponges. We’ve often found ourselves just hovering, watching the schools of Roughhead Triplefins dancing on the coral heads, or spotting Flamefish tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff here; the Spotcheek Blennies are particularly charismatic. We even had a lucky encounter with a Leatherback Sea Turtle cruising by once, a truly special moment. Visibility tends to be excellent, which really lets you appreciate the scale of the wall. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light hitting the upper reef makes for some stunning photos.
La Baleine
La Baleine, or "The Whale" in French, isn't named for consistent whale sightings, so don't show up expecting a guaranteed encounter. That said, it’s a dive we always enjoy in Dominica’s north. This site is less about dramatic topography and more about the small stuff, the things you really have to look for. Think rocky slopes and scattered coral heads, with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. We often find harlequin bass here, darting in and out of the crevices, and the jawfish are usually out, hovering just above their sandy burrows. Keep an eye out for Savigny's brittle stars tucked away. It's a great spot for macro photography if you're patient. We'd suggest aiming for a calm morning; visibility can sometimes drop a bit if there's any northern swell. It's a relaxed dive, good for taking your time and appreciating the subtle beauty. It's a mellow dive, perfect for divers who appreciate taking it slow and seeking out the smaller, often overlooked creatures.
LA BROUMINE
La Broumine is a proper wreck dive, though it’s not particularly deep. The old yacht sits in just three metres of water, making it perfect for a long, relaxed exploration. We love how much of the hull and superstructure are still intact, allowing you to peek into old cabins and imagine the boat in its sailing days. Over time, the wreck has become a home for all sorts of reef fish, with schools of grunts hanging around the shaded areas and plenty of juvenile snapper darting through the openings. It’s a great spot for underwater photographers looking for clear shots in good light, and for divers who prefer their wrecks without the pressure of depth or currents.
La Dive Bouteille
La Dive Bouteille, for us, is one of those spots that often gets overlooked, but really shouldn't. It’s a little slice of shallow reef magic, perfect for a long, relaxed dive where you can really slow down and observe. We’ve spent hours here, just hovering, watching the smaller stuff. The beauty of La Dive Bouteille lies in its subtle residents. You’ll find the reef buzzing with Chalk Bass and those shy Tobacco Basslets darting in and out of the nooks. Keep an eye out for Dusky Jawfish, often hovering above their burrows, and we’ve spotted plenty of Harlequin Bass too, with their striking patterns. The corals here aren't the dramatic towering kind, but they form a lovely, intricate backdrop for all the macro life. Our favourite finds are always the tiny gobies and blennies, especially the Longfin Blenny, which seems to pop up everywhere here if you’re patient. It’s a site that rewards a slow approach and a good eye for detail. We think it’s ideal for photographers or anyone who prefers a tranquil, unhurried dive over a deep, rapid descent. Don't rush it; let the reef come to you.
L'Aquarium
L'Aquarium is one of those sites we always try to hit when we're up in the north, and for good reason. It’s not about huge pelagics here, but rather a proper macro playground, absolutely perfect for slowing down and really looking. We’ve spent entire dives in just a small section, mesmerized by the sheer number of small, colourful fish darting in and out of the crevices. Think tiny hamlets, sassy blackcheek blennies popping their heads out, and the always-entertaining dusky and yellowhead jawfish, spitting out sand from their burrows. If you’ve got a keen eye and a steady hand, this is where you’ll want to bring your camera. The shallower sections are great for natural light, but a good dive light helps bring out the true colours of the chalk bass and goldspot gobies. It’s a gentle dive, generally with minimal current, making it ideal for newer divers honing their buoyancy or experienced photographers chasing that perfect blenny shot.
Les trois Pointes
Les trois Pointes is a perfectly pleasant dive, especially if you’re newer to the sport or just getting back into it. Dropping to a comfortable 18 metres, it’s a calm introduction to Dominica’s northern diving. We typically spot a good variety of reef fish here, lots of small stuff darting amongst the coral heads. It’s a solid choice for a relaxed afternoon dive, no major thrills but consistently enjoyable.
OSKA FLOA
Oska Floa isn't your typical Caribbean deep wreck. This carrier vessel ran aground during Hurricane Hugo back in '89, a pretty powerful storm that rearranged a lot of things, including this ship. Now, it sits practically on the surface, maxing out at four metres, which makes it an ideal spot for pretty much anyone. We love how the shallow depth lets you really take your time, exploring the twisted metal and sun-dappled compartments. Light pours in everywhere, illuminating schools of tiny baitfish that shimmer between the corroded bulkheads. You can poke your head into the old bridge, imagining the chaos of that hurricane, or fin gently over the deck where the anchor chain still lies, encrusted with sponge. Look closely and you’ll find parrotfish grazing on algae-covered plating, and we’ve often spotted juvenile barracuda lurking in the shadows of the engine room. It’s a gentle, reflective dive, perfect for a long safety stop or just a lazy afternoon under the waves, with a wreck to call your own.
Pain de Sucre
Pain de Sucre, or 'Sugarloaf,' is one of those sites we always make a point to revisit when we're in Dominica's north. It’s a seamount that pokes just above the surface, offering a solid wall dive that’s a little different from the southern sites. You drop down, and the wall just stretches away, carved with ledges and small caves. We’ve had some truly fantastic encounters here with Dusky Jawfish – they're everywhere, peeking out from their little burrows, often with eggs in their mouths if you time it right. The real magic here, though, happens in the cracks and crevices. Keep your eyes peeled for the smaller stuff: Tobacco Basslets, Sharpnose Pufferfish, and a variety of gobies and blennies tucking themselves into every available nook. It’s a site that rewards slow diving, peering into the shadows. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light hitting the wall then just makes the colours pop, especially the purple sea fans. Currents can pick up, so it's probably best for divers comfortable with a drift. If you're lucky, you might even spot a turtle cruising by on the blue.
Pointe à Cabrit
Pointe à Cabrit might not have the flashiest name, but we love it for its quiet charm and sheer abundance of smaller, interesting critters. It’s got a lovely sloping reef, dropping down gradually, which makes it a really relaxed dive. We’ve spent whole dives here just hovering, watching jawfish fan their eggs – look for the dusky and yellowhead varieties, they’re usually busy with something. The real stars here, though, are the gobies and blennies. You’ll spot rusty gobies perched on coral heads and the Molly Miller zipping around. Keep an eye out for tobacco basslets and harlequin bass tucked into crevices. While you're mostly looking at the macro, we have had a few lucky encounters with passing leatherbacks and even a distant sperm whale once, though that's definitely not the norm. It’s a great site for photographers who enjoy slowing down and really observing.
Pointe du Gouvernail
Pointe du Gouvernail, up on Dominica’s northern coast, often gets overlooked for the Soufriere Bay sites, and that’s a real shame. We love it because it’s got this wild, untamed feel, a proper contrast to the manicured reefs you sometimes find elsewhere. Dropping in, you often hit a gentle slope, maybe 10-15 metres, covered in big barrel sponges and gorgonians that sway with the surge. Keep an eye out for Dusky Jawfish peeking from their sandy burrows; we’ve spent ages just watching them. Our favourite part is the way the reef juts out, catching a bit more current, which means more action. That’s where you’ll often find schools of Balao shimmering in the blue, or maybe a curious Sharpnose Pufferfish eyeing you up. It’s not a site for massive pelagics, usually, but the smaller stuff is just fantastic – Goldspot Gobies and Chalk Bass are everywhere if you slow down and look closely. It’s a great spot for macro photographers who appreciate healthy, vibrant reef life without the crowds.
Sa Ka Plonjé
Sa Ka Plonjé is found off Dominica's northern coast, a quiet spot often overlooked by divers heading south. The site offers a gentle wall, dropping to around 20 metres, with sporadic hard coral formations. We've seen cowfish here, and occasionally a juvenile leatherback turtle cruising by. It's a good choice for a relaxed second dive, or for newer divers getting comfortable in the water.
Stupendous
Stupendous isn’t a deep dive, peaking at about four meters, but it’s a good little wreck for a relaxed exploration. What you’ll find here is a small, intact hull, and it’s a nice change of pace from some of the deeper, coral-heavy sites. It's not a massive freighter, more like a decent-sized boat, and it’s become a home for all sorts of reef fish. Look for the parrotfish nibbling algae off the metal, and we’ve often seen sergeant majors darting in and out of the small openings. It’s ideal for newer divers or anyone who fancies a leisurely second dive.
Cabrits & Northern Coast Dive Centres
2 dive shops and operators in Cabrits & Northern Coast
Ocean Wildlife in Cabrits & Northern Coast
256 species recorded in Cabrits & Northern Coast
Cabrits & Northern Coast Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Cabrits & Northern Coast, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:53
Sunset
18:26
Daylight
12h 32m
Golden Hour
17:57
First light (dawn) at 05:31 · Last light (dusk) at 18:48
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:37 | 17:54 | 11h 17m |
| Feb | 06:33 | 18:10 | 11h 37m |
| Mar | 06:16 | 18:17 | 12h 1m |
| Apr | 05:53 | 18:21 | 12h 29m |
| May | 05:38 | 18:29 | 12h 51m |
| JunLongest | 05:36 | 18:39 | 13h 3m |
| Jul | 05:43 | 18:42 | 12h 59m |
| AugNow | 05:52 | 18:32 | 12h 40m |
| Sep | 05:55 | 18:10 | 12h 15m |
| Oct | 05:59 | 17:47 | 11h 48m |
| Nov | 06:09 | 17:34 | 11h 25m |
| DecShortest | 06:26 | 17:38 | 11h 12m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Cabrits & Northern Coast.
Where to Stay near Cabrits & Northern Coast
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Marine Protected Areas near Cabrits & Northern Coast
3 protected areas near Cabrits & Northern Coast - please respect local regulations when diving
Cabrits
Soufriere/Scott's Head
Indian River
Getting to Cabrits & Northern Coast
Grand-Bourg
Pointe-à-Pitre
Gerald's Park
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