La Baleine - Cabrits & Northern Coast
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.
- Location
- Cabrits & Northern Coast, Dominica, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 15.880065, -61.587006
Marine Protected Area: Cabrits
Best Time to Dive in Cabrits & Northern Coast
The warmest water temperatures in Cabrits & Northern Coast occur in January, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.4°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.4°C (air: 25.1°C)
- February: 27.4°C (air: 24.9°C)
- March: 27.4°C (air: 25.1°C)
- April: 27.4°C (air: 26.1°C)
- May: 27.4°C (air: 27.3°C)
- June: 27.4°C (air: 27.4°C)
- July: 27.4°C (air: 27.2°C)
- August: 27.4°C (air: 27.5°C)
- September: 27.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
- October: 27.4°C (air: 27.6°C)
- November: 27.4°C (air: 26.7°C)
- December: 27.4°C (air: 25.6°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Cabrits & Northern Coast
- Cabrits Drop - 12-35m (wall)
- LA BROUMINE - 3m (wreck)
- La Dive Bouteille
- L'Aquarium
- Les trois Pointes - 18m
- OSKA FLOA - 4m (wreck)
- Pain de Sucre
- Pointe à Cabrit
- Pointe du Gouvernail
- Sa Ka Plonjé
- Stupendous - 4m (wreck)
- TAIRLAW - 4m (wreck)
- Toucari Bay - 5-18m (muck)
Nearest Dive Centres to La Baleine
Marine Life in Cabrits & Northern Coast
Home to 270 recorded species including 186 reef fish, 26 hard corals, 18 whales & dolphins, 12 other, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 sea urchins.
Notable Species
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiocoma echinata)
- Angular Brittle Star (Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) angulata)
- Bridled Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
- Harlequin Brittle Star (Ophioderma appressum)
- Agassiz's Thread-sail Fish (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) - Reef Fish
- Bornean Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) - Whales & Dolphins
- Common comet star (Linckia guildingi) - Starfish
- Orca (Orcinus orca) - Whales & Dolphins
- Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Smallmouth goby (Risor ruber) - Reef Fish
- Ruby Brittle Star (Ophioderma rubicundum)
- Rusty Goby (Priolepis hipoliti) - Reef Fish
- Serpent Brittle Star (Ophioderma brevispinum)
- False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) - Whales & Dolphins
- Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
- Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Three-rowed Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus) - Sea Cucumbers
Recommended Packing List for La Baleine
Based on average water temperature of 27.4°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories