L'Aquarium - Cabrits & Northern Coast
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.
- Location
- Cabrits & Northern Coast, Dominica, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 15.850237, -61.591694
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 Baleine
- LA BROUMINE - 3m (wreck)
- La Dive Bouteille
- 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 L'Aquarium
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 L'Aquarium
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