TAIRLAW - Cabrits & Northern Coast
The *Tairlaw* offers a different kind of dive on Dominica’s northern coast. This motor vessel, beached by Hurricane Klaus back in '84, now rests partially exposed in just 4 meters of water. It’s a shallow, easy exploration, perfect for a relaxed dive, even snorkelers can get a good look. We’ve found barracuda often hang around the remaining hull sections, and the structure itself is covered in a mosaic of small corals and sponges, making a home for crabs and tiny gobies. It’s not a deep, dramatic wreck, but a calm, accessible one that tells a bit of local history.
- Location
- Cabrits & Northern Coast, Dominica, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 15.574133, -61.458935
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 4m
Marine Protected Area: Indian River
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
- 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)
- Toucari Bay - 5-18m (muck)
Nearest Dive Centres to TAIRLAW
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 TAIRLAW
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