News
Dominica Celebrates 23rd Year of Dive Fest
Diving amateurs and the more experienced can enjoy some of the world’s best diving at reduced rates during Dominica Dive Fest, the Caribbean’s longest running dive festival. The nine-day festival from the 7th to 16th July marks the 23rd consecutive year for Dive Fest.
The annual event hosted by Dominica Watersports Association offer diving sessions at the cheapest rates of the year some of the most pristine and healthiest reefs in the Caribbean. Dominica is also home to volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, black sand beaches, impressive waterfalls and remarkable land and sea life, earning itself the title of the Caribbean’s ‘Nature Island’.
Dominica is a favourite amongst divers due to its unique features and varied sites. Champagne Reef is one of Dominica’s most famous diving and snorkelling sites. Located in the northernmost part of the Marine Reserve, Champagne Reef’s sub-aquatic hot springs emulate that of the bubbles in a glass of champagne. Totally unique to Dominica, geothermal springs release gasses into the 15 feet of water creating bubbles and a sea floor which is warm to the touch. Champagne Reef is also known for its rich wildlife with schools of squid, spotlight parrotfish and huge lobsters and crabs commonly seen.
Along with Champagne reef, Dominica boasts a number of other famed dive locations including Scott’s Head Pinnacle which is located where the Atlantic and Caribbean Seas meet, creating some of Dominica’s most impressive and picturesque swims. ‘The Suburbs’ and ‘The Village’ offer richly covered rocky drop-offs that attract several sea life species such as black durgons, huge barracudas, turtles and big stingrays. All together Dominica has over 20 individual dive sites that remain uncrowded by the masses and showcase an assortment of colourful sea life.
There will be plenty of excitement for non-divers as well, with a great mix of athletic and family events which help make Dive Fest a nine-day celebration for all. Activities range from swimming, kayaking and Pwi Pwi races, to the most renowned event, the Kubuli Canoe Race where teams of four compete in traditional fishing boats.
Families can come together to be a part of Beach BBQ’s, kids snorkel treasure hunts and a family fun day with turtle hatchings and most famously the “Jing Ping Ting” (an evening of fresh seafood and dancing to traditional Jing Ping Music). There is also the opportunity to go on discounted whale watching tours where guests can experience the 90% sighting success rate in Dominica.
Visit during Dive Fest
Kenwood Travel is offering a seven-night stay during Dive Fest from £1,375pp
Dominica’s finest heritage hotel is situated in the heart of the islands historic capital Roseau on the waterfront. This luxurious hotel is only steps away from Saint George Anglican Church and the Dominica Museum and features a full-service spa, restaurant, four bars / lounges, 24 hour fitness centre and poolside bar. For scuba divers, Fort Young has its own fully equipped Buddy Dive shop and jetty to accommodate water activities. *The package includes seven nights at Fort Young for two adults together with bed and breakfast and flights from the UK departing 11 July.
To book please call 020 7749 9245 or visit www.kenwoodtravel.co.uk
For more information on Dominica please visit www.discoverdominica.com
Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
News2 months agoAqualung Group Enters Court-Supervised Reorganization Process
- Gear Reviews2 months ago
Gear Review: Garmin Descent G2 Dive Computer (Watch Video)
- News3 months ago
Saeed Rashid Joins Scubaverse as Underwater Photography Editor
- Marine Life & Conservation3 months ago
Book Review: Shark The Illustrated Biography
- News3 months ago
The Revillagigedo Islands: a Pelagic Paradise
- Blogs3 months ago
Swimming with Sharks in the Bahamas: My Most Magical Dive Yet
- Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
David Attenborough’s Ocean: A Review
- News3 months ago
Shannon Moran Joins the Scubaverse Underwater Photography Team
