Instant Reader Report
on Nature Island Dive / Itassi Cottages, in Roseau in
Dominica / Soufriere Bay on
2003/04
by
John G. Herring , VA, USA
Report Number 030903222636424

Questions?
Send an email to the author of this report

 Bonaire, Maui, Bermuda 

Dive Conditions

We were required to stay with the guide because the dives were within the
reserve, but the guides were flexible and we dove our computers/air.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Nature Island Dive is a terrific, small operation with well-trained,
experienced divemasters.  It's the perfect place to dive the Soufriere Bay
area, as the boats have only a 5-15 minute ride to the sites; surface
intervals in the beautifully maintained courtyard of the dive shop are a
nice touch.  The boats are small aluminum pontoon craft with awnings:
perfect for the short trips, and great for the keeping the groups small. 
The corals in Soufriere bay are the healthiest I've seen in the
Carribbean, and the diversity of species of small reef fish is amazing. 
The bay is a collapsed volcano with the center going down at least 2500
feet.  The sites are around the edges (inside and out) and include walls,
pinnacles, and an amusing "champagne" site with sulfurous
bubbles filtering up through the sand.  Big schools of black-bar
soldierfish in swim-throughs, a few arrow blennies, lots of crinoids,
lobsters at night, and all the usual denizens, in colorful profusion. 
Having Nature Island rinse, store & set up our gear was new to us (and
quite welcome).  We stayed at Itassi Cottages in Roseau, about a 25-minute
drive from the dock.  The accomodations there were spacious and
well-equipped,  the view was out of this world, and the price was very
low, but some travelers may find it more rustic than they like.  Don't
leave your fruit out on the kitchen counter unless you don't mind sharing
it with the birds. No AC, but a nice breeze; mosquito nets in both
bedrooms.  Great market in town and a few good restaurants.  

Questions?
Send an email to the author of this report

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. It is presented here to provide Undercurrent readers with timely information on dive operations worldwide. The material may contain errors, typos, ... Please report any major problems to EditReport@undercurrent.org, referencing the report number above. An edited version of this report will likely appear in the next Travelin' Divers' Chapbook, which will be sent to newsletter subscribers and published online for Online Members.