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PUTS SCUBA ON THE MAP 
In 1984 Derek Perryman's Dive Domi¬ 
nica became the first scuba diving 
operation to open on the island. Since then, 
Dominica has become internationally 
famous as one of the most pristine diving 
destinations in the world. 
Diving magazines feature the island 
regularly and scuba enthusiasts visiting 
Dominica for the first time invariably get 
hooked on the place and just keep coming 
back for more. 
Derek used to be a full time pilot with 
LIAT but he has probably spent more time 
underwater than he has in the air. Since he 
was a kid, he has been fascinated with the 
undersea world. While still flying, he 
Life beneath the waves is in excellent 
condition with prolific sponge life and a 
large selection of marine invertebrates. 
Favorite dive sites have names like Des 
Fous, the Suburbs, the Village, the Condo, 
the Pinnacle, Scott's Head Drop Off, 
Soufriere Pinnacle, L'Abym (more 
popularly known as Champagne), Dangle- 
ben's Reef, Point Guignard, Hot Springs, 
Solomon, the Tug (a wreck dive) and 
Rodney's Rock. 
Dive Dominica offers dive packages to 
Castle Comfort clientele (they come mainly 
for the diving anyway) as well a providing 
services for Reigate Hall and Fort Young 
guests. Visitors staying at other establish¬ 
The Dive Dominica crew. 
passed his diving certification in 1979 and 
by 1981 he was a qualified instructor with 
NAUI (National Association of Underwater 
Instructors). 
Whenever he had time off he'd head to 
Dominica (his mother owns Castle Comfort 
Lodge) to teach diving to anyone who was 
interested. It soon became apparent that 
Derek's future lay in scuba diving. 
"I wanted to do something for myself 
and I saw the potential in Dominica as a 
dive destination. The pristine waters, the 
undeveloped island and my mother's guest 
house all gave me a good potential base to 
open up," said Derek. 
There are over 24 world class dive sites 
around the island and Dive Dominica visits 
at least 12 of them regularly. 
"There are a lot of walls and pinnacles 
down there and underwater is just like a 
continuation of the landscape above the 
sea. It's very dramatic," said Derek. 
ments are welcome to use Dive Dominica's 
services and cruise ship passengers 
regularly take dive tours with the company. 
With three dive boats, including a 36 
foot dive catamaran that handles up to 40 
divers, Dive Dominica specializes in 
certification and resort courses, advanced 
scuba such as night diving, snorkeling trips 
and boat charters. 
According to Undercurrents, a private 
scuba newsletter that accepts no adver¬ 
tising, Dominica provides "adventure for 
experienced divers, novice divers and 
snorkelers. The walls, pinnacles and reefs 
are granite, carpeted by soft corals, hard 
corals and sponges. Sponge life is prolific 
from iridescent tube and Giant Barrel to 
Elephant and Encrusting Sponge. Black 
Coral can be seen as shallow as 50 feet 
and the place abounds with pinnacles, 
arches, caves, wrecks and deep reefs" all 
waiting to be explored." 
ve;#' 
Snorkel: 
Resort course: 
“Champagne” our unique sub-aquatic hot spring. 
Like gliding through a glass of champagne. 
Discover Diving! Scuba for those who want 
their first underwater world experience. 
Certification: Full scuba courses. NACJI and PADI 
Boat Dives * Night Dives * Dive Packages * Charters 
Castle Comfort Lodge Sm * 
Telephone L P-O. Box 63, Roseau Facsimi|e 
(809)448-2188 Commonwealth of Dominica <809)448-6088 
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