Dive Fest to feature Dominica’s phenomenal marine environment

The Kubuli canoe race is one of the key attractions of the one-week Dive Fest.

Dive Fest, the Caribbean's longest running diving festival is scheduled for July 8-17, 2011 and organizers say that plans are well underway. The Dive Fest builds on Dominica’s unique reputation as one of the leading dive destinations in the world.

Indeed, Dominica is rated as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world, with a variety of dive sites that feature dramatic walls and pinnacles, pristine reefs and Champagne snorkeling.

Dive Fest, which is in its eighteenth year seeks to educate both novices and experienced divers about the sport of scuba diving and helps raise awareness about Dominica's stunning and unique marine environment.

The waters surrounding Dominica are renowned for hosting some o the most vibrant marine life anywhere in the world. This includes healthy, thriving reefs covered in colorful sponges and coral, sperm whales, seahorses, frogfish, flying gurnards and scorpion fish. Many of these marine creatures are abundant in the waters of Dominica and are rarely observed elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Dive Fest provides a unique opportunity for both experienced and beginner divers to savor one of the world’s most fascinating and exhilarating diving experiences.

A number of diving sessions are scheduled for both adults and children throughout Dive Fest. Many activities are free or available at a considerably reduced rate. In addition to dive events, Dive Fest offers activities for non-divers, including whale watching, a children's treasure hunt, beach parties and the hotly contested annual Kubuli Carib canoe race. The pinnacle event for Dive Fest 2011 is the Soufriere Kubuli Beach Party on July 17.

Hotels, resorts and dive operators across the island have great dive packages available during Dive Fest and beyond. Information on accommodations can be found atwww.dominica.dm/site/wheretostay.cfm

For more information on Dive Fest, visit http://www.dominica.dm/site/divefest.cfm.

To learn more about diving and other adventure activities in Dominica, visit www.dominica.dm/site/diving.cfm.