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The perfect choice for your next Caribbean adventure. Together with Castaways Beach Hotel, Dive Castaways offers diving connoisseurs full-service access to the unmatched beauty of Dominica's pristine coral reefs. Dive Castaways is a small operation offering personalized service.
While many dive operators on the island actively market to the large numbers of cruise ship passengers, it is our philosophy not to do so. We simply do not want to dilute the product we offer to our guests. More and more persons who know they will be taking a cruise to Dominica contact us directly for diving in order to get away from the crowds which normally stem from diving excursions sold on the cruise ships. We encourage that type of business but want to stay away from actively selling our diving on board the ships. We encourage that type of business but want to stay away from actively selling our diving on board the ships. The comfort and enjoyment of our guests is of utmost importance to our staff. If it means, taking fewer numbers and making them happy...that is the way to go. That is our philosophy. dive Castaways currently has two 28' boats, capable of comfortably handling six divers in each boat.
Dive Castaways has three main advantages over the other dive resorts on the island:
- Small operation, with very personalized service
- Central west coast locations allows access to the top dive sites in the south, central and north dive areas, including the marine reserves in the south (Soufrierre/Scott's Head) and in the north (Portsmouth/Toucari)
- The setting of Castaways Beach Hotel. For families, divers and non-divers alike, the comfortable, beachfront, tropical setting cannot be matched on the island
Look at these advantages and see for yourself... Dive Castaways is the ideal spot for your dive holiday.
Intimately acquainted with the Caribbean for close to 30 years, Divemaster and Managing Partner Kurt Nose has spent literally thousands of hours on her reefs. Kurt grew up on diving, working in his father's dive shop in St. John in U.S.V.I. in the early 70's. With expert knowledge of Dominica's undersea geography and a vast experience of leading dive groups, Kurt is also deeply involved in efforts to preserve Dominica's underwater character by establishing permanent moorings in order to avoid damage to the reefs, and working to establish marine reserves. Kurt, along with his personable staff will do all possible to ensure your time with Dive Castaways is rewarding and enjoyable.
Dive Castaways is currently getting
established as a REEF Field Station (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) and is also
a member of CORAL, the Coral Reef Alliance.
PADI Courses
We can take you from your very first dive... all the way through Divemaster.
Our one-day PADI Resort Course gives beginners a "taste" and equips you with the
skills needed to enjoy the underwater world.
Having completed the course, one is able to dive for two weeks as long as they dive with a PADI divemaster and do not exceed 40 feet/13 meters. It is a very popular program. Dominica was recently rated by Rodales Scuba Diving magazine as one of the top three destinations in the Caribbean for "ease of dive sites".
Or one can hook on to the theme of having a 'do something' vacation and take the full PADI Open Water Certification course. After an enjoyable but intense three to four days of training, one can enjoy the rest of the vacation cruising the reefs as a fully certified PADI Open Water Diver. Open Water Referrals (completing the text work and confined water sessions at home and then coming on vacation to do the training dives) and Advanced Open Water courses are common at Castaways as well. Courses are available in English, French and Spanish.
Kurt has been diving for over 25 years and has, to the
best of his recollection, completed 5,000+ dives. Of all the aspects of diving, he enjoys
teaching the most. He promotes his facility as a training facility. While many dive
operations shy away from students or novice divers, Dive Castaways welcomes them. Kurt and
the other instructors on staff are certified by the Professional Association of Dive
Instructors (PADI). Castaways is also a PADI International Resort Association (PIRA
member), which ensures certain standards are maintained at the facility. PIRA membership
is a quality assurance program under the watchful eyes of PADI.
The topography of the island leads to easy, but fascinating, diving. As tradewinds remain constant in this area, the east coast of the island is usually windy with rough seas. The west coast of the island, however, tucked away behind 4,700+ foot peaks, is a wonderful lee shore with calm seas, sporting ideal diving conditions for beginner and advanced divers alike.
Whatever your level...our focus on the individual ensures your underwater comfort, safety and enjoyment.
Watersports Activities
Ocean Kayaks are available for rent from dive Castaways. Enjoy a
cruise up and down the coast of Dominica. Take snorkeling gear along with you and check
out your own, private snorkeling sports along the lee shore.
The "sit on top" design kayaks make it easy to use the kayaks to access these nice spots and private beaches along the way. Pull the kayak up on the shore and go take dip in a fresh water river to cool off and wash the salt from the skin.
A sunfish is available for short sailing excursions from the hotel. Lessons are available. The lee shore can make for some shifty winds, but that is half of the fun.
Boats with captain are available to charter. If one wants to take the family for a cruise up or down the coast (to a quaint seaside restaurant perhaps), or if a couple wants to do a romantic sunset cruise, it can all be easily arranged.
Sportfishing Charters
Sample an exciting new location for game fishing! Results of recent regional fishing tournaments in the area are proving that the big game fishing potential for the Windward and Leeward islands is tremendous. Dominica is a big part of that growing reputation and no one knows these waters better than the crew of GAMEFISHING DOMINICA. The vessel INDEPENDENCE OF DOMINICA uses Castaways as its base. Captain Francis Cambran is an expert on the waters surrounding Dominica. Charters can easily be arranged enabling you to experience the thrill.
Dominica International Sport Fishing Tournament
In 1996, the Dominica Game Fishing Club was formed at Castaways and the group hosted its first International Sport Fishing Tournament. It was a tremendous success as boats from St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Antigua gathered at Castaways for the completion the first blue marlin made its strike!
The annual event has grown to be a major event in the
Dominica tourism calendar. The Dominica Festivals Commission has given the event its full
support, making it not only a highlight for the visiting fisherman, but also a great party
for the locals!! The 1998 Tournament was held May 15 - 17.
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Sales information
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