Dominica · Dominica · Wall
L'Abym
A wall for all levels, starting on a shelf at 8 m
Photo: Riba · CC BY-SA 3.0
A wall in the southern corner of the Soufriere-Scotts Head marine reserve that begins on a sandy, rocky shelf at about 8 m and then drops. Float clear of the face here and you can watch the cliff above the surface run into the sea and fall away into the deep on both sides of you. Despite the size of the wall, there is rarely any current and it is dived at all levels.
Also known as La Sourcier.
Where it is and how deep
15.2230° N, 61.3660° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive starts on a sandy and rocky shelf at about 8 m, which is where groups sort themselves out before moving over to the edge. There is rarely any current, so nothing about the start is rushed. From the shelf the wall can be picked up at around 12 m or deeper, and Dive Dominica reckons all depths on it are equally impressive, which makes the profile a preference rather than a requirement.
The southern corner is the part divers remember. Hang about 9 m off the face and you can see the cliff above the surface enter the water and then drop into the deep on both sides of you. Working the wall slowly pays: seahorses, scorpionfish and turtles are usually around, and a solitary barracuda often holds station off the rock. It sums up the dramatic topography of the island.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Barracuda
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime |
Season follows Dominica: Diving is favourable all year; December to May is the driest and calmest stretch, and occasional summer rain does little to dive quality.
Photos from L'Abym
Riba · CC BY-SA 3.0
Riba · CC BY-SA 3.0
Dive videos
Diving L'Abym (Dominica, West Indies) · Salty Locs on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Is L'Abym suitable for new divers?+
Yes. Dive Dominica describes it as suitable for all levels despite the size of the wall, because the dive starts on a shelf at about 8 m and there is rarely any current.
Sources
- Dominica Dive Sites — Dive Dominica
Photo credits
- Aerial view of Soufriere Bay's curving shoreline and the Scott's Head peninsula from above by Riba, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Calm blue water of Soufriere Bay framed by forested mountains rising from the shore by Riba, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Evening light over Soufriere Bay's ridgeline seen from the grassy hillside above the water by Riba, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Muck & macro
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