Dominica info?

[SeaCoaster]

I got a brochure on Dominica at the Boston Sea Rover's big meet last weekend. The brochure makes it sound great, and even quotes a couple of famous underwater photographers as saying it is one of their favorites.
Has anyone been? How does it compare to other possibilities like Bonaire? Is it tough to get to, and is that a plus or a minus?
Any specific dive shops to go to, or to avoid? Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

 

[rcohn]

I was there a year ago on the NEADC trip. Great Island, much less developed than many others, Spectacular hiking and waterfalls on land as well as great diving. Many of the dive sites are heavily fished by locals using fish traps so they are depleted of larger fish allowing the smaller fish to flourish. Great site for macro photography. Some of the southern sites are less heavily fished. Also one of the few locations in the world where you can reliably see sperm whales.

NEADC just did another trip in January and they hope to do again next year. This could be a good way to see the island.

See:
http://www.neadc.org/old_site/newsarch/travel/dominica.html
http://www.neadc.org/old_site/schedule.html#shore

Ralph