Best Carribean diving Nov-Dec?

On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 22:34:44 -0400, "Arun & Elizabeth Madisetti"
<madisetti@cwdom.dm> wrote:

>The diving is awesome, in the south the SSMR, the Soufriere Scotts Head
>Marine Reserve (SSMR), nestled around the rim of a volcanic crater, vertical
>walls ~ all sheltered, pinnacles, slopes etc. I
>n the central part of the island (west coast) gentle reef slopes and
>shallower dropoffs, in the north, slopes and reef flats try
>www.avirtualdominica.com/ssmr or www.dominicamarinereserves.com I would
>suggest Nature Island Dive or Dive Dominica. Water over winter will be about
>72-74f f (27c), visibility around 60-70ft, sometimes more. Generally
>frogfish, seahorses etc. "The usual suspects".
>
>
>
How long did you spend there? And did you consider it an "expensive"
country or not too bad? I must confess initially I thought it was the
Dominican Republic. Now I know. We were thinking about 1 week in
Puerto Rico, two weeks in Dominica. Thoughts?

It's not an expensive country to vist, there is a lack of high rises and
franchise or chain resort hotels , but there are some really nice places to
stay, especially if you have folks who wish to hike in addition to dive.
Most places can arrange hike tours in the afternoons boats generally return
to dock about lunchtime. Of course it all depends opn what you want out of
the trip. Some elect to hire a vehicle and stay up in the hills (Papilotte
resort is great), driving to the dive shop in the morning, others prefer to
stay on site and tour with a guide. Either way whatever you want can be
accommodated most days.
November sees Independance festivities and the World Creole Music festival
occurring at the beginning of the month, and December though things are
quieter, there is always the "cruise ship season". Thankfully, Cruise ship
tours are kept totally seperate to regular guests. But it can mess traffic
up a bit in Roseau.

The diving is superb, if I'm not diving there I'm in the Red Sea, all other
Caribbean Island pale in comparison. Landward attractions in addition to
marine.