Join REEF’s second Invasive Lionfish excursion to Dominica, known as the “Nature Island”, featuring a picturesque landscape of tropical rainforests, rivers, and waterfalls as well as boiling pools and geysers. Dominica’s volcanic activity and unique geothermal properties mean that the island has many one-of-a-kind locations, such as Champagne Reef, a warm, shallow dive site that gets its name from the many bubbles emerging from the ocean floor. Dominica, specifically Scott’s Head Marine Reserve on the southern end of the island, has been proactive in promoting lionfish awareness and education, and now more removal efforts and research are needed to determine the impacts of the invasion and success of control. In addition to conducting fish surveys, trip participants will have the opportunity to be trained in lionfish collection, handling, and dissections.

Cost per Person: $1,234 for double occupancy in a standard room; $1,460 for single occupancy in a standard room

What is included: Your package includes 7 nights of accommodation at Castle Comfort Lodge, 5 days of 2-tank boat dives with Dive Dominica, 1 night dive, unlimited shore diving off Dive Dominica’s dock, full breakfast each morning, round-trip airport transfers, service charges and government taxes (subject to change), use of sea kayaks, welcome cocktail upon arrival, tanks, weights and weight belts.

Additional fees: A REEF Program Fee of $300 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leaders, seminar, and survey materials. Paid on premises: $20 per person marine reserve fee.

Airport/hotel transfer information: Participants will fly into Melville Hall (DOM) airport. From there, participants will be transported to Castle Comfort Lodge, a one-hour drive from the airport.

How to book: To reserve your space or find out more, email us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. A $500 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.

About the trip leaders: Lad Akins, REEF’s Director of Special Projects, is renowned as the leading expert on invasive species, specifically lionfish. He served as the Founding Executive Director of REEF and led the organization in that capacity for 16 years, helping to design and develop REEF’s widely recognized marine conservation programs. In 2005, he stepped down to focus his efforts solely on the lionfish invasion.

Peter A. Hughes is the Founder of the DivEncounters Alliance, a group of independent live-aboard dive operators, and a member of REEF’s Board of Directors. Peter is one of the diving world’s foremost live-aboard operators, having spent more than forty years in the diving industry. Peter received the DEMA Reaching Out Award for helping to evolve the liveaboard diving industry and subsequently joined the DEMA Hall of Fame in 2011.

One of Dive Dominica's boats in the marine reserve. Photo credit: Ari Perryman

A beautiful underwater scene in Dominica. Photo credit: Ari Perryman

 Comfortable and colorful rooms at Castle Comfort. Photo credit: Ari Perryman

Dive Dominica Website