(13-05-10) This piece of land enclosed between crystal-clear waters, for its seemingly unspoiled natural beauty has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean". A lot of varied dive points make the island a perfect destiny to marine world lovers.

    Dominica beckons divers with an independent and adventurous streak. While the islands southern dive sites are known for dramatic pinnacles and prolific marine life, its northern ones boast spectacular underwater cave systems and rock formations.

    Diving in both of the island's distinct geographic regions doesn't come pre-packaged, but do some independent legwork and brainstorm with multiple operators and you can experience all the diving Dominica has to offer, from the south to the north.

    If you want to dive Dominica from north to south on one trip, you'll have to do some legwork before arriving on island. Log on to discoverdominica.com or dominicawatersports.com for a complete listing of dive operators in both regions. Once you find shops you like, e-mail them for help in arranging accommodations in their partner resorts, guest houses or apartments.

    If you plan to stay a few days or even a week in one area and equal time in the other, you'll need a rental car. Dive operators, resorts and hotels can arrange for one to be dropped off for you.

    Because Dominica's tiny international airport Melville Hall (DOM) can't support big jets, there are no nonstop flights between the island and the U.S. or UE. Most divers fly into San Juan, Puerto Rico, and overnight there before arriving in Dominica. Plenty of carriers fly to San Juan, with American offering daily mid-morning nonstops from there to Dominica. It's possible to reach Dominica in one day--with multiple connections on multiple carriers--from some U.S. cities.

    Once you're on the island, your dive operator, resort or hotel has the 90-minute transfer from the airport to Roseau covered. Roseau, with its proximity to dive operators, accommodations, topside attractions and rental car agencies, is the ideal place to start. From Roseau, it's an hour's drive north to Portsmouth; near the islands best northern dive sites and topside activities.

    Another option is staying mid-island, in or near Salisbury, about a 20-minute drive south from Portsmouth, and a short boat ride to dive sites like Rena's Hole and Whale Shark Reef. If you're driving a rental car, allow plenty of time to get around on the narrow, twisting mountain roads and mind the blind curves.