Dominica has secured 11 recognitions in Scuba Diving magazine's 2027 Readers Choice Awards, with international divers placing the island among the Caribbean and Atlantic region's Top 5 destinations for Health of Marine Environment.
The Nature Isle also earned a place in the Top 10 of the overall Caribbean and Atlantic region rankings, according to the awards results. The recognitions reflect the island's growing reputation as a premier diving destination, built on its volcanic underwater topography, healthy coral reefs and protected marine ecosystems.
The Readers Choice Awards are determined by votes from the magazine's readership of active divers, making the results a direct reflection of how the international diving community views Dominica relative to other Caribbean destinations. The Health of Marine Environment category is particularly significant for the island, as it measures diver perceptions of reef health, fish populations and overall ecosystem management.
Dominica's marine environment is supported by a network of marine protected areas, including the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve, which is widely regarded as one of the Caribbean's best-preserved diving areas. The island's volcanic geology creates unique dive sites with steep walls, pinnacles and bubbling sulphur vents, alongside healthy populations of reef fish, turtles and other marine life.
The 11 recognitions span multiple categories in the awards, though the full breakdown was not immediately available. The Top 5 placement for marine environment health and the Top 10 regional ranking represent the headline results for the island.
Tourism officials have consistently positioned diving as a key niche market for Dominica, alongside hiking, whale watching and other nature-based attractions. The island competes with established dive destinations such as Bonaire, Cayman and the Bahamas, and recognition in reader-voted awards is seen as valuable international exposure.
The awards come as Dominica continues to develop its tourism product, including efforts to rebuild and expand visitor infrastructure following recent hurricane seasons. The island's dive sector is supported by a number of local operators, dive shops and liveaboard vessels that bring visitors to sites along the west coast and around the island.
Dominica's reefs are also a focus of conservation work, with local organisations and the Fisheries Division involved in monitoring and management. The Health of Marine Environment recognition suggests that these efforts are being noticed by the diving community.
The full results of the 2027 Readers Choice Awards are published by Scuba Diving magazine, which covers dive travel, equipment and training for recreational divers. Dominica's showing in the awards adds to a series of international travel and nature recognitions the island has received in recent years.
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