Whale Dive fun and adventure research in Dominica and Trinidad & Tobago

they also possess the largest most complex brain ever created, yet they are some of the most gentle animals

We will humbly admit that if you are not sensitive to the environment, not interested in protecting turtles and iguanas, don't like being able to take ten walking strides from your cottage to be in the warm Caribbean sea, do not like to be able to snorkel in front of your doorstep, do not enjoy being greeted by genuine warm smiles, don't like to be able to see the stars, don't want to be put to sleep by the gentle lapping waves, or awoken by the flutter of a humming bird's wings, or don’t appreciate the things in life that money can’t buy, or will not let us know directly how we can improve...then we are not what you are looking for.

Wellness

Allow your senses the luxury of sleeping to natures nocturnal lights and sounds.

Be subtly awoken by the fluttering of humming birds wings, and the serenading songs that invite dawns colors.

Let toes sink into the volcanic sand as you walk the beach at sunrise; you never know what wonderful surprises await you.

Feel free to greet and join the fishermen and their Carib canoes as they flex muscles pulling in the morning catch.

Reset your thermostat while the Caribbean Sea defeats gravity. Float over tropical reef fish; learn that natural beauty is diversity.

Be conscious that the natural grain of tropical hardwood is as secure as a comforting womb.

Pamper yourself as often as possible with "Natural botanicals" all natural soaps, they are specially hand made for you and are moisturizing enough not to require after bath lotion.

We had such a great time with Fitzroy Armour in Dominica a year ago, during our solar Atlantic crossing.

It would be very helpful to have improved communication on the island we visited the aerial tram but it was not running. A forest service worker directed us up the mountains. He was not ever aware it was not running.

Picard Cottages wonderful, Blanche the best always pleasant smiling and eager to make guests happy and comfortable.

Add maps or detailed direction to some of the most popular sites to visit. We may have seen more if able to find.

Our housekeeper did an exceptional job cleaning the cabin and getting all the sand out. She was very accommodating, as was the main receptionist.

Also the man in charge of the snorkeling was very helpful. He kept checking with us about the weather.

PS. Unfortunately the restaurant (Next door) was not up to the standard of everything else. The food was not good, was overpriced and the service very slow. After one meal there we went to other area restaurants and cafes.

The service and staff was exceptional. We appreciated the attentiveness to our requests and desires.

To the folks at Picard Beach Cottages. Thanks very much for making our stay a welcome one. The beach was lovely and the cottage was comfortable. We were glad to have the refrigerator too.

The scuba diving was very enjoyable and just lying in the sun or swimming right outside our cottage was wonderful.

My daughter goes to Ross University so I will be back when she finishes her 16 months here.

We really enjoyed our stay here. Very peaceful and relaxing ambience the cottage is really very comfortable. Housekeeping service was very good everyday. We will definitely try to get our family up here. Enjoyed Jet Set even though we saw no whales, next time. The entire staff is very friendly and appeared willing to inform us all that can be offered here a place with tremendous potential.

My wife, daughter and myself have enjoyed our stay here quite a bit. The office staff Jenise and Andrew were friendly and helpful, we especially thought that our housekeeper Blanche was great!

She is friendly and did an excellent job taking care of the cottage (very clean) she also answered many questions for us about local things that added to the enjoyment of our stay. A truly nice lady.

We also had a very good trip to the waterfalls with Patrick Wallace, recommended by your staff. Keep recommending him. We had fun and he is a good fellow.

The cottage was very nice and everyone was very accommodating. Blanche was very nice and she never disturbed my sleeping etc.

she also would spray my room for mosquitoes which was wonderful. She did a great job getting and cleaning everything I needed.

We are very pleased to single out Celia because she was outstanding. Answered all our questions and very helpful with respect to our needs.

enjoy
Peter
Dr Peter Allinson

======================

31^st December 2006

Cottages 308 and 309

We were much impressed with our stay. Everyone was so helpful especially the housekeeping.

Had a great time

Schrolman Family

=======================

November 2006

Exceptional accommodation in eco-friendly resort. Beautiful natural surroundings in the un-spoilt north with breathtaking views of the Caribbean coastline and the twin peaks of the Cabrits National park.

Friendly staff with an energetic commitment to the development of the resort and an acute attention to detail and service

Paul Crask

Travel writer

Bradt travel guide

==========================================

Dec 2006

Blanche did a very nice job cleaning our cottage every day. She is also very friendly.

We had a wonderful stay.

The Walts.

Huntington beach, Ca,

USA

==================

Dec 2006

Cottage 312

Lovely visit-beautiful.

Calm & attentive staff.

Janqine Ballestew

=================================

November 2006

We had a wonderful time in this cottage. Surrounded by such beautiful nature.

We loved feeding fruit to the birds and watching the lizards.

Special thanks to Blanche who kept the cottage so tidy and for her smiles and chats.

Jennifer & Ian

Brighton, UK

===========================

17/11/06

Cottage 306 & 308

We would like to complement the room services for the wonderfulness and courtesy.

They more than provided for our needs and the room was always neat & clean.

Thank you James & Janine

======================

Saturday, November 18, 2006 6:06 PM

Subject: Wonderful stay

We had the pleasure of staying in 316 from Nov. 7^th through the 14^th. We wanted to thank all the staff for helping us have a wonderful time. Especially, we wanted to thank Blanche for keeping our cottage tidy. We also wanted to thank Sabin and Andrew for answering the million questions we had and for setting up transportation and tours for us.

Thank you all,

Joseph & Marti

===============================

November 2006

For Picard Beach Cottages

I love Dominica.

Big Up!

Top_one Frisson

Nov. 06

Just the best place on earth !

Love to Sabin from

Jackie

Nov 06

For Picard

Thank you

Yanmiki

The Guitarist

Thank you for the lovely stay.

Dominica is truly beautiful. The emerald of the Caribbean!

Lea Boace

Thank you for all!!!

Be blessed

The drummer of Sakis

For PicardBeach Cottages

Much Love

I like Dominica.

Big Kiss!

Cloulio

Sakis band

For picard beach cottages

Charley Naiwaun

Merci PourTous

Que Dieu vous

Beinisse tous

Merci a la procheue

I adore votre hotel dans lequel joi pass un bon sejoir.

Benne continuation

====================================================================

August 27^th 06

Cottage 318

Picard Cottages are a wonderful place to relax, it is peaceful and harmonious with nature with spectacular scenery.

The cottages are comfortable and our lady Blanche, ensures they stay that way. My only complaint would be that I cant stay any longer.

Jan Murphy.

=======================

26^th August 2006

Cottage 317

Thank you to the housekeeping staff for being so friendly and keeping the place so clean. It was great to come back each day and find the sand swept out, fresh towels, and the bed tidy.

Thank you.

Kelly & Anil Roopchand

================================

Friday, August 18th 2006

Enjoyed our stay here. Staff members were helpful and always had a smile.

Loved the cottage and view of the sea.

Even liked the rain!

The Island is beautiful and the people are friendly.

Will highly recommend to friends.

Thank You Very Much!!

Leon McCook

==============

05/ August 2006

A great visit.

We had no problems,

Thank you

Brenda & Perry

Cottage 304

==========================

Fri, 28 July 2006 21:55:32 +0100

Hello Fitzroy

This is Alison, one of the people that you took whale/dolphin watching a couple of weekends ago.

I just wanted to say thank you again for the trip and Ive attached the photographs that I took of you and your lovely boys. I hope that you are all well.

Warm regards from London

Alison

-------------------------

April 3rd 2006

We truly enjoyed staying at Picard and hope to come back.

Blanche has been wonderful!

She took great care of us.

In fact, we want to bring her home with us!

Marie & Marc Lesage

----------------------------

01 /04 /06

Great location.We felt the beach and cottage were very nice (no need for the TV, though)

...Thanks again

Vanti

cottage 309

----------------------

12^th February 2006 thru 19^th February 2006

We'd like to thank everyone at Picard Beach Cottages for an amazing experience. Our only regret is that we could not stay longer to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of everyone here.

We hate to single anyone out, but would like to especially thank Sabin and Blanche for making our stay all we could have hoped for.

Our visit was beyond expectations. The nature all around is so beautiful. We really appreciate how thoughtful you (as a country) are in terms of growth.

Your culture is one that we appreciate; we loved the people that we met.

Mary Beth and Steve Day.

=====================================

Jan 5, 2006

We and a wonderful time!

Enjoyed the small reef at the end of the pier- the resident sea turtle and squid were a great surprise and treasure to find.

The accommodations were great. Clean, comfortable and our every need met.

Very friendly staffs, all making us feel right at home.

We will recommend the resort to others and we hope to return.

Thank you.

The Bartosheky family

--------------------------

Jan 06, 2006

Our stay here was very pleasant.

We were treated very well.

Blanche treated us very kindly.

She is an excellent host.

God willing we will come back.

Thank you

Amin Kanji

================================================

Jan 24 2006

The Cottages are lovely and very comfortable.

The property is beautiful and very well taken care of.

The staff has been helpful and very very pleasant.

The house keeper who took care of this cottage and the young man from the Dive/ Snorkeling shop were especially gracious and helpful.

Dominica is the most beautiful Caribbean island we have ever seen and is very clean!

Thank you for making our stay so wonderful.

Maria Katouak

From New Jersey

==========================================

Hello Fitzroy!

Thanks again for everything!

The article begins on p 46-47 (April 2006 issue)and

there is a mention of picard beach cottages on p. 50 in the section called "Creole Flavors."

Wish I could have written more-truly.

Best

Patricia

Patricia Wuest

Scuba Diving

==================================

Jan 23 2006

Hello Fitzroy:

I don't think we had a more accommodating host than you, Fitzroy! Your
willingness to help us get the perfect shots at the Drive-Through Volcano
and the cold spring was unbelievable. You are a gracious and knowledgeable
man and it's obvious that you are justly proud of your island home. Without
you, we would have missed a great deal of the beauty of the Northwest, and
so we were grateful to have you as a guide. And thank you so much for your
generosity in letting us stay at Picard Beach Cottages. You have a
picture-perfect setting and a hard-working and friendly staff. And your
cook!!! We really enjoyed her meals!

I'll let you know if the Art Department wants to take a look at your
underwater sperm whale shots.

Oh, and many thanks for sharing your poetry with me. Maybe when I can come with my family, I'll finally get to dive with your dive shop!

Warm regards,
Patricia

Patricia Wuest
Associate Editor
Scuba Diving Magazine

--------------------------------------------------

Cottage 318

12/11/05

Wonderful time!

I loved the small cabin, the tree, frogs the ocean, the blue sky

Laura J

=======================================

We enjoyed fresh flowers every morning, the fruit and courteous service from all the staff.

I loved the room to the grounds all next to tidy and enjoyable.

Thank you.

May God.

Keep smiling on the island and country of friendly people.

Mr. & Mrs. Jorgensen.

Cottage 319 10/12/05

------------------------------------------------------

A great stay.

Good beach view with wildlife & flowers all around.

Friendly & help full staff

Mark Tnoly

Cottage 306

================================

====================================

11/26/05

Hi, the Picard beach is one of the most great cottages I've been in Dominica.

It is cozy and beautiful and the service is great and staff.

Thanks for everything.

Roxanne

Puerto Rico

Cottage 317

======================================================

Cottage 316

Nov .9-12, 2005

Picard Beach Cottage 316.

Our Home away from Home was neat, clean and offered every amenity.

The fresh flowers and fruits were very thoughtful.

The reception staff was very helpful and accommodating.

The people are so friendly and gracious.

It was kind of you all to share your island with us.

I would recommend these facilities to other Ross University visitors and vacationers in general.

Well done and many thanks.

Kelly and Ken Boss

Buffalo, NY, USA!

==========================

Cottage 317

Thanks you for the wonderful service and beautiful cottage.

It was a delightful visit to Dominica.

Cindy Fitch

=================================

======================================

Cottage 315

Nov 14, 2005

Picard Beach was the best place I stayed on Dominica.

The cottages are well supplied and well kept.

The grounds are attractive.

The beach is fine for swimming and there is good snorkeling just north of the pier.

Most of all the Housekeeping staff and front desk staff were extremely helpful and made me feel at home from the moment I arrived.

I would definitely recommend Picard Beach Cottages to friends traveling to Dominica.

Richard Holelx

Arizona USA

========================================

13 Nov 2005

Observation: 10 sperm whales

Location: N15 33.835' W 061 29.912'

We saw the sperm whales swimming.

We followed quietly until they stopped to see who we are.

They hung around for quite some time.

Beautiful sight

Nenton Rice

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Beautiful sight to see.

Amazing Experience.

Water is clear deep blue, pseudo orcas & Dolphins were a sight to see and swim with.

Very relaxing Sailing.

Food & music a definite plus.....

will definitely do this again.

Smitha Ballyamanda

------------------------------------------------

21 jan 2006

Dear Fitzroy,

I was very suprised when I got to the end of the email & say your name! We stayed at the Picard Beach in 1993. You took our 2 children (then age 16 & 20) out scubaing.

You had been recently married and we enjoyed talking to your lovely wife. She was from Trinidad, wasn't she? Our time spent at the Picard Beach started my husband's & my love of snorkeling & we always said that we would return one day to Dominica. So now (minus children) we will spend 2 weeks! I was pleased to see that you got your M.D.

Where is the reef in relationship to the beach? Which side of the bay? How far out?

I look forward to your reply.

Yours,

Joanne Green

---------------------------------------------------

Jan 2006

Dr. Armour,

That was such a sweet letter it made me want to jump on a plane right back to Dominica!...

I hope everything else is smooth sailing for you and your family, and that you appreciate all the amazing warmth and color of the island as much as I miss it every day!

Sunshine and samman trees,

Amy Oldendorf

(Yes, I do miss the bueatiful sight of you doing yoga under the Samman tree...

that samman tree holds special memories for me.

When I bought the property there was an elderly gentleman and his grandson building a 70 ft wooden schooner under that tree. He used only hand tools and it was both of them alone...unfortunately he passed away when he was ~9/10th completed...I tried for years to keep his memory alive by oiling the wood, but ...

2. Turtles loving to lay their eggs under the tree

3. Amy doing her yoga under the samman tree

I guesss being hundreds of years old the tree must have many a story to be told...)

---------------------------------------------

Nov. 2005

Picard Beach Cottages was the best place I stayed on Dominica.

The cottages are well supplied and well kept.

The grounds are attractive.

The beach is fine for swimming and there is good snorkeling just north of the pier.

Most of all, the housekeeping staff and front desk staff were extremely helpful and made me feel at home from the moment I arrived.

I would definitely recommend Picard Beach Cottages to friends traveling to Dominica.

Richard, Arizona, USA

-------------------------------------

August 30 2005

Observer name: Jasvant C Patel

10:10 am

Cetacean: Dwaft sperm and sperm whales

location: n15 32.378' w 61 29.605'

direction of travel :north

pod size:8

activity: floating on surface

-----------------------------

Dear Fitzroy,

We would like to thank you again for the wonderful trip last Saturday. Swimming with the dolphins was so great. It was fun meeting your family. I've been telling everybody on Curacao how beautiful Dominica is! Perhaps we will come back in January to swim with the sperm whales!

Greetings from Curacao, also to your family

Dr Sander and Danielle.

-------------------------------------

12th November, 2005

Thank you for the wonderful service and beautiful cottage.

It was a delightful visit to Dominica

Cindy Fitch

Seattle Pacific University

------------------------------------------------

October 23 2005

Picard Beach Cottages was exactly "what the doctor ordered" for these two very tired bodies and weary souls!

The facilities were extremely clean and comfortable. We were delighted with the small kitchen.... this the perfect "hideout"...

It was heavenly, indeed, to go to sleep and wake up with the lullaby of the waves and all the beach creatures in harmonious concert every day!

the Staff was most helpful and courteous, especially Celia, our housekeeper.

Thank you to ALL OF you for making our stay so comfortable.

Blessings.

The Rev. Canon L. Littlejohn

And

Mrs. Jain A Littlejohn

---------------------------------------

Dear Fitzroy,

Greetings from Curacao, also to your family,

Dr Sander and Danielle.

-----------------------------------------------

...We watched pelicans and crabs. Crabs are the most amusing little creatures ever created. We watched one struggle to get a berry into its hole. Hed get the berry to the door and then let go to clean it. As soon as he let go, the berry would roll back down the beach toward the water. Hed scurry after it and then have to make a fast retreat as another wave approached. When we left, the crab was still working on his berry.

The little beach dog from last year is still alive. She is so cute I would take her home in a minute but I don't think she'd like our weather. She is used to lounging on the beach, eating crabs, and getting attention from whoever walks by. I was glad to see her. I checked noaa site for potential hurricanes and the Atlantic basin is drama-free. Tomorrow Im going out in a catamaran whale watching and scuba diving.

65 feet of history under my seat

Today we boarded the noble ship elf aquitaine and went whale watching and scuba diving. Elf, now jet set, is a 65-foot catamaran that set the record for the world's fastest Atlantic crossing in 1981 and held it for three years. A few years later she fell into a state of disrepair and eventually her owner lost her in a poker game. She became unloved, uncared for, unvalued, and continued to decline until the current owner, Fitzroy, bought her two years ago and has been slowly bringing her back to life. Sitting way up front, straddling her hull like a horse, bathtub warm Caribbean water lightly splashing me, I felt like a jockey riding sea biscuit. She was going 11 knots and seemed only to be cantering. This girl has power. What a fantastic day. We outran a storm, did an hour of scuba diving, and tasted the horizon. Once out in the deep, we stopped the boat and jumped into the water to listen for whales. It seemed like there was no visibility until I knocked a bunch of barnacles off the hull and watched them float into the blue nothingness. 50-60-70 feet I could still see them. Then I grabbed onto the life ring and let the currents drag me along like a fishing lure.

welcome to the milky way galaxy

last night we laid out on pier by ourselves late at night and watched the universe go by. the stars were magnificant. the pancake edge of the milky way galaxy, clearly visible, extended from the mountains to the sea. laying there reminded me of our trip to israel and visiting the biblical archaeological gardens. the guide explained how the ancient hebrews imagined the sky as god's tent over them protecting them just like their black goat hair tents protected them. in the summer, the goat hair stretches to form a loose weave which when the sun shines, looks like a starry night. last night i felt god's starry night tent protecting us.

September 27, 2005

Oh lovely, lovely Dominica
Restless seas, endless horizon, butterscotch cows, lush vegetation, extravagant birds. Its good to be back in Dominica. Its a reason to be quieter.

September 28, 2005

"when the black clouds cover the sun, it could rain"

Weather forecast Dominica style. He was right. It did rain. We walked home in the pouring rain, me without an umbrella. How often can you enjoy a drenching rain in Minnesota without getting cold? In Dominica it is fairly normal and it was exquisite.

Hana

October 04, 2005

Another Magical Moment

Out snorkeling on the reef this morning I had one of those magical moments where the water was crystal clear, the sun was shining brightly and the reef was loaded with fish. I mean I was swimming in schools of fish. Years ago while diving and snorkeling in Egypt I had some magical moments like this. The beauty and variety of sea life is so astounding. Ever heard of a batfish, or a flying guynard? I'd like to be deep and philosophical about life and try to make some insightful, witty, or clever comments, but it's no use. I am overwhelmed by God's creation and its amazing beauty. I can only stare and wonder "how did you ever come up with this idea for a fish?" Life is good.

Hana

October 03, 2005

No Low Flow -- Bring It ON

Don't ya just get sick sometimes of being environmentally consciencious and making sacrifices? Isn't it tiring to be reminded how Americans use more than their fair share of everything? With much of the world suffering from lack of fresh water, we are constantly reminded to conserve water. Well in Dominica you can forget about conserving H2O because they get 400 inches of rain a year! That means delicious, pounding half-hour showers from a heavy-flow shower head every day. I mean so much water streamed into the shower stall that it flooded the stall and still I showered on. The water is heated by the sun in tanks on the roof so I didn't even need to feel guilty about using electicity to heat the water. Between snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming and showering, I am rarely dry. I might get sick of constant 86 degree heat and warm, lovely evenings, but right now I am loving it. In January Kevin was in Dominica and I was stuck in Minneapolis. It was 86 there and -17 in Minneapolis. That's over 100 degrees difference. I was on the short end of the deal and I did my share of whining and feeling sorry for myself that he was there and I was in the frozen tundra. It's during those times that I ask myself "why are we living in Minneapolis" and have a hard time answering.

Hana Lieder

-------------------------------

Picard Beach Cottages was the best place I stayed on dominica. The cottages are well supplied and well kept: the grounds are attractive: the beach is fine for swimming and there is good snorkeling just north of the pier.

most of all, the housekeeping staff and front desk staff were extremely helpful and made me feel at home from the moment I arrived. I would definitely recommend Picard Beach Cottages to friends traveling to Dominica.

Richard

Arizona usa 13 nov 05

-----------------------------------------

Picard Beach Cottages was the best place I stayed on Dominica.

The cottages are well supplied and well kept.

The grounds are attractive.

The beach is fine for swimming and there is good snorkeling just north of the pier.

Most of all, the housekeeping staff and front desk staff were extremely helpful and made me feel at home from the moment I arrived.

I would definitely recommend Picard Beach Cottages to friends traveling to Dominica.

Richard, Arizona, USA

-----------------------------

Dear Fitzroy,

We would like to thank you again for the wonderful trip last Saturday.

Swimming with the dolphins was so great.

It was fun meeting your family.

I've been telling everybody on Curacao how beautiful Dominica is!

Perhaps we will come back in January to swim with the sperm whales!

Greetings from Curacao, also to your family

Dr Sander and Danielle.

-------------------------

June 2005

Thank you for helping us make Pirates. We could not have done it without you

Best

Gore Verbinski

All the best.

Olando Bloome

Thanks for the Great Times.

Diva

Wellness

65 feet of history under my seat

welcome to the milky way galaxy

September 27, 2005 Oh lovely, lovely DominicaRestless seas, endless horizon, butterscotch cows, lush vegetation, extravagant birds. Its good to be back in Dominica. Its a reason to be quieter.

September 27, 2005

Oh lovely, lovely Dominica

September 28, 2005

"when the black clouds cover the sun, it could rain"

October 04, 2005

Another Magical Moment

October 03, 2005

No Low Flow -- Bring It ON

September 27, 2005

Oh lovely, lovely Dominica
Restless seas, endless horizon, butterscotch cows, lush vegetation, extravagant birds. Its good to be back in Dominica. Its a reason to be quieter.