Craters Edge - Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve

We’ll be honest, Hillarys Marina Wall isn’t going to blow anyone away with vibrant corals or dramatic drop-offs, but we think it’s a brilliant little spot for a relaxed shallow dive. If you head in near the boat ramp, you’ll find the wall pretty quickly. It’s mostly rocks and seagrass, and yes, sometimes the visibility drops thanks to all that suspended seagrass, but don’t let that put you off. Our favourite thing about Hillarys is how sheltered it is. Even on a choppy day outside the marina, it’s usually calm here, making it perfect for beginners or anyone wanting an easy dive without much fuss. We’ve had some surprisingly good encounters here: Southern Eagle Rays gliding over the sand, playful octopus peeking from rocky crevices, and those big shoals of baitfish shimmering when the light hits them just right. We’d suggest going early in the morning before the boat traffic picks up; it just feels a bit more peaceful then. Keep an eye out for the European fan-worms too, they add a splash of colour to the rocks. It’s a great spot for an hour underwater, pottering around the wall, seeing what’s lurking in the weed.

Location: Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, Dominica, Caribbean
Coordinates: 15.216700, -61.377500
Type: wall

Marine Protected Area: Soufriere/Scott's Head

Best Time to Dive in Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve

The warmest water temperatures in Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve occur in January, averaging 27.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.2°C (air: 24.7°C)
February: 27.2°C (air: 24.5°C)
March: 27.2°C (air: 24.7°C)
April: 27.2°C (air: 25.5°C)
May: 27.2°C (air: 26.6°C)
June: 27.2°C (air: 26.8°C)
July: 27.2°C (air: 26.6°C)
August: 27.2°C (air: 26.9°C)
September: 27.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
October: 27.2°C (air: 27.0°C)
November: 27.2°C (air: 26.1°C)
December: 27.2°C (air: 25.2°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Craters Edge

Nature Island Dive - SSI

Marine Life in Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve

Home to 271 recorded species including 215 reef fish, 24 hard corals, 14 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 3 sea urchins, 3 sharks & rays.

Notable Species

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Bridled Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) - Whales & Dolphins
Blackfish (Globicephala macrorhynchus) - Whales & Dolphins
Bornean Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) - Whales & Dolphins
Rusty Goby (Priolepis hipoliti) - Reef Fish
Goldspot Goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) - Reef Fish
Agassiz's Thread-sail Fish (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) - Reef Fish
Smallmouth goby (Risor ruber) - Reef Fish
Masked Goby (Coryphopterus personatus) - Reef Fish
Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) - Whales & Dolphins
Pallid Goby (Coryphopterus eidolon) - Reef Fish
Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
Sharpnose Pufferfish (Canthigaster rostrata) - Reef Fish
Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
Sand goby (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum) - Reef Fish
Common False Moray (Kaupichthys hyoproroides) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Craters Edge

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories