Lost Horizon - Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve

Palancar Bricks, tucked away at the southern end of the broader Palancar system, is one of those Cozumel sites we keep coming back to. It’s not just the sheer number of swim-throughs, though they are plentiful and at varying depths – a real playground. We love drifting through the deeper cuts, watching schools of painted wrasse and blue doctors flicker in the dappled light filtering from above. Visibility here is often ridiculously good, around 27 meters on most days, which really lets you appreciate the scale of the coral structures. You'll often spot rose coral blooming in massive formations and the impressive, branching elkhorn reaching towards the surface. Keep an eye out for the spotted trunkfish poking around the crevices, and we’ve had some cracking encounters with splendid toadfish tucked under ledges. While turtles are a year-round fixture, those winter months bring in the eagle rays and the occasional reef shark, adding another layer of excitement. It’s an easy drift, suitable for most divers looking for that classic Cozumel experience, offering plenty of macro opportunities without sacrificing the bigger picture.

Location: Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, Dominica, Caribbean
Coordinates: 15.208000, -61.359600
Type: reef

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 Lost Horizon

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 Lost Horizon

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