Point Guirnard - Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve

Shelly’s Wide, just around the corner from Manly, is one of those spots we find ourselves coming back to again and again. It’s a great shore dive, and even on a busy weekend, you can usually find a quiet corner. We typically drop in from the beach, head out wide past the main crowds, and then let the gentle current drift us back towards the protected bay. The reef here is mostly rocky, covered in vibrant sponges and soft corals that sway in the surge. Look closely for nudibranchs; we’ve spotted some absolute beauties here, tucked away on the gorgonians. Our favourite encounters are always with the wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks, often just chilling on the sand or under a ledge, completely unfazed by divers. If you’re lucky, you might even see a grey nurse cruising through the deeper sections. Max depth is around 20 metres, so it’s a perfect multi-level dive for extending your bottom time. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, after a spell of southerlies, it opens up beautifully. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, ideal for photographers or anyone wanting to spend a solid hour just exploring.

Location: Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, Dominica, Caribbean
Coordinates: 15.241100, -61.373100
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 Point Guirnard

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 Point Guirnard

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