Scotts Head Pinnacle - Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve

The Channel. What a ride. We often drop here right in the heart of a ripping current, a full-on live drop, and just let it carry us through. It’s an adventure, no two ways about it. The water rushes, and you feel the surge, but it's that movement that brings in the bigger stuff. We’ve had some cracking encounters with nurse sharks here, just cruising out in the open, not tucked away under ledges. And those oceanic triggerfish? They’re chunky, bold, and seem to love the thrill of the drift as much as we do. Our divemasters often use this site for lionfish hunting, and honestly, it’s a good spot for it; you’ll see some impressively large ones. Visibility averages around 15 metres, which is decent for a swift drift. It’s a shallower site, topping out at 19 metres, making it accessible for most, but you definitely need to be comfortable with a strong current and a live boat entry. If you love a fast-paced dive, feeling the ocean move around you, and enjoy the possibility of some wilder encounters, The Channel is for you. It's exhilarating.

Location: Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, Dominica, Caribbean
Coordinates: 15.215800, -61.376500
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 Scotts Head Pinnacle

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 Scotts Head Pinnacle

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