Where to dive
Dominica Dive Sites
The best Dominica dive sites sit along the calm west coast, from the bubbling vents of Champagne Reef and the walls of Soufriere Bay in the south to the reefs and caves around Portsmouth in the north.
Overview
How Dominica's dive sites are laid out
Almost all of the diving on Dominica happens on the leeward (west) coast, which faces the Caribbean Sea and is sheltered from the Atlantic trade winds. The island rises steeply from very deep water here, so many Dominica dive sites are walls, pinnacles and drop-offs that start close to shore. Boat rides are short, often ten to twenty minutes.
The sites fall into three broad areas. The south, around Soufriere Bay and Scotts Head, has the most famous diving and lies inside the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve. The central coast, between Roseau and the Layou area, has gentler reefs and sandy slopes that are good for macro life. The north, around Portsmouth and the Cabrits peninsula, has its own reefs, rocky points and small caves.
Marine reserve rules. In the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, divers pay a small reserve fee, which dive operators usually collect, and dive with a licensed operator. Fishing, anchoring on the reef and taking anything are not allowed. Ask your dive centre about the current fee and rules.
Depths and conditions below are general. Currents can pick up around the points and at Scotts Head, so always dive with a local guide who knows the day's conditions.
The south
Soufriere Bay and Scotts Head
Soufriere Bay is the flooded crater of an old volcano, open to the sea on its western side. Its rim forms a horseshoe of reefs, walls and pinnacles, while the middle of the bay is very deep. The Scotts Head peninsula marks the southern end of the bay and the southern tip of Dominica, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Champagne Reef
- Shallow
- Shore or boat
- Beginners
Dominica's most famous site, just north of Soufriere village. Volcanic gas seeps from the seabed and rises in curtains of tiny bubbles, warming the water as it goes. The surrounding reef has sponges, hard corals and plenty of reef fish, and it is calm enough for snorkellers as well as divers. Our full Champagne Reef Dominica guide has the details.
Scotts Head Drop-off
- Wall
- Intermediate
- Current possible
On the edge of the peninsula, a shallow ledge gives way to a wall that falls far beyond recreational depth. Sponges, black coral and sea fans cover the rock, and the open water off the point sometimes brings passing pelagic fish. The point can be exposed to current where the two seas meet, so this is usually a guided drift.
Scotts Head Pinnacle
- Pinnacle
- Intermediate
A pinnacle near the drop-off with ridges and gullies of volcanic rock, covered in sponges and soft corals. It is a good place to look for moray eels, lobsters and groupers tucked into the cracks.
Soufriere Pinnacle
- Pinnacle
- Intermediate to advanced
A tall pinnacle rising from the deep inside the crater, with its top within recreational depth. The walls are covered in large barrel and tube sponges, and the drop on all sides makes it one of the most dramatic dives in the bay.
Crater's Edge and the crater walls
- Wall
- All levels
Several sites follow the rim of the crater, where a shallow reef top drops off into the bay. You can choose your depth along the wall, which makes these dives suit a mixed group. Look for frogfish and seahorses on the shallower sections.
Dangleben's Pinnacles
- Pinnacles
- Intermediate
A group of pinnacles on the northern side of the bay, close to Pointe Michel, with swim-throughs, overhangs and dense sponge growth. Many divers rate it among the island's best reef dives.
Swiss Cheese
- Swim-throughs
- All levels
Volcanic rock full of holes, arches and short tunnels, which gave the site its name. It is a fun, easy-going dive with plenty to explore at moderate depth.
Central and north coast
Beyond Soufriere Bay
North of Roseau, the coast is lined with sandy slopes, small reefs and rocky points. These sites are less famous than the crater walls, but they are good for slow dives and for finding the small creatures Dominica is known for. Read the macro diving guide for what to look for.
Around Portsmouth in the north, Prince Rupert Bay and the Cabrits peninsula have reefs, caves and boulder fields of their own. Toucari Bay, a little further north, is known for its reef and small caves. Divers staying in the north can dive here without the drive south.
Before you go
Tips for diving Dominica's sites
- Check your buoyancy. On the walls the bottom is far below you. Good buoyancy control and a working depth gauge or computer matter more here than on a shallow reef.
- Dive with a guide. Local guides know where the current runs and where the seahorses and frogfish are hiding.
- Bring a light. A small torch brings out the colour of the sponges and helps you see into cracks and swim-throughs.
- Plan for the season. The west coast is usually calm, but swells and storms can affect some sites. See the best time to dive Dominica.
Ready to book? The Dominica dive trip planning guide covers where to stay for each area and how to get to the island.
Questions
Dominica dive sites FAQ
What is the best dive site in Dominica?
Champagne Reef is the best known because of its volcanic bubbles, but many experienced divers name the pinnacles and walls of Soufriere Bay and Scotts Head as their favourites. A week of diving usually covers most of them.
Are Dominica's dive sites deep?
The walls drop to great depths, but most dives stay within normal recreational limits along the top of the wall or around the pinnacle tops. Shallow sites such as Champagne Reef suit beginners.
Can I shore dive in Dominica?
Some sites, including Champagne Reef, can be reached from shore. Most diving is done from small boats because the sites are close but spread along a steep coastline.