Scotts Head, Dominica:
The Peninsula at the Southern Tip

Scotts Head is a small village at the very southern tip of Dominica, on a narrow peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea where the marine reserve meets the Atlantic. The peninsula geography is the headline: from the small viewpoint at the seaward end, the Caribbean is on one side and the open Atlantic on the other, separated by a strip of land you can walk across in a couple of minutes. The diving here is world-class, the snorkelling from shore is excellent, and the village is the southern starting point of the Caribbean's longest signposted long-distance trail.

Why visit

Three things to do at Scotts Head, all worthwhile.

Walk the peninsula

The peninsula itself is a roughly 400 m long, 100 m wide spit of land projecting out from the southern tip of the village. A path runs along it to a small viewpoint at the far end, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Quick walk, big payoff: at sunset the light makes this one of the most-photographed spots in Dominica.

The walk takes 15 to 20 minutes return. Easy, with steps in places.

Snorkel from shore

The water on either side of the peninsula is part of the Soufriere–Scotts Head Marine Reserve. Snorkelling is excellent directly off the small beach below the village, with sea fans, schools of small reef fish, and the occasional turtle within a few metres of the shore. Bring your own gear or rent at the village.

Dive the Drop-Off

The headline dive site in Dominica. Scotts Head Drop-Off is a wall that drops from about 5 m to over 60 m below recreational limits, on the southern edge of the marine reserve. Most dive shops in Roseau and Soufriere include it on their two-tank rotation. See scuba diving in Dominica.

Start the Waitukubuli Trail

The southern end of the Waitukubuli National Trail is in Scotts Head village. Segment 1 runs from here along the coast and uphill to Soufriere, about 7 km and 3 to 4 hours of moderate hiking.

What's the village like

Scotts Head proper is a small fishing village clustered at the base of the peninsula. A few small bars and restaurants along the waterfront, fishermen working from the small harbour, and a quiet, end-of-the-island feel. After dark the village empties early. Don't expect nightlife; expect a hammock-and-stars kind of evening if you're staying overnight.

The headline restaurant for many travellers is Chez Wen, a long-running beachfront spot that serves fresh fish and local Creole food. Several smaller bars and rum shacks operate around the village.

Where to stay

A small selection of B&Bs and guest cottages in and around Scotts Head. Most travellers stay in Soufriere or the Roseau Valley and visit Scotts Head as a day trip. For an overnight or two, options include:

• Sunset Cove Resort (small property, sea views).
• Various small guesthouses under US$120 a night.

For comparison see where to stay in Dominica.

Cost and access

• Site Pass required for the marine reserve (US$5/$12/$40).
• Free village access otherwise.
• Snorkel rentals at the village: US$10 to $15 for a half day.
• Cash recommended; card acceptance is patchy.

Getting there

• From Roseau: ~50 minutes by car along the south-west coastal road.
• From Soufriere: 5 minutes by car or about an hour walking via the Waitukubuli Trail.
• By minibus: shared minibuses run from Roseau to Soufriere; Scotts Head is a final 5-minute hop or short walk from there.

Pair with

• South-coast day: Scotts Head peninsula walk plus a snorkel plus lunch at Chez Wen.
• Diving day: Two-tank dive (Scotts Head Drop-Off plus L'Abym), with surface time at the village.
• Hiking day: Walk Waitukubuli Segment 1 starting here, finishing with a swim at Bubbles Beach and a soak at Bamboozay.