Scotts Head Pinnacle is justifiably one of the island's most famous dive sites. Divers regularly request repeat visits to this site. The dive begins on Swiss Cheese, a large rock formation home to the well-known Soldierfish Cave. Not actually a cave, this swim-through is usually packed with soldier fish and grunts that form a curtain in front of you, briefly parting to swallow you into the school as you pass through. Crossing a flat area of coral-encrusted rock formations leads to the Pinnacle itself. At a depth of only 35 ft, a picturesque swim-through bisects the pinnacle, bringing you to the "other side" -- a steep wall on the inside of the volcanic crater that falls off to more than 120 ft. The swim-through is home to blackbar soldierfish, grunts and lobster. The wall is dominated by deepwater sea fans and other colorful gorgonians.

This series of 5 pinnacles varies greatly in shape and depth, but none shallower than 35 ft, and most can be circumnavigated at 80 ft. These pinnacles create a fantastic maze of dramatic topography that is home to schools of jacks, creole wrasse, yellow tail snappers, turtles, occasional barracuda and an assortment of other creatures. This site is best visited when there is a moderate current. The surface frequently has currents and until you get to the bottom at about 50 ft, there is nowhere to hide, so this dive is for the intermediate diver rather than the beginner. On days with no currents there will be less fish life, but the amazing explosion of colorful sponges, huge barrel sponges, vivid crinoids and thriving healthy reef make for an unforgettable dive.

Explore underwater arches, tunnels, and grottos at this north island dive site—one of Dominica's most popular descents. Here, blackbar soldierfish and glasseye sweepers patrol a sweep of exceptionally healthy hard and soft corals. Make sure to look down, where a fumarole releases bubbles on the ocean floor. Suitable for all levels, Toucari Caves has a max depth of 38 feet.

Named for the bubbling waters rising from volcanic thermal springs on the ocean floor, Champagne Reef attracts diving and snorkeling enthusiasts from around the world. The reef's plummeting cliffs and towering volcanic formations perfectly match Dominica's massive mountains and gorges.

Whether diving or snorkeling in these warm waters, you'll encounter a dazzling explosion of color. The reef holds a paint box of sponges with names like pink azure, red rope, yellow tube, and purple vase, to name just a few. And greeting you as you go are countless crinoids — also known as water lilies. These marine animals attached themselves to coral and sponges, waving delicate tubular wands of red, yellow, each one hypnotizing in its beauty.

Matching the color and variety of the sponges and crinoids is a fascinating range of undersea creatures — octopus, rays, trumpet fish, parrotfish, frogfish, batfish, hawksbill turtles, seahorses, sea snakes, and eels. You may even encounter the remains of the 17th century Spanish shipwreck.