Roseau Titou Gorge, Hot Spring, Falls and Bubble Reef Snorkel Tour

The bubbling volcanic reef near Pointe Michel

On the south-west coast of Dominica, between Roseau and the fishing village of Soufriere, underwater volcanic vents release a constant stream of tiny gas bubbles through the dark sand and rocks. Swimming here feels like floating in a glass of sparkling water, and the warm bubbles rise around sponges, corals and tropical fish.

This is the first stop of the day, about 25 minutes from Roseau. The guide hands out snorkel and safety gear from the bus, explains the site and leads you into the water from the rocky beach, where you spend about an hour. The reef lies within the island's south-west marine reserve, so look but never touch, and water shoes make the entry much easier.

Titou Gorge

Titou Gorge, near the mountain village of Laudat, is a narrow slot canyon formed when lava cracked as it cooled. Its name comes from the Creole ti tou, meaning little throat. The walls rise steeply on both sides, draped in ferns and moss, and a short swim through clear, cool water leads to a small waterfall pouring into the end of the gorge.

After a safety briefing you swim or float in with a life vest, following the light that filters down from the gap of sky above. It is one of the most memorable experiences in Dominica and one of the reasons people ask whether Titou Gorge is worth visiting: it is, especially for confident swimmers. Plan about 40 minutes here, including time to dry off.

Trafalgar Falls

Trafalgar Falls are two waterfalls side by side on the edge of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The taller, slimmer fall is known as the Father and the broader, more powerful one as the Mother, and both plunge from a cliff of rainforest into rocky pools scattered with boulders.

A short walk through the forest brings you to the viewing area, where the spray cools the air and the sound of the water fills the valley. You spend about 50 minutes at the falls with the guide, enough for photos and a closer look at the pools. Trafalgar Falls is among the most visited sights in Dominica and is easiest to enjoy with transport and entry arranged, as on this tour.

Wotten Waven hot springs

Wotten Waven is a small village in the Roseau Valley where volcanic activity heats the ground and feeds natural sulphur springs. Steam drifts from vents beside the stream, and several open-air pools fed by mineral water have made the village a favourite place to relax after a day of hiking and swimming.

On this tour you first see a hot spring and the volcanic vents with the guide, then spend about an hour soaking in a natural hot sulphur pool. The warm, mineral-rich water is said to ease tired muscles, and it is the perfect contrast to the cool water of Titou Gorge. Bring a dark swimsuit, as sulphur can mark light fabrics.

Roseau Botanic Gardens and Morne Bruce

The Roseau Botanic Gardens, laid out in the late nineteenth century on the edge of the capital, are a green oasis of tropical trees, flowering shrubs and lawns. One famous sight is an old school bus still pinned under a huge baobab tree that fell on it during Hurricane David in 1979.

Above the gardens rises Morne Bruce, a hill that once held a military garrison and now offers a sweeping view over the rooftops of Roseau, the harbour and the Caribbean Sea. You spend about 45 minutes in this area before returning to the Dominica Museum on the Bayfront, a short walk from the cruise ship berth, or to your accommodation.