Champagne Reef

Champagne Reef takes its name from the streams of warm geothermal bubbles rising through the seafloor — snorkelling here genuinely feels like swimming in champagne.

Where

Just south of Pointe Michel, off the Champagne Beach entry on the south-west coast, ~25 min from Roseau by bus or car.

How to visit

• Pay the marine reserve fee (US$5).
• Walk through the ramp into the water — entry is over rounded volcanic stones, swim shoes are very welcome.
• Float over the rock plateau a few metres out and the bubbles rise to meet you.

What to look for

• The bubble vents themselves — sit still and they tickle your skin.
• Trumpetfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, French angelfish and frogfish.
• Hawksbill turtles graze the seagrass on the south end.
• Lobsters under the boulder reef.

Combining

• Scuba dive the deeper coral wall with one of the operators based at Champagne Beach.
• Soufrière Sulphur Springs — hot bath after the swim, 5 min by road.
• Scotts Head Marine Reserve — drift snorkel just round the headland.

Tips

• Visit on a calm morning — afternoon waves muddy the visibility.
• Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory.
• The little café next to the entry serves cold Kubuli beer and grilled fish.