Snorkeling Champagne Reef in Dominica

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Champagne Reef in Dominica is a unique experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world so I highly recommend adding it to your travel bucket list! In this post, I’ll get you set with everything you need to know before you go swimming or snorkeling.

And if you enjoy this article, you’ll love my one-week Dominica itinerary!

View of the  volcanic black sand beach, Champagne Beach, leading to Champagne Reef off the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea.

Basic Things to Know

What part of the Caribbean is Champagne Reef? Not to be confused with Champagne Beach on the island of Vanatu in Oceania, Champagne Reef Dominica gets its name from the effervescent effect created in the water by thermal vents releasing small amounts of gas into the water.

Why should I go to Champagne Beach? I visited for the same reason people visit from all over the world: to feel like I’m swimming in a flute of champagne. And the bubbles were worth it!

How much does it cost? Tours range in price depending on your transportation and guidance needs as well as group size. Here’s a Champagne Reef tour starting under $30 and a popular Champagne Reef excursion around $100.

What else is there to do? The warm bubbly waters of Champagne Reef are not the only draw, though! While rocky, Champagne Beach is covered in volcanic black sand with clear water and there’s a distant view of Scott’s Head.

If you’re spending limited time in Dominica, check out this wet tour of Titou Gorge, Champagne Reef, and more!

Where is Champagne Reef located?

Champagne Reef is located on the southwest side of the island on the Caribbean Sea and part of the Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve.

Coming from Roseau, it’s about 25 minutes by car but the closest town is Soufriere, which is just a few minutes away. I must mention that the steps to get down to the beach are steep and not perfectly even so be careful and take note if you have any mobility challenges.

I booked this experience through my hotel in Dominica so transportation, supplies, and a super-skilled guide were all part of the deal. Check out my review of Jungle Bay Resort in Dominica!

And here are my top 10 things to do in Soufriere, Dominica!

Jazzmine standing in the clear rocky water of Champagne Beach Dominica; wearing a black and white swimsuit and holding bright yellow snorkeling gear.

What You’ll Need

Bring a towel and cover-up! Wear a swimsuit you feel comfortable in and be sure to tie your hair out of your face so you can have an uninterrupted view of all the underwater beauty.

You’ll need snorkeling gear and a float if you aren’t a strong swimmer. This includes a snorkel mask and flippers. I also strongly recommend wearing reef-safe mineral sunscreen from head to toe, especially if you plan to swim or float near the surface because those UV rays will penetrate.

Champagne Reef Beach is full of shells and rocks right at the shoreline and the sand itself can get quite hot so water shoes are recommended. I wore my trusty $20 water shoes until it was time to change into my flippers!

If you want to get underwater photos or videos, bring a water-safe phone bag. Also, depending on where you enter, there may be a small fee payable by cash in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (ECD), US Dollars, or Euros.

Lastly, I found Dominica to be very safe and the island is known for having little to no crime, however, it’s never wise to leave your belongings unattended on the beach. Anything you aren’t taking underwater with you should be left in the car or back at your accommodation.

Here’s my full Dominica packing list, including women’s outfit ideas for all kinds of activities!

Dominica Snorkeling Review

In case it isn’t obvious, I thoroughly enjoyed this activity and can see why it’s so popular because the water felt so different from any other snorkel experience I’ve had! The reviews I read didn’t do it justice.

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made sure we got the full experience by sharing tips, pointing out marine life we might have missed out on, and explaining the phenomenon of the geothermal activity.

I took this trip and excursion solo but there were couples and groups taking part. Keep in mind that this is a physical activity if you’re visiting with small kids or people who can’t swim. There were divers of all experience levels in our group, including absolute beginners and everyone had a blast.

We started by shedding our cover-ups then putting on our snorkeling equipment and backing into the water. We swam and floated for a bit before getting to the reef and once we did, it was a feast for the eyes with colorful coral and sponges. Schools of fish, eels, and even some sea turtles swam all around us. And I spotted parrotfish, trumpetfish, and frogfish.

In my opinion, it’s best to go early in the day before it gets too hot and certainly before the sun starts setting and the water gets dark.

Tours Options

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More Favorite Snorkeling Destinations

I hope this review of Champagne Beach and Reef in Dominica helps you have the best Caribbean vacation ever. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

woman sunbathing on rocky beach near Champagne Reef with text overlay: champagne reef dominica review.
Jazzmine standing on Champagne Beach holding snorkel gear with text overlay: champagne reef what to know before your go.
black sand beach in Dominica, West Indies, with text overlay: ultimate guide to snorkeling in champagne reef dominica.

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