Champagne Beach
Pointe Michel, Saint Mark Parish, Dominica
Champagne Beach sits south of Roseau near Pointe Michel on Dominica, named for the streams of small volcanic gas bubbles that rise continuously from vents on the sea floor, turning a swim here into something closer to floating in a glass of champagne. Rocky, black volcanic sand and tide pools full of crabs line the shore, best explored when the water pulls back.
A genuinely unusual natural feature that's rare anywhere else in the Caribbean, though the rocky terrain and volcanic sand mean it rewards snorkelers more than anyone hoping for a soft sand lounge.
Time your visit for low tide, when the hot pools and tidal crevices along the shoreline open up and the snorkeling over the bubbling vents is at its best.
There's roadside parking near the beach entrance south of Roseau, with gear rental available on site for snorkeling out to the bubbling vents.
The beach itself is rocky rather than sandy in most spots, with uneven volcanic terrain underfoot, not well suited to strollers or limited mobility.
The dry season from mid-December through mid-June brings calmer seas and easier snorkeling conditions, while the wetter season the rest of the year carries Dominica's Atlantic hurricane season risk.
More Caribbean beaches
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Boston Bay Beach
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