Photos & Video of our Day in Dominica

[AryMay]

This past year I started doing a blog to record the memories that we have made during our travels. I have now begun going backwards in time to record past cruises. Since I have always done lengthy trip reports here on Cruise Critic, I am basically transferring the information into the blog where it is easier to read.

 

Even though the cruise was in December 2013, I think it could still provide some useful information to anyone planning to be in Dominica.

 

Here are the links to the blog entries about Dominica...

 

Dominical Part 1

 

Dominical Part 2

 

If you are one of those people (like me!) who like to read about other people's cruises, please feel free to browse through the other entries as well! So far I have covered recent cruises to Alaska, and the Caribbean.

 

[Barwick Cruiser]

This past year I started doing a blog to record the memories that we have made during our travels. I have now begun going backwards in time to record past cruises. Since I have always done lengthy trip reports here on Cruise Critic, I am basically transferring the information into the blog where it is easier to read.

 

Even though the cruise was in December 2013, I think it could still provide some useful information to anyone planning to be in Dominica.

 

Here are the links to the blog entries about Dominica...

 

Dominical Part 1

 

Dominical Part 2

 

If you are one of those people (like me!) who like to read about other people's cruises, please feel free to browse through the other entries as well! So far I have covered recent cruises to Alaska, and the Caribbean.

 

 

Thank you so much for this blog on Dominica. We have booked Levi for our upcoming Feb Summit cruise on this exact tour. Your pictures and descriptions give me a much better idea of what to expect, since, as you found out, sometimes the posted tour description varies from what actually happens! At least I will be prepared now!

Cathy

[wendycook22]

Thank you so much for posting your comments and pictures. We have this excursion booked for an upcoming cruise later this year.

[carbon]

How do you contact Levi?

[Barwick Cruiser]

How do you contact Levi?

 

Google Bumpiing tours and you'll see the site to click on. He returns inquiries quite quickly.

[wendycook22]

http://www.bumpiingtours.com/

 

Above is his site. He is very quick at communicating and getting back to you.

 

I am very excited to go to this port and be part of this tour.

[1gail1]

This past year I started doing a blog to record the memories that we have made during our travels. I have now begun going backwards in time to record past cruises. Since I have always done lengthy trip reports here on Cruise Critic, I am basically transferring the information into the blog where it is easier to read.

 

Even though the cruise was in December 2013, I think it could still provide some useful information to anyone planning to be in Dominica.

 

Here are the links to the blog entries about Dominica...

 

Dominical Part 1

 

Dominical Part 2

 

If you are one of those people (like me!) who like to read about other people's cruises, please feel free to browse through the other entries as well! So far I have covered recent cruises to Alaska, and the Caribbean.

 

 

ARYMAY: what was the name of your tour and what was the cost? This looks wonderful would love to take it. Thanks Gail

[AryMay]

ARYMAY: what was the name of your tour and what was the cost? This looks wonderful would love to take it. Thanks Gail

 

Our tour was the "Roseau Valley Treasures" and our cost (in 2013) was $50/per person.

 

Here is a copy of the email I received from Levi (from June 2013)

 

Roseau Valley Treasures (wet tour) “Casey’s” 3 waters

 

Champagne Reef:

(1st stop) One of the most unique snorkeling areas in the eastern Caribbean. Take a short 5 minutes walk to the end of the stony beach, until you get to a cliff where you will gear up, walk in and begin a very different under water experience. You will be swimming in bubbles like you were in a giant aquarium. If you do not have snorkel gears, we will provide gears (complete snorkel set with fins) at no extra cost. If you need snorkel gears please provide us with you shoe size. If we do not receive the shoe sizes, the gears will have to be rented at champagne reef.

 

Titou Gorge:

One of the most unique areas on the Island and it's also a spot where part of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 was filmed. Like just about all fresh water swimming areas on the Island, The water at Titou Gorge is cold. To enjoy the gorge you would have to take the short swim (about 2 minutes) up a cave like area (opened top, you can see the sky while swimming, you do not swim under water). The swim is about 200 feet and the water is about 15 feet deep at its deepest point. Once you get to the middle of the cave-Like area there is a ledge you can stand on. That’s the only place you will be able to stand before you get to the end of your swim. There is a small waterfall one can swim to, if the water is not flowing too heavy (must do). If you are athletic you can climb the waterfall (4-5 feet) to get to another waterfall but anyone jumping has to be very athletic since you have to jump about 6 feet out into the water on your way down to avoid a ledge in the water. This part is not for everyone and is optional even if you can make the jump. (There is 5-7 minutes rocky walk to Titou Gorge). We provide swim belts to all our guests.

 

Trafalgar Falls:

(two waterfalls in the same area) 10 minutes walk one way up a few steps. The walk is not too difficult but can be a bit challenging if one has any major problems with their backs, legs, hips or if one is short in breath due to lungs or heart condition. After the ten minutes walk, you get to a platform where you view the waterfalls and take photos. There is an optional extra two minutes walk where you can soak in the HOT mineral water (natural hot spring). This part of the tour is not for everyone since it’s a bit challenging getting to the hot spring (uneven and slippery). Visitors should take their time walking to and around the hot spring since the area is a bit rocky, slippery and steep. Climbing to the base of the waterfall should be avoided as much as possible because of the danger involved.

 

Botanical Gardens:

(There you will see different plants trees and flowers grown on the Island) 5 minutes from Morne Bruce. (drive through)

 

Morne Bruce:

(an area where you can see the entire city of Roseau from the top of a hill) 7 minutes drive from the ship. (Great for taking photos) (optional)

 

The estimated duration of the tour is about 5 to 6 hours and has about 1 to 1.5 hours driving and about 30 minutes walking, total. The tour cost $50.00us per person (adult). Children under 14 years but older than 5 years, pays $10.00us less ($40.00us). There's no charge for children 5 and under, all they pay is the government sight pass fee $5.00us.

 

You pay for the tour after it has been completed, with cash or travellers cheques (US dollars).

 

NB: Site passes will be provided so you do not have to purchase site passes.

 

There will be complementary local (kubuli) beers, soft-drinks and local bottled water on the tour.

 

Recommendations:

 

Wear a good pair of waterproof strapped sandals. (eg. Keens)

Swim suits (wear under clothing) and towels

 

Bring along snacks/Sandwiches and or some fruits (we do not provide lunch)

Waterproof camera would be great for this tour

 

 

Please check out our website

http://www.bumpiingtours.com

for updated News and updates on tours and little more about bumpiingtours and Dominica.

[Barwick Cruiser]

Our tour was the "Roseau Valley Treasures" and our cost (in 2013) was $50/per person.

 

Here is a copy of the email I received from Levi (from June 2013)

 

Roseau Valley Treasures (wet tour) “Casey’s” 3 waters

 

Champagne Reef:

(1st stop) One of the most unique snorkeling areas in the eastern Caribbean. Take a short 5 minutes walk to the end of the stony beach, until you get to a cliff where you will gear up, walk in and begin a very different under water experience. You will be swimming in bubbles like you were in a giant aquarium. If you do not have snorkel gears, we will provide gears (complete snorkel set with fins) at no extra cost. If you need snorkel gears please provide us with you shoe size. If we do not receive the shoe sizes, the gears will have to be rented at champagne reef.

 

Titou Gorge:

One of the most unique areas on the Island and it's also a spot where part of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 was filmed. Like just about all fresh water swimming areas on the Island, The water at Titou Gorge is cold. To enjoy the gorge you would have to take the short swim (about 2 minutes) up a cave like area (opened top, you can see the sky while swimming, you do not swim under water). The swim is about 200 feet and the water is about 15 feet deep at its deepest point. Once you get to the middle of the cave-Like area there is a ledge you can stand on. That’s the only place you will be able to stand before you get to the end of your swim. There is a small waterfall one can swim to, if the water is not flowing too heavy (must do). If you are athletic you can climb the waterfall (4-5 feet) to get to another waterfall but anyone jumping has to be very athletic since you have to jump about 6 feet out into the water on your way down to avoid a ledge in the water. This part is not for everyone and is optional even if you can make the jump. (There is 5-7 minutes rocky walk to Titou Gorge). We provide swim belts to all our guests.

 

Trafalgar Falls:

(two waterfalls in the same area) 10 minutes walk one way up a few steps. The walk is not too difficult but can be a bit challenging if one has any major problems with their backs, legs, hips or if one is short in breath due to lungs or heart condition. After the ten minutes walk, you get to a platform where you view the waterfalls and take photos. There is an optional extra two minutes walk where you can soak in the HOT mineral water (natural hot spring). This part of the tour is not for everyone since it’s a bit challenging getting to the hot spring (uneven and slippery). Visitors should take their time walking to and around the hot spring since the area is a bit rocky, slippery and steep. Climbing to the base of the waterfall should be avoided as much as possible because of the danger involved.

 

Botanical Gardens:

(There you will see different plants trees and flowers grown on the Island) 5 minutes from Morne Bruce. (drive through)

 

Morne Bruce:

(an area where you can see the entire city of Roseau from the top of a hill) 7 minutes drive from the ship. (Great for taking photos) (optional)

 

The estimated duration of the tour is about 5 to 6 hours and has about 1 to 1.5 hours driving and about 30 minutes walking, total. The tour cost $50.00us per person (adult). Children under 14 years but older than 5 years, pays $10.00us less ($40.00us). There's no charge for children 5 and under, all they pay is the government sight pass fee $5.00us.

 

You pay for the tour after it has been completed, with cash or travellers cheques (US dollars).

 

NB: Site passes will be provided so you do not have to purchase site passes.

 

There will be complementary local (kubuli) beers, soft-drinks and local bottled water on the tour.

 

Recommendations:

 

Wear a good pair of waterproof strapped sandals. (eg. Keens)

Swim suits (wear under clothing) and towels

 

Bring along snacks/Sandwiches and or some fruits (we do not provide lunch)

Waterproof camera would be great for this tour

 

 

Please check out our website

http://www.bumpiingtours.com

for updated News and updates on tours and little more about bumpiingtours and Dominica.

 

I recently booked this exact tour for Feb 2016 and it's still $50US pp....a bargain in my opinion!

[cgeorge217]

Is the website not working? Getting a Site not found message.

[AryMay]

Is the website not working? Getting a Site not found message.

 

Are you referring to the website for Bumpiing Tours? It seems to work fine when I click on the link.

[1gail1]

Our tour was the "Roseau Valley Treasures" and our cost (in 2013) was $50/per person.

 

Here is a copy of the email I received from Levi (from June 2013)

 

Roseau Valley Treasures (wet tour) “Casey’s” 3 waters

 

Champagne Reef:

(1st stop) One of the most unique snorkeling areas in the eastern Caribbean. Take a short 5 minutes walk to the end of the stony beach, until you get to a cliff where you will gear up, walk in and begin a very different under water experience. You will be swimming in bubbles like you were in a giant aquarium. If you do not have snorkel gears, we will provide gears (complete snorkel set with fins) at no extra cost. If you need snorkel gears please provide us with you shoe size. If we do not receive the shoe sizes, the gears will have to be rented at champagne reef.

 

Titou Gorge:

One of the most unique areas on the Island and it's also a spot where part of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 was filmed. Like just about all fresh water swimming areas on the Island, The water at Titou Gorge is cold. To enjoy the gorge you would have to take the short swim (about 2 minutes) up a cave like area (opened top, you can see the sky while swimming, you do not swim under water). The swim is about 200 feet and the water is about 15 feet deep at its deepest point. Once you get to the middle of the cave-Like area there is a ledge you can stand on. That’s the only place you will be able to stand before you get to the end of your swim. There is a small waterfall one can swim to, if the water is not flowing too heavy (must do). If you are athletic you can climb the waterfall (4-5 feet) to get to another waterfall but anyone jumping has to be very athletic since you have to jump about 6 feet out into the water on your way down to avoid a ledge in the water. This part is not for everyone and is optional even if you can make the jump. (There is 5-7 minutes rocky walk to Titou Gorge). We provide swim belts to all our guests.

 

Trafalgar Falls:

(two waterfalls in the same area) 10 minutes walk one way up a few steps. The walk is not too difficult but can be a bit challenging if one has any major problems with their backs, legs, hips or if one is short in breath due to lungs or heart condition. After the ten minutes walk, you get to a platform where you view the waterfalls and take photos. There is an optional extra two minutes walk where you can soak in the HOT mineral water (natural hot spring). This part of the tour is not for everyone since it’s a bit challenging getting to the hot spring (uneven and slippery). Visitors should take their time walking to and around the hot spring since the area is a bit rocky, slippery and steep. Climbing to the base of the waterfall should be avoided as much as possible because of the danger involved.

 

Botanical Gardens:

(There you will see different plants trees and flowers grown on the Island) 5 minutes from Morne Bruce. (drive through)

 

Morne Bruce:

(an area where you can see the entire city of Roseau from the top of a hill) 7 minutes drive from the ship. (Great for taking photos) (optional)

 

The estimated duration of the tour is about 5 to 6 hours and has about 1 to 1.5 hours driving and about 30 minutes walking, total. The tour cost $50.00us per person (adult). Children under 14 years but older than 5 years, pays $10.00us less ($40.00us). There's no charge for children 5 and under, all they pay is the government sight pass fee $5.00us.

 

You pay for the tour after it has been completed, with cash or travellers cheques (US dollars).

 

NB: Site passes will be provided so you do not have to purchase site passes.

 

There will be complementary local (kubuli) beers, soft-drinks and local bottled water on the tour.

 

Recommendations:

 

Wear a good pair of waterproof strapped sandals. (eg. Keens)

Swim suits (wear under clothing) and towels

 

Bring along snacks/Sandwiches and or some fruits (we do not provide lunch)

Waterproof camera would be great for this tour

 

 

Please check out our website

http://www.bumpiingtours.com

for updated News and updates on tours and little more about bumpiingtours and Dominica.

 

Thanks AryMay..Did you walk up to the hot springs? is it as difficult and they say? and how long can you soak in the hot springs.

[AryMay]

Thanks AryMay..Did you walk up to the hot springs? is it as difficult and they say? and how long can you soak in the hot springs.

 

Yes...we did go to the hot springs. It wasn't far off the path, but did require climbing down a steep, muddy incline with lots of tree roots and such to get over. There are some photos on my blog where you can get an idea of what the area looked like. We stayed maybe 15 minutes or so. (Not everyone in our group chose to go to the spring.)

 

To me, it was such a wonderful experience to be sitting in a steaming, hot spring in the middle of a rain forest (while it was raining I might add!) :)

[1gail1]

Yes...we did go to the hot springs. It wasn't far off the path, but did require climbing down a steep, muddy incline with lots of tree roots and such to get over. There are some photos on my blog where you can get an idea of what the area looked like. We stayed maybe 15 minutes or so. (Not everyone in our group chose to go to the spring.)

 

To me, it was such a wonderful experience to be sitting in a steaming, hot spring in the middle of a rain forest (while it was raining I might add!) :)

 

Sounds wonderful, now I just have to get the rest of the group to go. I think it is between this and possibly river tubing. Thank you for responding back to me with information, it has been very helpful.

[1gail1]

AryMay, you have so many wonderful photos underwater, can you please tell me what camera you use? thanks Gail

[AryMay]

AryMay, you have so many wonderful photos underwater, can you please tell me what camera you use? thanks Gail

 

I guess that depends on which pictures you were looking at and which person took them!

 

1. I use a Canon D10 underwater camera (for snorkeling AND when I'm worried the camera might get wet otherwise.)
    
   
2. My friend, Laurel, also took quite a few of the underwater photos on my blog and she uses a Panasonic DMC-T55. (Between Laurel and I we had 5 different cameras AND our phones!)
    
   
3. Some of the photos I posted from Bonaire were taken by a professional photographer who was with our snorkel tour and then had the pictures for sale on a CD afterwards.
    
   
4. And lastly...the scuba photos from Bonaire were taken by the dive company that my husband was with.
   

I probably haven't been too helpful with this response, but if you have any certain photo you were wondering about, I could tell you which camera it was taken with. ;)

 

 

[AryMay]

 

[*]And lastly...the scuba photos from Bonaire were taken by the dive company that my husband was with.

I probably haven't been too helpful with this response, but if you have any certain photo you were wondering about, I could tell you which camera it was taken with. ;)

 

 

 

Oops...just a slight correction. The scuba photos were from ARUBA, not Bonaire.

[1gail1]

I guess that depends on which pictures you were looking at and which person took them!

 

1. I use a Canon D10 underwater camera (for snorkeling AND when I'm worried the camera might get wet otherwise.)
    
   
2. My friend, Laurel, also took quite a few of the underwater photos on my blog and she uses a Panasonic DMC-T55. (Between Laurel and I we had 5 different cameras AND our phones!)
    
   
3. Some of the photos I posted from Bonaire were taken by a professional photographer who was with our snorkel tour and then had the pictures for sale on a CD afterwards.
    
   
4. And lastly...the scuba photos from Bonaire were taken by the dive company that my husband was with.
   

I probably haven't been too helpful with this response, but if you have any certain photo you were wondering about, I could tell you which camera it was taken with. ;)

 

 

 

Thanks, I was just looking for a good underwater camera that was not to expensive. You have been helpful.