Portsmouth Dominica
Dominica

75 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Atlas Ocean Voyages (1 Cruises)

Azamara Club Cruises (3 Cruises)

Emerald Waterways (2 Cruises)

Ponant (29 Cruises)

Star Clippers (40 Cruises)


Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on the ship, at the Cabrits pier or by tender off the town, in Prince Rupert Bay. This deep anchorage once sheltered colonial fleets; the centre stretches along the bay, within walking distance of the landing.
The rowed trip up the Indian River, about ninety minutes, then the market and the town streets, and finally Purple Turtle Beach to the north. Those with extra hours add Fort Shirley on the Cabrits peninsula opposite.
The signature outing here, and it needs no coach and no winding road. Licensed guides take passengers for about ninety minutes of silent progress beneath a vault of red mangroves. Motors are banned: you hear only the creak of the oars and herons taking flight.
Twisted roots plunging into dark water where crabs and small fish dart; green herons, kingfishers and iguanas can be surprised in the branches, provided the boat moves quietly. Film buffs will recognise the set of Calypso's shack, built here for an episode of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Like a large Caribbean village, and nothing has been arranged for visitors: corner shops, schoolchildren in uniform, verandas where people talk in the shade. The market overflows with bananas, yams and citrus, busiest on Saturday morning. It is that naturalness, rare in the region, that you take away.
Yes, at Purple Turtle Beach north of town: a strip of dark golden sand following the curve of the bay. The water stays calm, sheltered from the open swell, and a few restaurants serve grilled fish and fresh juice almost at the water's edge.
Yes, at Toucari, a hamlet five kilometres north along the coast road, whose clear cove suits mask and snorkel — at your own pace, with no supervision and no turnstile.
The East Caribbean dollar. US dollars are widely accepted. Bring cash for the market, where cards are not taken, and for the river trip if you book it on the spot.
Insect repellent for the river, cash for the market and shoes that do not mind damp. Morne Diablotin, the island's high point at 1,447 metres, manufactures the showers that water the surrounding food gardens: a downpour is always possible.
If the ship leaves in the evening, yes. Sunsets drop straight onto the horizon from Purple Turtle Beach, with no land to hold them back. In late afternoon the fishermen haul their nets while children dive from the jetties: Portsmouth is not trying to charm you, it is simply carrying on living.