Roseau Dominica Cruise Port Guide

the highest mountains in the Caribbean and has one of the best remaining rain forests in the world.

Cabrits National Park is on the northwest coast of the island and has over 1,000 acres of protected marine life.

Fort Shirley defended the island in the 18th century and now affords a sweeping view of the bay from its ramparts.

The beach at Prince Rupert Bay, shaded by seagrape and coconut palms, is perfect for an outing and snorkeling.

Morne Diablotins, the island's highest peak and the source of many of its rivers, rises in the Northern Forest Reserve. In the area of Morne Diablotins, the island's highest peak, are found the Sisserou and Jaco parrots for which the island is famous. Hiking and parrot watching are favorite activities, but a guide is highly recommended.

In the northeast is the 3,700 acre Caribe Territory, which is home to descendants of the island's original inhabitants--the Carib Indians.

Although mainly agriculturists, they still produce baskets, canoes and other traditional items. The Catholic Church at Salybia has an altar fashioned from a dugout canoe. Craft shops throughout the Territory offer beautiful examples of the Caribs' wares.

The rainforest in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, in the south central portion of the island, contains plant life that will amaze you, from giant ferns and hanging orchids to sweet-smelling wild ginger. There are six established hiking trails.

to view historic Dominica, stroll through Roseau and see the island's architecture, with wooden buildings ornamented with fretwork, or ''gingerbread,'' balconies and jalousies. Many of the restored older buildings are built of thick masonry walls. The Catholic Cathedral and Anglican Church are well worth a visit. The Old Market Square is behind the Post Office and has seen slave auctions and executions, as well as the sale of produce. It is currently a craft market. On Saturday you must see the new market at the mouth of the Roseau River, one of the Caribbean's most colorful, with the bounty of Dominica's fruits and vegetables on display.

The Botanical Gardens were originally designed as an experimental facility to advance agriculture, but ornamental plants can be seen here, too.

Dominica underwater is as spectacular as above. The unexplored coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs and wrecks offer spectacular world-class diving.

At Soufriere, try a dive known as ''Champagne'' for the bubbling waters created by volcanic activity on the sea bed. In Douglas Bay, in the marine portion of Cabrits National Park, there are underwater snorkeling trails.