Month: June 2024

Through the jungle, in a traditional Dominican rowing boat, we ventured down the Indian River, made famous by “Pirates of the Caribbean.” This river, the widest of Dominica’s 365, meanders slowly from the mountains to the Caribbean Sea, nestled between Portsmouth and Cabrits National Park.

What catapulted the Indian River to world fame wasn’t just its beauty, but the eerie witch’s house from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” which was constructed in these tranquil waters. Several iconic scenes from the film were shot here, adding a touch of Hollywood magic to this already enchanting place.

However, the true magic of the river lies in its natural wonders. The awe-inspiring Bwa Mang trees that line the riverbanks create an almost otherworldly atmosphere, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from a fantasy film.

The journey was a mesmerizing blend of cinematic nostalgia and the timeless allure of nature, leaving us spellbound by the river’s unique charm.

Remarkably, on World Reefs Awareness Day on June 1st, we found ourselves in the Cousteau Reserve in Guadeloupe. This place is a diver’s paradise, a sanctuary where you can plunge into the silent world once explored by the legendary Captain Jacques Cousteau himself. And yes, you can even meet the man in bronze, resting serenely at the bottom of the sea.

Captain Cousteau first visited the Pigeon Islands in 1959, bringing with him his latest invention—the diving saucer SP-350, affectionately nicknamed “Denise.” This was the first vehicle of its kind designed to explore ocean depths. Jacques-Yves Cousteau later wrote a letter to the Director of INRA ( France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) requesting that the area be designated a protected marine reserve due to its exceptional conditions. Promoted as one of the best spots to witness coral reefs in all their glory, we arrived with tempered expectations. After all, 65 years of climate change and ocean acidification have left their mark on coral reefs worldwide.

Having dived in various locations from the Bahamas to the US Virgin Islands, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation of these once-vibrant ecosystems. Unfortunately, the story was the same here—a handful of live corals, but the majority were dead. The tropical fish were still putting on a colorful show, but poor Captain Cousteau had lost his hand! Who on earth would commit such an act of underwater vandalism?
Nevertheless, we had a fantastic time snorkeling around the islands. We even made a video to capture the beauty and the bittersweet state of the reserve. Stay tuned for more adventures and underwater discoveries.