Jurassic-like mountains with thousands of species of exotic plants, hot springs and Sisserou parrots beckon to be explored on the Lesser Antilles’ youngest island. Traverse high into the sky in lush mountain jungles and deep below the surface to some of the Caribbean’s most envied diving sites on this eco-tourism dream of an island. Black sand, white sand, you name it—your beach vacation to Dominica will be anything but ordinary.
Dominica Beaches: Places to Stay and Things To Do
Known as the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean,” Dominica is home to the world’s second-largest boiling lake and acres of lush vegetation. It’s a nature lover’s paradise with hiking, water excursions, eco tours and diving, and you’ll find plenty of places to settle in and enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. Dominica sits about halfway along the Eastern Caribbean archipelago and is easily accessible from Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is officially known as the Commonwealth of Dominica and has a very small population of just about 70,000 residents over the 289.5 square miles of territory.
The capital city of Roseau is where you’ll find most of the commercial life, which itself is fairly minimal. Almost two-thirds of the island is covered by tropical forests and more than 1,200 plant species. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is one of the most significant attractions on the island and is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Caribbean. The cultural mix here includes English, French, African and Caribbean, and you’ll find many restaurants and destinations around the island exhibit this “melting pot” of cultures. Unlike other islands in the Caribbean, Dominica is not well known for its beaches because most of the beaches on the island are fairly rocky and don’t have much shade. The black sands of Hampstead Beach are still a fairly popular destination for tourists, however, and you can find white-sand beaches in the northeastern side of the island.
The indigenous people of Caribe still live on the island, inhabiting about 3,700 acres of territory on the eastern coast—know as “Carib Territory”. If you do visit this part of the island, you’ll have a chance to see some of the ancestral roots, visit canoe building areas and see outhouses with original tribal designs.
Best Beaches
For an island not necessarily known for its beaches, Dominica has a variety of options for dedicated beach bums. If black sand piques your interest, this volcanic island has it in droves on beaches like Rosalie Bay Beach, Batibou Beach, Mero Beach and Point Baptiste. Or, if you’re looking for clear snorkeling right off the beach, Douglas Bay, Salisbury and Scott’s Head beaches are all great options. For something more unique, head to Champagne Beach, where a constant stream of bubbles rising to the surface from volcanic vents under the sea floor give the appearance of champagne bubbles, along with warm water and world-famous diving. If you’re seeking a more traditional “Caribbean” looking beach, Hampstead Beach is a trek to get to, but it delivers with postcard-perfect scenery.
It’s important to note that not all beaches on Dominica are safe for swimming due to rough surf, so be sure to learn about each beach’s tides and currents before diving in.
Things to Do
Courtesy of: Discover Dominica
Visit The Carib Cultural Village by the Sea to learn about the heritage of the Carib people (Kalingo) and see live music, song and dance performances. This site is also home to an herbal medicine garden, arts and crafts gallery, hiking trails and several viewpoints overlooking the Crayfish River.
One of the most unique attributes of the island of Dominica is the architecture and historic dwellings throughout the area. There’s a number of monumental buildings that date back to the colonial era, including old plantation estates, sugar mills and historic homes. The Society for Architectural Preservation and Enhancement has designed a self-guided walking tour that gives you a taste of several fine architectural examples. From residential huts to ornamental churches, you’ll see dozens of historic sites and venues around the residential areas of the island.
Most of the water around Dominica is protected, making diving and snorkeling popular activities year round. Head to the southern side of the island to explore Scotts Head Soufriere Marine Reserve or to the Cabrits Marine Reserve on the northern area of the island. Popular dive sites include the Cabrits Dive Site, Pinard, Douglas Point, Pointe Ronde and the Craters, Toucari Bay, Cottage Point and Champagne Reef. Coral Gardens North, also known as Dangleben’s North, is a shallow and colorful dive site located in Soufriere, Scott’s Head has the volcanic ridge known as Crater’s Edge and the Norse Reef and Whaleshark Reef start at 55 feet and cascade down to over 130 feet.
Head off on an ATV or horseback riding tour of the island to enjoy an eco-adventure of your own. These tours are perfect for exploring sites beyond the standard hiking trails and take you through lush jungle and where you’ll see an endless array of ornamental plants, tropical flowers and exotic fruit trees. A guided horseback ride through the rainforest gives you a chance to see breathtaking natural sites from a fresh perspective.
Hiking and adventure activities are a popular choice for many island visitors, with more than 300 miles of footpaths in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park alone. This national park has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. Morne Trois Piton National Park is one of the most popular nature sites to visit, but you’ll also find a number of pools, falls, gorges and beaches around the island. Some of the island’s top nature attractions include Trafalgar Falls, Ti Tou Gorge, Londonderry Beach, Isulukati Waterfall, Woodford Hill Beach, Emerald Pool and the Middleham Falls.
Don’t miss the chance to see the nesting rituals of the loggerheads, hawksbills, leatherbacks and green sea turtles. Rosalie Beach attracts these turtles between March and August each year and it’s one of the most amazing things to watch. The Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation Organisation and the Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative work together to train turtle watching guides and educate the community.
Many visitors head to Dominica for health and wellness retreats, too. If you’re in need of a holistic break or want to enjoy spa treatments, head to one of the hotels with spas or enjoy an Ayurvedic retreat. The clean mountain air helps relieve stress and restore your spirit. Plus, you can relax in one of the natural sulfur hot pools, enjoy a variety of nutritious tropical juices and connect with nature.
Whether you’re heading to the island of Dominica for a relaxing getaway, eco-adventure or just to spend a few days learning about the local culture and traditions, you’ll find that this side of the Caribbean has a wealth of experiences in store.
The island of Dominica plays host to a number of events and festivals throughout the year. Carnival is perhaps the biggest event of the year, and on the island of Dominica, it’s known as “The Real Mas”. This pre-Lent festival takes place in February or March each year and is a grand festival of music, parades, costumes, great food and the Queen Show—which showcases the talents of local women. The Calypso competition is also one of the biggest draws to the Carnival celebration, featuring musicians and artists from around the region.
The World Creole Music Festival is a two-day concert held in October each year and is another popular event that draws visitors from around the globe. This is an elaborate celebration of Creole music featuring live performances and workshops for music fans and enthusiasts. Don’t miss the Carib Canoe Race and Dive Fest in July, a popular event for summertime visitors. This event attracts hundreds of locals to the shores each year to compete in a canoeing competition and show off their diving skills.
When to Visit
Courtesy of Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Dominica’s location between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean puts it within the same climate category as most of the other islands in the Caribbean. Average temperatures range between 70 and 85 degrees, and the warmest months are between February and May. February through May is the best time to visit if you want to spend some time on the beach, explore the local sites and rainforests, and spend most of your vacation outdoors. Hurricane season runs from June through November each year.