It’s quite possible you’ve never heard of Dominica. Far different than the resort-laden Dominican Republic, Dominica is known as the ‘nature island’, and it’s an incredible gem that stands out as perhaps the most authentic, untouched island in the entire Caribbean.
Dominica is a small leeward island in the Eastern Caribbean. It’s tucked between the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Though Dominica is small, it’s packed with the most insanely gorgeous nature of all the Caribbean – and is known for having nine volcanos on one small island!
What makes Dominica different
Unlike the nearby French island territories, Dominica (pronounced DOM-in-ee-ka) is the last Caribbean island with a community of indigenous Carib Kalinagos. Their population stands around 3000, and they are doing their best to maintain their community against all outside efforts.
Dominica is like an antidote to some other Caribbean islands when it comes to getting it right. There aren’t any high-rise mega resorts. There is just a strong local community and pure nature – including 3 national parks, 365 rivers, and uninterrupted hiking paths from one end of the island to the other.
Dominica’s insane raw beauty, rich history, and indigenous people make it by far my favorite Caribbean island.
You should read: Mt Liamuiga, St Kitts: An Epic Caribbean Volcano Hike
What to Do in Dominica
There’s no shortage of activities in Dominica – from whale watching to canyoning to bathing under waterfalls, you could spend months here and still have things to see.
1. Soak in the Magic of Trafalgar Falls
2. Hike to the Otherworldly Boiling Lake
3. Swim Through the Movie-Magic Narrows of Titou Gorge
4. Snorkel in Underwater Champagne
5. Watch (or Swim with) Sperm Whales
6. Go Canyoning in Hidden Gorges
7. Visiting Indigenous Carib/Arawak Villages
8. Explore Emerald Pool and Middleham Falls
9. Kayaking on a Huge Freshwater Lake
10. Deep Sea Fish in Abundance
1. Soak in the Magic of Trafalgar Falls
Just a 20-minute drive from Roseau, the twin Trafalgar Falls will leave you breathless—one cascades cold, the other steaming hot.
You can bathe in a natural hot spring while watching cool water thunder from 125 feet above. The 30-minute hike across the jungle feels like walking through a rainforest cathedral.
2. Hike to the Otherworldly Boiling Lake
Dominica’s Boiling Lake is the second-largest in the world and looks like Mordor met a natural spa. The 8-mile hike is not for the faint of heart—expect 5-6 hours across steamy valleys, sulfur springs, and alien landscapes. But the payoff? Unreal.
Pro tip: Hike with a guide from the village of Laudat. The terrain changes fast, and local knowledge is gold.
3. Swim Through the Movie-Magic Narrows of Titou Gorge
Titou Gorge, famous as a filming location for “Pirates of the Caribbean”, is paradise. It was formed by volcanic lava which cooled and split open, leaving a natural cave.
You can swim in crystal-clear water between cliffs to find a gushing waterfall, sparkling with light filtered from the forest canopy above.
4. Snorkel in Underwater Champagne
Champagne Reef, named for its bubbling waters rising from volcanic thermal springs on the ocean floor, houses a dazzling explosion of colorful sea life. While you’re here, you’ll see octopus, colored sponges, rays, turtles, eels, and all kinds of fish.
5. Watch (or Swim with) Sperm Whales
A little-known fact about Dominica is that it’s actually the whale-watching capital of the Caribbean. Dominica’s sheer underwater drop-offs along its western coastline offer deep shelter bays.
These double as feeding grounds for the six different species of cetaceans you can see on a regular basis here, including sperm whales. Dominica is the only country in the world where sperm whales live year-round. Several eco-certified companies offer whale-watching trips—and if you’re lucky (and properly permitted), you might even swim with these gentle giants.
6. Go Canyoning in Hidden Gorges
Imagine hiking down through the rainforest to a secret waterfall that drops off into a hidden canyon far beneath the sunlit forest canopy. Jump in hidden pools with crystal clear water beneath the rainforest and descent into deep gorges in rock carved from thousands of years of rainfall.
This is the #1 rated activity on TripAdvisor. Indeed, it is raw nature at its finest.
7. Visiting Indigenous Carib/Arawak Villages
Last but not least, visiting the indigenous Kalinago people is an essential part of your journey. Dominica is actually the only Caribbean island with a thriving indigenous population.
An interesting fact about the Kalinago people is that they have survived hundreds of years of invasions by the Spanish, French and British. Long before that, they originally came from South America, where they battled with Arawak Indians for land.
8. Explore Emerald Pool and Middleham Falls
If you’re short on time or not ready for a full-day trek, Emerald Pool is a beautiful 15-minute jungle walk that rewards you with a glimmering green swimming hole. For something a bit more intense, Middleham Falls is one of the tallest on the island, plunging 200 feet into the rainforest floor.
9. Kayaking on a Huge Freshwater Lake
At 2,500 feet above sea level, Freshwater Lake is one of the highest in the Caribbean and sits shrouded in mist. Paddle quietly as hummingbirds zip overhead and fog rolls off the emerald mountains. It feels like being in a Studio Ghibli film.
10. Deep Sea Fish in Abundance
If you enjoy fishing, Dominica offers everything you could ask for. Catch Marlin, Tuna, Dorado, Kingfish, Skip Jacks, Wahoo, Snapper and runners just a few miles off the coast.
How to Get to Dominica
DFID – UK Department for International Development, Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Dominica is in the process of building a larger international airport, but that’s being finished on island time. Until that’s complete, you’ll have to settle for taking a fun inter-island flight on a smaller regional or turboprop airplane.
You can get to Dominica on a daily basis from Barbados between Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean, and Air Antilles. You can also fly:
- From St. Maarten on WinAir
- From Antigua on LIAT and WinAir
- From St. Lucia everyday between InterCaribbean and Air Antilles
- From St. Thomas on Air Sunshine
- From San Juan on Silver Airways
- From Miami on American Airlines!
Kindly note that some of these airlines don’t post their fares on Google Flights, so you may have to book directly.
There is also a L’Express des Îles ferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique. You can fly to both of these islands from Miami on Air France and American Airlines.
Best Time to Visit Dominica
Though you could theoretically visit Dominica anytime of the year, my recommendation would be at the beginning of the dry season – where the waterfalls and rivers are full, the vegetation is lush, and the weather is warm by the coast and comfortable in the mountains.
- December to April (Dry Season): Ideal weather and most accessible hiking trails.
- June to November: Wetter and more humid, but fewer tourists and everything is lush. Note: hurricane season peaks August–October.
Local Food to Try in Dominica
Dominica is known for its local cuisine, in particular dasheen—an underrated superstar of Caribbean cuisine and culture! Dasheen is a tropical root vegetable, also known more widely as taro (scientific name: Colocasia esculenta).
It’s a starchy tuber that grows underground, and the plant itself has large, heart-shaped leaves often called elephant ears. It’s native to Southeast Asia but has found a beloved home in Dominica, where it’s used in almost every dish!
- Callaloo soup – A rich, green stew made with dasheen leaves and coconut milk.
- Mountain chicken – Not actually chicken. It’s a local delicacy made from a type of frog.
- Sorrel juice and passionfruit punch – Local refreshments that pack a fruity punch.
Dasheen to Dominica, dash out with amazing memories of fantastic food!
Where to Stay
Dominica isn’t about five-star mega resorts. Instead, it’s all about eco-lodges, guesthouses, and locally-run boutique hotels. Consider:
- Jungle Bay Eco Villas – Award-winning wellness retreat.
- Secret Bay – Luxury, treehouse-style villas on the cliffs.
- Rosalie Bay Eco Resort – Right on a black sand beach with turtle nesting.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Go Now
Dominica is authentic, unpolished, and totally alive. It’s one of the last truly wild places in the Caribbean, where you can hike to a boiling lake in the morning, swim through lava gorges at lunch, and watch whales breach at sunset.
The fact that most people still mix it up with the Dominican Republic? That just makes it all the more special for those who do discover it.
Go now. Before the rest of the world catches on.
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