Dominica

What to do in Dominica

Hiking

The best way to see Dominica's amazing geological features is to hike thought them. Guides are available to take visitors through Morne Trois Pitons National Park, home to Boiling Lake, the world's second-largest solfatara lake, reaching 201 feet across. Blue-gray waters as hot as 190°F produce massive vapor clouds. Also here is Titou Gorge, a narrow, deep ravine that was created from cooling lava. At this gorge, hikers can enjoy the hot spring waters at Sulphur Springs and swim to a beautiful waterfall.

Beaches

Dominica's black sand beaches are surrounded by gorgeous turquoise waters. Picard Beach on the northwest coast is the best beach on the island. The two-mile strip of grayish sand is surrounded by palm trees, and nearby hotels serve food and drinks. The northeast coast is home to the island's prettiest beaches - L'Anse Noire, Hodges, Woodford Hill Bay, and Hampstead. Snorkelers and divers flock to the southwest coast for the clear waters and underwater walls at Soufriere Bay Beach and Scotts Head Beach.

Scuba diving

Spectacular scuba diving takes place off Dominica. Dramatic drop-offs, walls, and pinnacles are intertwined with arches, ledges, and overhangs. Divers will see countless sponges, corals, sea horses, frog-fish, batfish and flying gunards. Island dive shops take visitors to dive spots and offer certification training.

Snorkeling

The snorkeling is just as good as the diving, with more than 30 sites right off the coast. The best spots are on the western side of the island, where more than 190 species of vibrantly colored fish and the closeness of the reefs to the shore make snorkeling the best in the Caribbean.

Swimming

The island has 365 rivers and numerous waterfalls that empty into refreshing ponds. One of the best swimming spots is Emerald Pool, below a 20-foot cascade.

Deep-Sea Fishing

Fish thrive in Dominica's waters year-round. Anglers are likely to catch wahoo, dolphin, tuna, and marlin. Full- or half-day excursions are available from several tour shops, most of which supply bait and rods, as well as refreshments.

Whale-watching

Tours operate daily in season, and visitors are likely to see sperm whales, pilot whales, killer whales, and dolphins.

The Carib Indian Reservation

In the early 1900s, the English moved the remaining Caribs to these of land, where they survive today by fishing, farming, and selling woven baskets and mats, as well as dug-out canoes.

Cabrits National Park

Just north of Portsmouth, this 1,300-acre park encompasses ruined fortifications that once covered an entire hillside. Fort Shirley, which features a small museum, is quite impressive.

Shopping

At the Old Market Plaza, which was once a slave-trading market, shoppers find fresh produce and crafts. At Tropicrafts Island Mats, visitors find grass rugs woven in intricate patterns, as well as handmade dolls, and other handcrafted items.