Dominica Will Change The Way You See The Caribbean
Contributor
GREG FLORENT/DISCOVER DOMINICA
Drop all your expectations about a Caribbean vacation. Dominica is an island unlike any other in the region. It’s a nature lover’s paradise for travelers seeking adventure, sustainability, untouched landscapes, and rainbows painting the sky almost every day—and that’s what makes it so special.
From its dense rainforests and dramatic volcanic scenery to its thriving marine life and secluded resorts committed to both sustainability and luxury, Dominica will show you a different side of the Caribbean. Here’s what to expect on a visit to the “Nature Island.”
See Dominica’s famous twin waterfalls
No need to embark on a major hike in the Caribbean heat to see one of Dominica’s most famous attractions: Trafalgar Falls. A 10-minute walk along a well-maintained path brings you to a viewing platform where you can see famous twin waterfalls, ranging from 130 to 260 feet tall. It's a spectacular sight to see mist from “Mama Falls” and “Papa Falls” blanket the surrounding greenery. If you’re up for a longer trek, you can take a 20-minute hike up the trail that leads to the foot of the falls.
Float through a gorge
One of the best things to do in Dominica is float through Titou Gorge. Known for its crystal-clear emerald-green water, this swimming hole is tucked within a deep gorge formed by a bed of lava that cooled and split in half.
Guides here can hook you up with an inner tube then help you float through the impossibly narrow gap between two stone walls, where a secret waterfall awaits you. The postcard-worthy cascade makes an amazing spot to snap photos and relish the rush of standing beneath the rushing water. On your way back out, look up and marvel at the lush foliage that drapes the gorge, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.
Soak in a hot spring
Looking for a place to warm up after swimming in Titou Gorge? Head to one of Dominica’s natural spas in Wotten Waven. This quaint village, located near Trafalgar Falls and Titou Gorge, features natural hot sulfur springs, where you can soothe sore muscles in steaming open-air pools nestled within green gardens. You can also indulge in a skin treatment in the mud pools. The mineral-rich mud will leave your skin soft and smooth.
Hike to Syndicate Falls
If you’re looking for an adventurous hike in Dominica, Syndicate Falls should be at the top of your list. Located at the base of Morne Diablotin, Dominica’s tallest mountain, Syndicate Falls is a hidden gem that’s as memorable to get to as it is to see up close.
The hike to the falls takes you through one of Dominica’s national parks and requires several river crossings, where you'll need to tightrope walk across cables strung just over the water—a thrilling yet manageable challenge that adds to the adventure. A pair of grippy water shoes (like these ones from Xero Shoes) and a dose of confidence should be enough to get you through the 20-minute hike.
Don’t worry if you get splashed on your way to Syndicate Falls, though. You’ll get soaked when you wade into the refreshing water and feel the power of the glorious 100-foot-tall waterfall as it fills the swimming hole.
Taste one of the Caribbean’s only island-made gins
Dominica seemed to offer everything expats Amber Oxley and Simon Morris were looking for when they moved to the island during the pandemic. It had breathtaking scenery, plenty of nature for their two sons to explore, and a community filled with kind people. But there was one thing they couldn’t find: Gin. (This is rum country, after all!)
So, they decided to start distilling their own on site at their eco-cottage property, using nine of the lush island’s botanicals, including bay leaf, cocoa, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Keeping with Dominica’s focus on sustainability, Sea Cliff Gin is powered by solar and sold in recycled bottles collected around the island.
Make an appointment for a gin tasting tour to sample the distinctively Caribbean-flavored spirit at the distillery. While there, you can also wander their garden, where you can touch, smell, and taste the plants and flowers used in the gin. Pro tip: Ask about Sea Cliff’s boozy frozen gin pops!
Support coral conservation on a dive
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Sperm whales might be the star attraction of Dominica’s marine life, but its pristine reefs are equally impressive. Whereas other reefs in the region have suffered from the detrimental stony coral tissue loss disease, those within Dominica’s deep bay have been largely spared thanks to the efforts of conservationists like those at Nature Island Dive. Their team tracks the health of reefs, propagates coral on artificial “trees” that can be replanted on reefs, and treats diseased coral with amoxicillin to help it heal.
They also integrate their coral disease management efforts with tourism. Book a diving or snorkeling trip with Nature Island Dive, and you might see their divemasters applying the antibiotics on the coral in real time. They always take syringes with them to make the most of their time under the sea. Diving with them is not only a fantastic way to explore Dominica’s underwater ecosystem, but it also supports the crucial efforts to preserve it.
Take a boat ride to a bush bar on the Indian River
Aquatic adventures aren’t only found in the ocean—in Dominica, they extend to the lush wetlands as well. On the Indian River Rowboat Experience with Cobra Tours, an experienced boatman will take you on a leisurely glide through a swampy riverbank, renowned for its flora and fauna. Your guide will point out giant ferns, freshwater hibiscus, towering termite nests, crabs, and birds. You can also take a brief detour to see the witch house from “Pirates of the Caribbean 2.”
Midway through your tour, you’ll stop at a hidden bush bar to sample punches made with local ingredients like gooseberry and cinnamon—the perfect tipple to enjoy before your relaxing ride back to shore at sunset.
Stay in Dominica’s secluded, sustainable resorts
One thing that sets Dominica apart from other popular Caribbean islands is its accommodations. Boutique resorts here marry luxury with sustainability and give guests a deep sense of place.
Case in point: Secret Bay. This six-star, all-villa resort perched on a serene cliff top overlooking the azure Caribbean Sea features 22 distinctive villas that offer a blend of indoor and outdoor living spaces. The villas, which range from single bedroom to three-and-a-half bedrooms, were made with sustainably-sourced tropical hardwoods and constructed using LEED standards to reduce their environmental impact. More than eco-friendly, these villas are also equipped with high-end touches to take your stay to the next level, including private plunge pools, deep tubs, outdoor rainfall showers, and high-end kitchens (complete with espresso machines). Your personal villa host can take care of the cooking, cleaning, and arrange exclusive activities (like private beach picnics).
As comfortable as the villas themselves are, you won’t want to miss the other amenities scattered across Secret Bay’s 40-plus acres, including two restaurants, two on-site beaches, water sports hut, nature walks, lap pool, and the longest funicular in the Caribbean.
If you want an even more off-the-grid experience, head to the southern tip of the island to find another one of the best places to stay in Dominica: Coulibri Ridge. Built on a former aloe vera plantation, this luxurious eco-retreat is powered by more than 300 solar panels and constructed from recycled and sustainable materials. All the stonework you see around the property came from the land itself.
Coulibri Ridge features just 14 spacious studios and duplex suites. Each space is decked out with large windows to offer views of both the ocean and the Sulphur Spring Valley, along with an outdoor rain shower or private plunge pool. Dim lighting and comfy furniture make it easy to feel at home. Plus, the kitchen comes stocked with plenty of healthy snacks to keep you fueled between meals at the two on-site restaurants. For deep relaxation, book a treatment at the open-air spa that overlooks the sea. It offers incredible massages that will make you feel like you’re a world away from the stresses of modern life.
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My journalistic pursuits and adventurous spirit have taken me around the world.