By Donna Richardson
Dominica might fool you at first – swaying palms, peaceful shores – the perfect picture of island
calm. Head inland, and things become textured, tangled, and very vivid indeed…
Situated between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south, Dominica wears its
nickname – the Nature Island – with muddy boots and a grin. Two-thirds rainforest, scored by
waterfall-fed rivers and dominated by volcanic peaks, this place brims with wild invitations.
Here are ten of the best – try them.
Kayaking
On the island’s Caribbean west coast, paddle past jagged cliffs and tuck yourself into hidden coves, perhaps alongside local legend Wes Moses of the Soufrière Outdoor Centre. For those with a serious thirst for exploration, Wes leads the daring Waitukubuli Sea Trail: a 40-mile, six-day voyage hugging the rugged coastline, accessing beaches so wild and untouched that they can only be reached by water.
Tell me more… Whether you seek a couple of hours pootling around on the water, or expert tuition, Soufrière Outdoor Centre is a great place to head for lessons, rentals and packages: www.soc-dom.com
Hiking
Dominica’s labyrinth of over 300 miles of trails carves through thick, emerald rainforest – pure hiking nirvana. The UNESCO-listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park dazzles with waterfalls at every twist. Trafalgar Falls’ legendary ‘Mother and Father’ twin falls stand tall and proud, just a quick jaunt away. Slip into the secretive jungle embrace of Spanny Falls, or loop around Jacko Falls’ scenic vantage point. Other notable waterfalls include Middleham Falls, Victoria Falls and Sari Sari Falls. And don’t miss Emerald Pool – a cinematic jewel, where a 40-foot cascade spills into a hypnotic green plunge pool.
Tell me more… You don’t need to go far to pick up a trail of some kind. Experiences Caribbean is a company well-versed in guiding visitors according to fitness levels and time available:
www.experiencescaribbean.com
Birdwatching
With no land-based predators, Dominica is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to about 200 exotic species. Spot the rare Sisserou parrot – the island’s proud flag bearer – and the endemic Jaco parrot. Jewel-like hummingbirds flit energetically through the lush canopy, enchanting every visitor. For the ultimate avian adventure, head to Syndicate Nature Trail in Morne Diablotin National Park, situated in the misty foothills of Dominica’s tallest peak, where some of the island’s most secretive and stunning birds make their home.
Tell me more… Dr Birdy is Dominica’s bird whisperer par excellence (he’s reputed to recognise the calls of each and every bird species on the island). He can be booked for excursions via various hotels or direct: [email protected]
Scuba diving
The top diving destination in the Caribbean – and, in fact, one of the top ten diving destinations in the world – Dominica is unadulterated underwater theatre. Calm, clear shallows brim with seahorses clinging to coral, while deeper waters host over 20 whale species. Explore volcanic fumaroles where bubbles rise like champagne, or drift past dramatic drop-offs and eerie crevices. Sites like La Sorcière offer effortless wall dives with little current. Crater’s Edge hums with barracuda, tuna, and snapper.
Tell me more… Top operators include Nature Island Dive (www.natureislanddive.dm) and Dive
Dominica (www.divedominica.com), both certified, and offering a wide range of courses and Fort Young Hotel Dive Resort (www.fortyounghotel.com).
Titou Gorge
Famously featured in Pirates of the Caribbean, Titou Gorge is part jungle cathedral, part lava-sculpted tunnel. Formed by lava and rushing water, it’s a short swim through echoing rock chambers and towering cliffs matted with jungle. Light slips down the cliff walls in shafts, bouncing off the water like glass. Drift in on an inflatable ring – or let local legend Marshee guide you, cracking jokes and snapping selfies as you paddle toward the thunderous falls.
Tell me more…
A number of organisations arrange trips to Titou Gorge, among other places, often as part of a broader itinerary. Don’t forget towels and swim gear! Khatts Tours: www.khattstours.com
River tubing
River tubing in Dominica is a joyride through rainforest-wrapped waterways – equal parts adventure and laid-back drift. You’ll hop into a giant inflatable ring and let the current carry you down rivers such as the Layou or the Pagua, bouncing over light rapids and swirling through deep green jungle. It’s not extreme whitewater, but bumpy enough to keep things fun, with calmer stretches perfect for listening to the many and varied bird calls. Guides often come along, keeping things safe while and entertaining with music, local lore, and plenty of laughs.
Tell me more…
Wacky Rollers (www.wackyrollers.com) provides a very personable service, along with changing rooms at the end and a complimentary refreshment. Other operators include Hibiscus Eco Tours.
Boiling Lake
Not your average day hike, the trek to Dominica’s Boiling Lake is a full-blown adventure: steamy, surreal, and not for the faint of leg. This six-to-eight-hour round-trip, with a guide (essential), cuts through rainforest and into the ominously-named Valley of Desolation, where the earth hisses and spits. You’ll pass tree ferns, bubbling mud pots and sulphur vents before arriving at the lake itself: a churning, mist-shrouded cauldron, 60m wide, perched high in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. It’s like hiking into the belly of the earth.
Tell me more…
Ti Nath Kanion (www.canyoning-dominica.com), Khatts Tours (https://khattstours.com/), JTAS and Peter Green Bushman Tours all offer specialised hikes on the Boiling Lake trail.
Whale watching
Dominica’s deep, sheltered bays are a siren call for giants. Its nutrient-rich waters have become the world’s first sperm whale reserve – a 300-square-mile sanctuary off the west coast, where these massive creatures live year-round, giving birth safely. From November to March, the sea fills with life: humpbacks, pilot whales, and spotted dolphins cruise the depths or leap skyward.
Tell me more…
There are various operators, such as Island Style Fishing (www.island-style-fishing.com) and Dive Dominica (www.divedominica.com), offering approved packages that meet high operational standards. Many hotels can arrange whale-watching trips with trusted partners, notably Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort (www.fortyounghotel.com) in Roseau, where departures are from the adjacent jetty and typically last three hours or so.
Snorkelling
Slip beneath Dominica’s Caribbean waters, and you’re in another realm; one where surreal, jewel-toned fish zigzag past your fingers and reef life explodes in technicolour. Thanks to low visitor numbers, unspoiled waters, and barely a ripple in sight, visibility is crystal clear. No boat needed – just mask, fins, and a curious spirit…
Tell me more…
Top operators include Nature Island Dive (www.natureislanddive.dm) and Dive Dominica (www.divedominica.com), both certified, and offering a wide range of courses Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort (www.fortyounghotel.com). Many other hotels offer excursions and loan equipment for shoreline snorkelling, perhaps to the delightful, thermally heated Champagne Reef on the south-west coast (swim through the streams of bubbles while admiring an exotic array of colourful fish).
Canyoning
Canyoning on Dominica turns the island’s wild interior into your personal jungle obstacle course. Just outside Roseau, you’ll rappel down slick canyon walls, wade through electric-blue pools, leap from boulders, and disappear into slots carved by water and time. The rainforest looms above, like a green cathedral, sunlight filtering through as you scramble, splash, and climb through secret gorges and hidden falls.
Tell me more…
Safety is paramount – and Extreme Dominica (www.extremedominica.com) and Ti Nath Kanion
(https://canyoning-dominica.com/) are well-run and highly professional companies.
Marva Williams, CEO, Discover Dominica Authority, said: “Dominica is not only the nature island of the Caribbean, but also the Caribbean’s adventure capital! Our island is a natural playground for a wide array of exhilarating pursuits.
“Each of the many activities on offer delivers a unique insight into Dominica, along with a chance to fully connect with your stunning holiday surroundings, and to make long-lasting memories while enjoying to the full your complete break from routine”.
Many hotels offer excursions, tours, and dive packages that can be booked at reception. A range of curated packages featuring accommodation, dining, tours, activities and vehicle rental options is available here: www.discoverdominica.com/en/kool-escapes.
Sample package:
Stay in Roseau, in seafront luxury, at the Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort, a fabulous base from which to explore. A five-night ‘all-inclusive + island-included’ package is £3,384 total / £1,692 pp (two sharing a Fort Mountain View room), including airport transfers, all meals (breakfasts, two-course lunches, afternoon snacks, three-course dinners, selected alcoholic drinks, all soft drinks, daily excursions including a visit to Emerald Pool and Mero beach, a snorkelling tour and a 30-minute Swedish massage per person per stay.
For further information, visit Discover Dominica Authority (www.discoverdominica.com).
Getting to Dominica
Flights from the UK are available with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic via Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia or Miami, with a connecting onward flight to Dominica. There are alternative routes via Newark, New York, as well as fast ferries from Guadeloupe, if flying from Paris. A new international airport is currently being built in Dominica and is due to open in 2027.
