The island of Dominica, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, is a true hidden gem in the Caribbean. This largely untouched island is coated with dense forests which are alive with a plethora of flora and fauna. After spending 7 days in Dominica you’ll understand why it’s often referred to as “The Nature Island”. Hidden waterfalls and secluded beaches are some of the many incredible sights that are just waiting to be explored.
Panoramic view of Roseau, Dominica
7 days in Dominica is the perfect amount of time to visit this Caribbean gem as it allows you to see the best of what the island has to offer. Keep reading for an adventure filled Dominica itinerary that’ll give you many opportunities to soak up all the nature that his island has to offer. But don’t worry, if you want to take a day, or two, off and relax at a unique hotel or resort you can definitely do so also.
Getting To Dominica
Getting to Dominica is relatively easy as there are a number of major airlines flying into Douglas Charles Airport. American Airlines offers non-stop flights from Miami International Airport on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Unfortunately getting to Dominica from Europe is a slightly longer process as there are no direct flights to Dominica. instead visitors will need to fly into Antigua, Barbados or Trinidad and then take a regional airline such as Caribbean Airlines, or Liat to get to Dominica.
Getting to Dominica via ferry is also an easy way to get to the island. The good thing is that there are a couple of ferry companies that travel between Dominica and Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia.
Dominica Itinerary: 7 Days In Dominica
Day 1: Beach Hopping on the North Coast
Kick-start your Nature Island adventures with a visit to the beautiful north coast. Hidden within secluded coves are some of the best beaches in Dominica.
One of the many beaches around Dominica
Batibou Beach is one of these beaches. Fringed by lazing palm trees and lapped upon by crystal clear waters, this quiet beach is the epitome of paradise. There are no restaurants or hotels near the beach – it’s completely surrounded by forest. In order to visit you’ll have to park your car just off the main road and then walk down a steep and winding path through the forest to reach this gorgeous spot.
In the bay next to Baibou Beach is another gorgeous beach, aptly named Number One Beach. Park in the same spot for Baibou Beach and wander down a 15 minute long path to this stunning black-sand beach which was featured in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. There’s a mystical feeling to this beach, enhanced by its remoteness.
These are two of the most well-known beaches in the area but, in all honesty, you can’t go wrong with any beach along this stretch of coastline. Another favourite one of the beaches in Dominica is Calibishie Beach which is so peaceful, you’d be mistaken for thinking you had the entire island all to yourself.
Calibishie Beach
Stop for a bite to eat in between beach hopping in Calibishie, a laid-back town which houses the lovely Coral Reef Bar & Restaurant.
Day 2: Indian River
On the north-west coast of Dominica is the town of Portsmouth. It’s the second largest town in Dominica and is home to some lovely eateries including Cherry Reggae Bar & Grill which is right on the coast with amazing views of the ocean.
One of the key attractions, however, is the mystical Indian River which winds through dense swathes of mangroves and is the perfect place to spot some of Dominica’s birdlife.
Bird watching on the Indian River
The Indian River is best explored via boat tour. You can arrange your tour in advance online or just turn up on the day. The boat will journey down the river as far as the Bush Bar, which is a great place to stop for a well-earned drink in the middle of the forest.
Sailing down the Indian River
The river was made famous after being featured in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man’s Chest’. Jack Sparrow and his crew made their way up the river to visit Tia Dalma, the voodoo priestess in her wooden hack. As a matter of fact the shack is still there and is one of the must see sights when touring the Indian River.
Tia Dalma’s shack on the Indian River
Spending the morning on the river will almost ensure that you have most of the river all to yourself.
For the afternoon, hire a kayak from the local beach to explore Secret Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island which is only accessible by kayak.
Day 3: Emerald Pool & Trafalgar Falls
On the third day of your 7 days in Dominica, you should plan to visit some of Dominica’s most breathtaking waterfalls. Waterfalls are a key attraction in Dominica and most Caribbean islands, including Grenada. While this is the case many would argue that the waterfalls in Dominica are some of the best they’ve experienced!
Nestled in the extensive Morne Trois Piton National Park is the Emerald Pool, a small waterfall-fed pool that is surrounded by verdant vegetation which offers a refreshing swimming experience.
To reach the Emerald Pool, visitors must embark on a hike through the rainforest which could take half an hour.
Being the most accessible waterfall on the island, the Emerald Pool is one of the more popular natural attractions in Dominica and is often included in tour packages offered by local tour operators. Because of this the pool can be crowded at times, particularly during peak tourist season. You should plan to visit early in the morning to beat the crowds.
In the afternoon, head over to Trafalgar Falls, another magnificent waterfall found in Morne Trois Piton National Park. Trafalgar Falls are in fact a set of twin waterfalls and are a short 15 minute hike from the road through a beautiful patch of forest. If you’re a truly adventurous traveler you can actually hike to the top of Trafalgar Falls.
Day 4: Hike to the Boiling Lake
Today you will undergo a challenging but rewarding 4 hour hike to one of Dominica’s natural wonders – the Boiling Lake.
Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the Boiling Lake is a flooded volcanic vent that is constantly boiling due to the heat of the magma beneath the earth’s surface.
The lake is approximately 200 feet across and is surrounded by grey and brown rocks. It’s so hot that steam rises from the water’s surface as the temperature can reach up to 93 degrees Celsius.
The hike is challenging and involves navigating over uneven rocky terrain. Therefore it is best undertaken with a knowledgeable guide. Spanning 9.8 km there and back, this walk takes you through dense forests which are alive with wildlife. It’s a great hike for bird lovers as you can expect to see some beautiful birds here.
The hike will take you through the Valley of Desolation, a barren patch of ground that looks like a scar in the landscape due to volcanic activity.
Day 5: Champagne Beach & Soufrière
On the south west coast you will find one of the most beautiful villages in Dominica -Soufrière. This fishing village is home to a lot of natural attractions caused by volcanic activity, so much so that the village has been named after sulphur.
One of the most popular attractions near Soufrière is Champagne Beach, aptly named because of the bubbles that rise to the surface as a result of the undersea thermal springs. Not only is it awe-inspiring watching the bubbles rise to the surface, but this beach is fantastic for snorkeling.
After a morning relaxing on the beach and enjoying a spot of snorkeling, drive into Soufrière for a bite to eat from one of the numerous restaurants or cafes.
You may also wish to pay a visit to Sulphur Springs National Park which involves taking a short hike through jungle in order to reach the hot springs where you can take a relaxing dip.
Day 6: Whale Watching
Dominica is considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Over 20 species have been spotted here. The best news is they can actually be viewed year-round! Embarking on a whale watching tour is a fantastic activity to add to your 7 days in Dominica itinerary.
There are a number of whale watching tours that you can join. The tours in Dominica are regulated to ensure they keep a safe distance and never entice the whales with food.
Sperm whales are the main species that you can expect to see and whilst sightings aren’t guaranteed, they’re pretty common. Some tours boast an 80% success rate at viewing whales. Dolphins are also frequently encountered. Dolphins are really fun to watch as they love putting on a show!
Whale watching tours typically start from either the capital of Roseau or Portsmouth and usually lasts around half a day.
Day 7: Roseau
After spending 7 adventure filled days in Dominica you’d want to spend your final day exploring Roseau, the island’s capital. Visiting the Old Roseau Market is one of the most popular things for visitors to do. Here you’ll find a host of fresh fruit, packaged spices, and beautiful arts and crafts to purchase.
Locally grown spices found in the Roseau Market
Another highlight of Roseau is the Botanical Gardens where you can stroll through lush gardens which are alive with birdlife. Keep a lookout for the native parrots! Also look out for the yellow school bus which was crushed by a tree during a hurricane. It has now become a feature of the gardens, a reminder of the devastating impact that hurricanes can have.
Crushed Bus
To get a glorious panorama of the city, venture to Morne Bruce Viewpoint which stands just above the city. The views here are simply breathtaking! There are benches beside the viewpoint so you can stop and soak up the wonderful view.
Conclusion
And that wraps up 7 fantastic days in Dominica! Dominica is known as the ‘Nature Island’ because most of the island remains relatively untouched. If you love hiking or being surrounded by nature then this is the perfect destination for you. Spend a few days here and you’ll see why it’s the favorite Caribbean island of many people.
Have you been to Dominica? What was the highlight of your itinerary?
Huge thanks to Ella McKendrick from EllaMcKendrick.com for this guest post. Ella is a travel addict who sold her e-commerce business in 2022 and decided to follow her dream of travelling the world. Her goal is to visit every safari destination in the world by 2030.
1 comment
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