Dominica, the island nobody knows but everyone should discover
Dominica is my absolute favourite island. The one I recommend to my most adventurous clients, the one I talk about with stars in my eyes. And yet, it's an island almost nobody knows. When I mention "Dominica" to people less familiar with the Caribbean, I'm sometimes still told: "Oh, the Dominican Republic?" No, not at all 😅
Dominica (Commonwealth of Dominica) is a small English-speaking island of 750 km², located between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. Covered 60% by primary rainforest, laced with rivers and waterfalls, and crossed by winding roads that climb towards peaks shrouded in clouds, it's an ideal destination for travellers seeking something genuinely different.
Why is Dominica so different from the other Caribbean islands?
Here, no sweeping white sandy beaches. Dominica has chosen tourism focused on nature and ecology, and that's precisely what makes it so precious.
Here is my top 4 activities to do during a stay in Dominica 👇
Morne Trois Pitons, heart of the UNESCO-listed national park.
Boiling Lake: the most impressive hike in the Caribbean
If you do just one thing in Dominica, make it this. Boiling Lake is the world's second-largest natural boiling lake, a volcanic caldera filled with grey-blue water that permanently bubbles, sending dense steam into an absolutely otherworldly lunar landscape.
The hike to reach it is demanding: around 7 to 8 hours return, passing through the "Valley of Desolation", a sulphurous plain dotted with fumaroles and pools of bubbling mud. Physical, intense, and unforgettable.
Mégane's tip
I recommend doing this hike with a local guide as the terrain can be slippery and weather conditions change quickly. He'll also give you all the landmarks to cross the Valley of Desolation with confidence.
Wotten Waven hot springs: the jungle's natural spa
A few kilometres from Roseau, the capital, the village of Wotten Waven is surrounded by natural geothermal hot springs. Several small establishments offer baths in pools fed directly by these springs, surrounded by tropical vegetation. The experience of a thermal bath deep in the jungle, under the stars if you go in the evening, is simply magical.
Diving and snorkelling: the richest waters in the Caribbean
Dominica is considered by many divers to be the best diving destination in the Lesser Antilles. Its waters are protected and the seabed reflects the island's volcanic richness: vertical walls covered in coral, underwater fumaroles, wrecks, and extraordinary marine biodiversity.
Even for surface snorkelling, Dominica's coastline holds wonderful surprises, particularly around Champagne Reef where geothermal bubbles rise from the bottom and warm the water around you. A one-of-a-kind experience.
Scotts Head, at the southern tip of the island, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea.
The waterfalls: Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, Victoria Falls
Dominica has more than 365 rivers, one for every day of the year as locals like to say. Emerald Pool is the most accessible: a strikingly emerald-green natural pool at the foot of a waterfall, surrounded by rainforest. Trafalgar Falls are the most spectacular, with twin falls meeting in a pool perfect for swimming. Victoria Falls, more off the beaten track, rewards hikers willing to walk 2 hours each way to reach it.
Mégane's tip
Dominica pairs perfectly with a stay in Guadeloupe or Martinique. A ferry from Pointe-à-Pitre and you're there in under 2h30. I often build 15 to 20-day Guadeloupe and Dominica itineraries that offer a striking contrast between the two islands.
Practical information for visiting Dominica
Ferries (L'Express des Îles) connect Pointe-à-Pitre to Roseau in about 2h30. The official language is English but a French Creole is widely spoken. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), bring local cash. The best time to visit runs from December to April to minimise rainfall. Allow a minimum of 4 nights, ideally 6 nights for a full immersion.
Would you like me to organise a stay in Dominica or a multi-island circuit? Discover my travel planning services for the Caribbean.
