Roseau Botanic Gardens: History and What to See in Dominica
Roseau Botanic Gardens guide: the history from 1890, the famous baobab and bus, endemic lizards, the parrot centre and how to visit…
DominicaIsland
Mountains thatmeet the sea
Forest runs right down to the waterline. Many beaches have dark volcanic sand or pebbles, so Dominica is an island for the land and the sea life first and a sunbed second.
Chase water
Waterfalls, plunge pools and river gorges. Dominica packs a lot of falling water into a small island, much of it within the national parks.
Walk volcanoes
Steam vents, sulphur streams and one famous boiling lake. The trails range from short forest strolls to long days that need a guide and good weather.
Meet the sea
Sperm whales live in the deep water off the west coast all year, and the reefs and drop-offs make for some of the best snorkelling and diving.
Taste and listen
Creole cooking, bush teas, market stalls and an island music scene that runs from jing ping to cadence-lypso. Come hungry, and come curious.
Seven places thatstop you talking
Trafalgar Falls
Twin waterfalls above the Roseau Valley, close to Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
Boiling Lake
A flooded volcanic vent in the national park, reached on a long, demanding hike.
Scotts Head
The southern tip of the island, where the coast curls around a deep bay.
Emerald Pool
A cool forest pool under a thin waterfall, a short walk from the road.
Indian River
The widest river on the island, explored by rowing boat from Portsmouth.
Cabrits and Fort Shirley
An old garrison on a forested peninsula, begun by the British in 1765.
Valley of Desolation
Steaming vents and bubbling mud on the trail to the Boiling Lake.
One bird.One island.
The Sisserou (Amazona imperialis) is found only in Dominica. It has a deep purple chest and a green back, it sits on the national flag, and it lives high in the mountain rainforest, where it is shy and very hard to spot.
It is also critically endangered: a 2019 estimate counted only about 50 mature birds in the wild. The island is worth the noise, and worth treading lightly on.
The island innumbers
47kmfrom north to south
26kmacross at its widest
1,447mto the top of Morne Diablotins, the highest peak
185kmof Waitukubuli National Trail, in 14 segments
50birdsabout this many mature Sisserou parrots in the wild (2019 estimate)
Sources: Wikipedia, Dominica; Waitukubuli National Trail; Imperial amazon. Figures are rounded and change with surveys: check official sources.
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Quickanswers
What is Dominica known for?
Dominica is nicknamed the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Much of it is rainforest and volcanic mountain, with waterfalls, hot springs, the Boiling Lake and whale watching. It is not the same place as the Dominican Republic.
Is Dominica good for beaches?
Less than most Caribbean islands. Many beaches have dark volcanic sand or pebbles, and there are a few pale-sand bays, mainly on the north and east coasts. Most visitors come for the land and the sea life instead.
Do I need to check entry rules?
Yes. Entry requirements depend on your passport and can change, so check the official Discover Dominica and government immigration pages, plus your own government's travel advice, before you book.
Who runs this site?
Dominica Island is an independent guide written by a small editorial team. It is not affiliated with the tourism authority, hotels or tour operators. Read more on the about page.
Ready togo?
Start with the practical page: how to get there, what to check before you fly, when to go and how to move around.