Dominica Shore Excursion Reviews

Popular Things to Do in Dominica

The small island of Dominica is the place for nature-loving cruise travelers. The natural resources of the island have been well-preserved and offer visitors a taste of the unspoiled Caribbean. From shore excursions exploring the flora and fauna of its lush green mountains to dive excursions to see its incredible array of sea life, Dominica is a place where cruisers can slow down and simply take it all in. There are even natural hot springs, thanks to the active underwater volcanoes that are all around the island. Most of Dominica's beaches are rocky, so not the most ideal for sunbathing, but they are the perfect place for whale- and bird-watchers to camp out.

The weather in Dominica tends to be quite warm but not oppressively hot. Winter and spring are the island's busiest times for tourism, but fall is also a great time to visit, thanks to lower temperatures and less rain. Dominica uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar and the locals speak English and Creole.

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Dominica Cruise Tips, Activities, and Overview

Food and Drink in Dominica

Creole cuisine is the thing to try. Choose from curries to crabback (stuffed crab backs) and various preparations of callaloo (a spinach-like leafy vegetable). Other treats include fried titiri ackras (small river fish) and bakes (fried biscuits filled with cheese or fish).

Several excellent casual restaurants in Roseau offer local Creole cuisine. Among them are Guiyave (5 Cork Street; 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 767-448-2930); Pearl's Cuisine, located in an old creole house (25 Old Roseau Street; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 767-448-8707); and Cee Tee's Restaurant (King George V Street; 767-616-4500). Note that most restaurants are closed on Sundays.

For an authentic Dominican gourmet lunch set in a botanical garden in the middle of the rain forest, head to the Papillote Rain Forest Restaurant -- really a restaurant, guesthouse, gift shop and swimming venue combined -- in Trafalgar. In the Roseau River Valley, just yards from the trail to Trafalgar Falls, the restaurant is located in a botanical garden. The menu features fish specials, as well as local specialties like callaloo soup. A "local lunch" menu changes daily but always features local fruits and vegetables, such as dasheen and plantain, as sides. It's less than four miles from Roseau (or about a 15-minute ride) and accessible by taxi or bus service. For an extra fee, you can take a dip in the property's hot springs or go on a garden tour. (open 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; reservations required for dinner; 767-448-2287)

Best Cocktail in Dominica

Locally brewed Kubuli beer is made with the island's natural spring water and ranks as the pride of Dominica.

Beaches in Dominica

Best for Swimming: Champagne Beach on the west coast of the island (just north of Roseau) gets its name from the volcanic vents that spit bubbles up from fissures in the ocean floor. Swimming here is like swimming in a glass of Champagne. But watch where you step, as there are more pebbles than there is sand.

Best for Snorkeling: Scotts Head Beach is a narrow, sandy patch on the southernmost tip of the island. You can choose the Atlantic side with some rough waves (be careful of currents) or the more gentle Caribbean side, which is ideal for snorkeling and diving. Explore clear waters and undersea walls to spot colorful coral, lobsters, turtles, sponges and more. Dolphins frequently frolic there, too.

Don't Miss in Dominica

Hiking and then stopping for a swim is a top activity on this gorgeous island. Go for a hike through rain forests or valleys that end in sparkling freshwater pools. You can choose your hike based on the level of difficulty. Suggestions include:

Easy: A 15-minute, 0.5-mile loop trail in the 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, leads to the Emerald Pool, fed by a 50-foot waterfall. The crystal-clear water appears bright green in the sunlight, reflecting the surrounding trees.

Moderate: A 20-minute walk through the rain forest in the Roseau River Valley leads to Trafalgar Falls, twin falls that flow into a freshwater pool. In certain areas, you'll have to climb over boulders, which can be challenging. A guide is recommended, particularly when you visit after heavy rains, when the flow can be strong and the rocks slippery. Note that the left side of the falls is not safe for exploration.

Challenging: For a daylong adventure, the Boiling Lake is one of the most impressive sites on Dominica. Hire a guide to take you. This three- to four-hour hike (each way) leads you to a steaming, water-filled crater with temperatures estimated to reach 197 degrees. The lake was formed by a crack in a volcanic crater through which gases escape from the molten lava below. On the way, you pass through the Valley of Desolation, which deserves its name.

Sign up with Wacky Rollers for river-tubing, sea-kayaking, a visit to an adventure park or a Jeep safari ride. (767-440-4386)

Morne Diablotin National Park is named for Dominica's highest peak, Morne Diablotin, which rises almost 5,000 feet above sea level. Inside the park, you have the best chance of spotting the rare Sisserou parrot, the green and purple bird that can be found only on Dominica. Bring binoculars for other bird-watching.

One of the most impressive remnants of the Royal Navy in the Caribbean, Cabrits National Park encompasses an old fort that housed more than 700 men in its day -- as well as forest and wetlands.

Looking for something a little different? Hang out in Roseau. A 10-minute walk from the pier up King George V Street brings you to the Botanical Gardens. Established in 1890, the gardens are home to more than 50 varieties of trees and a breeding facility for the rare Sisserou parrot. Above the gardens, climb the 35 steps of Jack's Walk and a steep, 15-minute path beyond to the top of Morne Bruce, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city, the Roseau Valley and the sea. A large white cross marks the vantage point. You'll also see remnants of Fort Young, including a cannon.

The Society for Heritage Architecture, Preservation and Enhancement (SHAPE) offers a self-guided walking tour map pointing out historic sites in Roseau for $5 (available at the tourist office at the Old Market or at the Cocorico Cafe, right across from the cruise pier). You'll learn how the Victorian-era Roseau Cathedral was constructed from volcanic rock and took more than 100 years to build and that the Old Market square was once the site of slave auctions and punishments.

For a snorkeling adventure, head to Scotts Head Marine Reserve at the southern tip of the island. Next to the town of Soufriere, this reserve offers a chance to snorkel above an underwater cauldron that's still bubbling up warm water.

Book a guide for an Indian River boat ride. This is one of the island's best bird-watching spots. To arrange for a guide, stop by the Portsmouth Visitor's Center.

Take a driving tour of the Carib Territory, home to the native tribe. Nestled in a northeastern corner of the island, the tribe -- now with about 3,000 members -- farms and produces handcrafted items, including intricate baskets that you can get at nearby shops. Dominica is one of the few places where these indigenous people have survived.

Go on a whale watch. Take a 3.5-hour trip with Anchorage Hotel, Whale Watch and Dive Center to see humpback whales, sperm whales and orcas that love Dominica's deep offshore waters.

Explore the rain forest on horseback. Rainforest Riding Dominica offers rides on the Waitukubuli National Trails through the Cabrits National Park, as well as rides on the beach.


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