8 top things to do in Dominica: hikes, swims, culture and more

28.08.2024 - 11:58 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 27, 2024 • 7 min read

Dominica provides an unhurried respite for those looking to disconnect from life’s chaos.

Yet throughout the Caribbean island nation’s mountainous terrain, deep gorges, verdant foliage, endless trails and bountiful rivers also make it an adventurer’s playground.

Don’t expect sprawling luxury beach resorts and bone-white-sand beaches here. For Dominica’s secret sauce lies in its untouched, raw qualities – which is why many know it as “the nature isle.”

You should start getting excited about any visit to Dominica. To help, these are our picks for the best things to do on the island. 

Diving at Champagne Reef mirrors the sensation of swimming in an oversized glass of the bubbly drink thanks to volcanic gas that bubbles up from the seabed. The golden hue of the reef itself completes the effect. 

Snorkeling enthusiasts will also be enamored with the burst of color reflecting from the horde of sea creatures, including trumpet fish, parrotfish, frogfish, octopus, rays, batfish, hawksbill turtles and seahorses. The vibrance of the pink azure, red rope, yellow tube and purple vase sponges adds to the kaleidoscopic effect. 

Planning tip: Large pebbles dot the Champagne Reef beachfront, so don’t come expecting to lie out on the sand. But do enjoy the local rums, Dominican cuisine and intel on the best snorkeling spots at Donny’s Beach Bar. 

The Kalinagos are the descendants of the pre-Columbian indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles who once lived solely on what nature provided. Today, approximately 3000 Kalinagos live on 3700 acres of communally held land reserved for the tribe on the eastern side of Dominica. The tribe is led by a six-member council and a chief. 

Today, a series of tours exposes visitors to the enduring history, rituals and customs of the island’s first inhabitants, creating connections to the Kalinago culture. These tours also generate income for members of the community. The experiences range from half-day excursions to homestays with a family on the reserve in traditional housing: ajoupas made from wood and leaves. 

Local tip: Kalinago cuisine is amazing. Try the roasted crayfish with coconut milk served on a warmed balisier (heliconia) leaf, and sip on ouicou juice extracted from grated cassava.

While Dominica’s 365 rivers are a highlight of its interior, Pointe Baptiste Beach might be the best spot to enjoy the salty sea. Drive to the village of Calibishie on the island’s northeast coast to reach this secluded haven, which offers an opportunity to unwind in peace. 

The water is shallow, warm and tranquil, which makes it ideal for kids. Yet couples will still have enough privacy thanks to the surrounding stones and Red Rocks. This natural auburn-colored formation hugs the