7 Best Tourist Attractions In Dominica

Known as The Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica remains an unspoiled paradise for divers, hikers, and naturalists. It is the largest of the Windward Islands and features dramatic volcanic landscapes with lush rainforests, waterfalls, lakes, gorges, rivers, steamy hot springs, and the highest mountains in the Eastern Caribbean.

The rugged coastline shelters rustic coastal villages and rocky black-sand beaches, many of which are good snorkeling or diving spots.

# Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the jewel of Dominica. Encompassing much of the island's mountainous interior, the park is primordial rainforest - from thick jungle, with giant ferns and wild orchids, to the stunted cloud forest on the upper slopes of 1,424-meter Morne Trois Pitons.

Highlights of the 17,000-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site include beautiful lakes, like Boiling Lake and mist-shrouded Boeri Lake, and many of the most picturesque waterfalls in Dominica also lie in this lush park, including Victoria Waterfall, Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, and Middleham Falls.

# Boiling Lake

Boiling Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Morne Trois Pitons National Park. This eerie-looking pool of bubbling, gray-green water lies at the end of a strenuous, three-hour hike through thick forest. But it's worth it.

Geologists believe the 63-meter-wide actively boiling lake, the world's second largest, is a flooded fumarole, a crack in the earth allowing hot gases to vent from the molten lava below. The temperature at the edge of the lake ranges from 82-92 degrees Celsius and is at boiling point in the center.

# Victoria Falls

One of the most impressive and photogenic waterfalls on the island, Victoria Falls, in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, is formed by the White River cascading over a cliff into a warm pool below. Minerals give the water a milky-white color.

Wear water shoes with good grip as the approximately 40-minute hike involves river crossings and boulder scrambling, but these beautiful falls and the river itself are worth seeing. You can relax at the end with a dip in the warm pool.

# Trafalgar Falls

The hike to Trafalgar Falls, is one of the most popular things to do in Dominica. Known as Mother and Father, these twin falls lie at the end of an easy 10- to 15-minute hike through a forest of ginger plants and vanilla orchids.

The cool main stream of Trafalgar Falls originates in the mountains and is joined near the bottom by a hot mineral spring. You can take a dip in the hot and cold pools amid the sulfur-dyed rocks at the base of the falls.

# Dominica's Beaches

Most visitors choose a vacation in Dominica for hiking and nature, but you can still find some pretty slices of coast on this lush Caribbean island. Dominica beaches are mostly volcanic black-sand beauties, although the sand can actually look gray, depending on the light.

Mero Beach is one of the most popular stretches of coast. About a 25-minute drive from the capital, Roseau, it's a favorite place to visit for the cruise ship crowd. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas and purchase snacks and drinks from funky bamboo shacks along the shoreline.

# Cabrits National Park

In northwest Dominica, Cabrits National Park preserves lush rainforest, swampland, black-sand beaches, and thriving coral reefs. This scenic peninsula reveals panoramic views from its highest point, and the reefs offer some excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.

The park is also home to one of the most interesting historical sites in Dominica. Here, you can visit the remains of Fort Shirley, an 18th-century British garrison with beautiful views of Prince Rupert Bay. A little museum at the entry sheds light on Dominica's colonial history.

# Roseau

Framed by lush peaks, Dominica's capital of Roseau (pronounced "roze-o") is a colorful jumble of West Indian cottages and busy market stalls, with a cool vibe. Unlike other Caribbean capitals, you won't find any glitzy shops or chain stores here, just locally owned stores and a friendly, local vibe.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria destroyed most of the buildings here, but the town has made a remarkable comeback, and many of the new structures are hurricane proof.