Dominica destinations

Dominica destinations: where to go

Dominica is only about fifty kilometres long, but steep mountains and winding roads make it feel bigger. The capital and the hot spring valley sit in the southwest, the reefs in the south, Portsmouth and the best sandy coves in the north, and the Kalinago Territory on the wild Atlantic coast. Start here to see how they fit together.

Saint George Parish, southwest Dominica
Roseau
A compact, lively Creole capital of wooden balconies, a busy waterfront market and green hills rising behind.
Read the guidePhoto: giggel, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Morne Trois Pitons National Park and the villages of Trafalgar, Wotten Waven and Laudat
Roseau Valley
A steep green valley above the capital with twin waterfalls, sulphur hot pools and the trail to the Boiling Lake.
Read the guidePhoto: Charlottea, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Saint Mark Parish, southern Dominica
Soufrière and Scotts Head
A sunken volcanic crater turned marine reserve, with bubbling reefs, hot pools and fishing villages on the southern tip.
Read the guidePhoto: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Saint John Parish, northwest Dominica
Portsmouth
Dominica's second town on a wide sheltered bay, with a rainforest river, an old fort and the parrots of Morne Diablotin nearby.
Read the guidePhoto: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
East coast, between Atkinson and Castle Bruce
Kalinago Territory
The home of the Kalinago people, the Caribbean's indigenous community, on a wild and beautiful stretch of the Atlantic coast.
Read the guidePhoto: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The capital and the valley

Roseau is the capital and main base, with the museum, the Saturday market, the Botanic Gardens and most restaurants. Behind it, the Roseau Valley climbs into Morne Trois Pitons National Park, with Trafalgar Falls, Titou Gorge, the Wotten Waven hot springs and the trail to the Boiling Lake.

The south

Soufrière and Scotts Head surround a sunken volcanic crater that is now a marine reserve, with Champagne Reef, beach hot pools and some of the Caribbean's best diving. Whale watching trips cruise this coast.

The north

Portsmouth is the second town, with the Indian River boat trip, Cabrits National Park and calm bays, and the parrots of Morne Diablotin inland. East along the north coast, Calibishie has the island's golden sand coves.

The east

The Kalinago Territory is home to the Caribbean's indigenous Kalinago people, with a cultural village, crafts and a dramatic Atlantic coastline. The Emerald Pool lies on the way back across the island.

Putting it together

Most first visits use two bases: Roseau or the valley for hikes, hot springs and the south, then Portsmouth or Calibishie for the north and east. Our places to visit list helps you pick spots in each area, and the free trip planner helps you shape the days.

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