Choose Dominica Land & Sea Adventures
The Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica, is an adventurer’s paradise with natural beauty and experiences you’ll remember. Unlike the more publicized Caribbean Islands, the pure rainforests and dramatic coasts of Dominica are a welcoming change of scenery – and here in the nature isle, you don’t just see it, you feel it.
From hiking volcanic peaks to diving into the underwater world, the Caribbean island of Dominica offers adventure travelers a range of activities that intoxicate the senses and inspire the soul. If you love the outdoors or love exploring beautiful natural wonders, then visiting Dominica is for you.
Let’s talk about some of the land & sea adventures that are waiting for you in Dominica.
Under the Sea or in the River Adventures
Make memories – Dominica is the ultimate paradise for water loving adventurers.
- Tubes, Kayaks & Canoes: You can meander down a river on a water tube, glide in a kayak where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean or go for a ride in a canoe to a bush bar in the rainforest. Whichever way you decide, you’ll get to see the beautiful views of Dominica’s natural landscapes.
- Snorkeling and Diving: Known as one of the world’s best dive sites, snorkeling in the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve is the next best choice for those of us not certified to dive – and you could also snorkel in the bubbly part of the sea known as Champagne Reef. No joke, it bubbles like champagne in a sparkly glass due to the thermal vents and geothermal activity under the sea floor. Colorful fish, turtles, sponges and eels await your visit… and don’t forget to check out Toucari Bay Reef where you can find octopus, squid and a shipwreck of what is said to be a WW1 German warship! For those who do have their diving certification, you can swim to the underwater Toucari Caves to get a better look at those fumaroles and volcanic activity interacting with marine life.
- Canyoning and Abseiling: Head down the canyons and gorge systems on your Dominica trip. It’s a really fun way of making a splash with this exciting watersport and discovering the way that geology has shaped this island. This activity is guided by professionals that are certified by the American Canyoneering Association. Dominica canyoning is for anyone, beginners can rappel through the caves located in Laudat and those who are more experienced can try advanced canyoning and rappel down the side of Trafalgar Falls or an expedition rappel down Morne Trois Piton.
Wildlife and Nature Adventures
Dominica’s rich biodiversity & rainforests creates fascinating encounters on land
- Bird Watching: With over 170 species of birds to search for, Dominica birdwatching is special. The endemic species are the Sisserou and Jaco parrots, and the more recently identified Kalinago Wren. All you have to do is go for a relaxing walk through the Syndicate area or hike along segment 10 of the Waitukubuli National Trail and you’ll be sure to spot these special birds. You might want to keep an eye out for the Blue Headed Hummingbird or the Purple Throated Carib during your birdwatching escapades too.
- Turtle Nesting & Emergence: A part of traveling and adventuring is learning. Here you can learn about Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill turtles that are considered endangered. They need help from established laws & conservationists to ensure their safety and survival. You may book a night tour to watch the nesting and hatching of these sea turtles on the southeastern side of the island in Rosalie. The sea turtles usually nest on certain beaches of Dominica between the months of April to August. Please be sure to use a reputable guide to view these turtles, such as the tour service offered through Rosalie Bay Eco Resort. You must be very careful when visiting sea turtles, they are protected under the forestry and wildlife act, the fisheries act and are also supported by DomSeTCO and many other conservationists such as Oceans Forward.
- Whale and Dolphin Watching: Not too far off the shores of Dominica , you can find quite a few different species of whales and dolphins. Sperm whales reside here all year long but there are other whales that frequent these waters too, such as the Humpback whale. On a whale watching tour, you can see the whales as they come up for air during their feeding times and also see the dolphins play as they race the boat trying to guide it back to shore. This is definitely one of the top things to do when visiting Dominica.
Cultural Adventures
Dominica captures culture and history in many great experiences.
- Exploring the Kalinago Territory: A trip to the east coast will take you into the 3,700-acre Kalinago territory. You will get the chance to watch a cultural dance, learn basket weaving and eat a tasty lunch. This indigenous cultural encounter will give you a glimpse into the day-to-day lifestyle and past history of the Kalinago.
- Eco-Friendly Activities and Rainforest Hikes: The best activities to support a small island are the ones that you can do that cause no harm to the environment. Hiking to natural, unaltered spaces is the best way to support local guides and leave no lasting footprint, so go find those hidden waterfalls, walk through volcanic terrain, soak in natural hot springs and see rare species in the wild. Hire a local guide for your Dominica hike to make sure that you don’t get lost.
- Local Festivals: Carnival, the World Creole Music Festival, the Jazz festival, Hike Fest, Festival of Arts, Independence festivals, Indigenous festival week, oh and let’s not forget about Dive Fest and many more – Dominica really focuses on celebrating history, culture, music, independence, food – you can find a festival for everything here.
Your Dominica Adventure
If you love adventure, then you will love choosing to travel to Dominica. It is a place where nature and culture come together to give you an experience that you didn’t know you needed. Whether it is a wild water adventure such as canyoning or a walking rainforest adventure going to the Emerald Pool, you will find your joy in Dominica.
Flip Flops & Coconuts Tours will provide fun and memorable adventures for you in Dominica. Join one of our group trips, meet new people, laugh and get muddy along the way. Choose from one of our well thought-out and put together itineraries ranging from super easy hikes to a bit more of a challenging hike. You could also choose a beach & relaxation itinerary, or you can choose our ladies only retreat. Whichever itinerary you decide to choose, you’ll make new friends and share experiences because everything is better together on the Nature Island.
Businesses to Visit on your Dominica Adventure
- Flip Flops & Coconuts Tours – Small group tours with accommodation for solo’s, couples & friends
- Soufriere Outdoor Center- Kayak, paddleboard, snorkel & beach cookouts
- Hibiscus Valley Inn – River tubing & river side lunch
- Indian River Tours – Canoe, Pirates of the Caribbean witch house & bush bar rum
- Keepin’ It Real – Lunch in Toucari Bay & daily fresh caught lobsters
- Extreme Dominica – Canyoning & Abseiling
- Rosalie Bay Eco-Resort – Contact for Sea Turtle Nesting tours
- Birdy – Bird Watching Specialist
- Kalinago Barana Aute- Model heritage village on the eastern side of the island.