13 Best Sights in Dominica

On the southwest coast, halfway between the villages of Pointe Michel and Soufrière, this stony beach is hailed as one of the best spots for swimming, diving, and (especially) snorkeling. Forget the sunning, though, because the beach is strewn with rocks. Champagne gets its name from underwater hot springs that constantly puff steam into the sea, which makes you feel as if you're swimming in warm Champagne. A boardwalk leads to the beach from Soufrière/Scotts Head Marine Reserve. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

These 40-acre gardens, founded in 1891 to encourage the supply of properly propagated seedlings to island farmers, is a great place to relax, stroll, or even watch a cricket match. In addition to the extensive collection of tropical plants and trees, there's also a parrot aviary. At the Forestry Division office, which is also on the grounds, you can find numerous publications on the island's flora, fauna, and national parks. The forestry officers are particularly knowledgeable on these subjects and can also recommend good hiking guides.

Quite possibly the most visited natural attraction on the island, this emerald-green pool fed by a 50-foot waterfall is an easy trip. To reach this spot in the vast Morne Trois Pitons National Park, you follow a trail (an easy 20-minute walk) that starts at the side of the road near the reception center. Along the way, there are lookout points with views of the windward (Atlantic) coast and the forested interior. This spot is popular with cruise-ship tour groups, so choose your timing carefully. And wear a swimsuit, because you can (and will want to) take a dip.

The 40-acre Botanical Gardens, founded in 1891 as an annex of London's Kew Gardens, is a great place to relax, stroll, or watch a cricket match. In addition to the extensive collection of tropical plants and trees, there's also a parrot aviary. At the Forestry Division office, which is also on the garden grounds, you can find numerous publications on the island's flora, fauna, and national parks. The forestry officers are particularly knowledgeable on these subjects and can also recommend good hiking guides.

Along with Brimstone Hill in St. Kitts, Shirley Heights in Antigua, and Ft. Charlotte in St. Vincent, the Cabrits National Park's Ft. Shirley ruins are among the most significant historic sites in the Caribbean. Just north of the town of Portsmouth, this 1,300-acre park includes a marine park and herbaceous swamps, which are home to several species of rare birds and plants. At the heart of the park is the Ft. Shirley military complex. Built by the British between 1770 and 1815, it once comprised 50 major structures, including storehouses that were also quarters for 700 men. With the help of the Royal Navy (which sends sailors ashore to work on the site each time a ship is in port) and local volunteers, historian Dr. Lennox Honychurch restored the fort and its surroundings, incorporating a small museum that highlights the natural and historic aspects of the park and an open canteen-style restaurant.

Along with Brimstone Hill in St. Kitts, Shirley Heights in Antigua, Ft. George in Grenada, and Ft. Charlotte in St. Vincent, the Cabrits National Park's Ft. Shirley ruins are among the most significant historic sites in the Caribbean. Just north of the town of Portsmouth, this 1,300-acre park includes a marine park and herbaceous swamps, which are home to several species of rare birds and plants. At the heart of the park is the Ft. Shirley military complex. Built by the British between 1770 and 1815, the fort once comprised 50 major structures—including storehouses that were also quarters for 600 men. With the help of the British Royal Navy (which continues to send sailors ashore to work on the site each time a ship is in port) and local volunteers, historian Dr. Lennox Honychurch led the restoration of the fort and its surroundings, incorporating a small museum that highlights the natural and historic aspects of the park and an open-air, canteen-style Prince Rupert Tavern. The park has two short hiking trails (easy-to-moderate), along with a visitor center, interpretation panels, washrooms, and a picnic area.

In 1903, after centuries of conflict, the Caribbean's first settlers, the Kalinago (more popularly known as the Caribs), were granted approximately 3,700 acres of land on the island's northeast coast. Here a hardened lava formation, L'Escalier Tête Chien (Snake's Staircase), runs down into the Atlantic. The name is derived from a snake whose head resembles that of a dog. The ocean alongside Carib Territory is particularly fierce, and the shore is full of countless coves and inlets. According to Carib legend, every night the nearby Londonderry Islets transform into grand canoes to take the spirits of the dead out to sea.

A chief administers the Carib Territory, where about 3,000 natives reside. The reservation's Catholic church in Salybia has a canoe as its altar, which was designed by Dr. Lennox Honychurch, a local historian, author, and artist.

The Kalinago people resemble native South Americans and are mostly farmers and fishermen. Others are entrepreneurs who have opened restaurants, guesthouses, and little shops that offer exquisite baskets and handcrafted items. Craftspeople have retained their knowledge of basket weaving, wood carving, and canoe building through generations. They fashion long, elegant canoes from the trunk of a single gommier tree.

Quite possibly the most visited nature attraction on the island, this emerald-green pool fed by a 50-foot waterfall is an easy trip to make. To reach this spot in the vast Morne Trois Pitons National Park, you follow a trail that starts at the side of the road near the reception center (it's an easy 20-minute walk). Along the way, there are lookout points with views of the windward (Atlantic) coast and the forested interior. If you don't want a crowd, check whether there are cruise ships in port before going out, as this spot is popular with cruise-ship tour groups.

This isolated gold-black-speckled sandy shoreline on the northeast coast actually encompasses three bays divided into two beaches. The Red River meets the sea at Hampstead Beach I—this is where Johnny Depp was chased by natives in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The palm tree–lined Hampstead Beach II is on the sheltered and calm Batibou Bay. A 4x4 is the preferred mode of transportation to get here—or be prepared to hike in from the road. Both beaches ooze with charm and are worth the effort. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming.

The picturesque Indian River, which flows into Prince Rupert Bay at Portsmouth, is the widest of the 365 rivers on the island of Dominica and was once a Kalinago (Carib) settlement. An hour-long ride along this river, which was featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, in a hand-oared river boat is both relaxing and educational. The shore is lined with mangrove trees, whose buttress roots spread up to 20 feet. Clear, brackish water is a playground for young barracuda and crayfish. Except for singing yellow warblers, flitting hummingbird, or wing-flapping egrets, there's an eerie silence. To arrange a trip, stop by the visitor center in Portsmouth and ask for one of the "Indian River boys" of the Portsmouth Indian River Tour Guides Association. Most boat trips take you up as far as the Indian River Bush Bar, where you can get a snack and a drink (local juice or rum). You can usually make an optional guided walking tour of the swamplands and the remnants of one of Dominica's oldest plantations. Tours last one to three hours and cost roughly $20 per person (it varies depending on the guide) plus $5 for a national park day pass.

In 1903, after centuries of conflict, the Caribbean's first settlers—the Kalinago (Caribs)—were granted approximately 3,700 acres of land on the island's remote, mountainous, northeast coast. Here a hardened lava formation, L'Escalier Tête Chien (Snake's Staircase), runs down into the Atlantic. The name is derived from a snake whose head resembles that of a dog. The ocean alongside Kalinago Territory is particularly fierce, and the shore is full of countless coves and inlets. According to tribal legend, every night the nearby Londonderry Islets transform into grand canoes to take the spirits of the dead out to sea.

A chief administers the Kalinago Territory, where about 3,000 Carib descendants reside. The reservation's Catholic church in Salybia has a canoe as its altar, which was designed by Dr. Lennox Honychurch, a local historian, author, and artist.

The Kalinago people are mostly farmers and fishermen. Others are entrepreneurs who have opened restaurants, guesthouses, and little shops that offer exquisite handmade baskets and other crafts. The Kalinago have retained their knowledge of basket weaving, wood carving, and canoe building through generations. They fashion long, elegant canoes from the trunk of a single gommier tree.

The closest beach to Roseau—but a half-hour's drive north—this long stretch of silvery gray-sand beach on the west coast is just outside the village of Méro. The waters are warm and calm, and the entire community comes here on weekend afternoons. This is the island's most popular beach and one of the few with amenities. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: parties; swimming.

At the southernmost tip of the island, a small landmass is connected to the mainland by a narrow stretch of stony beach. It's a fantastic spot for snorkeling and diving. You can lunch at one of the village restaurants, where you'll always find fresh-caught red snapper and mahimahi. On the beach, there's also a small snack shop and a couple of vendors. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.