8 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.

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.

On the northeast coast, this isolated, golden-sand beach with dabs of black is also known as Turtle Bay. It is a favorite for egg-laying turtles and for those who want seclusion without having to drive all the way out to Hampstead Beach. Sitting on a cove just past Woodford Hill, it's an easy, although sometimes steep, walk down from the road. There is no sign marking the trail or the beach, but it starts just across the road from a brown-building snack shop with Fanta signs. This is another BYOBC (bring your own beach chair) beach with no amenities. Its charm is its solitude and beauty. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude.

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.

Translated to "Devil's Peak," this dormant volcano dominates the northern end of the island, rising 2,826 feet above sea level and sloping down to Toucari Bay and Douglas Bay just north of Portsmouth. A trail—a strenuous four-hour hike—starts at Tanetane, near Portsmouth, and ends at Vielle Case on the northeast coast. The access road, which is long and rough, twists by coconut, cocoa, and banana groves; passes by fern-festooned embankments and bubbling sulphur springs. It continues over rivers and through villages with brightly painted wooden houses that are almost as colorful as all the flora and fauna.

At this landmark, the island's first sugarcane processing mill and rum distillery—used by British settlers during the late 18th and 19th centuries—and later a lime plantation, you can see exhibits on sugar and coffee processing as well as on island heritage—including costumes worn during Carnival.

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.