Dominica: A versatile eco-tourist destination

Dominica’s tourism is famous for its biodiversity, epic landscapes and scenic beauty. In this “Nature Isle” is located the second largest boiling lake on earth, active volcanoes, black sand beaches, heavily protected rainforests and the Eastern Caribbean’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Over the years, Dominica has emerged as a haven for eco-enthusiasts and environmentally conscious travellers.

As an eco-friendly destination, Dominica values and promotes responsible tourism. Eco-friendly tourist regions invest in the protection of the local community, ecosystem, wildlife and cultural resources to reduce the bad impacts of tourism on visitors and locals.

Ecotourism and Dominica

There are a lot of attractions in Dominica, which makes it a prime tourist hotspot.  Dominica’s abundant tropical rainforests, its hot sulphur springs,  waterfalls, whale watching opportunities, and the presence of the Kalinago, the last remaining group of indigenous people in the Caribbean make it a popular destination for visitors.  Other biological assets identified as tourist attractions are the thousands of flowering plants, including 74 species of orchid and 200 ferns and over  5,000 species of vascular plants.  There is also a  large bird population, including the Sisserou (Imperial) and Jaco (Red-necked) parrots, both of which are endangered and endemic to Dominica. A seemingly endless supply of rainwater also feeds the numerous lakes and rivers on the island, some of which are navigable and full of interesting biophysical features. The best example of this can be found on the Indian River, where boat trips take tourists through winding, mangrove-fringed waters.

Developing a solid ethos of responsible tourism

The government of Dominica is actively promoting sustainable tourism to the world. With preserved wild and lush scenery, energy generated from hydropower production, organic agricultural methods and care facilities integrated into the landscape, Dominica has evolved as a sustainable tourism destination for hundreds of tourists worldwide. 

Some of the best times to visit Dominica

Dominica can be visited year-round as we have a great tropical climate all year.  Whale watching, diving and hiking are top outdoor activities.  There is a sense of adventure all around, and there are a lot of historical and cultural tours taking place too.

With water temperatures between 26-28°C and an average of 20m visibility, diving is great all year.  And there are whales here all year, too.

The high season in Dominica starts around October and ends in April.  Although you can see colourful birds year-round, including Dominica’s stunning endemic parrots, they’ll be easier to see – and noisier – outside of the rainy season. Plus, trails will be more accessible. 

For turtle watching, March to September is the best time to see giant leatherbacks, hawksbill and green turtles laying eggs. Or a few months later to see the hatchlings head down to the water. The high season winds down in mid-April.

Check out the Hike Fest in May, the annual Dive Fest in July, the Creole Fest in October and the Carnival in February/March.  Businesses are generally still open until the end of August. 

Explore Dominica’s opportunities with the Invest Dominica Authority

Along with emerging as one of the top eco-tourism destinations in the world, Dominica is also on a mission to be the most climate-resilient nation in the Caribbean, investing in green energy and infrastructure to ensure that downtime from storms is minimal. This mitigates risk for investors while giving them access to the Caribbean’s rich opportunities. The Business and Investment Services team at Invest Dominica Authority provides support and guidance that enables investors and business owners to quickly assess investment opportunities and make sound decisions regarding how to move forward. For more information please contact us here.