Dominica Trip Tips?

[UKdreamer]

Hi all

I shall be in Barbados next April (2014) for a friends wedding and as we've already been there and seen it all we were planning on hoping over to a nearby island to explore further and get some diving in. Dominica looks appealing as the diving sounds pretty good plus there's some good land activities.

I shall be travelling with my husband and another diving couple. We will also have our 2 year old son with us so we either need a flexible dive operator that will allow my husband and I to take it in turns diving whilst the other one looks after our son or find a local childminding service so we can both dive together.

Any tips on where to stay and who to dive with would be appreciated?

We're also keen to explore the rainforest so guess that might be best staying at another location for a few days - any recommendations on accomodation or must see options would be appreciated. We're happy to hike with our son in our backpack, he's only a year old at the moment and already loves nature and is a real water baby (had lessons from just a few weeks old).


Thanks

 

[Rescue Diver68]

The dive op in Soufriere goes back to the beach for surface intervals, so you could easily take turns diving the same day. It was called Nature Island Dive. The diving and the dive shop are fantastic. Also, dont be afraid to stop at the little fish and chicken places. The food is great.

 

[Ray and Pam]

We second Nature Island Dive, did two dives with them off a cruise ship and it was awesome. Bring a camera for underwater and topside pics. Barbados had some good diving also, I think (Carlise Bay?) has 3 shallow wrecks right next to each other.

 

[diverrex]

I'll third Nature Island Dive, a good dive op with really friendly people. Fort Young is a good place to stay in Roseau just realize that Nature Island Dive is a 25 minute drive from the hotel. Or for a quieter time you could stay in one of the two apartments owned by Nature Island Dive down in Soufriere just a short distance form their dive shop.

The interior rainforest is fantastic, some of the most interesting area in the Caribbean. I can strongly recommend Papillote Wilderness Retreat. Great waterfalls and hiking. As good as the diving was in Dominica I'm not sure that rainforest experience wasn't even better.

See my trip report with lots of photos and info on Dominica.

 

[Kharon]

For a rainforest guide I would recommend Alexis. He can be contacted through Picard Beach Cottages. Welcome to Picard Beach Cottages, Portsmouth, Dominica We stayed there and I would highly recommend it. Right on the water, full kitchen, beautiful, clean, secure accomodations, unbelievably helpful staff, etc. etc. etc. Can't say enough good about it. Alexis can also take you to some fantastic snorkeling. Don't know about diving. At Picard, if you walk out your door to the beach, go to the right about 100 feet, just past the dock and about ten feet into the water there is a great little patch of reef that can be snorkeled on a whim when you are at your cottage.

As far as must see: If you didn't have a child I'd say Boiling Lake, but it's way too extreme with a child. We never got to the Carib village but will make it a point to when we go back. A boat trip up Indian River is nice (again Alexis). Any of the waterfalls are wonderful (once more Alexis). If you go with Alexis ask him to pick you a grapefruit while you are out. Orders of magnitude better than anything I have ever tasted anywhere, and my parents used to have a place in Florida.

I envy you going to Dominica. I loved it there and want to go back - to stay. One thing you should know. It is a very poor island - average annual income was $3,500 when we were there. Tourism is extremely small as an industry. The islands to either side have about 1.5 million visiters a year. Dominica has but about 56 thousand. No fast food, no casinos. It's said it's the one island that Columbus would still recognize. We never had anyone ask for a handout BUT everyone is looking to sell you something. If you accept something (some coconut, a grasshopper folded from a palm leaf, someone walking with you a few blocks to point out a destination you asked directions to) that you might think is being offered as a nice gesture, be assured they will expect a small payment. It's always good to have a a few US dollars, EC dollars, and perhaps some Euros in your pocket. Also, always ask if the price is EC or US.

 

[KeithG]

Dominica is a great choice. It is very different from the standard Caribbean dive island. Very lush and hilly.

The very long taxi ride from the airport was a great scenic tour.

We stayed and dove at castle comfort which is close to Roseau. we saw nature island dive boat on every trip, so they dive the same places. We had a few safety issues with the dive op so we have been a little hesitant to rush back. It is on our list of places to return to.

There were a few foreign research people staying at castle comfort then that were studying the mountain chicken (bull frogs). We did not do any nature tours but did spend time walking around Roseau which was wonderful.

This was many years ago (15?) so my info is dated.

 

[Allan C Smith]

I lived in Dominica for what so far was the best year of my Life. I mostly dove up north in the Picard area I would say that It was better than the diving down south. The cottages are great place in Picard as is Dechamps which is just up the hill with amazing views at sunset and a killer brunch on Saturdays. The dive shops up north are Island Dive Operations a Smaller more dive to your needs shop. And Cabrits the larger shop that has boats going out Daily. As far as Child care check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/170861379594491/ It is a Facebook group for the local Med School Spouses I'm sure you could post an add and find a responsible baby sitter in no time. Other must seas on the island include the red rocks in Calibishie, Bense pools, Tubing down the layo river, Trifalger falls and I can not express enough go to Screws Spa which are the best hot springs I have ever been to in my life. If you end up heading south check out Al Dive. If you staying in castle comfort, which you will, he hits all the spots the other guys do but in a Smaller boat with unsurpassed experience. If you need any help feel free to PM me I know the ends and out's of Dominica pretty well.

 

[diverrex]

I lived in Dominica for what so far was the best year of my Life. I mostly dove up north in the Picard area I would say that It was better than the diving down south.

I'm surprised to hear that, I have generally heard it expressed that the diving down south was better and in my very limited experience of 5 dives up north and 13 dives down south that's we experienced. And I know several people who lived up north who traveled down south for a special treat of diving because they thought it was better. If we go back I would only dive and stay in the south next time.

 

[Rescue Diver68]

I'm surprised to hear that, I have generally heard it expressed that the diving down south was better and in my very limited experience of 5 dives up north and 13 dives down south that's we experienced. And I know several people who lived up north who traveled down south for a special treat of diving because they thought it was better. If we go back I would only dive and stay in the south next time.

The diving is waaaaaaayy better down south in Soufriere. I was not impressed with the diving at Cabritts.

 

[Allan C Smith]

The diving is waaaaaaayy better down south in Soufriere. I was not impressed with the diving at Cabritts.

WTF do I know I only have 110 Dives logged in Dominica. I will say this the fact that all the big hotels and the **** hole known as Rosso are down south should be enough to go north. Diving wise we would go to Scotts head for a treat but It was more of an excuse to hit every rum shop on the way home.