Dominica: unspoiled nature, waterfalls and hot springs

The Indian River is a navigable waterway that winds through mangrove forests and provides habitat for numerous bird species. The river flows into a delta rich with wildlife and vegetation. Boat tours allow visitors to observe birds and other fauna in their natural environment while traveling through the scenic waterway.

Lac Bouillant sits within Morne Trois Pitons National Park and is one of the world's largest geothermal lakes. The water is extremely hot and steams continuously, with gas bubbles rising to the surface. This lake was created by the volcanic activity that defines Dominica, and it shows the underground forces at work throughout the island. Small paths lead down to the lake, where you can experience the bubbling surface and the sulfur smell directly.

Batibou Beach is a black sand beach in Calibishie, reached by a forest path. Palm trees provide natural shade and the waves are suitable for swimming during the dry season. This beach shows the volcanic nature of Dominica, where black sand and tropical vegetation meet. The forest approach keeps it quiet and away from busy tourist areas.

This pool in Dominica is a natural basin fed by a waterfall about 40 feet (12 meters) high. The water appears green because of minerals from the volcanic foundation beneath the island. The site shows how Dominica's landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity. A marked trail brings visitors here and lets them discover this natural basin. The water invites swimming and offers a place to rest while exploring the island.

The Trafalgar Falls are twin cascades that plunge about 115 feet (35 meters) into the tropical forest. Part of Dominique's raw landscape shaped by volcanic activity, these waterfalls flow year-round and feed a natural basin where visitors swim. A well-marked trail winds through the thick vegetation to reach the falls, passing through dense tropical growth. The water is cool and refreshing, and the sound of the falling water fills the surrounding forest. This is one of many water features across the island that draw people into the wilderness.

Champagne Beach is a black volcanic sand beach at Pointe Michel in Dominica where carbon dioxide bubbles rise from the seafloor, creating a sensation like bathing in champagne. This natural phenomenon occurs due to the island's underwater volcanic activity. The dark sand and warm waters make this beach a distinctive place for swimming and exploring the island's geothermal features.

Morne Bruce sits above Roseau and offers a view in all directions over the city, the harbor, and the Caribbean Sea. A stairway leads up to this lookout point, where you can see across the landscape and along the island's coastline. This spot fits well with Dominica's volcanic character, since from up here you can recognize the island's geographical features and the mountains in the distance.

The Screw Sulfur Spring in Wotten Waven is a natural hot spring where warm water collects in pools for bathing. The water is rich in minerals and sits in natural basins surrounded by tropical vegetation. This spring is part of the Dominica's volcanic landscape, where geothermal activity shapes the terrain and creates these unusual spaces. You can wade into the warm pools and feel the heat rising from the earth, a direct connection to the island's active geology.

Gorge Titou is a ravine with natural pools where water flows over river rocks. The water forms several natural basins where visitors can swim. The gorge sits surrounded by thick vegetation and offers a refreshing place to bathe and explore. Water constantly flows through the rock formations, creating a series of pools at different levels. You can wade through each basin, moving deeper into the ravine as the water guides you between the stone walls.

The Middleham Falls in this national park are a 70-meter waterfall surrounded by dense tropical vegetation. A marked trail leads to the falls, where a natural pool sits at the base of the cascade. This spot shows the volcanic force of the island and how water has shaped the landscape over time.

Mero Beach is a black sand beach of volcanic origin with various facilities for visitors. Restaurants, toilets and shaded areas are available for comfort. The beach sits on the northwest coast of Dominica and offers views of the surrounding landscape. The dark volcanic sand is distinctive to this island's geological character. You can walk along the shore and feel the warmth of the sand beneath your feet.

The Botanical Garden of Roseau is a collection of tropical plants and native trees located in the heart of the city. The garden displays Caribbean orchid and palm species. At this place, visitors can explore the island's diverse plant life and experience the dense tropical vegetation firsthand. The garden offers a peaceful spot to discover the natural beauty of Dominica within an urban setting.

The Wai'tukubuli Trail is a national hiking route that crosses Dominica from north to south. This path connects different regions of the island and takes walkers through thick tropical forests, past waterfalls, and through valleys shaped by volcanic activity. The trail is divided into sections that allow visitors to explore the island's natural wonders step by step, encountering hot springs, black sand beaches, and clear mountain streams along the way.

The hot springs at Ti Kwen Glo Cho in Wotten Waven are natural pools fed by volcanic sources. The water is rich in minerals and maintains temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius (86 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit). These springs are part of Dominica's intense volcanic activity and offer bathing spots surrounded by dense tropical forest. Visitors can soak in the warm natural pools and experience the geothermal power of the island firsthand.

The Roseau Market reflects the daily rhythm of the island. Here you will find fresh produce, local spices, and prepared dishes that represent Dominican cooking. The market is where local vendors sell their goods and visitors can discover authentic island flavors and ingredients.

Victoria Falls in Delices drops approximately 50 meters down through the tropical forest and forms a natural pool accessible on foot. This waterfall is part of Dominica's volcanic landscape, where water flows continuously through dense vegetation. The falls create a freshwater swimming spot where visitors can cool off after walking through the forest.

Kalinago Village shares the culture of the Kalinagos, the original inhabitants of the island. Here you can watch traditional crafts being made by hand, experience traditional dances, and see historical objects from the first people who lived on this island. The village helps visitors understand how this community has lived for centuries and kept their traditions alive.

Parc National des Cabrits is a protected natural area offering walking trails, the 18th century Fort Shirley, and views over the Caribbean Sea. This park reveals the volcanic character that shapes Dominica's landscape. The trails wind through vegetation and lead to points where you can see across the water. Fort Shirley sits on high ground, a reminder of the island's colonial past. The park brings together nature and history, allowing visitors to explore both the coastline and inland terrain on foot.

Purple Turtle Beach in Portsmouth is a black sand beach lined with palm trees and calm waters for swimming. Local restaurants are nearby. This beach is part of Dominica's raw natural landscape, shaped by volcanic activity, where thermal springs bubble gently, forests hide waterfalls and pools, and the shores display various shades of volcanic black sand.

The Sari Sari Waterfall in Grand Bay is a 35-meter cascade reachable through a 45-minute trail across Dominica's tropical rainforest. Water tumbles down rock faces and collects in a natural pool at the base. The path winds through thick vegetation and crosses streams as it descends toward the falls. This waterfall is one of many scattered throughout the island, shaped by volcanic forces and fed by the region's heavy rainfall. The fresh water at the base offers a place to swim and cool off after the hike.

Bassin Chaudière is a natural pool on Dominica's northeast coast, surrounded by volcanic rocks and fed continuously by a mountain stream. This basin sits within the island's landscape shaped by active volcanic forces. The warm water invites swimming while you take in the raw beauty of the surrounding geology and tropical vegetation.

Vallée de la Désolation is an area shaped by the island's volcanic power. Steam rises constantly from the ground, and hot springs dot the landscape. Bubbling mud pools sit alongside thermal vents that release heat and gases. The valley floor is bare, stripped of trees and vegetation, revealing raw rock and earth. Walking through this place, you notice the strong smell of sulfur in the air. The ground beneath your feet feels warm in spots. This is where you can witness the active forces beneath Dominique's surface.

Soufriere Bay shows the volcanic activity beneath the water. Here gas bubbles rise to the surface and reveal the power of the earth below the sea. The water has changing temperatures in different spots, with warm and cooler zones side by side. This is one of the places on Dominica where you can feel the inner power of the island directly.

Cascade Spanny is a waterfall that drops 25 meters into the tropical forest of Dominica. Reaching it requires a 45-minute walk along a forest trail through thick vegetation. The water falls into a natural pool where you can swim. The area around the cascade is surrounded by dense greenery and the sound of rushing water, making it a place where you feel the raw power of nature as part of Dominica's volcanic landscape.

Papillote Gardens sits in a valley filled with natural hot spring pools and lush tropical plants. You can walk on marked paths that wind between warm springs and waterfalls. This place mixes botany with the island's geothermal activity and shows how Dominica's volcanic nature supports life. A stream runs through the gardens, and medicinal plants grow throughout the grounds.

The Bains Bongo are a series of seven natural pools filled with sulfurous water located deep within Dominica's tropical forest. Each pool has its own temperature, ranging from warm to quite hot, and visitors can bathe in these natural basins heated by the earth itself. The trail to reach them passes through dense vegetation, and the air carries the scent of sulfur. Walking here feels like stepping into a hidden corner of the island where geothermal activity shapes the landscape. The pools offer a chance to swim in warm water while surrounded by the sounds and greenery of the rainforest.

Cascade Syndicate is a 35-meter waterfall located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park on Dominica. You can reach it by hiking a trail that takes about 45 minutes. The waterfall flows through dense tropical vegetation and creates a natural pool at its base where you can swim. This spot shows how the island's volcanic landscape shapes the water as it cascades down the rock face, creating a refreshing spot to visit.

Toucari Beach is a black volcanic sand beach on the northern coast of Dominica. This beach shows the island's volcanic geology and features coral reefs close to shore. Local fishermen and divers regularly use this spot. The black sand comes from the volcanic activity that shapes the entire island. Here you can experience Dominica's raw nature directly.