Indian River, River in Saint John Parish, Dominica
The Indian River flows from the interior of Saint John Parish toward the Caribbean Sea, running between Portsmouth and Glanvillia with wetland areas and Bwa Mang trees lining both banks. The waterway is narrow and densely vegetated, creating a natural passage that changes character as it nears the sea.
The Kalinago people settled along the Indian River and used it as their primary trade route for exchanging goods with sailors before European colonization. This waterway remained significant as a passage to the coast for centuries afterward.
Wooden boats and their crews form a living link to the community's daily life—visitors see how local people use the river and learn from boatmen about the plants and animals that thrive here. Sharing this knowledge between guides and guests keeps traditional ways of understanding the land alive.
Guided boat tours depart from Portsmouth with experienced boatmen using hand-operated paddles to preserve the natural setting. The narrow waterway requires shallow-draft boats and a slow pace that allows visitors to observe wildlife and vegetation up close.
Scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest were filmed here, with the river serving as a backdrop for production. A local establishment near the water references this movie connection and draws visitors interested in cinema history.
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