Dominica: The Nature Island of the Caribbean

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This submit is in regards to the stunning island of Dominica, often called the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’, and the way it gives a contemporary paradigm in Caribbean journey.

Gone are the times when a trip within the Caribbean meant nothing greater than piña coladas on the seaside at a cookie-cutter resort. As vacationers return to the Caribbean in droves in 2023, now could be the time to find simply how a lot this various area gives.

Hidden among the many Lesser Antilles islands of the japanese Caribbean Sea, Dominica has traditionally obtained fewer guests than close by heavyweight Caribbean journey locations.

It bucks each expectation vacationers have of a vacation to the Caribbean, with no lengthy, white-sand seashores to talk of. As a substitute, with its hovering mountains and luxurious rainforests, Dominica positions itself as the brand new journey journey vacation spot that everyone is talking about.

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Dominica Island: The Nature Island of the Caribbean

Often called the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica is residence to breathtaking mountains coated in wealthy greenery, with 365 rivers slicing by the rugged hillsides to disclose plunging waterfalls and hidden swimming holes. Dominica gives adventurous vacationers many choices and alternatives to discover a fascinating panorama with black sand seashores, slender gorges, and even offshore wonders. 

Adventurous vacationers will likely be comfortable to study that Dominica is residence to the Caribbean’s longest and most full mountaineering path. The Waitukubuli Nationwide Path cuts throughout the island and gives a trekking expertise many would by no means anticipate finding within the Caribbean. 

Fourteen sections comprise the path, inviting intrepid vacationers to chop by jungles, rivers, and ridges with ocean views and unbelievable biodiversity. Hikers can camp in mountain passes or keep at tiny visitor homes and resorts alongside the path’s southern sections. Many vacationers add only a part or two of the path to their Dominica itinerary.

The ultimate part of the path finishes in Cabrits Nationwide Park, simply subsequent to one of the vital spectacular hotels in Dominica, the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa. Reserving a calming wellness remedy or romantic {couples} therapeutic massage on the resort’s expansive spa is one of the simplest ways to have fun the completion of a profitable trek. 

Volcano-Studded Dominica

House to good of the 16 lively volcanoes within the Caribbean, Dominica is uniquely volcanic, with proof of its volcanic energy in every single place. The island is residence to quite a few pure scorching springs. Native “spas” encompass the tiny mountain city of Wotten Waven, the place vacationers can soak in naturally-heated swimming pools on the finish of a day of mountaineering, repelling, or simply enjoyable among the many island’s pure magnificence.

An much more spectacular volcanic characteristic of Dominica is Boiling Lake, one of many largest of its form on the earth. Volcanic fumaroles energy the rolling boil of the blue-gray waters of this unbelievable lake. Because the lake is at present solely accessible through a strenuous, practically full-day hike by Dominica’s UNESCO World Heritage Website, Morne Trois Pitons National Park, few vacationers can witness the phenomena. 

An thrilling new challenge is seeking to make it simpler for vacationers of all skills to entry Boiling Lake. The 4.1-mile cable automobile, stretching from Roseau Valley close to the island’s capital metropolis of Roseau to Boiling Lake, would be the world’s longest upon its completion in 2024. Shortening journey time to round simply 20 minutes, the cable automobile will make Boiling Lake accessible even to vacationers visiting the island on cruise ships.

Underwater Dominica

A remaining, thrilling proof of Dominica’s volcanic energy is discovered offshore, among the many island’s world-class reefs. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) considers Dominica one of many prime ten locations for diving on the earth for its unbelievable wall dives like L’Abym, the underwater volcanic craters, and streams of volcanic effervescent springing from underwater rock fissures like champagne bubbles. 

Champagne Seashore is a widely known vacation spot for snorkelers and divers alike to expertise the magical effervescent results of Dominica’s reefs. Nevertheless, seashores alongside the bay on the tiny fishing village of Soufriere are arguably extra volcanic, although much less well-known.

Go to Bubble Seashore Spa to wash in naturally scorching, bubbly waters alongside the shoreline, then dive in to discover the reefs simply off the seaside. They’re thought-about residence to a few of the richest snorkeling in the Caribbean, with the underwater Soufriere Pillars and partitions just like the well-known L’Abym, residence to an unbelievable range of colourful sponges and corals.

As you discover Dominica’s reefs, you may even spot a whale. Dominica is the one vacation spot on the earth the place sperm whales stay year-round and is named the whale-watching capital of the Caribbean. Although sightings are commonest in cooler months between November and March, vacationers at all times have an opportunity to identify these light giants off the shores.

Dominica is at present engaged on making a sperm whale protect to present these creatures much more safety within the deep waters alongside the island’s coasts.

Caribbean Classics

Whereas there’s lots to fulfill vacationers in search of an adventurous keep in Dominica, even vacationers in search of a extra classic Caribbean experience will discover one thing to like right here. With the current addition of a number of new boutique resorts and resorts in Dominica at varied value factors, vacationers of all budgets can take pleasure in an expensive and enjoyable expertise in a few of Dominica’s most stunning locations. 

The InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, an IHG Lodge, is positioned on the finish of the favored Waitukubuli Nationwide Path. Nonetheless, it’s nicely price a go to even when a multi-day trek isn’t in your itinerary. Glowing swimming pools, a stunning oceanfront, an expansive spa and wellness middle, and even a children membership make the resort really feel like essentially the most classically Caribbean all-inclusive resort you’ll discover on the island. The property was not too long ago acquired by InterContinential, making a keep much more helpful for loyal IHG members.

A lot of the different resorts on the island embrace the guts of the Nature Island with a jungle really feel, integrating pure, locally-sourced supplies into the development and design of their properties.

An expensive resort favourite on the island, Secret Bay was named the best hotel in the Caribbean in 2020 by Journey + Leisure. Providing an all-villa format for the final word in seclusion, it’s a favourite vacation spot for honeymoons and people in search of much-needed relaxation and leisure. Secret Bay’s attractive Gommier Spa has gorgeous views over the jungle and Caribbean Sea, whereas the property can also be residence to among the best seashores on the island.

A Sustainability Haven

As vacationers more and more look to more sustainable travel options, with a current examine by Booking.com figuring out that 76% of worldwide vacationers want to journey extra sustainably this yr, the eco-friendliness of the Nature Island is extra essential than ever. 

“In 2023, Dominica stays centered on its sustainability efforts, which is turning into an more and more widespread promoting level of the island,” says the CEO of Discover Dominica, Colin Piper. 

Along with island-wide initiatives, Dominica has a slate of eco-friendly resorts, excursions, and experiences designed to convey guests near the guts of Nature Island. Snorkeling and dive operators use excursions with vacationers to use remedies to corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Illness, permitting guests to take part in coral conservation and projection efforts. 

Whereas the island at present operates on about 30% sustainable energy, a brand new geothermal power plant is slated to open by the tip of subsequent yr, bringing the nation close to 100% use of sustainable power sources.

The 2022 debut of the Coulibri Ridge, the island’s latest resort, put Dominica much more squarely on the map as an eco-friendly vacation spot. This ultra-sustainable property is solely off-grid, supplying all of its water and power wants with solar energy and different sustainable power sources. It’s been named among the many 15 best new hotels in the world by Afar and obtained accolades for each its sustainability and luxurious design. 

The Way forward for Dominica Journey

When American Airways launched its first direct flights to Dominica from the US on the finish of 2021, journey to the island elevated dramatically. “The addition of the American Airways flight had a major impression on our tourism arrivals. It’s never been faster or easier for U.S. visitors to travel to and from Dominica,” mentioned Uncover Dominica’s CEO, Colin Piper.

Customer numbers to the island elevated 308% final yr amid growing worldwide journey globally and the island’s rising profile as a journey hotspot.

Dominica continues to work to extend the airlift to the island, together with developing a brand new airport with capability for even bigger industrial jets to entry the island.

American Airways flights are additionally anticipated to extend in frequency all through the remainder of the yr and past. As guests proceed to find this one-of-a-kind Caribbean island’s new and paradigm-shifting journey potential, Dominica seems to be ahead to much more buzz sooner or later. 

This text initially appeared on Savoteur.

Writer bio: Carley Rojas Avila is an avid traveler and the creator behind journey web sites Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Having visited twenty-five nations and spent years dwelling overseas, she shares vacation spot guides and journey ideas to assist vacationers and digital nomads really feel at residence when touring off the crushed path to Havana or past.

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