Dominica Waterfall & Snorkeling Trip: A Detailed Review

Dominica, often called “Nature Island,” is very, very different. I mean, unlike other Caribbean spots, it’s not so much about those big fancy resorts and sandy beaches. It’s almost more known for its insane rainforests, towering mountains, and, that’s right, a crazy number of waterfalls. So, when I booked my trip to specifically check out these natural wonders with a little snorkeling mixed in, I definitely had to wonder if I was actually ready for all of the adventures in store. From what I experienced, and maybe this is only my view, it was pretty awesome!

First Impressions: Getting Ready for the Adventure

Arriving in Dominica can be something else, that’s for sure. The air is really humid and the scenery is totally breathtaking. The airport’s, well, maybe not the biggest I’ve seen, but the vibe is actually chill and the people are honestly friendly. It just kind of felt right from the get-go. So, getting sorted with transportation to my accommodation took barely anytime, that way I could actually start feeling settled for the week ahead. I stayed at a sweet little guesthouse near Roseau, Dominica’s capital. Now, Roseau, it tends to be pretty busy, but it also had this cool, easygoing vibe. With its markets and tiny shops, it has that true Caribbean character I just adore.

Before the trip, you too might find yourself checking loads of tour options, right? What I quickly realized is that there are tons of packages out there that bundle waterfall hikes with snorkeling excursions. The ones that really caught my attention actually promised a solid mix of exploring inland and out on the coast. Price-wise, what you’re looking at is probably around $100 to $150 USD per person for a full-day thing, give or take, and that actually includes transportation, entrance fees, and a local guide. Now that I think about it, packing for Dominica is definitely its own mini-adventure! Because you’re trekking through rainforests one minute and, the next, you’re bobbing about in the sea, so packing smart is key.

Hiking boots: Absolutely, without a question, vital for those rocky trails.
Swimsuit: You already knew this one.
Quick-drying clothes: Must have so you’re not lugging damp clothes all day long.
Waterproof bag: Just the thing for keeping your electronics safe.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Definitely a must to look after those reefs and your skin, actually!

Chasing Waterfalls: Trafalgar Falls and Middleham Falls

Trafalgar Falls definitely needs to be near the top of anyone’s must-see list. Only a quick drive from Roseau, you might also know them as Dominica’s famous twin waterfalls. The hike up is a bit, well, challenging, specifically with some rock hopping and stream crossings involved. However, so as to get there in a safe way, there is usually a handrail most of the way.

The sound of the water grows really loud as you make your way to the viewing platform, and then, bam! You’re right in front of both waterfalls. The views? Absolutely spectacular! Now, the falls actually cascade down this rocky cliff face. The feeling of mist on your face, with this insane scenery all around you… Well, it doesn’t get old, at all. What you should also know is that actually there’s an option to go for a dip in the pools at the base of the falls, that is if you are bold enough for a very bracing swim! Very close to the main falls there are warm springs trickling out the rocks if you need warming up.

Another very awesome waterfall worth a visit is Middleham Falls. This trek, while still a bit tough, takes you really deep into the rainforest. The path winds over tree roots and pretty big stones, with tons of cool tropical plants and chattering birds around you, typically. The trek is really cool, that way you get to really soak in the rainforest vibes. When you finally reach Middleham Falls, you quickly notice that it’s very different from Trafalgar. At something like 282 feet, Middleham has to be Dominica’s tallest waterfall. You can also take a dip in the refreshing pool. It’s rather chilly, but incredibly rewarding, I feel. Basically, it is a truly amazing way to cool off following the hike.

Snorkeling Adventures: Exploring the Underwater Beauty

After some waterfall action, so I wanted to check out what the waters around Dominica had going on. A very well-known place for snorkeling, Scotts Head Marine Reserve is located right at the southwest tip of the island. The reserve has these protected waters, and with the reef that’s pretty accessible, it is actually a fantastic spot for both beginner and pretty experienced snorkelers. The marine life here? It’s bursting at the seams. While you’re swimming around, you are almost certainly going to see tons of bright, colorful fish, sea turtles cruising about, and other sea creatures all chillin’ amongst the coral formations.

Because I needed an all-in type of experience, that’s what I was looking for anyway, I tagged along with a boat tour that, as a matter of fact, took us to a few spots along the coastline. What made it even better is that our guides seemed extremely clued up about the marine environment and clearly were passionate in sharing their know-how with us. It’s quite likely that most tours actually offer snorkeling gear, but personally I thought bringing my own actually made me feel better and way more comfy. Getting in the water, so it’s an experience in itself.

The water is super clear, with the underwater visibility on some days really amazing. Floating around, checking out the coral and all sorts of different types of fish? Actually super therapeutic. Scotts Head, with it’s great biodiversity and the great care applied to it, tends to be one place any lover of marine life just has to experience.

Champagne Reef, it is another very highly rated snorkeling site in Dominica, and, just so you know, the reason for its fun name is the bubbling thermal springs down below. So, swimming in this area feels kinda cool, really. Tiny bubbles rise around you, sort of like you are swimming in a natural Jacuzzi, kinda. What makes the Champagne Reef stand out is very much its crazy volcanic vents and cool marine life. Visibility, it might just be slightly more limited here than Scotts Head because of the bubbles, it makes for an amazing, unique snorkel though.

Diving Deeper: Adding Scuba to the Mix

Dominica isn’t solely for snorkelers, right. If you feel brave enough for the plunge, then you’ll very much appreciate the amount of quality dive sites dotted right around the island. So, what’s cool is, many of the tour outfits that do snorkeling outings will actually do scuba excursions as well. Depending on what sort of dive you’re doing, you can very much expect to shell out $75-$150 USD per dive, typically. I had the time and thought “what the heck” and I booked a two-tank dive with a local shop. As well as being great value, but all the gear and guidance were pretty darn thorough and informative. The sites are actually known for drop-offs and walls of colorful corals.

What surprised me the most when I was scuba diving was very much the sheer scale of marine life in Dominica. When I got below 50 feet or so, you see bigger fish species than what you get snorkeling – like barracudas, jacks and massive sponges that could swallow you whole. What really struck me, basically, were the underwater rock structures and how undamaged the corals were – it’s so obvious how well-looked after this island is. With that said, safety tends to be super important when doing scuba, actually. Making sure the gear is right and the instructors know their onions is crucial to actually have a great day.

A Taste of Dominica: Food and Culture

You aren’t just limited to awesome views, actually. While Dominica may be awesome with nature, their food and culture have a really cool flavor as well. Plenty of tour packages might actually hook you up with lunch, you know, something really traditional at a local restaurant, that way you taste genuine Dominica cuisine. I had the pleasure of having a spread that very much included Callaloo soup (yum!), fresh-caught fish, and loads of different locally-grown vegetables. This is island cooking at its very finest. During the trip, what was really memorable, just a really cool extra thing, were those moments of actually engaging with local people. Just listening to local music to getting a feel for everyday routines, tends to enhance what’s already a great adventure even more.

Things I Learned About Booking Tours in Dominica: Some tips

You may want to note a few bits when organizing your trip in Dominica. I mean, advance booking for tours and things tends to be something you should look into, mainly during the busy times of year. That way you make sure that you have something in the diary and everything flows really smoothly. Just checking on tour operator creds, that is something you really should do before actually coughing up any money, right. Read all the reviews online to find out how trustworthy the businesses are. If possible, go and see for yourself what customers are saying.

What you should do is make sure your tour operator includes everything – entrance fees, equipment costs etc. Check whether transport costs are included in all of your planned trips. Lastly, be really clear about your skill level – actually let them know where you’re at. Basically, is this your first ever snorkel, or are you able to spend a day in the sea with no issue?

What’s so good about Dominica? A final recap

The scenery is pretty good. So, there are so many opportunities to photograph rare flowers and weird looking fish.
There are experiences that you would only do once. So, diving and snorkeling with marine life can be crazy exciting.
Tours are well run. Local guides are keen on the safety and care for of their patrons.
A fair bit of the proceeds helps keep the island so awesome and beautiful!

With careful organizing and preparation you are sure to experience a slice of Dominica’s real awesomeness, for sure.

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