To describe Dominica to the king and queen of Spain, Christopher Columbus reportedly crumpled a piece of parchment into a ball: The folds and creases illustrated the island's steep mountains (and created one of the first documented three-dimensional maps).
But his model did little to communicate the island's other wonders: Hundreds of fast-running streams plunge through its thick tropical forests, and rare birds and animals flit through the greenery. Offshore, steep underwater cliffs play host to colorful coral, sponges and fish. Best of all, most of these attractions are in pristine condition. Even after recent attempts to increase the number of visitors to the island, Dominica (pronounced dom-in-EE-kah) is one of the most underdeveloped islands in the region. In fact, over the years, Dominicans have debated whether to return to the pre-Columbian, Carib name Waitukubuli, meaning "tall is her body."
The lack of the usual travel amenities—large resorts, museums, shopping, nightlife—means that travelers seeking a typical Caribbean getaway may want to steer clear of Dominica. But those who love nature and don't mind roughing it in tropical wilderness will find the island to be pure paradise. People go to Dominica to catch a glimpse of a rare bird, to spend the day hiking through dense forests, and to dive and snorkel in remarkably clear waters. It's little wonder that it has become one of the primary ecotourism destinations in the Caribbean. Dominica is currently the only entire country in the Caribbean to have been benchmarked by GreenGlobe 21 as demonstrating responsible behavior across the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental management.
Location
In 2006, 314 cruise ships visited Dominica, bringing 379,643 visitors. Most cruise ships visiting the island stop in Roseau, Dominica's main city and port. The cruise-ship pier is in the heart of this working town, just across from the Roseau Museum and the Old Market. You can easily walk from the pier to all of the city's attractions, but you'll need transportation to reach the national parks and other sights on the island. A tourist office is located at the Old Market, across from the pier. Monday 8 am-5 pm and Tuesday-Friday 8 am-4 pm. Phone 767-448-2351.
Some ships dock at Woodbridge Bay Deepwater Harbour, the commercial port north of Roseau. From there, a shuttle bus will take you into Roseau. A tourist office is open at Deepwater Harbour whenever a ship is in port.
The Cabrits Cruise Ship Port, the only cruise-ship terminal in the Caribbean that's in a national park, is at the northwestern end of the island. Ships dock at its pier. There's an open-air pavilion, built in 18th-century West Indian style. Films about the island, its history and attractions are shown inside. A tourist office is open whenever a ship docks. Paths lead from the pavilion to a garden and waterfalls, with splendid views of the sea. Within walking distance is Fort Shirley.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the island, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions—and their prices—vary from cruise line to cruise line. (During Dominica's Carnival season, prices tend to be higher.) Typical shore excursions include river tubing, hiking, snorkeling or scuba diving, visiting a Carib village, or taking part in a whale or dolphin watch. Check with your ship's shore-excursion staff or your travel agent for additional information.
