We just returned from an exhilarating trip in Dominica, a small island in eastern Caribbean with overabundance of unspoiled natural wonder. It’s not your typical Caribbean island that promises a lazy day on the beach, but it promises an ultimate Caribbean adventure. It is only 29 miles long and 16 miles wide, but Dominica amazingly offers endless opportunity to explore and discover.
Two–third of the island is covered with verdant forest that sits on rich volcanic soil and is home to unique floras and many varieites of birds. It boasts of 365 rivers (one for each day of the year) and way too many beautiful waterfalls. It is dubbed as the hiking and whaling capital of the Caribbean and one of the best diving destinations in the eastern Caribbean. It is also home to the second largest boiling lake in the world.
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After several days of strenuous but exhilirating adventures, we decided to have an easier day and took a short hike (about an hour) from our eco-lodge in the rainforest to one of the major waterfalls on the island, the Trafalgar Falls.
Trafalgar Falls is located in the Mourne Trois Piton National Park, the only enlisted World Heritage site in the Eastern Caribbean.
The spectacular twin waterfalls of Trafalgar.
The upper fall of Trafalgar called the “Father” cascades into a hot sulphur spring.
The lower fall, the “Mother,” flows from a river into a cool natural pool.
We had the falls to ourselves until the arrival of this very jolly group of adorable school girls on a field trip.
From Trafalgar Falls, we headed to a nearby natural spa at Papillote Wilderness Retreat where we relaxed our sore muscles in a pool of hot volcanic mineral water flowing from a hot spring.
And we cooled down in the adjacent pool fed by freshwater flowing from a waterfall.
Refreshed and rejuvenated, we hiked back to our home in the rainforest and took delight in the natural sights along the way.
This was our rustic, comfortable and peaceful home base during our stay in the south side of the island. Cocoa Cottage is a sweet eco-lodge situated in the rainforest in Roseau Valley.
Perched high in the lush rainforest, our cottage made us feel completely immersed in nature. It soothed our mind, body and soul. It was wonderful to be lullabied to sleep by the symphony of the song birds and the gentle sound of the flowing river and to be awaken by the same sounds.
Vanilla beans, bananas, fruitbreads and coconuts grow healthy and abundantly around our cottage.
We said goodbye to the rainforest and moved northeast to the village of Calibishie to enjoy a differentt island scene. Calibishie is considered to be one of the most scenic corners of Dominica and known for its beaches.
The breathtaking view from our balcony in lovely Calibishie Cove hotel.
The sun rays filtering through the wooded path that lead to a secluded beach.
The secluded beach of Pointe Baptiste which we had to ourselves.
Oh, did we mention that we had the very fresh catch of the day everyday?
For an island of Dominica’s size, you can normally explore the whole island in a day or two. But we felt we barely scratched the surface with our full week stay in Dominica.
We have enjoyed our island adventures (which we will share with you our over the next few weeks) and we would love to go back for more.
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I keep hearing great things about Dominica – guess I’m going to have to add it to my list. I didn’t realize that the island is so small. But it looks so lush and beautiful!
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted..Oh, Trindade…
Hi Dana, definitely put it on your list. Yes, it’s a tiny island but packed with huge wonders.
The waterfalls look just amazing. Since I’m a big fan of seafood, I would love this place and its cuisine!
Agness recently posted..Travelling the World under $25 a Day in style! How? Housesitting!
Hi Agness, oh you’d love it there. Food is always fresh. Seafood are normally caught the same day and vegetables are normally straight from the garden.
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..Japanese traditional architecture, Kurazukuri fireproof house
Thanks Muza-chan!
Now that is verdant forest. Love the view from your balcony. Pointe Baptiste is a beautiful beach, especially when you have it to yourselves.
budget jan recently posted..Experience Heaven and Earth in Hoi An – Post 11
Hi Jan, yes it can’t be any verdant that this. It was having really great having our own beach:)
What an incredibly beautiful island! I remember seeing stamps from Dominica when I was little and thinking that I wanted to go there – but I’ve never been! I love the idea of splitting a vacation between the rainforest and the beach!
Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted..Blue Mountain Resort: The Perfect Family Getaway
Hi Lisa, splitting the trip into two location gave the trip a good balance. It’s truly a beautiful island; I hope you make it there sometime soon.
Saw your blog through The Tablescaper. I put in my own post there as well. Hi ! What a gorgeous place ! And the resort you stayed in looks fabulous–what is the swing made out of ?
Hi Adity, nice to see you here. It is a gorgeous place indeed. The swing in the eco-lodge is made out of a tree trunk. It looks very sturdy, rustic and unique.
Previously I only considered Dominican Republic as one of the countries that I want to visit in the Caribbean. But little did I know about Dominica until I read your post. For a small island, it looks like it does have abundant wildlife, especially flowers and birds. And some of the flowers pictured here can be easily found in Indonesia. So I guess a visit to the small island for me is like an excursion to a tropical garden in Indonesia. Seems like you had a great time on the island!
Bama recently posted..In Search of The True Bali
Hi Bama, not a lot of people go to Dominica because of lack of direct international flight but it is a blessing as well – it keeps mass-tourism at bay. But it’s worth the extra flight connections. It’s truly is beautiful and untouched. Some of its vegetation is similar to other tropical countries but it has a lot of unique feature as well. Yes, we did have an amazing time.
It just looks like any scenery you can see in the Philippines LOL I would love to take a dip in the natural spa at the Papillote Wilderness Retreat! Isn’t it supposed to be therapeutic or something?
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com recently posted..How to Travel Cheaply in Batanes
Hi Aleah, it looks somehow similar but different in a sense that Dominica is so much more untouched. It shares some similar floras with other tropical coutnries but it has a lot of very unique elements as well. The natural spa is wonderful! Yes, it is very therapeutic. It helps ease aches and pains, etc.
As always you are enticing me to look into more adventurous travel with these great pictures. And that catch of the day looks pretty good too!
Average Traveller recently posted..Going Against My Instincts for Food in Shibuya
Hi Ryan, you should definitely look into adventure travel. It’s a lot of fun. Actually we have not posted the real adventures in Dominica yet:) This one here is just the easy adventure. Watch our for our “canyoning” post- you’ll probably think we’re crazy. .
whoa, those lobsters look huge Wow! and that eco lodge I could hang out their for days, looks a great vacation, thanks for sharing
noel recently posted..Summer Flowers – a Frifotos series
Hi Noel, we ordered two-pound lobsters and we were shocked how big they were. They looked like four-pounders. Oh, the eco-lodge was wonderful. We miss it so much.
I love that cottage in the rain forest. And though I’ve heard of Dominica, I never knew what to expect. Very beautiful country.
Ann recently posted..Travel Turtle Road Trip, Summer 2013: Introduction
Hi Ann, it is truly a beautiful country with wonderful people. The rainforest cottage was really special.
My favorite holiday, hiking combined with a beautiful beach. I love rain forests, waterfalls and hot springs as well … looks like the place to be for me. Beautiful photos.
Freya recently posted..Hiking from Moray to the Salt Pans in Maras
HI Freya, you will love it there! Wait until you see the post of our crazy adventures. I can see you doing it with us:)
This is like Fantasy Island come to life. That water fall looked magical and how inviting was that beach. My mouth watered looking at your food. . .
And thanks for the lovely comment you left on our blog this week, we were touched!
Jackie Smith recently posted..Our Wedding Night ~ and other Travel Tales. . .
Hi Jackie,
Yes! Fantasy Island! Bingo. That’s the description we were trying to come up with.
About the comment, we thank you! You and Joel are such inspirations.
What an amazing place! Both Mother and Father are quite spectacular!
Great to have you be a part of “Oh the PLACES I’ve been!”. Hope to see you next week!
– The Tablescaper
The twins falls were spectacular indeed. Thanks for the visit and see you next week.
Breathtaking photos, Marisol! I can understand why a week wasn’t enough on such a beautiful island.
A number of years ago I had the pleasure of taking a new friend on a walking trail here in Hong Kong – her family was from Dominica and she remarked that the lush scenery with its hidden waterfalls reminded her of her native island. I was very surprised to hear that; coming from her that was a pretty big compliment!
Thank you for immersing us in nature through your words and pictures – I did not know about Boiling Lake or Morne Trois Pitons until I read this post.
Looks like another place to add to the wishlist!
Hi James, thanks. Glad you enjoyed the post. It truly is a wonderful island and is a big compliment indeed if a native liken any place to their virgin island. The Boiling Lake was amazing. Our hike to it was one of the highlight of the trip. I hope you check back for that post.
I am fascinated by the twin falls that end in a hot springs and cool water. Did the springs you soaked in smell of sulphur?
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..Getting a Lock on Love in Paris
Hi Michele, the twin falls were really spectacular. No, we didn’t really smell sulphur in the pool. Not sure if our sense of smell became too immune from sulphur smell after the hike to the Boiling Lake the day before.
Love the open-air Cocoa Cottage in the forest! Getting serenaded at night by a chorus of Dominica’s wildlife is surely a great way to be lulled to sleep. That mosquito net should keep unwanted bugs at bay.
Dennis recently posted..From Island to Mainland
Hi Dennis, we miss the song birds! I wish hear them in NYC. You know, we never really encoutered any mosquitos in the island. We never got to use our bug spray once.
A hike that ends in a natural spa sounds perfect for me! What a fabulous choice of island.. rain forest hikes and lazy days on the beach..not to mention the food! Dominica sounds idyllic!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Mostar’s Old Bridge
Hi Jenny,
It was a perfect choice for us indeed. It fed our sense of adventure while offering some good relaxation.
Looks like a great escape from the busy city life. The waterfall looks beautiful. What a great sight. I love the photo of sun rays coming through the tree leaves.
Salika Jay recently posted..3 Hawaiian Islands For 3 Different Experiences
Hi Salika, it truly is a wonderful escape. It’s great to leave the concrete jungle and be surrounded with natural jungle:)
This
Nancie recently posted..Beauty and Beaches Abound in Turkey
Second trySecond try…This looks glorious. I would love to try that spa!
Nancie recently posted..Beauty and Beaches Abound in Turkey
Yey Nancie! Glad you it through this time. The natural spa was awesome. We’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy it.
Great post, I love the waterfall its awesome!
Jim recently posted..Siesta Key rentals
So different from other Caribbean islands I’ve visited — looks so lush! Sounds like there is no shortage of great activities, too. Love the photo of the school girls — they seem happy to be on their field trip.
HI Cathy, so so many things to do in that small island and so little time. Yes, those school girls we so amazingly happy.
Interesting post! I’m sure that your travel is fulfill with a lot of fun and enjoy. waterfall looks just amazing, i love it which covered from green forest.
Thanks you,. Glad you enjoyed it.
I love the sunburst photo! This looks like a beautiful island. Hope to make it there some day!
EverywhereAmy recently posted..Five Reasons Why You Should Be Taking Your Children to Historical Sites
Hi Amy, it is a spectacular island that I’m sure your family will enjoy.
Amazing travels. Well done. Thank you for sharing them.
jennjilks recently posted..Another storm across southern Ontario -news and film at 6:30!
I’m going to Dominica in May!!! I’m super excited. Can you tell me, were you able to find any white sand beaches? I hear it’s mostly rock
Hi Kathryn, you should be excited! Dominica is wonderful. I’m pretty sure you’ll have a great time. That sandy beach is Pointe Baptiste located in the village of Calabishie in the northeast coast of the island. Once you get to the town, ask the friendly locals where Pointe Baptiste Beach is and they’ll be happy to direct you. It is about 15 minute walk from the main road.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..The Colorful Cityscape of Reykjavik
Wow, thank you so much for posting this! It is gonna be so helpful when I am thinking about going to Sun Ray Cinema in Jacksonville! Fabulous!
Dang, thanks very much for posting this! It is going to aid me when I am thinking about going to AMC Orange Park 24 in Jacksonville! Very Fabulous!
Hey guys. This is a great article on your visit to Dominica! Your photos and descriptions give a very good idea of what to expect here. I was born and live in Dominica, so I’m proud to see such amazing reviews from visitors. Do come again with your friends and families!
Here’s an article from my own blog after a recent trip to the Trafalgar Falls – http://allegrophoto.co/blog/trafalgar-falls
Thanks again for the positive review article!
Take care, Yuri