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Looking for fun facts about Dominica? Let me help you! I spent a month living in Dominica while working remotely, exploring all the island has to offer. Along the way, I learned these Dominica facts that I’m sharing with you.
I didn’t know much about Dominica before visiting, but it quickly became one of my favorite islands in the Caribbean.
After spending my first day swimming in emerald pools under waterfalls and soaking in natural hot springs under volcanoes, I knew it was a special place. Intrigued? Here are 25 Dominica fun facts that will have you booking flights!
25 interesting facts about Dominica
1. There’s a river for every day of the year
Dominica has over 365 rivers, one for every day of the year! Some are clear, while others have gorgeous milky blue colors from the runoff of minerals.
Exploring and swimming in the various rivers is one of the best things to do in Dominica. One of my favorite river experiences was taking a boat ride down the Indian River, the widest river on the island.
It’s a dream to spot wildlife, especially birds. Another fun river experience is to go tubing down one! I did this via Pagua Bay House, a dreamy hotel in the north of the hotel.
🚣♀️ I love this Northern Excursion tour that takes you down the Indian River, Fort Shirley, and Cold Soufriere.
2. It’s a waterfall chasers paradise
With so much water running around, it’s no surprise that Dominica is also a dream destination for chasing waterfalls. You can swim in a different waterfall every day during your trip here!
I have a post about the best waterfalls in Dominica, but some of my favorites are Victoria Falls, Emerald Pool, Sari-Sari Falls, and Middleham Falls.
💦 Visit six waterfalls in one day on this highly-rated tour!
3. It’s home to the second-largest boiling lake in the world
Dominica is home to the second-largest boiling lake in the world after New Zealand. Hiking there is one of the most unique things to do in this island nation.
The Boiling Lake hike is epic. It takes you through many landscapes – rainforests, cloud forests, and thermal areas.
At the end, you’ll be facing a massive lake with a center boiling point.
The hike is not easy, though. You’ll be climbing up and down a mountain with steep terrain. It took me eight hours round-trip and a lot of sweat, but absolutely worth it.
Don’t hike boiling lake without a guide! I love this tour because it includes all admission fees and ends with a refreshing swim in a waterfall.
4. There are nine active volcanoes
Dominica has nine active volcanoes – the world’s highest concentration! But don’t worry – there hasn’t been a major eruption since 1997; before that, it was in 1880.
The volcanoes add to the island’s natural beauty and make for epic hiking. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb Morne Diablotins (1447m), the highest mountain in the country.
This is no easy feat, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning views on the island.
5. It has black sand beaches
Due to the high concentration of volcanoes, many of the beaches in Dominica have naturally blank sand. If you’re traveling due to the north of the island, stop in Mero Beach, where several restaurants are offering fresh seafood!
Another popular black sand beach is Champagne Beach, a great place to go snorkeling.
Visit black sand beaches, waterfalls, and a sulfur spa on this highly-rated tour!
6. You can see volcanic springs rising from the ocean floor
One unique thing to do in Dominica is snorkeling or diving at Champagne Beach. There you can see volcanic springs rising from the ocean floor here!
I loved diving here as the volcanic springs make the water nice and warm, and it’s so much fun to swim through the vents feeling like you are in a champagne glass!
Don’t worry if you aren’t a certified diver, as you can also go snorkeling to see this natural phenomenon. Head to the beach’s far left side once you arrive and swim out (there are signs). There’s also a place to rent snorkeling gear there!
I love this snorkeling tour which includes three snorkeling stops at Champagne Reef, Bubble Beach, and Scotts Head.
7. Two-thirds of Dominica is covered in rainforest
One interesting fact about Dominica is that gorgeous tropical rainforests cover over two-thirds of the island. The rainforests are home to more than 1,000 plant species, so hiking here is a magical experience!
8. It’s full of hot springs
With so much adventure, you’ll be glad to know you can soak your muscles in warm hot springs afterward. The volcanoes in the country give way to naturally heated springs throughout the country.
Wotten Waven is one of the most popular areas to visit in the country for hot springs, close to the capital city Roseau.
There are a few different spas you can visit, but Ti Kwen Glo Cho was my favorite. You can soak in two huge pools, surrounded by lush plants, and this adorable bathtub! I preferred going in the evening, as the daytime was just too hot.
Visit black sand beaches, waterfalls, and a sulfur spa on this highly-rated tour!
9. There are cold springs too
Dominica is one of the few places in the world where you can see cold springs. The area is called Cold Soufriere, and the springs come from a volcanic crater within nearby Morne Aux Diables.
The water here bubbles and hisses like a hot spring would, but the water is cold (you can even touch it).
It’s just a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, so be sure to check out this unique volcanic manifestation if you’re traveling north of the island.
This Northern Excursion tour takes you to the cold springs, as well as a boat ride down the Indian River.
10. It’s the nature isle of the Caribbean
Dominica is home to endless rivers, waterfalls, rainforests, and volcanoes – which has rightly earned it the nickname the nature isle of the Caribbean.
If you’re looking for a place to reconnect with nature, Dominica is the spot for you.
11. Dominican is home to the Caribbean’s first long-distance hiking trail
Dominica is full of fantastic hiking trails, but The Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) is one of the most unique.
This 183km (115 miles) path is the Caribbean’s first long-distance walking trail. It’s divided into 14 segments, so if you don’t have time to do the whole trail, you can hike a section as a day trip.
12. Sperm whales live here year-round
One of the best experiences in Dominica is going on a whale-watching trip. There’s a population of sperm whales that live here year-round, so your chances of seeing them are great!
We went out on an afternoon trip from Roseau and saw over a dozen sperm whales, including a mother and her calf! Dolphin sightings are common too.
I love this whale-watching trip because it’s a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring you’ll have space to see the whales!
13. It’s one of the best places for freediving in the world
I didn’t know this before visiting, but Dominica is one of the world’s best places for free diving. The town of Soufriere on the southern tip of the island has all the right conditions: depth close to shore, calm seas, and good visibility.
Many of the world’s top freedivers come here to train, but no worries if you haven’t tried it before. Soufriere Guesthouse, one of the best places to stay in Dominica, has a diving school on-site called Blue Element Diving.
I took an Intro to Freediving course with one of the owners, Jon, which was an incredible experience. I was nervous, but he made me feel at ease, and I got down to 10m.
14. Dominican is an adventure seekers’ paradise
With so many incredible natural attractions in Dominica, you don’t have to search hard to find an adventure.
Whether you want to swim under waterfalls, hike volcanoes, dive underwater, or go canyoning, Dominica can offer it. It’s hands down the best Caribbean island for adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts!
15. It’s not the Dominican Republic
Let’s get this straight! Almost everyone thought I meant the Dominican Republic when I told people I was going to Dominica.
I can’t blame them; I didn’t know about Dominica either before moving to the Caribbean. But Dominica is not the Dominican Republic – it’s a separate island (and country) in the east Caribbean, over 600 miles away.
16. The national bird of Dominica is the Sisserou parrot
Dominica is a great destination to see wildlife, especially birds.
One to keep your eye out for is the Sisserou parrot, the country’s national bird. It’s a beautiful purple and green parrot you can see in the mountain forests, the Dominican flag, and the coat of arms. I saw one while hiking on the Syndicate nature trail.
17. It’s pronounced Dom-in-EE-ka
Another mistake many people make (myself included) is pronouncing Dominica similarly to the Dominican Republic, but the last i is pronounced with an ‘EE’ sound, as in Dom-in-EE-ka. Listening is easier!
18. There is still an active tribe of Indigenous people
One unique thing about Dominica is that there are still indigenous people who live there. Dominica is home to the Kalinago people, who have inhabited the island for centuries
There are about 3,000 living on the island today, mainly in Kalinago territory.
You can visit them in Kalinago Barana Aute. In this model village, you can leave more about their history and culture and purchase locally-made crafts.
19. Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed here
Pirates of the Caribbean filmed a lot of the movie in Dominica!
Titou Gorge in Morne Trois Pitons National Park is where the shipmates are hanging in bone cages, and the Indian River in Portsmouth was the Patano River in the movie.
20. More Dominicans are living outside of the country than in it
In 2017, a category 5 Hurricane Maria tragically hit Dominica, causing significant damage.
Over 95% of buildings on the island were damaged or destroyed, and more than 50,000 people were displaced. During that time, many Dominicans left the island and never came back.
The population of Dominica is not large. Before coming to the island, I had read it was 70,000+, but after talking to several locals, I learned that figure is inaccurate. I got various estimates, but most people thought the population was just 35,000-50,000.
21. There’s no international airport
Getting to Dominica is an adventure, as there is no international airport.
So how do you get here? Flying via another Caribbean island!
Barbados and Antigua both offer direct flights and have international airports. You’ll have to take one of those small Caribbean planes with incredible views.
Otherwise, Dominica is a popular cruise ship destination.
22. Dominica is home to an endangered species of frog known as the mountain chicken
This frog species is only found in Dominica and Montserrat and was widely considered a delicacy among locals as it tasted like chicken.
You won’t be able to try it while visiting – the frog is now a protected species as a fungus wiped out almost 80% of the population in the 2000s.
23. Agriculture and tourism are its two primary industries
Over 20% of Dominica’s land is arable and under cultivation.
Agriculture is one of the leading industries, and for decades, the economy depended on banana exports. However, in recent years, the country has shifted towards producing other fruits and vegetables.
Head to the local farmers market in Roseau to try some while you’re here; it’s delicious!
Dominica has also pivoted towards becoming an eco-tourism destination in recent years to diversify its economy.
24. Dominica was the last island to be formed in the Caribbean
Dominican was formed by volcanic action about 26 million years ago. While that might sound like a long time ago, it was the last island formed in the Caribbean.
25. It was the last island to be colonized by Europeans
Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, mainly in part of the fierce resistance of the native Kalinago people, which are still around today.
FAQ: Facts about Dominica
What is the Dominica currency?
The currency used in Dominica is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD).
Is Dominica safe?
Generally, Dominica is considered safe for travelers. I never had any issues the month I was living in Dominica.
How big is Dominica Island?
Dominica Island covers an area of approximately 290 square miles (751 square kilometers).
What is Dominica known for?
Dominica is known for its stunning natural beauty, including lush rainforests, hot springs, waterfalls, and diverse marine life, making it a paradise for eco-tourism and adventure seekers.
What is a fun fact about Dominica for kids?
Dominica has a rare species of parrot called the Sisserou parrot, which is the national bird and can only be found on the island.
What are some facts about Dominica culture?
Dominica’s culture is a mix of African, Carib, and European influences and is celebrated through traditional music, dance, crafts, and vibrant festivals.
What is special about Dominica?
Dominica is special for its untouched natural beauty, offering visitors an authentic and eco-friendly experience away from mass tourism.
What is the nickname of Dominica?
Dominica is often called the “Nature Island of the Caribbean” due to its pristine landscapes and abundant biodiversity.
What language do they speak in Dominica?
The official language of Dominica is English.
What is the most popular food in Dominica?
One of the most popular dishes in Dominica is “Callaloo,” a delicious soup made from dasheen leaves and often mixed with meat or seafood.
Why do people visit Dominica?
People visit Dominica to explore its natural wonders, engage in outdoor activities like hiking and diving, experience its unique culture, and escape the hustle and bustle of more touristy destinations.
What nationality are Dominica people?
The people of Dominica are known as Dominicans. They hold Dominican citizenship and are citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Final thoughts: Fun facts about Dominica
That’s it, 25 fun facts about Dominica!
Dominica’s allure lies in its unspoiled landscapes, thriving biodiversity, and unique cultural experiences.
As you explore this hidden treasure in the Caribbean, you’ll uncover its remarkable natural wonders and immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of its people.
Whether you’re an adventurer, a nature enthusiast, or a culture seeker, Dominica promises an unforgettable journey filled with fun, discovery, and awe-inspiring moments.
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