Dominica, nicknamed the Nature Isle island country of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Dominica is about 380 miles south to southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It lies about midway between the islands of Antigua to the north and St. Lucia to the south. It is called the sister Island to St Lucia
Dominica is pronounced daa·muh·nee·kuh and not similar to the Dominican Republic. English is the official language of Dominica and is universally spoken and understood. In addition, Dominican Creole, an Antillean Creole based on French, is widely spoken. This is due to French migration to the island starting in 1690. A majority French Creole speaking population reside on the island. The dialect known as Kokoy is another Creole language spoken in Dominica. Kokoy is a form of Pidgin English comprising a mixture of Dominican creole and Leeward Island English Creole.
Dominca has a few black sand beaches, no white sand beaches found here. Instead, it is dense with rainforests, waterfalls and tropical plants and animals. For an idea of what to expect, watch the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, which was filmed on part on the island. Roseau, Domincas capital formerly called Charlotte Town, was burned by the French in 1805 and again suffered nearly total destruction by a hurricane in 1979. It is named after the Reeds that grow here, Roseau meaning Reeds
Cruisers visiting the island for only a day should plan on activities much different than most Caribbean islands. If you aren’t comfortable you can book a ships excursion. We were glad we did a private tour and got a lot of bang for our buck. Our driver spent nearly 3 hours around the Island and it cost us only $25 per person. Roads are steep and winding but be amazed with the simply gorgeous tropical plants and trees.
We chose to visit the Trafalgar Falls. These famous twin waterfalls are a 20-minute drive from Roseau. It’s a short but steep 10 to 15 minute walk along a well-maintained path to the viewing platform, where you can photograph both falls. There is a small entrance fee of $5 and you walk through a rainforest t reach the twin falls. There is a well maintained gravel walkway to viewing platform.
