Travel Kuoni

Dominica Holidays

This enchanting island of forested volcanic peaks is an authentic slice of Caribbean paradise.

Beautiful Dominica is a Caribbean island with a difference: it’s more Jurassic Park than Dominican Republic. There’s still the chance to relax in secluded high-end hotels, but here you can also glide silently down the Indian River through untamed Pirates of the Caribbean rainforest, snorkel through underwater thermal springs, and take on remote hikes through rugged wilderness to tumbling waterfalls and bubbling lakes.

A holiday to Dominica can be about testing your limits on epic outdoor adventures or enjoying back-to-nature wellness escapes with just hummingbirds and bananaquits for company. There are impressive efforts in eco-tourism and conservation going on too, including ground-breaking plans to become the world’s first ‘climate-resilient’ nation.

The best bit? Dominica is still relatively unexplored by UK travellers, so you’ll feel like you’ve been let in on a well-kept secret.

Read more

Download now

Dominica - Perfect for

  • Wild landscapes

    Waterfalls, lakes, rainforests and rivers are just a few of the island’s natural wonders.

  • Off the beaten track

    See an island few UK travellers have seen and get some serious bragging rights.

  • Underwater world

    Reefs and pinnacles await divers and migrating whales can be spotted in the surrounding waters.

  • Unspoilt beaches

    The island is encompassed by stunning beaches, some with black sand and others tucked away.

Dominica Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Dominica

Secret Bay

A luxurious eco-hideaway on the edge of a forested clifftop with secret beaches, off-menu dining...

InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa

A luxury low-key resort in a spectacular secluded setting.

Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort

A modern harbourfront hotel that’s close to the capital but perfectly placed for adventure

Get to know the island of Dominica and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT -4 hours

CURRENCY

East Caribbean dollar; many establishments will accept US dollars

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

10 hours (not including stopover time)

RELIGION

Christianity (majority Roman Catholic)

LANGUAGE

English; French and a local French Creole language is also spoken

Where is Dominica?
Dominica is part of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. Its closest neighbours are Guadeloupe and Martinique, while Barbados is a 1-hour flight away. Dominica has two small airports: Douglas-Charles in the north, around an hour from Roseau, and Canefield in the south, 15 minutes from Roseau. There are no direct flights from the UK, but it’s easy to get here via the more popular islands of Antigua, Barbados and Saint Lucia, creating the perfect twin-centre holiday.

Read more

Nature island
Unlike most Caribbean islands where guests might take a token daytrip away from the beach, the impressive mountains, crater lakes and rivers make the interior more of a draw than the coast. Nearly two-thirds of the island is natural vegetation. Hiking is a big deal and there are over 300 miles of trails across Dominica – many of these have been hand-cleared and made safe by local communities. The most extensive hiking route is the 115-mile Wai’tukubuli National Trail, which is divided into 14 ‘stages’ (you can tackle as many or as few stages as you like).

Read more

National parks and territories
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the best known of the island’s protected nature reserves. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, if you need extra confirmation of its dramatic scenery, one of the highlights here is called ‘The Valley of Desolation’ thanks to its bubbling mud pools and steaming rivers. This is where you’ll find the island’s remarkable Boiling Lake. Visitors are also welcome at the 3700-acre Kalinago Territory to meet the friendly Kalinago people, while the capital, Roseau, is worth a visit for its French colonial houses, Old Market Plaza and tiny Dominica Museum.

Read more

Coast
Dominica has a very steep drop-off close to its shore, which makes it ideal feeding ground for whales. Head out on a local boat and you can spot sperm whales year-round, as well as pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins from November to March. The best snorkelling and diving is at Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve, which has dramatic reef formations, rainbow-coloured fish and a shipwreck, and at Champagne Beach you can swim through streams of bubbles coming from underwater thermal springs. Dominica has a few sandy beaches along its north coast, but we’d recommend saving your main beach time for Antigua, Barbados or Saint Lucia.

Read more

Sustainability
For a lesser-visited island, Dominica is punching above its weight when it comes to conservation and responsible tourism. As well as the aim to become the world’s first ‘climate-resilient’ nation, there are three designated national parks and an indigenous population that plays a big part in eco-tourism. Instead of adding hefty man-made attractions, the latest ‘tourist sight’ to open here was the Wai’tukubuli National Trail.

Read more

Getting around
You’ll need to take a taxi or hire a car and driver to explore; guided excursions are the easiest way to get to know your surroundings. Although it’s not a huge island (about twice the size of Barbados), Dominica is mountainous so it can take a little longer to travel around, but that’s all part of the slow-paced charm.

Read more

Best time to visit Dominica

Dominica is warm year-round, with daytime temperatures usually hovering between 26 and 31 degrees and the sea sticking close to a very swim-friendly 28 degrees. The drier stretch runs from January to May, but even then, the odd passing shower might sneak in. From June to November, the rain becomes more regular, especially in August and September when storm season is at its peak. Still, most of the time it’s more of a dramatic five-minute rinse than a day-long washout, and plenty of mornings start bright and sunny.

Dominica Weather

Dec - Mar

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Dominica Weather by Month

January in Dominica

The year gets off to a good start with some of the driest, breeziest weather you'll find on the island. Daytime temperatures hover around 28 degrees, and it’s a great time to get out and about, whether you’re wandering a coastal path, heading up into the hills, or floating in the sea. Rivers and waterfalls are still full from the wetter months, and the ocean stays calm and clear. Rain is rare, but if it does show up, it usually makes its point in five minutes and moves on.

Read more

February in Dominica

February is one of the most comfortable times to visit Dominica. The weather is warm and mostly dry, with a steady breeze that keeps things feeling fresh. It’s great for hiking, swimming, or just exploring without the heat becoming too much. Carnival season starts to build, especially in Roseau, where music and costume prep add a bit of energy to the streets. Even if you’re not here for the main events, the island feels lively and welcoming, with plenty of sunshine most days.

Read more

March in Dominica

March is one of the best times for hiking, with dry trails, clear skies, and plenty of green left from earlier rains. Visibility in the water is excellent for snorkelling or diving, and the heat is still manageable, usually sitting around 30 degrees. It's a good month for seeing more of the island without having to plan around the weather too carefully.

Read more

April in Dominica

April keeps the dry season going, although the air starts to feel a bit thicker as the month wears on. You might get the occasional inland shower, but sunshine still wins most days. Markets start filling up with fresh fruit, and stalls get brighter with mangoes, guavas, and whatever’s ripe that week. It’s a lovely time to visit, that’s quiet, easygoing, and warm enough for an evening walk without a jumper.

Read more

May in Dominica

May feels like the island is easing into a slower rhythm. Rain becomes more frequent, usually in the afternoons, but there’s still plenty of dry, bright weather to enjoy during the day. Trails remain green, rivers start to swell slightly, and the air feels warmer and more humid. If you’re happy to go at a relaxed pace and don’t mind the occasional shower, it’s a peaceful time to explore.

Read more

June in Dominica

Rainfall increases in June, with higher humidity. Most showers arrive later in the day, leaving mornings free for walks, boat trips, or visits to waterfalls. Temperatures reach around 31 degrees, and the sea stays warm. It’s a month for early starts and long afternoons in the shade, with more space and fewer tourists.

Read more

July in Dominica

July is hot and lush, with daytime temperatures often reaching 31 or 32 degrees. Rain is regular, especially in the afternoons, and the air inland can feel thick and heavy. Rivers run fast, the rainforest is bursting with green, and the island has a quieter feel. Some trails can become muddy, but most remain fine if you take your time. It’s a good month to see the island in full colour, even if you do end up caught in a downpour or two.

Read more

August in Dominica

This is the peak of the rainy season and one of the hottest months of the year. Afternoon rain is almost guaranteed, but mornings are often bright. There is a higher chance of storms, but not every year sees significant weather. The island is at its greenest in August, with gushing rivers, full waterfalls, and thick jungle paths.

Read more

September in Dominica

The quietest time of year. Storm risk is at its highest, and some of the island’s smaller establishments close for a few weeks. That said, many days are still pleasant, with long dry spells between bursts of rain. If you're happy to go with the flow and don’t need a packed schedule, September can offer a calm, private kind of trip. Just bring a good book and a waterproof.

Read more

October in Dominica

October is still part of the wet season, but the rain begins to ease toward the end of the month. Humidity stays high, and most days include at least one impressive downpour. On the upside, waterfalls and rivers are at their most dramatic, and the forest feels truly alive. 

Read more

November in Dominica

November brings signs of change. The rain starts to ease off, and the dry season slowly returns. You’ll still need to dodge the odd storm cloud, but the days feel more open. It’s a lovely time for nature walks and boat trips, when everything is still green but the skies are turning blue again. Daytime temperatures stay high, around 30 degrees, but the air feels clearer.

Read more

December in Dominica

Dry season returns properly in December. The weather settles into a rhythm of warm days, calm seas, and lighter air. It’s an excellent time for hiking, swimming, and just being outside without needing to plan around the forecast.

Read more