Dominica is lush with mountain streams and lakes, volcanic peaks and boiling volcanic waters. It is the largest of the Windward Islands and its black sand beaches have immunized the island against mass tourism. Around sixty per cent of the island is covered in rain forest. Accommodation in Dominica is low key and intimate. The island’s vibe is low on glitz and glamour but holidays in Dominica have huge appeal to lovers of the outdoors. Plenty of Dominica’s astonishing wilderness is accessible to novice hikers and soft adventurers. Top wilderness spots include the full one-day trek to the island’s centrepiece ‘Boiling Lake’ in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park and the ten-minute walk to Emerald Pool.

Lush outdoors

Dolphin watching in Soufrière Bay

Slow riverboat rides

Holidays away from the beach

Unspoilt pools and lakes

If you’re a beach lover you may be disappointed by the island’s predominately jet-black sand beaches. Not an island for sun bed hedonists.

British passport holders don’t need a visa for holidays of ninety days or less. You will need to pay a departure tax when you leave.

The island enjoys a year-round hot tropical climate with temperatures rarely falling below24°C/75°F. July, August and October are the wettest months and the rain is heavy and persistent. January to June is the dry season. The hurricane season is June to November.

Flights to Dominica from the UK take approximately ten hours (including a one hour stop over).

Traffic drives on the left-hand side. You will need to buy a one-month local driving licence. Many of the roads are of poor quality, narrow and winding with lots of blind corners.