Dominica is not your average tropical Caribbean holiday destination. If your idea
of a perfect Caribbean vacation is sitting on a white sandy beach sipping margaritas,
there are other islands that provide that experience for a holiday. If your enjoyment on a
vacation comes from experiencing outdoor recreational activity then Dominica is the place
for you. Sitting midway in the eastern Caribbean between
Martinique and Guadeloupe, Dominica is an outdoor enthusiast's vacation destination.
Dominica’s small population of 70,000 people is mainly
situated around the capital Roseau leaving most of the country covered with rich thick
tropical rainforest. The island’s volcanic origin has given it numerous rivers,
streams, waterfalls and high mountain lakes. It has also given it extensive geothermal
activity, mineral rich hot springs, steaming valleys and boiling lakes
. All of which
create the perfect setting for outdoor vacation adventure. The opportunities for hiking are numerous in this Caribbean destination. There
is also exceptional bird watching and the ability to explore a pristine rain forest. The
island’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park was the first UNESCO World
Heritage Site in the eastern Caribbean. You will find Dominica full of many places of
interest. The island is one of the few in the Caribbean that still has populations of the
pre-Columbian Carib Indians so a Dominica holiday gives you the opportunity to interact in
their village with the descendants of the indigenous Carib Indians who were the original
settlers of the Caribbean.
Outdoor recreational activities do not stop on
the land in Dominica. The volcano that created the island also gave rise to undersea
volcanic formations and rich marine life that create conditions for exceptional scuba
diving, snorkelling plus whale and dolphin watching.
If you are looking for a Caribbean vacation with
numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation activities, consider Dominica.
Dominica Weather -
Best and Worst Months to Go
By
Scott Bateman
Dominica has a lush and beautiful landscape filled with waterfalls and rain
forest hikes.
But
it got that way because it is one of the rainiest islands in the Caribbean.
Dominica weather is wet year round. As a result, the island is one of the
best eco tourism destinations in the region.
It
is not a place to go to lay out on the beach every day. But it is a popular
eastern Caribbean cruise stop because of the many natural attractions the
island has to offer.
Average Rainfall
The
Caribbean hurricane season hits Dominica just as much if not more than other
islands in the region.
Hurricane season officially starts June 1 and ends Nov. 30, but it reaches
the peak months in September, October and sometimes November.
For
many islands, getting four to five inches of rain in a single month is above
average. For Dominica, that level is well below average.
The
island receives an average of more than eight inches of rain a month. It
exceeds 10 inches a month from August through November with November
exceeding more than 14 inches.
That
makes November the worst time of year to go followed by October and
September. But at least the hotel and resort prices will be lower for anyone
willing to take a risk.
Dominica weather in February and April have the lowest levels of rain at a
little more than four inches each.
March has somewhat higher rainfall at about five inches total.
Temperatures
Unlike the rain, temperatures are highly predictable.
The
average high temperatures range from the low 80s Fahrenheit in winter months
to the mid 80s from spring through the fall.
The
average low temperatures, which take place mainly at night, are comfortable
as well.
They
range from the low 70s in the winter to the mid 70s for the remainder of the
year.
Best
Months to Go
Dominica is more popular as a cruise stop than a place to go for a week or
more.
Because of the hurricane season, few cruise ships visit the island during
the fall months.
Anyone planning a cruise trip will find that February through April are the
best times to go for a combination of low rainfall and warm temperatures.
Dominica weather in April is ideal for anyone wanting to visit for a full
week or more to enjoy the waterfalls, rain forests and other eco tourism
attractions along with warmer temperatures.
You can learn more about the outdoor activities on our other Dominica pages.
