Dominica
Dominica suits hikers and divers who want rainforest trails, volcanic peaks and rivers more than a beach resort.
Dominica is a volcanic island in the Lesser Antilles, between Guadeloupe and Martinique in the eastern Caribbean. Its interior is steep rainforest cut by rivers, with hot springs and Boiling Lake, a hot flooded crater reached on foot. Roseau, the capital, sits on the west coast. Beaches are few and small, so the draw is hills, water and walking, not a resort stay.
The trip suits hikers, divers and travelers who prefer nature to nightlife. Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has rainforest trails, waterfalls and sulfur springs. The Boiling Lake walk requires a licensed guide. Whale watching and diving leave from the coast. Go in the drier months, roughly February to May, and allow about a week. A week fits a couple of hikes, a dive or whale trip, and the drive around the island. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, and traffic drives on the left.
Five things to know before Dominica
- Fill in the online ED card
Dominica's online embarkation and disembarkation card is required for visitors. Complete it within three days of travel and show the QR code with your passport. Official ED card
- Buy a site pass for the eco sites
National park sites such as Trafalgar Falls and Emerald Pool charge entry through a site pass. A weekly pass costs less than paying site by site.
- Hike to Boiling Lake with a certified guide
The Boiling Lake trail is long, steep and muddy, with hot vents on the way. Go with a certified guide, start early and turn back if rain sets in.
- Drive on the left, slowly
Dominica drives on the left on narrow, winding mountain roads. Allow far more time than the distance suggests, and avoid driving after heavy rain.
- Book around hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. Heavy rain can close trails and roads, so keep a spare day. Travel insurance
Dominica travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free stays and the online ED card with QR code.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical, evacuation and storm cover to check for Dominica.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans, roaming charges and coverage between islands.
Read the guideMoney and costsEast Caribbean dollars, site passes and guide fees.
Read the guideGetting aroundRegional flights, mountain roads and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, breezyJanuaryRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, clearFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Driest monthMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest month
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, warmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Warm, showersMayRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°RainyJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hurricane riskAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Storm risk, rainOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk, rain
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet, greenNovemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, green
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Showers, busyDecemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, busy
Average daily high and low in Roseau, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Dominica
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 30 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 92%
Dominica
04:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°23°92%Monday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Tue30°23°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed30°22°45%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Thu30°21°27%Thursday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Fri30°22°35%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat29°22°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun30°22°24%Sunday: Fog. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 24%.
Updated 12:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.7 XCD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Dominica FAQ
Does Dominica have good beaches?
Not many. The coast is mostly black sand and rock. Dominica is for rainforest hikes, rivers, hot springs, diving and whale watching.
Do I need a visa for Dominica?
UK and Canadian passports do not. Complete the online ED card no more than three days before travel, and carry a return ticket.
When is hurricane season in Dominica?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. February to April is driest and best for mountain trails.
Can I hike Boiling Lake without a guide?
It is possible but not advised. The trail is long, easy to lose in cloud and crosses volcanic ground; a certified guide knows the safe route and conditions.
How do I get to Dominica?
Fly into Douglas-Charles airport, usually connecting through a Caribbean hub such as Antigua, Barbados or San Juan. Ferries also link Dominica with Guadeloupe and Martinique.