Ideas on Dominica for a summer trip

[nemo]

I am interested in diving Domicia, I have read mixed reviews from being great to a waste of time...

[Jonathan Bird]

I will admit I am biased. I love Dominica....it's my favorite place in the Caribbean. I like it so much, I did a book (http://www.jonathanbird.net/dominica_book.htm) about it. What I like about it is that is has such beautiful topside stuff in addition to great diving. It has muck diving like St. Vincent with all kids of weird stuff if you know how to find it, and it has walls and beautiful reefs, but really only in the south, so you need to stay in the right area of the island.

Here is a lightbox of images from Dominica, above and below:

http://www.jonathanbird.net/cgi-bin/saved_light_box.asp?s=378084825&t=39452.3478125

If you like waterfalls and nature hikes without crowds, Dominica is wonderful. It has lush rainforests and not too many people in them.

I am bummed about all the cruise ships that are starting to land there. People are definitely finding out about the place. It used to be that there were certain touristy places on the island that you would just remember not to visit on a cruise ship day. Now there is no such thing as a non-cruise-ship day so some of the "easy" spots like Emerald Pool are basically not worth visiting anymore--the place is full of fat people from the cruise ships. Fortunately, the cruise ship people are lazy and won't hike even 30 minutes to some of the REAL pretty places, so they are safe.

I have experience with two dive operators, one of which is out of business now. So my only valid experience is with Dive Dominica (http://www.divedominica.com/). They have always been absolutely fantastic to me, and I consider them friends. Dive Dominica is the largest dive operator on the island and they deal with a couple hotels as well as many cruise ship groups for snorkeling and whale watching. So they are a big operation (by Dominica standards). You need to be firm about having the same divemaster all week so you don't get bounced from boat to boat if you are visiting as an individual or family.

The people in Dominica by and large are very friendly and it is the kind of island you will feel comfortable walking around. Once you visit a place like this, all those "sand spit" islands will seem boring in comparison!

And I haven't even mentioned the amazing whale watching--year around population of Sperm whales. Dominica is awesome.

Jonathan

[nemo]

thank you for your info...
I think I'll plan on taking the family there in June...
sad to here that the boats of "fat & plenty" have found
this island...

[Bodie]

So I'm looking at putting together a trip there in the end of March.

Simple question: How have people gotten there in the past (Airline) and who/where should I look so I'm avoiding 1k tickets.

[Jonathan Bird]

Last I heard there was only one good way to get there....American Eagle from San Juan. You have a 50/50 shot of your luggage getting on the same plane so pack the carry on accordingly. The good news is that it usually shows up the next day. You can also get there on Liat (Luggage In Another Terminal, Leave Island Angry Today) but I would advise swimming before going Liat if you can!!

Jonathan

[nemo]

I was at DEMA this year and met www.scubaplanners.com Barbara seems nice and knows diving. I have used caribbean dive tours 800-786-3483 Diane, they are good and if by chance you come across a better they will change the price. Delta does go into Antigiua and LIAT from there.. hope this helps

[Jonathan Bird]

This press release crossed my computer this morning:

Roseau, Dominica (September 23, 2008) Dominica (pronounced „dom-in-eek-a) today announces that Minister of Tourism Ian Douglas has earned his dive certification in Dominica, making him the island's first Minister of Tourism to ever become a certified scuba diver. Minister Douglas was certified by PADI Instructor Arun Madisetti, compliments of Anchorage Dive Center.

Minister Douglas completed his initial dive during Dominica's Dive Fest 2008 courtesy of the Dominica Watersports Association, which consisted of some exercises in the pool followed by a discover scuba course dive. He was so instantly amazed by the coral reefs and what Dominica's underwater world has to offer that he expressed his wish to get certified right away.

"I am thrilled to become a certified scuba diver and look forward to discovering Dominica's underwater world for myself," said Ian Douglas, Minister of Tourism. "Diving is one of the main attractions of the island and I believe it is important for someone in my position to have first-hand knowledge about all aspects of my island's tourism product, so I hope other officials in the industry will follow my example."

Other than him using the word "product" to describe the tourism activities on Dominica (I absolutely hate this term--makes it sound like he is selling soap) I am glad to see that for once a Tourism Board Minister is getting on the bandwagon, so to speak. I think this is a very positive sign for Dominica's Tourism!

Jonathan

[tarczy]

I am glad to see that for once a Tourism Board Minister is getting on the bandwagon, so to speak. I think this is a very positive sign for Dominica's Tourism!

Jonathan


Is Dom-in-eek-a still on the map?

Somehow I heard something about Dominica being whacked by hurricanes Hanna and Ike. There isn't a building left standing on Grand Turk because of hurricane Ike. I feel sorry for those folks. I hear that Provo fared pretty well and is back up and running. Wondering how Dominica fared.

[Jonathan Bird]

I heard nothing about Dominica with respect to hurricanes. It's nowhere near the T&C. Did a hurricane hit Dominica this year?

[tarczy]

I heard nothing about Dominica with respect to hurricanes. It's nowhere near the T&C. Did a hurricane hit Dominica this year?


Ha!!!

Probably should've looked at the storm tracks for Ike (http://www.stormpulse.com/hurricane-ike-2008) and Hanna (http://www.stormpulse.com/hurricane-hanna-2008) before I posted that question.

Ike was sooooo huge (at one time Ike completely covered the Gulf of Mexico, touching Florida, Texas, Mexico and Belize all at the same time) that Dominica was affected by rain bands from Ike, but the eye of the storm went right over Turks & Caicos. I don't know where you stayed while your were on assignment in Grand Turk, but I seriously doubt it is still standing today. :confused:

[Jonathan Bird]

I did hear that the T&C got really hammered and Grand Turk was decimated. Too bad, because Grand Turk was by far my favorite stop on that assignment. I would have to look at my notes to even remember where I stayed...it's all a blur now after a few months. I remember what it looked like though! Nice place!

Dominica seems to squeek by without much damage most of the time...they do not lie right in the track of most hurricanes, so it's rare when they get serious damage. About 8 years ago they had a bunch of shoreline erosion from some huge waves from a hurricane and it washed out a bunch of roads near the shore. That was the most recent severe damage there, and the hurricane was quite a long way off from the island.

Jonathan

[Salty]

I've got some American Air miles to burn now that you have to use or lose them.
Seriously thinking of going. Is there a off season cutoff there like the other islands, around April 15th? or is that a rainy season? Anyway starting to look more closely... Any must do's or see? Thanks

[Jonathan Bird]

No, the summer months are hotter, but not rainier. I kinda like it there in the off season. Not as many whales, but less people too.

Jonathan