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Dominica is an underrated Caribbean destination that is swiftly growing in popularity with adventurous, independent travelers.
Although many people have never even heard of Dominica (or confuse it with the larger and extremely popular Dominican Republic), this small Caribbean island nation is making a name for itself as a tourist destination.
According to Kimberly King, Dominica’s destination marketing manager, those who come to Dominica are in search of something different: “It’s not your typical Caribbean traveler where they’re coming to sit on the beach and have a pina colada,” King stated.
“It’s really the visitor who wants to enjoy nature and immerse themselves in having authentic experiences – people looking for something off the beaten path.”
So while Dominica may not appeal to every traveler, it has tons to offer to adventurous travelers who are looking to get off the main tourist track.
Here’s why Dominica is steadily growing in popularity as a Caribbean destination:
1. Nature Island
Dominica’s nickname “Nature Island” is well-deserved. One of the biggest draws of Dominica is its lush natural landscape, which is filled with spectacular hiking trails.
The 115-mile Waitukubuli National Trail meanders around the entire island and is broken into 14 segments. This is a popular activity for visitors to Dominica to undertake, whether you attempt the entire trail or just a couple of segments.
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Verdant rainforests and waterfalls also make up the landscape of the island, and visitors can discover unique features like natural sulfur hot springs.
Other outdoor activities like kayaking and whale watching are popular with visitors to Dominica.
2. Snorkeling And Diving
While Dominica is known for its beauty on land, it’s also just as beautiful underwater too.
Dominica is an attractive destination for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. According to PADI, the premier diving organization, Dominica is among the top ten diving destinations in the world.
Champagne Reef is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers of all levels. It gets its name from the small rising gas bubbles from volcanic springs and is known for extensive marine life sightings.
La Sorcier and Crater’s Edge are two more popular dive sites in Dominica, both known for their great diving conditions and abundance of marine life.
3. More Flights
One of the reasons that Dominica is growing in popularity is that it’s becoming more accessible to American travelers.
Getting to Dominica can be a challenge, but more and more flight routes are being introduced to make it easier to reach this island paradise.
Currently, American Airlines is the only airline that offers nonstop service to Dominica from the United States, with regular service from Miami.
Within the Caribbean, Silver Airways flies regularly from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Dominica, and other inter-Caribbean flights make it possible to reach Dominica from St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, and Barbados.
4. Health And Wellness
Finally, Dominica is becoming known as one of the top health and wellness destinations in the Caribbean.
The active nature and lush beauty of the island make it the perfect place to go if you’re looking to get away and recharge your mind, body, and spirit. It’s a great destination for disconnecting from the frenetic pace of daily life and getting back to nature.
Dominica is a popular destination for wellness retreats, and the island also boasts many eco-lodges and other sustainable accommodations if you’re looking to stay somewhere committed to protecting the natural environment.
Resorts like Secret Bay, which was voted the best resort in the Caribbean in 2020, offer a luxurious experience and unique wellness activities like rainforest yoga and meditation classes.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com