Discover Dominica
by Hubert WinstonLocated 15 degrees North latitude and 61 degrees West longitude, Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-eek-a) sits halfway along the Eastern Caribbean island chain, just a few miles from Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the north.
Dominica surges from the sea with towering mountains. The filtrate of the sweltering forces that created the island many moons ago, as part of the Caribbean “Ring of Fire”, roars in hundreds of rushing rivers, gushing waterfalls, steaming hot springs, volcanic vents, boiling sulfur pools, valleys of steaming earth, and a boiling lake which is the second largest in the world.
Don’t come to Dominica to lie back on a beach – rather come and enjoy whale and dolphin watching, sea kayaking, hiking (including a challenging 4,747 ft hike up Mount Diablotin), rain forest, Land Rover tours, the famous ‘tree top canopy tour’ and aerial tram, waterfalls, the Valley of Desolation, Indian River, and the Carib Indian reservation. The capital, Roseau, and the restaurants around Prince Rupert Bay in Portsmouth are also delightful.
Clearance Procedures
Vessels wishing to cruise in Dominican waters must get permission from the Dominica Air & Sea Port Authority at the main port in Roseau. The Master or Captain of the vessel arriving after hours must make sure that his/her crew and passengers remain onboard till entry procedures have been completed the first opportune moment. Vessels clearing out of Dominica must leave within 24 hours after completing clearance procedures.
Official Ports of entry:
Roseau 767-266-3799/3700
Portsmouth 767-266-3731
Anse de Mai 767-266-3700
Completing Official Paperwork
Charges are applicable to every vessel clearing into Dominica and are valid for up to two weeks with our automatic entry and exit system. Any vessels remaining after two weeks must get exit clearance from customs & immigration at one of the ports of entry.
An official receipt will be issued after all monies are paid (Cash Only – US$, €, EC$).
Documents you are required to produce:
- The ship papers
- Valid passports for all crew
- A crew list (Four copies if available)
- A passenger list (include entry forms/cards – available at ports of entry)
Vessels exceeding 80 feet (27 M) must pay Port Authority charges if they decide to berth alongside the piers in Portsmouth or Roseau.
Customs & Immigration
European, American (US), Canadian and OECS/ CARICOM nationals do not require a passport or visa to enter Dominica providing that you have valid identification (Driver’s license, voter’s registration card, and birth paper with picture ID).
The island is not a duty free zone so most goods are priced listing duty paid. Duty-free status can be obtained on goods deemed as jewelry, tobacco, liquor, mechanical or marine products or parts or engines for a visiting vessel that will leave Dominican waters with the items.
Opening Hours:
8:00 – 16:00 M-F
8:00 – 14:00 S
Closed on Sunday
Buoyage System
The Red Right Return system is used in Dominica and is based with the American system (LALAB). Red buoys and lights mark the starboard side upon approach from the sea.
Marina & Services
Dominica Marine Center, created in 2006 in Roseau, has what is considered a small anchorage system with a fuel/water dock. The center boasts a duty-free ship chandlery, dealer for Yanmar and Mercury Marine, including agents for Doyle sailmaker, Budget Marine and Seachoice products.
The Dominica Marine Association operates the mooring fields along the west coast of the island inside the Portsmouth Bay, Mero Beach, and Roseau south just pass the Anchorage Hotel heading south. These mooring fields are operated by smaller community based yacht service associations such as the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security (PAYS), the Mero Community Development, and the DMA themselves in Roseau. There is a small fee of US$12 or €10 for LOA of 60 feet tying up on these moorings daily. Fees may double for vessels with mega yacht classification or greater. Fees for these moorings should only be paid to authorized DMA members that will posses T-shirts branded DMA Authorized Water Taxi. The operator will issue a ticket style receipt after paying for your mooring. There are no guarantees implied or written on these moorings, moor at your own risk. Your payment for tying up on these moorings is a contribution to the DMA.
Boat services from engine and hull repairs to sail and yacht cleaning could be arranged by the Dominica Marine Center. Dominica does not have a full service marina as yet but a lot could be done to repair your vessel or engine by very skilled individuals that are often recruited by larger marinas in the region to perform repairs on various vessels.
Marine Emergency Numbers
In the event of an emergency at sea, vessels should contact the Dominica Coast Guard on CH 16. If your VHF is not working and you have a Caribbean cell/mobile phone, call 767-266-5173/5183/5197 or 767-448-2222 ext Coast Guard and if you have an American cell/mobile, put a 1 in front calling 1-767-448-2222 ext Coast Guard or have a European cell/mobile, call 001-767-448-2222 ext Coast Guard. This number is also shared by the Police Headquarters in Roseau. For emergencies including ambulance, police and fire, call 999.
For more information on our featured Dominica, contact the Dominica Marine Association at
Dominica in numbers
- Recently ranked #1 sustainable island in the Caribbean by National Geographic magazine.
- Area is 290 sq miles, of which 60% are covered by some of the last true oceanic rain forest in the world.
- 365 rivers, over 300 miles of hiking trails, with mountains reaching up to 5,000ft.
- Home to the last remaining settlement of Carib Indians in the Caribbean.
- Morne Trois Pitons National Park was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean.
- 22 species of whales, including the Sperm Whale, make it the Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean. Tours pack a 95% success record.
- Rated top destination for marine life by 2006 edition of Scuba Diving Magazine and 3rd overall destination.