There really aren’t that many waterfalls in the Caribbean. trafalgar falls. Two separate waterfalls tumble side by side through dark volcanic rock, mist hangs in the air and warm pockets of heat rise from the ground nearby. You can get there in a few minutes, but it feels far from anything resembling a typical Caribbean stop.
This is the island of Dominica, where the waterfalls are part of the landscape and not a separate attraction.
And now it’s growing faster than anywhere else in the region.
A landmark year in the Caribbean
dominican recording 98,724 visitors in 2025, 17.6% increasehad the highest growth rate among Caribbean destinations last year, according to Caribbean Tourism Board data provided to Caribbean Journal. For an island that has long operated just outside the region’s main tourist circuit, the numbers are striking.
For many years the problem was not what Dominica proposed. That was how difficult it could be to get there.
It is finally starting to ease in a measurable way.
Flights Transform Accessibility
The most important development was in offense and defense. especially, United Airlines nonstop service from Newark.
This route connects Dominica directly with one of the most important gateways in the country. From Newark, travelers can reach islands across the Northeast and across the United States in fewer steps than ever before.
origin: miami regional connectivity while continuing to offer another reliable option. San Juan and Antigua It remains part of the network. What has changed is how these pathways work together. Travel is more predictable. Timing management is easier.
Dominica hasn’t gotten any closer, but it has become more accessible.
The difference shows up in the arrival numbers.
What will you find when you arrive?
Dominica is often described as a “nature’s island,” but once you start traveling there, that phrase becomes clearer.
The terrain is immediate.
Leaving the airport, within minutes you enter a dense forest with a river running along the road and rapidly rising hills on either side. The scenery doesn’t make you feel comfortable.
Most of what you come to see is concentrated inside. Morne Troyes Piton National ParkIt is home to some of the island’s best-known attractions.
emerald pool It’s one of the easiest to reach, a short walk through shady forest leads to a waterfall and a basin where visitors tend to linger longer than planned.
trafalgar falls It’s closer to Roseau, home to the Twin Falls and nearby hot springs. From there the rougher path leads towards the rocks, where the heat of the ground becomes more noticeable.
To go hiking further inland boiling lake Crossing the ridge and descending into the valley where steam vents cut through the landscape is an all-day effort. The lake itself lies inside a volcanic crater, and its surface is gray, unstable, and heated from below.
Along the coast, the same geology continues underwater.
to champagne leafAs volcanic gases escape through the ocean floor, they send a steady stream of bubbles through shallow water. You can snorkel as fish move along the current.
The river is constant here. You cross them, follow them, and return to them throughout the island.
This is not a place that just stays in one place.
Where to stay on the island
The accommodation follows the same pattern as the landscape. This means that they are relatively small, purposefully placed and closely connected to their surroundings.
Secret Bay silver Best luxury resort on the islandIt is located along a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The property consists of individual villas, each sufficiently separate to ensure privacy.
The villa is built from wood and glass and features an outdoor living area, private plunge pool and large terrace. There is direct access to two beaches. Tibay Beach and Secret Beach — Both can be reached on foot or by golf cart.
Meals are flexible. Guests can arrange for a private chef for in-villa dining, or dine in the restaurant. zing restaurantThe menu features a lot of local ingredients. that Gommier SpaBuilt into the hillside, it offers treatments incorporating local oils and plants.
The experience is unlike any other in this region or hemisphere. This remains one of the best hotels I have visited and is the area’s signature six-star resort experience.
further south, jungle bay It gives a more rural feel.
The property is spread out on the hills near Soufriere and the cottages are connected by walking trails. The design keeps everything simple and open with views towards the sea.
Jungle Bay focuses on wellness and activity. I have a daily schedule. Yoga sessions, guided hikes, wellness programsWith a spa that uses local ingredients. that calabash restaurant Focusing on Caribbean cuisine, sky top bar It provides a vantage point over the coastline.
Guests tend to spend less time inside their rooms and more time participating in the activities the island has to offer.
in the north InterContinental Dominica Cabriz Resort & Spa It offers a larger, more traditional resort environment.
located nearby portsmouthThe resort is next door. Cabriz National ParkAccess to walking trails and historic sites including: port shirley.
The property features multiple swimming pools, a full-service spa, and several dining options. Cabriz Market The focus is on local and regional cuisine, Queyol Beach Cafe It was set closer to the coastline.
The rooms and suites are modern and feature a terrace overlooking the sea or surrounding landscape. This is one of the few places on the island that has a variety of amenities all in one place while still maintaining its natural surroundings.
Elsewhere, small guesthouses and eco lodges fill out the rest of the island’s accommodation.
Where you stay will affect how you experience Dominica.
Why More Travelers Are Choosing Dominica Now
Dominica hasn’t added any new attractions or changed what you come to see by definition. Waterfalls, hiking, volcanic formations and more have always been here.
What’s different is the route you take to get there.
The addition of United Airlines’ Newark service has changed how the island fits into your travel plans. Direct connections from major hubs in the U.S. eliminate the uncertainty associated with booking a trip to the Dominica.
At the same time, coordination of flights through Miami and regional hubs has become easier. Your schedule will be more consistent. Travel requires less coordination.
That change is reflected in growth.
It also aligns with the destinations many travelers are currently seeking: destinations where they spend time outdoors, visit a different part of the island each day, and where their experiences are not centered around a single beach.
Dominica has always offered that. Now more travelers can act accordingly.
Plan your time on the island
Plan your trip to Dominica with distances in mind, even if the map says otherwise. Getting around is neither easy nor fast.
The road winds through hills and valleys, making the journey take longer than expected. It determines how you structure your day.
A day usually centers around one part of the island. After spending the morning at Trafalgar Falls and nearby hot springs, continue to Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Another day can be reserved for a longer hike with a guide, starting early and returning in the afternoon.
Spending time near the water tends to be quieter. Snorkel the Champagne Reef or stay close to the hotel.
Leave space between plans.
That space becomes part of the journey.
What’s next
Growth in 2025 means continued expansion.
Additional flights are expected as demand increases, especially in the United States. Development of the airport is underway with the goal of accommodating larger aircraft and increasing direct access over time.
At the same time, Dominica is not expanding at the rate seen in more developed Caribbean destinations. New hotel inventory is still limited and most of the existing offerings are smaller in scale.
That balance will shape how the island evolves.
Why it stands out right now
The headline is growth: almost. 100,000 resident visitors and 17.6% increaseThe strongest in the Caribbean.
Water flows through the forest. The trail leads into volcanic terrain. Heat rises from the ground near the waterfall.
Dominica remains what it has always been. It’s just easier to access.
How to get to Dominica now
A flight from Newark to Dominica is currently priced around $653 on Google Flights. There are far more from Miami, although those numbers tend to fluctuate. Right now? $1,231 in mid-April.
