Destination Guide · Leeward Islands
Dominica
The Nature Island — rainforest down to the water, hot springs in the bush, and resident sperm whales offshore.
From Antigua
80 nautical miles south · long day or overnight
Best time to sail
December through April. Dominica is greener than the rest of the Leewards — there's rain even in dry season, but it passes quickly. Avoid the August-October hurricane months.
Dominica is the wildest island in the Lesser Antilles. Mountains rising to 4,800 feet, nine active volcanoes, 365 rivers, and a coastline that's mostly cliff and reef — almost no resort development, very few beaches in the usual sense. Charter guests come for a different kind of Caribbean: rainforest hikes, hot-spring rivers, sperm whales offshore year-round.
We sail to Dominica as the southernmost leg of an extended Leeward charter — 80 nautical miles from Antigua, usually broken with a stop in Guadeloupe on the way. The customs clearance happens at Portsmouth in the north, where local boatmen ('Indian River guides') have been the working face of the charter scene for decades. Anchorages are deep-water — most yachts pick up a mooring ball rather than anchor.
Onshore is the point. Trafalgar Falls, the Boiling Lake, the Indian River up through the mangroves, and the sulphur springs at Wotten Waven. Sperm-whale watching is reliable year-round — Dominica is the only country in the world where commercial whale-swim charters with permits operate. We arrange the permits in advance.
Anchorages
Prince Rupert Bay (Portsmouth)
Northern customs anchorage, sheltered and deep. Mooring balls in 30-50 ft. Local 'PAYS' boatmen meet incoming yachts and provide tours, security, and provisioning.
Roseau
Capital, on the south-west coast. Anchorage tighter than Portsmouth; mooring balls available. Closer to Trafalgar Falls and the Boiling Lake hike.
Soufrière Bay
Marine-protected bay south of Roseau. Hot underwater springs, snorkelling reefs, and quieter overnight anchoring.
Ashore
Indian River
Mangrove-lined river up from Portsmouth, only navigable by traditional rowing boat (no engines allowed). Famous from *Pirates of the Caribbean*. Local guide arranges through PAYS.
Trafalgar Falls
Twin waterfalls, hot-spring pool below the smaller one. Drive ashore from Roseau — about 45 minutes. Wear shoes that grip wet rock.
Sperm-whale watching
Resident pod year-round, best November-March. Permits required and arranged through the marine reserve. We book ahead — limited slots.
Pair Dominica with
Leeward Islands Week
Dominica is the southernmost extension of an extended week — usually combined with Guadeloupe.
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Antigua & Barbuda Week
We can shape a week around a single Dominica run — long passages, big country, fewer islands.
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RexSailing · Antigua · St. Martin