Our First Visit To Discover Waterfalls And Rapids In Dominica
On our first visit to this island on our Caribbean cruise, we headed out to discover waterfalls and rapids in Dominica. Our small tour bus took us around the island sights for a first stop at Trafalgar Falls. Our second stop gave us a fun adventure with Wacky Rollers as we took a tube ride down the Layou River Rapids. We had an exciting first visit to Dominica.
Dominica was located between Martinique and Guadeloup in the Windward Islands. It was known as The Nature Island. Dominica offered rainforests, towering mountains, fast flowing rivers, tumbling waterfalls, and volcanic wonders. We found an excellent selection of outdoor adventures on this Caribbean island.
A number of different indigenous peoples lived on Dominica. And through history it was part of the power struggles between the French and British in the Caribbean. On November 3, 1978 Dominica obtained its independence from Britain.
A Look At Dominica
We were out on deck as we approached Roseau on the Caribbean island of Dominica. We visited most of the Caribbean islands and were excited to finally enjoy a stop in Dominica.
There were many different cruise excursions available for our day visit. We considered whale and dolphin watching, a rainforest jeep safari, sulphur baths and a visit to learn more about the local Carib Indians. But in the end, we wanted a fun outdoor excursion so we booked a tour that let us visit Trafalgar Falls before we boarded tubes to ride the rapids down the Layou River.
Our small tour bus picked us up and we got a good look at the countryside as we drove. Lush rainforest surrounded us as we moved around the countryside. We learned there were 365 rivers – one for every day of the year. And 12 major waterfalls – one for each month! It was no wonder there were so many water-based tours in Dominica.
As we travelled through the small towns we learned a little bit about the local history. But we were very excited to discover waterfalls and rapids in Dominica on this visit.
Visiting Trafalgar Falls
The first stop on our tour in Dominica was at Trafalgar Falls. We parked at the visitor centre and walked the path in the woods for about 15 minutes until we heard the sound of falling water.
Trafalgar Falls had two waterfalls one at 125ft and the other at 75ft falls. The two falls are known as ‘father’ and ‘mother’. We got a great view of both waterfalls from the viewing platform.
A path went down close to the water. But we did not have time to play in the stream coming off the waterfalls. Trafalgar Falls was a great stop to start to discover waterfalls and rapids in Dominica.
River Tubing With Wacky Rollers
From Trafalgar Falls we headed to another part of Dominica. We travelled along a dirt road beside the Layou River until we came to the launch site above the rapids. The Wacky Rollers team got us outfitted with helmets, paddles and life jackets.
Our group waited until another group arrived and were geared up. Then we were launched one by one on a tube into the fast flowing river.
At times we floated slowly in a gentle current. And at other times we bounced over the rocky rapids. The river was a bit low at the time we visited. We were sure the rapids would have been a wilder ride at high water times. It rained several times as we went down the river. But since we were wet and warm, it did not mar the experience at all.
At times the group of tubes caught up together. And some people like me kept getting stuck close to shore. But the Wacky Rollers team energetically kept the tubes moving down the river.
The tube ride down the Layou River rapids felt much longer than we expected. But it was a lot of fun. Another great stop on our excursion to discover waterfalls and rapids in Dominica.
A Great Excursion To Discover Waterfalls And Rapids In Dominica
We were so glad we booked an excursion to discover waterfalls and rapids in Dominica. Our first view of this island on this Caribbean cruise definitely intrigued us. One day we would return to explore more of Dominica.
When we got back onboard our Oceania Cruises Vista cruise ship, we stayed out on deck as we cruised out. And were rewarded with a rainbow over this colourful island.
Did you take a tour to discover waterfalls and rapids in Dominica? Is there another tour you would recommend?
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What an adventure in Dominica! I would love to visit the Trafalgar falls. The walk and the falls look lovely. The tubing down the Layou River rapids looks like an awesome experience – better gentler than wilder I would think! I have not been to Dominica or any of the islands in Carribean yet. Great post!
We loved the variety in things to see and do we found on our visit to Dominica. A great first look at this Caribbean island.
I can´t believe there are so many stunning waterfalls in Dominica! And tubing looks so much fun, I did it in Laos and can´t wait to experience it again
We loved the chance to do our first river tubing experience. A fun part of our day exploring waterfalls and rapids in Dominica.
Dominica sounds like a fun filled day. Tubing along the Layou River, would be such a cool experience. Would also love to walk to and see the Trafalgar falls. Enjoyable read.
This was indeed a fun filled day. Lots of good outdoor adventures in Dominica.
Trafalgar Falls sounds like a dream spot for waterfall photography—I’d absolutely love to see those twin cascades in person! Dominica has been on my radar for its wild natural beauty, and your description of the rainforest and rushing rivers makes it even more tempting. The tubing adventure with Wacky Rollers sounds like such a fun way to enjoy the island’s landscape. Thanks for sharing this—it’s inspiring me to plan a visit soon!
Dominica was not really on our radar. But the chance to visit for the first time was part of our interest in the cruise we took. So many fun things to see and do on a day excursion. Or a longer visit!
Tubing is one of my favourite summer activities. I would love to visit Dominica and have this experience.
We loved our trip down the rapids in Dominica even without really high water. It would be a wild trip in rainy season.
What a fun way to explore Domenica. I haven’t been but would love to go!
We always love when we find new adventures on our cruising travels. And were so excited to explore Dominica for the first time.
We love cruising and having great excursions to explore the areas, but we aren’t so much water people. Looks like a fun time.
We often do a mix of activities on our Caribbean cruises. On this cruise we returned to some spots and really just wanted to stay out in the warm water. A treat when travelling from Canada in the winter.
Oh, what a nice adventure! I especially like tube rides. It should be so funny! And local landscapes are unbelievable – so green and bright! I’m in love with this place.
We sure did love Dominica more than we expected.
The waterfalls look beautiful, and such a nice walk to get there. That would be something I’d be interested in doing, not so much the rapids. I like looking at the water, not being on it, but either way seems like a lot of fun things to see and do in Dominica
We were not sure how wild the rapids tube ride would be in high waters. But we did enjoy our different adventures in Dominica.
Sounds like a fun time in Dominica. Enjoying and photographing Trafalgar Falls especially appeals to me.
We wish we had more time to explore more of the waterfall sights. But Trafalgar Falls was a good start.
I’d love to do the white water rafting. I’d be scared of the rapids. I love to see waterfalls wherever I travell. I have been to the Dominican Republic 4 times but I never visited here!
We are not sure we would want to do rapids in a crazy river. But the water levels in Dominica were perfect for a fun outdoor adventure.
I love cruises and cruise adventures and this one looks amazing. I will have to check out the falls and rafting when I’m at this island again.
This was our first visit to Dominica so it was hard to choose what we wanted to do. But we were happy we decided to try the rapids and waterfalls. A fun cruise excursion day for sure.
We have not been to Dominica but considered a a few years ago. I think going on a cruise is probably a great way to see it. You look like you are having fun as usual!
We were very happy to visit Dominica for the first time. A fun day for sure.
So beautiful there! I have heard a lot of great things. Your photos are beautiful and it sounds like an amazing place.
It was great to finally explore a little of Dominica.