While visiting Dominca, PAYS member and OCC port officer, Martin Carriere had wetted our appetite to discover more about this amazing country.
Just along the shore from our anchorage in Portsmouth was one of the most picturesque of Dominica’s 365 rivers – Indian River. This river got its name because the Kalinago (Carib Indians) used to live along its banks. They used it as an access route to the Caribbean Sea to transport goods for trade with the visiting sailors and also up and down the island chain. Today this short, but scenic river is a popular tourist attraction. It is not open for independent travel and the only way to visit is to be rowed by a local guide. Our guide was Albert, one of the original guides. We spent several hours meandering through the mangroves and spectacular buttressed Bwa Mang trees with Albert pointing out the wildlife on route. He also talked to us about the history of the area, including the use of it for several scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean. Of course, no trip in the Caribbean would be complete without a rum punch. Indian river is no exception and the Bush Bar at the riverhead was the perfect place to stop for a while.
Next on the agenda was exploring the underwater world. We booked to do this with Cabrits Dive Centre based in Portsmouth. They visit dive sites up and down the west coast of Dominica and shared with us two sites at the northern and southern end of Toucari Bay in Cabrits National Park. Part of both dives had quite strong currents which meant that they were both fairly fast drift dives. However, this did not detract from the superb underwater views and marine life.
Our final excursion was not for the faint hearted – canyoning. This was a first for us and I have to admit to being a little nervous. I needn’t have worried though as the team at Extreme Dominica had everything under control. After a comprehensive safety talk and a little abseiling practice in the safety of the canyoning base, we set off to the river. What followed was an amazing three hours following the river downstream as it cascaded over boulders, dropping down between vertical rock cliffs. We traversed it any way we could: jumping off rocks into pools below, sliding down natural water slides and abseiling into the unknown. Many thanks to Extreme Dominica for a superb afternoon.
365 rivers on one little island is amazing! Were those eels behind the mesh being farmed? Liked the shots of the seahorses hanging onto the coral. You are very adventurous having a go at canyoning. Good on you!
Hi,
The whole island was amazing! So much beauty in a comparatively small place.
We were very lucky to see the seahorses. Our dive guide knew where they usually are so we were all keeping an eye out. No the eels were not being farmed, they were caught in a fish trap…there were four in there!!
I was a little nervous about the canyoning, but it was actually great fun and not too scary. Would definitely do it again.
Following your trips on Facebook. You are visiting beautiful places too.
xx
Fantastic seeing your crazy antics! Keep up the good work! You guys are getting in more diving than we are… ❤
Hi,
We are trying to…. It helps having our own kit on board.
Where’s next for you guys??
xx