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Roseau

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At a glance

Country
Dominica
Region
Saint George Parish
Population
15,000
Best time to go
February to May
Main airport
Douglas–Charles (DOM)
Coordinates
15.30°N, 61.39°W

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Overview

Roseau is the small, ramshackle capital of Dominica, the Caribbean's "Nature Island". Wooden houses with balconies line streets running down to the sea, and steep, rainforest-covered mountains rise right behind town.

Come for the outdoors rather than beaches: waterfalls, hot springs, volcanic lakes, reefs and resident sperm whales are all close by. Roseau is the natural base for exploring the south of the island.

Things to see

  • Botanic Gardens
    Photo: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Botanic Gardens

    Old trees and lawns at the foot of Morne Bruce, including a bus crushed by a baobab in a hurricane.

  • Morne Bruce
    Photo: Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0

    Morne Bruce

    A hilltop viewpoint above the gardens looking over Roseau and the coast.

  • Trafalgar Falls
    Photo: Nelro ( talk ), Public domain

    Trafalgar Falls

    Twin waterfalls in the rainforest, a short drive up the valley from town, with warm pools nearby.

    Tickets and tours
  • Morne Trois Pitons National Park
    Photo: Aneil Lutchman, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Morne Trois Pitons National Park

    Volcanic peaks, lakes and fumaroles covered in rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Tickets and tours

Things to do

  • Hike to the Boiling Lake
    Photo: Bayukjdr, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Hike to the Boiling Lake

    A tough, full-day guided hike through the Valley of Desolation to a steaming, bubbling crater lake.

  • Snorkel at Champagne Reef
    Photo: Fanny (Appleton) Longfellow (1817-1861), Public domain

    Snorkel at Champagne Reef

    Swim through streams of warm bubbles rising from volcanic vents on the seabed.

  • Whale watching
    Photo: Gabriel Barathieu, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Whale watching

    Sperm whales live off the west coast year-round, and boat trips leave from Roseau.

    Find tours

  • Swim through Titou Gorge

    Swim up a narrow, cool canyon to a small waterfall.

Where to stay

Getting around

Minibuses run from town to nearby villages; for more freedom hire a car with a guide or driver.

Douglas–Charles airport is on the north-east coast, about an hour and a half from Roseau by taxi along winding roads.

When to go

The driest months are roughly February to May. The hurricane season runs from June to November, and rain falls at any time of year in the mountains.

Plan your trip to Roseau

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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