Dominica - Facts

Dominica FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: Pre-registration with SailClear is still very much required. See Clearance for full details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: Visas are not required by nationals from a number of countries. Stays up to three-months can be granted without a need for a long stay permit. See Immigration for more details.
Where can I enter? There are 2 ports of entry: Portsmouth and Roseau. See Clearance for additional details.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? The fees to visit Dominica are minimal and payed in Eastern Caribbean Dollars. See Fees for more details.
What security concerns should I know about? Dominica has worked hard to improve security and is generally a safe country with the normal Caribbean precautions. See Security for more information.

Dominica Facts for Sailors

• Resting in the heart of the Eastern Caribbean archipelago between Martinique and Guadeloupe, it's known officially as Commonwealth of Dominica. Nicknamed "the nature island," Roseau is the capital and the largest city in Dominica.
• France ceded possession of the island to Great Britain in 1763. It became an independent state in 1978.
• English is the official language, however, much of the population speaks Kwéyòl, which is based primarily on French and Carib vocabularies and a syntax borrowed from a variety of West African indigenous languages. A few northern villages use a distinctive English dialect called Kokoy.
• Dominica's current population is over 72,000.
• The local currency is Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$). See money for details.
• Dominica Time is GMT-4.
• The Island enjoys plenty of sunshine interjected by intermittent rainfall with average temperatures of 27 C. Frequent rainfall cools the tropical heat, nourishes the island's extensive rainforest, and feeds its rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. On the coast, average rainfall registers 1,780 mm, but in the interior that figure is triple.
• One of the most mountainous of the Windward Islands, it is Dominica's wild interior that is her main attraction and many come here for the great hiking.
• There are no marinas here, but most services and supplies can be found at Portsmouth or Roseau.