Dominica

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 08:25, 9 June 2011 by Haiqu (Talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search

Dominica Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Dominica.

Dominica
Dominica map.gif
Dominica
Dominica flag.png
Flag
Capital: Roseau
World icon.png 15°18′N, 61°23′W
Language: English
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Time Zone UTC-4
More notes about the country
Small info.png Latest News
Content - news items, etc.

Overview

The Commonwealth of Dominica, commonly known as simply Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, the northernmost of the Windward Islands. The size of the country is about 289.5 square miles (754 km²). In Latin, its name means "Sunday", which was the day on which it was discovered by Christopher Columbus.

Dominica is largely covered by rainforest and is home to the world's second-largest boiling lake. Dominica has many waterfalls, springs, and rivers. Some plants and animals thought to be extinct on surrounding islands can still be found in Dominica's forests. The volcanic nature of the island and the lack of sandy beaches have made Dominica a popular scuba diving spot. This island country has many excellent diving spots due to its steep drop-offs, healthy marine environment, and reefs. Dominica is home to several protected areas, including Cabrits National Park. Dominica has 365 rivers.

It is said that when his royal sponsors asked Christopher Columbus to describe this island in the "New World", he crumpled a piece of parchment roughly and threw it on the table. This, Columbus explained, is what Dominica looks like—completely covered with mountains with nary a flat spot.

Cruising in the region

Climate & Weather

Submit the climate & general weather details here.

Sources of weather forecasting here.

Charts

Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Arrival/Departure procedures

  • Clearance in AND out of Dominica is done at the same time if your intended length of stay will not exceed 14 days.
  • A cruising permit (obtained on arrival) is required if you intend to move anywhere from your original port of entry.

Immigration

  • Visas are not required for stays of up to 21 days. It is possible to extend your stay by application to the Immigration Department at the Police Headquarters in Roseau.
  • Citizens of the USA, Canada, European Union and Commonwealth countries, as well as some other countries, may remain for up to 6 months without a visa.

Customs

  • Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival.
  • PETS: A Pet Import Certificate is to be sent at least 10 days prior to travel to the Chief Veterinarian Officer, Gov. HQ, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau, Dominica. Ph: 01 767 448 2401 Ex 3427. The Import Permit will be returned at the time of entry and a small examination fee will be charged. Animals or animal products may be imported into Dominica with a valid Veterinary Health Certificate, along with an importation permit. This can be obtained from the Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Botanical Gardens, Roseau, Dominica - Ph: 1-767-488-0414. A Rabies Vaccination Certificate (dated 30 days prior to travel but not more than 365 days) is required. This certificate must show that pet is healthy and free of parasites and is on a flee and tick protection program.

Fees and Charges

  • Environmental tax: = EC$4 per person (Sept.'08)
  • Documentation levy: = EC$2 (Sept.'08)
  • Depatrure Tax: = US$8 per boat (Sept.'08)
  • Security fee: = US$2 (Sept.'08)

Ports & Popular Stops

Anchorages

  • Prince Rupert Bay in PORTSMOUTH is a great anchorage, on the North West end of the Island. A big safe anchorage, almost never bad weather unless in shallows during a SW blow. There is an association of boat "boys" who maintain a night watch. These guys rely on cruisers for business and try to take care of them, theft etc is not a problem and any trouble I've ever heard people get into are because of the bad company they've been keeping. Big Papa and Purple Turtle are beach bars with dinghy docks in varying conditions (depending how the recent hurricane season treated them). Big Papa plays overly loud music three nights a week.
  • There are a few small bays along the West Coast, i.e. Miro, Castaways, Canefield, but they are subject to swells and good only for short fine weather stays. Other nice bays, i.e. Douglas Bay or Soufriere, are off-limits marine sanctuaries.
  • South of ROSEAU is "The Anchorage" now taken over by moorings for rent.

No safe anchorages on the Atlantic side.

Restrictions

  • Strictly no anchoring on reefs, damaging coral, taking shells or coral or spearfishing.
  • No anchoring in the Soufriere-Scotshead Marine reserve (moorings are for official dive-boats ONLY)
  • A fishing permit is required
  • A scuba-diving permit is required

Offshore Islands

Details?

Health

Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.

Security

Details?

Transportation

Transportation to mainland or other countries, etc.

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?


Template:Guide1



SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page [add 3 tildes (~~~) on the name line]

Names:


Cruising Wiki Navigation

| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Caribbean | Middle America | Lesser Antilles | Dominica |
Personal tools
advertisement
Friends of Cruisers Wiki