When Is the Best Time to Visit Dominica? By Month (& Why)
Have you decided to take that epic vacation to Dominica, “The Nature Island” of the Caribbean?
Before booking hotels and flights, you may wonder when is the best time to visit Dominica?
Dominica is honestly beautiful all year round. Its untouched terrain and rich biodiversity are, for one, why we visited in the first place.
However, traveling to Dominica has advantages and disadvantages at different times of the year. Knowing what you would like to do on vacation is essential, as it can help you figure out YOUR best time to visit Dominica.
From the climate and temperatures to the high and low touristy seasons to the best times to go whale watching, planning your vacation in Dominica starts with the question, WHEN?
We’ll break down the best times to visit Dominica by month, with advantages and disadvantages for each.
So, let’s see when the best time of year to visit Dominica is, FOR YOU!
Best Time of Year to Visit Dominica
The best time to visit Dominica may vary depending on the person and their vacation priorities.
Would you prefer to visit Dominica during the dry but hot and humid season, during the peak travel season when humidity levels are low, or during the rainy season when waterfalls are powerful and prices are lower?
We visited Dominica in the first week of December, and despite a few cruise ships being on the island, crowds were minimal.
We were rained on a few times during our trip, but we were primarily able to plan our trip around the rain. We were happy that it rained some days because it made the waterfalls in Dominica even more powerful and beautiful!
Temperatures range from 75°F to 85°F (24°-29°C) all year round, while humidity levels tend to dip in December and rise again around March.
DECEMBER – FEBRUARY
- Highlights: cooler temperatures, the beginning of the dry season, higher chances of spotting whales and wildlife, and Carnival (the Real Mas) is in February
- Average Flight Cost from Miami: $400-$800 roundtrip
December to February is one of the best times to visit Dominica, as there is lower humidity and the lowest chance of rain—and we’re not the only ones who think so.
These months are some of the busiest with tourism, beginning in late December and ending in mid-April.
Also, peak whale-watching season in Dominica is from November to March!
December
December is considered the “shoulder season” in Dominica as it’s just coming out of the rainy season (August-November) and has fewer crowds (beginning of December).
Although the “rainy season” is officially over, December still has a higher chance of rain than January or February.
Note: The end of December, around the holidays, tends to be the most expensive time to travel.
January
January has some of the lowest rain chances, but crowds tend to be much higher during this time.
Most people have just celebrated the holidays and are ready for some warmer weather, bringing in tourists from cruise ships and by air.
Room rates tend to be higher than in December but lower than in February.
February
Beginning of the tourist season, expect higher crowds around Roseau and popular tourist attractions.
Room rates are usually at their highest during February, and the cost per night averages about 20% higher than in the off-season.
Mas Domnik (the Real Mas) is an annual Carnival festival that combines French and African traditions, showcasing music, art, and dance! This fun festival occurs on Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Mask Domnik is usually in February but can sometimes start at the beginning of March, depending on the year.
If you’re interested in visiting this festival, save the date! Otherwise, we recommend you avoid visiting Dominica during this time due to higher crowds!
MARCH – MAY
- Highlights: High season for tourism continues, dry season, turtles begin visiting Dominica to nest, Jazz ‘N Creole festival starts in May
- Average Flight Cost from Miami: $300 – $600 roundtrip
March begins the high tourist season, meaning very crowded tourist attractions like Emerald Pool, Champagne Beach, Trafalgar Falls, etc.
If you plan on visiting during these months, view the cruise port schedule for Dominica and plan attractions on days when there are the fewest cruise ships!
March
High tourist season continues with many cruise ships porting almost every day of the week, sometimes multiple ships per day.
March is part of the dry season in Dominica, which is the best time for weather, whale watching, and diving!
April
High tourist season continues; however, prices of hotels and flights begin to drop during the middle of April.
Catholic Lentel period continues until Easter. Please note that some businesses could be closed during the Holiday!
May
May is considered the shoulder season heading into the rainy season.
Crowds will begin to drop, and chances of rain will start to climb. The temperatures and humidity levels will begin to rise, with average temperatures in the upper 80’s ℉.
Jazz ‘n’ Creole Festival occurs annually in May in Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth. There will be plenty of Jazz music and Creole-style food!
JUNE – AUGUST
- Highlights: Rainy season, high humidity, low season for tourism, the beginning of hurricane season, Dive Fest occurs end of June or July
- Average Flight Cost from Miami: $300 – $600 roundtrip
Although it’s not the best time to visit Dominica due to increasing rainfall and humidity, June – August is a low season for tourism, which means cheaper prices and fewer crowds.
JUNE
June marks the beginning of Dominica’s rainy season, with an average rainfall of approximately 4 inches.
Dive Fest is an annual event usually held at the end of June or the beginning of July. It is the longest-running diving festival in the Caribbean.
If you’re interested in visiting Dominica for its popular scuba diving, you may be interested in this event!
Dive Fest provides the public with reduced rates on diving tours and educational programs related to marine conservation.
JULY
Rainfall chances continue to increase, with an average rainfall of 5.5″ during the month of July.
Dive Fest is also possible in July; check the dates before planning your visit!
AUGUST
Peak hurricane season begins in late August in Dominica.
The Nature Island Literary Festival & Book Fair is a three-day event usually held on the first weekend in August. It includes poetry readings, storytelling, music, film, and more.
SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
- Highlights: peak hurricane season, peak rainy season, low tourism, some businesses close at the end of August, Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival begins in October
- Average Flight Cost from Miami: $300 – $500 roundtrip
This time of year isn’t the best time to visit Dominica due to the increased chances of tropical storms and hurricanes.
However, don’t be discouraged if you can only visit Dominica during these months! We recommend you book hotels and flights with cancellation options and consider purchasing travel insurance if you need to cancel at the last minute due to an incoming storm.
Traveling to Dominica during the rainy season will require a good rain jacket and a waterproof dry bag to keep your gear dry!
September
It’s not the best month to visit Dominica due to peak hurricane season; however, hotel and flight prices are usually at their cheapest.
Average monthly rainfall in Dominica usually peaks in September, with an average rainfall of approximately 6 inches.
October
Hurricane and the rainy season continues.
Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival, a three-night musical festival held in downtown Roseau, takes place at the end of October.
November
The average monthly rainfall in Dominica begins to decline during the month of November.
The best part of November is that it begins peak whale season!
Although sperm whales can be spotted in Dominica year-round, November increases the chances of spotting sperm whales and other marine mammals, such as Humpback Whales and many species of Dolphins!
Final Thoughts
Dominica is honestly a great country to visit any time of the year. However, there are some factors that you should consider before booking your trip.
In our opinion, the best time to visit Dominica is from December to February. The humidity is at its lowest, and although this can be a busy time for tourism, it’s usually not as crowded as the end of February to May.
It’s also the best time to spot whales, with a 90% success rate from November to March!
When do you think you would like to visit Dominica, and why? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQS
- When is the best time to visit Dominica to see sperm whales? November to March is the best time to spot whales, with a 90% success rate!
- When is the rainy season in Dominica? It begins in June and ends in November, while the dry season lasts from January to May.
- When is the best time to see sea turtles in Dominica? Leatherbacks, Hawksbills, and Green Turtles begin laying eggs in Rosalie Bay from March to September.
- When is the best time to go Scuba Diving in Dominica? During the dry season, from January to June.
- When is the cheapest time of year to visit Dominica? During the rainy season and shoulder seasons, usually between July and early December.
