Emerald Pool Falls: Dominica’s Lush Swimming Hole
Dominica has a few famous waterfalls with one of the most swimmer-friendly being the beautiful Emerald Pool.
This 40-foot picturesque waterfall cascades into a pool as green as a…… you guessed it, an Emerald!
The lush greenery surrounding the beautiful swimming hole certainly helps, as the plants and the sun’s rays reflect into the pool below.
And did we mention it’s a swimming hole?? You can even swim under the falls themselves.
Although this waterfall certainly is stunning, it can be extremely busy with busloads of tourists!
Even though Trafalgar Falls (Dominica’s most popular waterfall) sees even more foot traffic, Emerald Pool’s smaller area makes it harder to spread out and escape the crowds.
So, considering the crowds, is Dominica’s Emerald Pool really worth visiting? And if so, when is the best time to visit to avoid the crowds?
We’ll answer these questions and more below!
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Emerald Pool Falls in Dominica
| Difficulty Level | Price | Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy (15-minute walk)(Note: Lots of Steps) | 14 East Caribbean Dollars ($5 USD) | 1-2 hours | Picturesque Swimming Hole, Easy Hike, Jungle Vibes |
Emerald Pool is the 2nd most popular waterfall on the island and is part of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park World Heritage Site.
Did you know? Emerald Pool is fed by the beautiful Middleham Falls (our favorite waterfall hike on the island!).
You’ll need approximately 1-2 hours to enjoy your time at this beautiful and picturesque waterfall.
Upon arriving at Emerald Pool you’ll be greeted with locals selling goods and souvenirs.
You can buy a one-time entry ticket for US $5.00 (EC $13) or is one of the spots you can purchase a Week Pass for US $12.00 (EC $32).
We highly recommend purchasing the week pass as this will gain you entry into most attractions and sites on the island including Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Cabrits National Park, and more.
Note that there are bathrooms located at the entrance of Emerald Pool.
Getting to Emerald Pool
First and foremost, Emerald Pool is approximately a 40-minute drive from Roseau and a little over an hour from Portsmouth.
It can easily be found by a quick search in Google Maps.
Then, from the trailhead, it’s an easy 15-minute walk to the falls and swimming hole.
RENTING A CAR IN DOMINICA
Renting a car is always our #1 recommendation for getting around Dominica as it makes planning much easier (exception: unless you are spending one day in Dominica from a cruise).
Emerald Pool is about halfway between Douglas-Charles Airport and Roseau, so you could easily stop at this popular waterfall on your way to the capital city.
Another benefit of renting a car in Dominica is that not only can you stop at Emerald Pool, but this makes it easier to stop at other waterfalls close by such as Spanny Falls, Jacko Falls, and Salton Waterfalls. And who knows, take a drive up a random road and see what else you can find!
We do NOT suggest renting a car if you are arriving in Dominica from a cruise ship as your time is limited! Instead, opt for hiring a taxi or booking a tour!
HIRE A TAXI
Once disembarking the cruise ship, you’ll see lots of taxis parked up and down the street ready to take you to your destination.
Many of these taxis will take you to multiple destinations for a certain price, often charging per person. Hiring a taxi will allow you to visit your top attractions without having to worry about how to get there, or how to get back.
However, if you are staying on the island for multiple days, taking a taxi everywhere you go can get quite expensive.
BOOK A TOUR
There are a few different tours in Dominica that include Emerald Pool!
These tours will pick up and take back to Roseau. (If you are going on a tour from another location, most tours will pick you up from your hotel/accommodation.)
- Pepper’s Choice: Waterfalls, Sulphur Spa & Volcanic Black Sand Beach
- The Kalinago Barana Aute (Carib Model Village)w/ Emerald Pool
- DG Tours – Full-Day Private Tour Experience
How to Avoid the Crowds at Emerald Pool
Emerald Pool is one of the most popular waterfalls on the island, so expect larger crowds.
To avoid the worst of the crowds, check the cruise port schedule and try to plan your visit around busy cruise days.
If you are arriving from a cruise ship, your best option is to get to Emerald Pool first thing or as late in the afternoon as possible.
We arrived at Emerald Pool around 3:30 pm and to our surprise, the ticket counter had already closed. However, we were informed we could still go to Emerald Pool as long as we were back before they closed the gate to the parking lot. Because of this, we practically had Emerald Pool all to ourselves!
If you are on an excursion you may not have the option to choose what time you visit Emerald Pool, which could result in larger crowds. Do not be discouraged as we know you’ll still enjoy your time here.
If you have a rental car and can choose what time you visit, we suggest also visiting Spanny Falls which is very close (10-minute drive) and is MUCH less crowded. We had this waterfall all to ourselves (around 2:30 pm) before visiting Emerald Pool.
Final Thoughts
So, is Emerald Pool worth visiting? Yes, absolutely!
We think that Emerald Pool is definitely worth a visit, regardless of the crowds that it attracts.
You’ll feel as if you’ve just walked into a scene from the Pirates of the Caribbean! (Fun Fact: Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed in multiple locations in Dominica!).
If you do visit, try to also visit Spanny Falls which is located right next door.
Let us know what you think of this beautiful waterfall in the comments below!
