Portsmouth
Dominica · Saint John · 10 m
Description
Portsmouth is the second town of Dominica, set on the wide sheltered sweep of Prince Rupert Bay in the northwest, and it was very nearly the capital until the swamps behind it proved too malarial. Boatmen row visitors up the Indian River under a tunnel of buttressed bwa mang roots, a trip made famous when the second Pirates of the Caribbean film shot a scene there. The Cabrits headland north of town holds Fort Shirley, a restored British garrison in a national park that runs down into the sea.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Indian River boat trip under the bwa mang roots
- Fort Shirley and Cabrits National Park
- Prince Rupert Bay and the yacht anchorage
- Purple Turtle and Douglas Bay beaches
- Diving on the Cabrits drop-off
- Waitukubuli National Trail northern end
- Syndicate Nature Trail and the parrot reserve(Day trip)
- Morne Diablotins, the highest peak in Dominica(Day trip)
- Chaudière and the northern river pools
- Sunset over Prince Rupert Bay
Getting there
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry