A winter kayak trip to the Caribbean sounds nice, doesn’t it? What if your idea of a kayak isn’t a resort sit-on-top? What if you might like to paddle some distance, play in some surf, nail that roll and get comfortable bracing in warm clear water? How about a place where you can do all that in genuine enthusiast kayaks (think Nigel Dennis) with solid coaches and local guides. Add in 5000-foot mountains, waterfalls, rivers, clear water, jungle excursions, direct flight access from Miami, English speaking natives and a water trail and you have a winner!
Dominica lies nestled between Guadeloupe and Martinique down South of the Virgin Islands. It is served by American Airlines by direct daily flights from Miami and Puerto Rico. Unlike other destinations in the West Indies, this island is not home to myriad all-inclusive resorts and carpeted with beach goers. Dominica is a natural paradise of mountains, tropical forest, waterfalls, rivers and NATURE, which is a resource they protect and show off. A crew of ambitious locals got together with Nigel Dennis to bring in a superb fleet of expedition kayaks in all shapes and sizes to access a new national water trail that shows off its western coastline, with stops at guesthouses along the way. Whether your home boat is a Romany Surf, a Pilgrim, an LV or HV Explorer, you can be sure to find it here. We’ll be based out of a comfortable guest house (not camping), with family style meals and fantastic paddling options. You can count on some fine meals with Michael and the team sharing the kitchen too!
Your Skill Development: This trip is appropriate for anyone with Level 3 skills or equivalent and above who want to level up. We can include skills assessments or a Trip Leader Training during the week if you like. Need an ACA Instructor Update? Yes, we can do that too. You may as well really make this trip count!
Intrigued? Here’s a sample itinerary:
Sample Itinerary
ARRIVAL DAY
- Welcome Dinner and Trip Briefing
- Sulphur Springs hike behind the Guesthouse
DAY 2 – Flat Water Skills and Welcome to Dominica Paddle and Snorkel
- • Afternoon: Bubble Beach for sunset
DAY 3: Stroke Practice and Rescues; Paddle into the Martinique Channel
- Boat control and rescues
- Paddle across Soufriere Bay into the Martinique Channel
DAY 4: Land Excursions plus Local Culture
- Hike around Freshwater lake
- Learn about Maroon communities in Dominica
- Tito Gorge Swim
- Return to Soufriere. Pack for Layou River
DAY 5: Light Surf Skills
- Drive to Layou River
- Kayak Layou River
- Practice surfing at the mouth of the river
DAY 6: Open Coastal Skills on the Atlantic Coast
- Weather permitting, drive to an East coast location
- Test open coastal skills on the Atlantic Coast
- Return to Soufriere
DAY 7: Community Day: More Kayaking, Optional Local Trips, Add-Ons
- Skills debrief and review; work on new skills, try different boats
- Hike the Galleon Loop
- Hike Segment One or Segment Two of the Waitukubli trail
- Sulphur Springs….other choices as well
- Final Dinner and celebration
Day 8: Depart: Breakfast and transfers back to airport
Dates for 2024
- March 9-16, 2024
What’s Included
- Airport Transfers on Dominica
- Dorm or Double occupancy lodging (single supplement available)
- Uncommon Adventures paddling coach and a local guide
- The best fleet of kayaks found anywhere
- Breakfasts and lunches and some dinners
- Activity and trail fees
What’s Not Included
- Airfares to and from Dominica
- Pre and post trip lodging and activities
- Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
- Guide gratuity (5-10% suggested)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Dinners out at local restaurants along the trail
Personal Items: Be sure to review the packing list: It is important that you review this list early on in case you have questions or need to order gear.