Canyoning in Dominica

Dominica, The Nature Island of the Carribbean,  is endowed with countless spectacular waterfalls. However, many of them are hidden in deep gorges that are beautifully sculpted by nature. We learned that there was a way to explore them and explored them we did – thru canyoning!

A hybrid of hiking, rappeling, swimming, diving and climbing – canyoning was a new kind of adventure for us. It sounded unnerving at first but we were so happy we took the plunge and we got to explore and immerse in the hidden beauty and depths of Dominica.

(Please excuse the photo quality in this post. We cannot lag our big camera so we just used our small point and shoot with a crappy waterproof casing, which we don’t recommend for high action pack activity like this one.)

Canyoning in DominicaWe signed up with Extreme Dominica, a professional outfitter for adventure activities.  Our excellent guides, Jeffrey and Nanjie, geared us up with helmet, wetsuit, harness and safety jacket (we used our own watershoes) and provided us with training before the actual adventure.

Canyoning in Dominica

We then drove to Laudat where we started our hike through lush rainforest to reach the gorges.

Canyoning in Dominica

 Wearing nervous smiles as we reached the mouth of the gorge.

Canyoning in DominicaHere we go! Keith all set to rappel on our first wall.

Canyoning in Dominica

I think he was looking up at me and saying, “And just why did we sign up for this?”

Canyoning in Dominica

Our first rappel was a bit slow and shaky but we got more comfortable in the succeeding ones.

Canyoning in DominicaRelieved after finishing rappel #1.

Canyoning in DominicaBut our relief wore off quickly as we learned that our next move was – to jump from a waterfall!  That was the nervous me about to take my first plunge. Our guides said “Don’t think, just do it.”  And it worked.

Canyoning in DominicaThere were three other couples in our group who were a lot of fun and really courageous. They kept us motivated.

Canyoning in Dominica

The waterfall on our rappel #2.

Canyoning in DominicaKeith walking behind the waterfall with our guide Nahjie after his second rappel.

Canyoning in DominicaRelaxing behind the waterfall.

Canyoning in Dominica

We rappelled from the upper fall and dove from the lower fall. Aren’t they beautiful?  By the way, some scenes in “Pirates of the Caribbean” were shot around this area.

Canyoning in Dominica

Our excellent and fun guide, Jeffrey, whose singing made us more relaxed.

Canyoning in DominicaAnother rappel. We have lost count but we felt like pros (well, a little bit) at this point.

Canyoning in DominicaLooking back at another lovely waterfall where we rappelled from.

Canyoning in DominicaA member of our group about to make another dive.  Nerves were subdued at this point and it was a complete fun.

Canyoning in DominicaRelaxing on crystal clear water while waiting for the rest of our group to finish the last round of rappelling. We were just happy that we were done with all the jumping and roping down.

Canyoning in Dominica

But then we still had some climbing up to do.

Canyoning in DominicaBack at the jungle trail, we were delighted to find abundant fruits along the way…

Canyoning in Dominica…as well as some beautiful wildflowers.

Our canyoning trip was a great half-day of fun and a good way to conquer the nerves.  It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Stay tuned for more of our adventures in Dominica.

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Travel Notes:
• We highly recommend Extreme Dominica for canyoning and hiking trips. We found their guides highly professional and well-trained and fun! Our safety was their priority. Extreme Dominica has been featured in National Geographic Traveler and New York Times.
• The cost includes the use of wet suit, harness, helmet and life vest. A snack is provided at the end of the trip.

You can now follow us on Facebook!

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About Marisol

Taking you on our journey one photo - and footstep - at a time.

66 responses to “Canyoning in Dominica

    • Traveling Solemates

      Thanks Rajesh! It was truly awesome.

  1. what an exciting life you lead! oh to be young and thin again is all i kept thinking… that looks like so much fun, i could never do it now, but i sure loved watching you have a total blast. fun fun fun, love how the world is your playground~
    a quiet life recently posted..a beach diary 6-22 thru 6-27My Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Ha! Ha! Glad you enjoy our adventures. Nice to always see you here.

  2. I don’t recall ever hearing of canyoning specifically. What a true adventure you two have had … the idea of going down a waterfall is fantastic. I love the “don’t think, just do it” advise.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Penelope, canyoning is relatively a new kind of adventure. Going down the waterfalls and be be able to feel and taste them was definitely a lot more exhilarating that just looking at them. Thanks for the visit.

  3. Fabulous pictures of your adventure.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Thank you, Lady Fi!

    • Traveling Solemates

      It really is! We really hope you get to do it soon.

  4. Eileen

    Wow, this really looks like fun! My hubby would enjoy doing this. The scenery is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
    Eileen recently posted..River walkMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Eileen, I hope you and your hubby get to do it sometime soon. It truly is beautiful and a lot of fun.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Thanks Book and Gary.

  5. Fun60

    That looks like so much fun. What an experience. Not sure I would have the nerve to do it though.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Of course you can do it! Our guides told me there were so 75 year olds who did it!:)

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Molly, it was indeed amazing.

  6. Way to go! You guys are badasses! That’s something I would love to try some day, and I was really relieved to see that prior to setting out, you were given a full safety briefing and some training before you confronted the real deal! I’ve read of travelers who sign up for canyoning the first time and have no idea what to expect and are just tossed into it headfirst. This looks like fun, but also a bit dangerous, so having a professional, safety-oriented company looking after you seems critical!
    Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) recently posted..Discovering the Quirky Side of TaipeiMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Steph, you and Tony will enjoy it for sure. Although it was unnerving, we didn’t feel in any kind of danger. The guides were really cautious. They even checked the weather and currents before we started the trip.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hey Jess, the rock climbing at the gym is actually good practice for this one. It is amazing indeed and yes, scenery is stunning.

  7. Omg! it’s really a memorable adventure tour! actions are fully daring and amazing. thanks for sharing your experience!

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Aleah, if you love extreme adventure you’ll definitely enjoy this. I guess canyoning is not a cheap adventure. I read it costs even more in New Zealand for a half-day trip. but you’re right, it’s so worth it.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Salika, it was truly great! Oh, the natural pools with crystal clear water, we still dream about them:)

  8. What an incredible experience! I’d be too terrified to do any of it but it looks incredible all the same!!
    Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted..Tall Ships 1812 TourMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hey Lisa, it may look terrifying but you can sure do it. It’s not as scary as it looks:)

  9. You two! You always have such wonderful adventures to share with us all – it is like a surprise party to open your blog and see where you are and what you are doing! Great photos – what an experience.
    Jackie Smith recently posted..Red, White and Blue Road TripMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Jackie,
      Ha! Ha! We’re so pleased that you enjoy our adventures.

  10. I’m guessing this was the adventure you were hinting at before! It looks like loads of fun. It’s probably too adventurous for the missus but if I’m lucky maybe one day the kids will be into it. Great pics despite the camera limitations!
    Average Traveller recently posted..Plastic Food at Kappabashi Market TokyoMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Ryan, yes this was one of them. It was really a lot of fun and a great way to overcome whatever adventure fear you may have. I hope you get to do it one day with the family (including the misses:)

  11. OMG…I’m exhausted! I’ve been through every jump and climb with you! There is no way I would do this but what a fabulous adventure to join in vicariously. What are we doing next!!
    jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..A.Ston.ishing Oysters in Croatia!My Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Jenny, we’re glad you enjoyed the adventure. We’re going for a hike next. It’s strenuous but less terrifying than this one, we promise:)

  12. Marcia

    You’re very brave! This looks and sounds like a lot of fun, Marisol.
    The last time I did a cave tour, the guide said we could dive into the water. It was too dark for me to trust it but he and a few others on the tour did. They all said how refreshing the water was but they couldn’t get me to go in. I’m chicken, I guess.
    Marcia recently posted..Newcastle JamaicaMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Marcia, yes it was lot of fun! Well, I can’t blame you for not going in to that water if it was too dark. I wouldn’t trust it myself.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Noel, it was a great adventure indeed!

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Jan, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this adventure with B.H: I hope you guys get to do this trip.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Sophie, yes Dominica is stunning! I hope you can join your daughters in this adventure: It’s really a lot of fun and worth conquering your fear.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Thank you!

  13. You are quite the adventure couple! Looks like lots of fun and an exciting experience, but I’m afraid the diving part doesn’t work for me. My loss! Enjoyed your adventure vicariously. 😉
    Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Part of the Family in Portico di RomagnaMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      HI Cathy, it was really a lot of fun and we’re glad you enjoyed it vicariously.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Denise, those pool were spectacular indeed.

  14. Bama

    Kuddos for trying such a new adventure, Marisol! I can imagine your hesitation when you thought of whether signing up for that was the right decision or not. But we all know that some of the best things in life do not require our brain, only our guts. 🙂
    Bama recently posted..Candi Gunung Kawi: A Shrouded GrandeurMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Bama,
      Thanks! We feel quite happy we did it. It was a great experience but most of all, we were proud that we overcame our nerves:)

  15. Amazing travels. Thanks for sharing them!

    • Traveling Solemates

      Our pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Well, if you ask us now we definitely would love to do it again. But ask us down the road after the excitement wears off and we get to thinking how crazy it was, we may feel the same way as you do 🙂

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Madhu, it was nerve-wrecking in the beginning but and yes, it felt rewarding in the end:)

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Michelle, I really hope you get to do it one day. It’s really a lot of fun and we have no doubt that you will enjoy it.

  16. Dennis

    Holy guacamole! Love your adventure here! I’ve bought Dicapac housing for my DSLR but haven’t even used it much – it’s tedious lugging around and makes it difficult to operate the camera, much more in challenging conditions like the one you were in!
    Dennis recently posted..ValparaisoMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Dennis, we really regret not buying a new underwater camera before the trip. We wanted a really good one but we didn’t have much time to research before the trip so we settled for a Dicapac casing for now.

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