Dominica : Profile

Facts

Known as the Commonwealth of Dominica to distinguish it from the Dominican Republic.
France ceded possession of the island to Great Britain in 1763. It became an independant state in 1978.
The main language is English. Creole (A language primarily based on French with Carib loan words and West African syntax) is also spoken.
One of the most mountainous of the Windward Islands. It is Dominica's wild interior that is her main attraction.

Although there have been reports of boardings and theft from yachts here (predominantly in Roseau), Dominica is as safe as any other Caribbean island and, if basic precautions are taken, one's stay can be both satisfying and enjoyable.

Based on reports to noonsite from cruisers, petty theft from yachts is on the rise in the Caribbean in general. Cruisers should take basic safety precautions and use common sense when leaving the boat or going ashore at night. Dinghy thieves operate throughout the Caribbean and best advice is to place your dinghy on deck and chain it overnight.

Check the Noonsite Piracy Pages and the Caribbean Safety & Security Net for information on the current island situation.

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net (safetyandsecuritynet@gmail.com) gather information by anchorage or by island, so sailors can plan their cruising in the Caribbean with an eye to appropriate behaviour and precautions wherever they decide to go. Should you have information about a security incident, as well as contacting Noonsite please also forward details to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net, as theirs is the most comprehensive source of Caribbean security incidents against sailors on the net. Please be sure to include boat name, date of incident and anchorage/port where the incident took place.

Last updated December 2011.