Canyoneering in Dominica - Chews to Explore

Overview

Chu, from Chews to Explore, visits Dominica — known as the "Adventure Island" for being the most volcanic island in the Caribbean, lush and green with abundant waterfalls. This trip focuses on canyoneering, described as one of the most underrated adventure activities in the Caribbean. Joined by friend Abel and local guide Natalie.

What Is Canyoneering?

Navigating through canyons using a combination of swimming, hiking, rappelling down waterfalls, jumping into pools, and sliding down natural rock slides. No prior experience required — just willingness to go for it.

Preparation

• Full safety equipment provided as part of the experience (harness, Velcro gear, safety briefing)
• Guide Natalie outlined the route: 7 total canyons, including 5 rappels and 2 jumps

About the Island's Geology

• Dominica has 365 rivers — one for every day of the year
• Over thousands of years, these rivers carved narrow, hidden canyons through volcanic rock, largely concealed beneath jungle canopy
• The island has the highest concentration of volcanoes in the Caribbean, and the canyons were shaped directly by that volcanic activity — canyoneering here means moving through the island's geological history, not just a recreational course

The Canyoneering Experience

First Canyon/Gorge

• Featured a waterfall and a first jump
• Slippery rock terrain noted early on
• Group had the gorge entirely to themselves with their guide

Notable Natural Feature

• Light filtering into the gorge creates a striking, mysterious glow
• This visibility is a relatively recent development — before Hurricane Maria (Category 5, 2017) stripped away forest cover, this section was fully covered and not visible

Guide Background — Natalie

• Not originally from Dominica; fell in love with the island and built this canyoneering experience from scratch
• Hand-drilled every rope anchor and route through the canyons herself
• The first person to canyoneer on the island — she created the experience rather than simply guiding an existing one
• Guiding style: clear instructions, patient pacing, reassuring rather than rushing participants

Additional Canyons

• Deeper pools and more challenging jumps encountered further into the route
• Some pools sit high up on canyon walls — a result of hurricane flooding carving them out at elevated points
• Terrain challenges noted: slick, slippery walking surfaces (more of a hazard than the jumps themselves)
• Series of rock-wall climbs/rappels using Natalie's hand-drilled anchor points

Post-Adventure

• Stop for coffee — includes a look at coffee cherries growing directly on the tree (unripe ones still green)

Overall Rating

10/10 — described as one of the best experiences of the trip, with each day in Dominica reportedly topping the last. Highlights included the jumps, the water, and Natalie's guiding.