Established in 1890 under the British, the Dominica Botanic Gardens were designed to maintain reserves of crops grown on the island. Over the years, it evolved into a lush preserve full of trees and shrubs—many of which have flowers—and it attracts all sorts of colorful avian life.
While Hurricane David in 1979 caused a lot of destruction to the gardens, significant efforts have been made to restore them to their former glory. Today you’ll find more than 50 varieties of native and imported plants and trees spread across approximately 40 acres (16 hectares). The gardens are among the most popular attractions in Roseau, and tours of the island and walking tours of the city often include stops here.
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Dominica Botanic Gardens is a must-visit for birders—just bring binoculars.
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Bring plenty of water and sun protection, even on overcast days.
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The garden has some paved areas but is mainly grassy and may prove challenging to navigate with a wheelchair.
The Dominica Botanic Gardens are situated east of the city center, about a 10-minute walk from the cruise port. While walking is the easiest way for many people, you can also get there by taxi in around three minutes. Alternatively, you can have a cab drop you off at the hilltop Morne Bruce garrison and then take a 10-minute walk down a steep footpath that leads to the garden.
The ideal time to visit the gardens is first thing in the morning when temperatures are coolest and birds are most active. However, if you want to combine your visit with a hike up to Morne Bruce, it’s better to come later to make it up in time to watch the sunset.
Inside the garden, the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre works to study and protect the Sisserou Parrot, Dominica’s national bird, and a few other species. Also known as the imperial Amazon parrot, the Sisserou parrot is endemic to the island, and most live in its northwestern reaches. The birds are critically endangered, and very few remain in the wild.
