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While Dominica is not widely know as a sailing & yachting
destination, she is conveniently located right smack in the
middle of the chain of Caribbean Islands, making her a convenient
way station for sailing vessels cruising the Caribbean. New:
Jan 2006 update
 Upcoming
Events in Dominica
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Dominica is particularly well suited to families. With plenty
of activities to choose from, everyone can find what they like
best: snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding, meandering
through the rainforest, shopping, dining out or simply relaxing
on a beach or near a tranquil river.
Read on for more information about:
 Mooring
Rules & Regulations Immigration
& Customs Popular
Anchorages
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Yachting off Dominica
Plans are underway through the Dive Improvement Program of the
EU funded Eco-tourism Development Program, through the Ministry
of Tourism, to put special emphasis on improving facilities and
moorings for yachts along Dominica's west coast, commencing Autumn
of 2005.
The designated areas are Portsmouth, the historic capital
of Dominica, and long the home of yachts and "marine
based tourism" dating from Christobal Colon to Sir
Francis Drake, Admiral Nelson, to today.
Mero; where yachts have also been a part of the scenery
for decades, and Roseau, the capital.
Currently stakeholder consultations in these areas are
underway regarding the implementation of yacht moorings,
a management plan to ensure the moorings placed will be
locally managed, maintained and policed is being drawn up.
This ensures that communities involved are actively participating
in maintaining clean and welcoming environments, and of
course policing the vessels at mooring to reduce any potential
opportunists. Crime is something that occurs throughout
the Caribbean on all islands, and, even in the best managed
examples still occurs, despite the best policing and practices.
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The Cabrits. Photo © ImagesDominica.com |
Individuals will be trained to manage and inspect moorings, collect
monies, also in CPR and First aid. Brochures will be produced
in English, French and German for visitors; detailing fees, and
areas where moorings are present along the coast. It is hoped
that a standardized fee system with money going back into it will
help make the product self sustaining and employment. It should
also reduce a lot of the conflict between "boat boys"
vying for trade.
Sunset, Dominica.
Photo © ImagesDominica.com |
Dominica has much to offer the traveler, whether from
yacht, cruise ship or stay over, both above and below
the waves, it is hoped that effective management, marketing,
and maintaining the infrastructure placed will encourage
yachtspersons to visit and spend more time here enjoying
the Adventure Island of the Caribbean.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is that there will
be no anchoring permitted along the west coast of the
island. Currently all dive moorings (with a few exceptions
are red), and in time all yacht moorings will be white.
Initially 100 moorings will be deployed.
Watch this page for more developments.
June 2005
Jan 2006 Update:
Parliament has approved a 2 weeks stay,
for those wanting to do so, in this case the vessel may
clear in and out of customs at the same time,eliminating
the need to worry about clearance on the way out. Dominica
is the first counrty regionally to do this.
Customs and immigration is now combined in Portsmouth
and will become so for Roseau for clearance
There is now a coastwise clearance issued for yachts,
it is hoped that all yachts persons will use due vigilance
and use the moorings instead of drop anchor. Exceptions
to the coastwise are Cabirts Marine reserve and SSMR
Port Authority now has duty free fuel up and running
in Cabirts.
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