Cabrits National Park is located on Dominica's northwestern coast, immediately adjacent to Douglas Bay, and near the town of Portsmouth. Only 25% of the park is dry land. Here you'll find low-rising hills, tropical forests, swampland, volcanic-sand beaches, coral reefs, and the sprawling ruins of a Fort Shirley, a 18th-century garrison of British, then French, construction. The park's land extends over a panoramic promontory formed by the low-rising twin peaks of extinct volcanoes (known as East Cabrit and West Cabrit) overlooking beaches, with Douglas Bay on one side and Prince Rupert Bay across the headland. The marine section of the park extends over the teeming marine life of the shallow waters of Douglas Bay.
The park can be explored underwater or there is about 3km of hiking trails to follow. Foremost among these is Fort Shirley, a forbidding-looking hulk that was last used as a military post in 1854. There is a small museum at the park's Welcome Center which highlights the natural and historic aspects of the park.
Things to See & Do
* Cabrits National Park
* Scuba diving
* Canoeing & hiking
* Safari tours of the hinterland
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Eastern Caribbean Dollar ($EC)
Language – English
Land Area – 754 sq km
Population – 70,000 (Dominica)
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time – GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code – 1 + 767
Port Location – Cruise ships dock at the jetty at Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth.
Transport Links – There are currently no direct, non-stop flights from Europe or the USA, mostly because the two airports are too small for jets. Popular routes from Europe are via Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique or Puerto Rico, then a local flight to Dominica. Woodbridge Bay, Roseau and Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth, are the main Ports in Dominica. L’Express des Îles, a scheduled ferry service, connects Dominica with Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Martinique on a 300-seat catamaran. Caribbean Ferries also operate regular services between Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Bus services connect all towns and villages. Taxis are efficient and rental cars are available.