Saint Patrick: Delices, Victoria Falls, and History

Saint Patrick draws attention to Delices and access to Victoria Falls: here, local and coastal history sits alongside a specifically described hike. Dominica’s wider natural context complements these local topics, while remaining a distinct regional setting.

Delices: Local History and Processing

Early French settlers named Delices after the French word for “delights.” The likely reason was the village’s beautiful setting on a group of ridges overlooking the Atlantic.

The coastal history also stretches back a long way: for hundreds of years, the beach below Savanne Mahaut was the main landing and shipping point for the people of Delices. Ancestors of today’s Kalinago/Caribs lived at the Riviere Blanche by the bay; pottery fragments have been found there.

The history of transport also has a specific date: in 1966, a road suitable for vehicles connected Delices with Roseau. Cassava and bay leaves are processed in Delices. This brings local processing practices into focus alongside the area’s history and coastal past.

Victoria Falls: Hiking and Nature

Access to Victoria Falls is from the village of Delices. The hike is 0.4 miles long and takes 45 minutes. The route involves crossing rivers and climbing over small and large rocks.

Victoria Falls is 165 feet high and plunges into the White River, which is fed by Boiling Lake. Take care on the hike because of the risk of flash floods; a guide is strongly recommended. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Dominica’s Wider Natural Context

Across Dominica, Morne Trois Pitons National Park protects 6,857 hectares in the central and southern highlands. The park is home to Boiling Lake, a large hot spring with a water temperature of about 95°C. Boiling Lake feeds the White River, into which Victoria Falls plunges.

The national park is home to endemic reptiles, amphibians, and bird species, including parrots endemic to Dominica. Dominica is the only place in the world where Sisserou and Jaco parrots are found. Dominica has three national parks in total: Morne Trois Pitons, Cabrits, and Morne Diablotin.

Another example of nature travel in Dominica is the Waitukubuli National Trail. It is 184 km long, has 14 segments, and runs from the village of Scott’s Head to Cabrits National Park. Visitors and non-residents need a trail pass to enter or hike the Waitukubuli National Trail. As pass rules may change, check the current requirements before your hike.

Discover more destinations: Delices, Rosalie, Berekua, La Plaine, Saint Peter Parish, Saint Mark, Saint George, Saint Luke

For the main travel overview: Dominica.