Emerald Pool

Emerald Pool is the easiest "wow" stop in Dominica — a 12-minute paved loop through tall rainforest opens onto a small grotto where a cascade falls into an emerald-green pool. It featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Practical

• Located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, on the road between Castle Bruce and Pont Cassé.
• Site fee: US$5 (or covered by national park weekly pass at US$12).
• Toilets, picnic shelter and a small craft kiosk at the trailhead.
• Open daylight hours; no booking required.

What to expect

The path is flat and family-friendly. The pool is around 5 metres deep; swimming is allowed and refreshing. Two viewpoints further along the loop look toward the Atlantic and back to Morne Diablotin.

Combine

• Pagua Bay Falls are nearby on the road to Castle Bruce.
• Kalinago Barana Auté cultural village — 25 minutes east.
• Hampstead Beach — black sand on the north Atlantic coast.

Visit before 11 am or after 2 pm to avoid cruise tours.