Things to Do at Cabrits National Park

Cabrits National Park covers 1,313 acres of the Cabrits Peninsula, where tropical dry forest meets coral reef in a landscape that shifts from cactus-studded slopes to mangrove swamps. Established in 1986, the park protects the ruins of Fort Shirley, an 18th-century British garrison that once housed 600 soldiers guarding the Caribbean approaches. The climb to the fort ramparts takes 45 minutes through forest alive with the calls of red-necked parrots and the rustle of anole lizards in the leaf litter. Park entry costs EC$15 (about $6) and includes a basic trail map, though the marked paths can disappear in the rainy season undergrowth. Visit early morning when the forest is coolest and the wildlife most active - by noon the tropical sun makes the uphill hike punishing.

Cabrits National Park is about a 10-minute drive north of Portsmouth town center on Dominica's west coast. Most visitors arrive by rental car or taxi - the road to the park is paved but can be steep in places. If you're staying in Portsmouth, it's actually walkable (about 45 minutes) along the coastal road, though you'll want to start early to avoid the heat. Several tour operators in Portsmouth offer half-day excursions that combine Cabrits with other nearby attractions. The closest airport is Melville Hall, about an hour's drive away.