Cruising Dominica with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association

Our team at Dockwa is stoked to be collaborating with the Salty Dawgs Sailing Association (SDSA) to share monthly cruising tales in The Running Fix Newsletter! 

Salty Dawg Dominica Rendezvous – February 2025

Although the Salty Dawgs are well known for their annual Rallies such as the Caribbean Rally and the Down East Rally, they also organize several rendezvous throughout the cruising year. These events allow fellow Salty Dawgs to gather in a common location and experience the area together. It’s a great opportunity to get to know other cruisers and make lifelong friends.

About the Rendezvous

We just experienced a fantastic week filled with exploration, adventure, cultural and educational activities, and most importantly, social gatherings with fellow cruisers. As a Salty Dawg member, I volunteered to coordinate the PAYS 2025 Salty Dawg Dominica Rendezvous in collaboration with the Portsmouth Association for Yacht Security (PAYS). Two weeks before the rally, I began to worry whether we would have enough participants to make the tours and activities cost-effective for us and the PAYS staff organizing these events. Then, the list of registered boats grew rapidly, as did my excitement, reaching a total of 23 boats. Shortly after, the weather forecast predicted unfavorable winds and waves for those traveling north or south to Dominica. Despite these challenges, the majority of the boats managed to reach Portsmouth at some point during the rendezvous, even if only for a few days.

A group of this year’s participants at one of the events.

The week offered opportunities to meet new cruising friends and reconnect with others while exploring the mystical and majestic natural features of the island. We were all so impressed with the pride that the Dominicans have for their country and its bountiful resources. The Dominicans are certainly blessed with an abundance of fruits from the land, sea, and air, and they make the most of these resources to sustain their living.

About Dominica and the Portsmouth Community

Dominica is a beautiful island with loads of natural beauty. The locals are very proud of their island, its resources, and their heritage. On a practical note, it’s English-speaking and uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC), a familiar currency in the Caribbean. Dominica's soil and climate are rich for growing vegetables, fruit, and most of their food. They incorporate lots of spices and different cooking techniques to "take it up a notch." Dominicans employ diverse and extensive use of their natural resources to sustain life, both from a physical and financial perspective. In a community like Portsmouth, it is obvious and very touching to see their empathy for each other and their well-being.

• Dominica is situated between Guadeloupe and Martinique.
• Portsmouth is in the northwestern corner of the island, while the capital, Roseau, is in the southwestern corner. If you or any of your guests are flying into Dominica, you will arrive at Douglas-Charles Airport on the northeast side of the island.
• Prince Rupert Bay, in Portsmouth, is where we spent a good bit of our time. PAYS has a pavilion in this bay and offers mooring buoys, a dinghy dock, and many other services on the Purple Turtle Beach. You’ll also see Fort Shirley and the Cabrits National Park, which is a venue used for many of the activities and dinners. The Indian River is just south of this area and offers a waterway to the ocean.

A local guide leads us on a cultural tour of the Portsmouth community

About PAYS

What is The PAYS Organization, you may wonder? It was formed 20 years ago with 12 knowledgeable tour guides. They now have a pavilion and structured organization to provide security and services to cruisers visiting the Portsmouth area of Dominica. They offer many services but are not aggressive in pushing you to get all your services from them. A small, brightly colored wooden boat will greet you, sometimes as far out as 2-3 miles. The PAYS welcoming members will slowly approach your boat, introduce themselves, and escort you into the mooring field, even tying your boat for you. There are also areas where you can anchor. They make every effort to ensure your boating and travel needs are met and your entire stay is safe and enjoyable.

The customs procedure is straightforward, especially if you pre-register through SailClear and arrive during Customs business hours (weekdays until 4 PM). PAYS organization also provides this service to submit all your documents and gain customs clearance for you and your crew—for a small fee.

The Dominica locals, as well as the PAYS staff, welcome you to experience their culinary and cultural traditions, sharing local music, food, and knowledge. The 2025 Rendezvous week was purposely scheduled to occur during the 20th anniversary of the PAYS organization so that we could enjoy and participate in the celebrations.

One of the PAYS staff dressed for costume night at one of the barbecues.

Barbecues are offered routinely 2-3 nights a week, but during our Rendezvous they were scheduled for the Salty Dawgs almost every night. Fish, chicken, pork, and even lionfish are available. We take advantage of experiencing the local Caribbean flavors – spices and unique fruits and vegetables, always a culinary delight. We all truly enjoyed gathering and sharing good food and good times. There's often a little “Caribbean beat” going and even dancing if you desire.

Welcome Barbecue at PAYS pavilion

About our Events

We were able to select from many different day tour options, planned by PAYS for the Rendezvous week.

1. Northern Treasures Day Tour

On the Northern Treasures Day tour, we visited an area known as the Red Rocks, an unusual coastal formation of red earth with a majestic view of the sea. The next stop was the local chocolate factory, where we learned how they produce natural, organic chocolate, followed by a short stop and tasting at the Gin Distillery. If you're interested, the Chaudiere Nature Pool is also in the area. Lunch is included on all the tours, with options to either stop at local restaurants or enjoy a catered lunch, dining outdoors by the beautiful beaches or in a scenic spot.

Waterfalls and view from one of the day tours

Salty Dawgs gathering for lunch during a break on the tour

2. Syndicate Nature Heritage Day

Another day tour planned for our enjoyment was the Syndicate Nature Heritage Day. We visited the Syndicate trail amid the rainforest and swam in the waterfalls. The nature trails are rated for difficulty and length, mostly less than 2 miles and easy to moderate. At the Free Up Farm stop, we saw firsthand the many practices of sustainable farming and the ability to truly learn to live off the land. Lunch may also be served at the Farm with all locally grown ingredients.

Enjoying the cool refreshing water of the waterfall pool

3. Nature Island Day Tour

The Nature Island Day Tour included stops at the the beach, the Trafalgar Falls, Ti-Tou Gorge and then relaxing in the Hot Sulphur Springs.

  
Ti-Tou Gorge

4. Kalinoga Village

The natural heritage of Dominica people was observed at the Kalinoga Village.  Descendants of the island's original people, the Kalinago,eagerly share the joys of a very simplistic living, definitely a learning and eye-opening experience.       

5. Day of Rest

At least one day was set aside – for worship, rest, crafts and games (in particular the Mexican Train Domino competition). This “day off” was much needed to re-energize. 

Venue offering place for quiet time and some down time to visit and play games

6. Lion Fish Hunt and Dinner

For the adventurous – a lion fish hunt dive was scheduled with the Island Dive Shop – which were later enjoyed as an evening meal – wonderfully and skillfully prepared.

.

7. Indian River Boat Tour 

The Indian River Boat Tour was an experience NOT to be missed – paddle with the local guides and learn about the trees, fish, birds.  They offer so much knowledge of the nature surrounding us as we traverse the river.

8. Historical Attractions

We reflected on the historical path of the area as we visited the National parks and reserves. These trips were often self-planned since they were all in the Portsmouth area. We could even get a little exercise while hiking the Historical trails.

Hiking the Cabrits National Park Trail

9. Pre-Carnival Jump Up

The week's activities always include a feast of calypso music, and if the timing is good.. the lively festivities associated with Carnival – competitions and festive events.

10. Service Day

At the end of the week we were able to tour and participate in local service projects in attempt to pay forward in a small way on behalf of the Salty Dawgs (the Dominica P.A.Y.S Organization, Free Up Farm,  the Dominica Cancer Society, the Grange Home of the Aged and the Women's Development Center.  We published contacts and websites for maintaining a connection and an awareness of ongoing needs in the community. This allows the Salty Dawgs opportunities to support the Dominicans throughout the year. Dominicans throughout the year.

Service Project and opportunity to visit and support the Grange Home of the Aged- local non-profit organization in great need of support. As we explore the community we consider ways to provide support to address areas of need throught the year. There are always many items that we may can include in packing and planning our next trip to Dominica.

AS WE DEPART…

We reflect on the highlights of our week in Dominica – experiencing and enjoying all the marvels of the island and the natural displays of flora and fauna so abundant and thriving. WE certainly express our Thanks and appreciation to PAYS organization for planning activities and hosting this event.

PAYS Appreciation Dinner on Salty Dawg behalf - Cabrits National Park

It is our hope that the Rendezvous was a memorable experience for all. It is always a highlight of MY winter visit, very humbling, but in many ways it touches the soul in ways that no other places and people do in my travels. 

INVITATION:

Our moto as the Salty Dawg Organization as an active sailing community we are all “sailors helping sailors”. We would like to extend an invitation to expand our realm of camaraderie by having YOU as a member of our organization.

With much gratitude for our journeys together... May they continue.

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