Chaudière Pool

Very disappointing after all the hype. The pool was essentially unusable due to the unseasonal rains in early February. The water and pool looked nothing like the photos. The current was so strong that you couldn’t stay in the pool unless you swam with all your might against the current. Even getting to the pool was daunting through the current Unfortunately the group in the town of Bense that sells tickets for $5 US each told us it was fine. They also told us the road was good and nothing could be further from the truth. As you will read in other reviews, the road is a treacherous car killer. Believe those reviews and walk in for 45 minutes instead. DO NOT DRIVE. The hike is also treacherous after a rain. Steep and muddy. Short answer: do not bother if it has been raining at all for the previous few days.

Amazing little swimming hole and beautiful hike in. The drive can be tricky once it turns to dirt, I would recommend parking a little before the trail head (there is a sign that says it's a 15 minute walk from there to the trail). The trail down can get a little muddy so flip flops are not recommended. The pool itself is wonderful, spent about an hour there. Careful on the rocks they can get slick.

BE AWARE - The road here is terrible, so if you do decide to visit is recommend parking before the road turns to dirt track and walking in. BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY - I have been advised by more than one local person NOT to visit, as a group of foreign tourists were recently robbed here. It's a shame as it seems a beautiful spot, but it's remoteness I guess makes it a target for crime, despite Dominica being overall safe.

Very much worth the hike - one of the most beautiful sites we visited while touring the whole island over a two week period. Water is perfect for swimming and crystal blue - you can see down to the bottom of the 30 foot deep pool at the foot of the small fall. Strongly suggest that you park your car when you see the FIRST “7 minute drive, 15 minute walk” sign. Walking along the road to the next 15 minute walk, 7 seven minute drive sign, you take a rough path/road on the left heading down to the river.

This was such a nice surprise, we were a bit bummed out bc it ended up being too cloudy to make the Boiling Lake hike worth it so we headed back north. You need to have a high clearance vehicle to access the road, once you get a ways up you should see a red sign saying 15m walk, 7 min drive, unless you have a 4x4 and are comfortable driving on a pretty rustic road, I recommend parking and walking it. Its more like 20-25min hike up and down hill but its nice as you walk through pineapple fields, mango trees tower above you and you may even see a few pairs of Imperial Amazon parrots which are extremely endangered but we were lucky enough to see 4. The trail is well marked, and once you get down to the river you take a right to head to the pool which is deep, crystal clear and so refreshing. There's even a ledge you can jump off if you are brave enough. You could stay all day but we spent 2 hours there. Remember you will need your site pass for this place, so you can get the 7 day for $12 bucks US or the 1 day for $5 US bucks, otherwise you'll have to pay when you arrive.

Spot to jump from the rocks into a refreshing pool. A little rock hopping needed to get to the pool. Hike was fun through the forest with hills down, then hike back up to the parking. We drove here our 1st day on island, so the road seemed intimidating, but if you take it slow with 4x4 youll be fine.

Tourists beware: The road to the trailhead is off-roading, in terrible condition, and is designed for one tiny car but is a two way road. Careful not to pop a tire. Once you get to the trailhead the trail is extremely steep and muddy with no real trail maintenance. Lots of vertical and is definitely a slog. Pros of this place is there are a lot of freshwater crabs which was cool. And goats along the way.

Do not attempt to visit place by driving even as far as the sign. The road is not currently passable, especially after a rain. Our vehicle slid off the road and we are fortunate it wasn’t a worse incident. Unless you are an experienced driver w a powerful 4 WD, please don’t risk it.