Saint Patrick: Delices, Victoria Falls and Local History
Accommodation in Saint Patrick
Delices brings Saint Patrick to life as a destination with an unusual combination of landscapes, local history and hiking. Early French settlers named Delices after the French word for “delight,” probably because of its beautiful location on a group of ridges overlooking the Atlantic.
Delices: History Between the Coast and the Ridges
The ancestors of today’s Kalinago/Caribs lived by the Riviere Blanche near the bay; pottery fragments have been found there. Below Savanne Mahaut was the beach that served as the main landing and shipping point for the people of Delices for hundreds of years. In 1966, Delices was connected to Roseau by a road suitable for vehicles. These historical milestones tell the story of settlement, coastal use and a later road connection.
Hike to Victoria Falls
Access to Victoria Falls is from the village of Delices. The falls are 165 feet high and plunge into the White River, which is fed by Boiling Lake. The route is 0.4 miles long and takes 45 minutes. The hike involves crossing rivers and climbing over small and large rocks. Caution is advised because of the risk of flash floods; a guide is strongly recommended. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
A local culinary tradition is also part of Delices: cassava and bay leaves are processed here. Together with the coastal history and the hike to the waterfalls, this gives the place several distinct facets to consider when choosing the focus of your trip.
Nature and Cultural Experiences in Dominica
Across Dominica, Morne Trois Pitons National Park protects 6,857 hectares in the central and southern highlands. Boiling Lake is a large hot spring in this park, with a water temperature of about 95°C. The park is home to endemic reptile, amphibian and bird species, including parrots endemic to Dominica. The White River, into which Victoria Falls plunges, is also fed by Boiling Lake.
For a different scale of hiking, Dominica also has the Waitukubuli National Trail: it is 184 km long, divided into 14 segments, and runs from the village of Scott’s Head to Cabrits National Park. Visitors and non-residents must purchase a trail pass to access or hike the trail. As pass requirements may change and conditions can vary between segments, check the details before planning a section.
Cultural experiences also add to the picture of Dominica. The Kalinago Territory is home to the Kalinago, descendants of the island’s original inhabitants. Visitors can learn about basket weaving, canoe building, pottery and wood carving there. Alongside nature, traditional crafts are another distinct focus to choose from.
Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip
If you would like to include more nature and cultural experiences, Dominica as a whole offers additional themes for planning your trip.
Discover More Places and Destinations
Discover more places in Saint Patrick: Delices, Rosalie, Berekua, La Plaine.
Discover more destinations: Saint Joseph Parish, Saint Peter Parish, Saint Luke, Saint George.
Return to the main travel overview: Dominica.
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