Christmas Island is one of the world's truly spectacular tropical seabird rookeries. It's not just the number and variety of seabirds or their magnificent splendour that make the island so remarkable, but also their sheer visibility. Around 80,000 seabirds nest here annually, with 23 breeding or resident species. Birds can be seen and heard everywhere on the island, at just about any time of the day. With just a little effort, birdwatchers can easily tick off a full list of residents in a busy week or a more relaxed fortnight. However, the elusive Christmas Island hawk owl keeps many coming back. More than 100 vagrant and migratory bird species have been recorded here, including eight breeding seabird species and one subspecies. The most numerous is the wide-ranging red-footed booby, which nests in colonies in trees in many parts of the coastal shore terraces. You may see the endangered Christmas Island frigatebird soaring above Settlement — it's the world's rarest frigatebird and nests only on the island. The golden form of the white-tailed tropic bird is an endemic subspecies unique to Christmas Island. Known locally as the golden bosun bird, this stunning bird is graceful in flight and has been adopted as the island's fauna emblem.

Situated at the foot of Morne Bruce, Roseau's favourite lookout spot, this 40-acre botanical garden is a convenient option to explore Dominica's indigenous species. Doubling as an event venue today, it nonetheless offers an educational and no less spectacular walk among palm trees, orchids, medicinal plants and the parrot sanctuary — keep an eye out for the Sisserou parrot, Dominica's national bird. As a curious testimony to the park's hurricane-stricken past, you can even find the remains of a bus at the foot of a baobab tree.

The Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale provides a deep dive into the history of the Rocky Mountain fur trade and the rugged lives of the mountain men who played a key role in shaping the American West during the 19th century. The museum houses a wide range of exhibits, from artifacts such as Jim Bridger’s rifle to archaeological finds from Fort Bonneville. It also hosts annual events like Living History Days and the Green River Rendezvous, bringing the era to life through reenactments and educational programs.

With its stunning natural beauty, the island's north coast should be on every Dominican itinerary. The landscape here is woven with a tapestry of lush rainforest, towering cliffs and otherworldly red rocks, embraced not only by heavenly beaches — such as Batibou — but also freshwater pools fed by rivers. Snorkelling gear and hiking boots are a must. BNe sure to also linger in the village of Calibishie, for a trip to the Pointe Baptiste Chocolate Factory or a savoury meal on a terrace overlooking the sea.