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A 30 to 40m charter yacht visiting Dominica in the 2026 winter season prices at $85,000 to $125,000 per week peak (mid-December through mid-April) when booked through the standard Antigua, Guadeloupe, or Martinique embarkation. Dominica itself is not a base for the bracket; the island has roughly 750 square kilometres of rainforest, two main anchorages, and a charter infrastructure built around the licensed boat boys at Portsmouth rather than a marina. Charter yachts at this LOA visit Dominica on a one-way leg between Guadeloupe and Martinique, or as the deep-cultural day of a Caribbean rotation. The cruising area covers Prince Rupert Bay at Portsmouth, the Roseau anchorage off the capital, and the Indian River as the marquee tender excursion.
Why Dominica is a stop, not a base
Dominica's two main yacht anchorages are open to the western leeward side: Prince Rupert Bay (Portsmouth) at the northern end and Roseau roadstead off the capital. Neither has a marina capable of holding the 30 to 40m bracket. Portsmouth has the better protection, the licensed boat boys (PAYS, the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services, runs the mooring and security framework), and the access to the Indian River. Roseau is the cruise-ship anchorage; the bracket holds offshore and tenders in for the morning Trafalgar Falls excursion. Both anchorages are deep close to shore, the bracket anchors in 30m to 50m of water, and a long scope on the rode is standard.
The decision to visit Dominica versus skip it is the editorial question for a Caribbean charter week. Dominica is the green Caribbean: rainforest, hot springs, waterfalls, and the second-most-protected biodiversity in the lesser Antilles after Saba. It is not the beach Caribbean. Charter clients who specifically book Dominica are after the hiking, the boiling lake, and the Indian River tender ride, not the swim platform afternoon.
What the Dominica cruising area offers
The Indian River. The marquee tender excursion. A 30 to 40 minute paddle (no engines allowed) up a freshwater river through bloodwood swamp from Portsmouth, with a licensed boat boy as guide. The single best 2 hours on a Dominica visit. Pre-arranged through PAYS on arrival.
Cabrits National Park. The promontory at the northern end of Prince Rupert Bay with the restored Fort Shirley. A 90 minute hike from the Portsmouth tender quay, captain-arranged.
Trafalgar Falls. The twin waterfalls 20 minutes inland from Roseau. The Roseau tender stop excursion, with a local guide and a 4x4. Half-day commitment.
Boiling Lake. The 30 minute geothermal lake at the centre of Morne Trois Pitons National Park. A serious 6 to 8 hour hike, only attempted by charter clients with the fitness for it and the captain who has the local guide arrangement. The differentiating Dominica excursion for the active week.
Soufriere and Champagne Reef. The southwestern coast snorkel anchorage with the bubble-stream from the volcanic vents on the seabed. A morning stop, captain-coordinated.
What rates this looks like in 2026 winter
Rates below are the weekly rates from the nearest practical embarkation port (Antigua, Pointe-a-Pitre, or Fort-de-France) that includes Dominica in the rotation. Peak season pricing (mid-December through mid-April) before APA at 25 percent and gratuity at 15 percent.
| LOA bracket | Motor yacht (low to high) | Sailing yacht and motor-sailor (low to high) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 33m | $85K to $103K per week | $61K to $85K per week |
| 33 to 36m | $99K to $117K per week | $75K to $101K per week |
| 36 to 40m | $113K to $125K per week | $91K to $121K per week |
Dominica itself does not add a base premium; it adds 1 to 2 days of cruising time to the rotation, which usually means a 10-night charter rather than a 7-night. PAYS mooring fees are roughly $30 to $50 per night for the 30 to 40m bracket, payable in cash on arrival. Cruising permit fees apply at the standard Dominica rate.
What this bracket does in Dominica
Anchorages. Prince Rupert Bay at Portsmouth (the standard) and Roseau roadstead off the capital. The northern bay at Toucari is a quieter alternative if the wind is dropping. The bracket does not anchor on the windward side; the Atlantic coast is closed to charter operation.
Quay berths. None for the bracket. PAYS mooring at Portsmouth or tender from anchor at Roseau.
Tenders. The Indian River tender excursion is run by the yacht boys, not the on-board tender (no engines allowed on the river). The on-board tender is for the swim and snorkel stops at Champagne Reef and the Cabrits.
At-anchor stabilizers. Required. Prince Rupert Bay is reasonably protected; the Roseau roadstead is open and takes 1m to 2m of swell on a normal day.
Provisioning. Limited. The bracket provisions at Guadeloupe or Martinique on either side. Dominica's local fresh produce (cassava, dasheen, breadfruit, fresh fish from the Portsmouth boats) is excellent and worth a market visit, but the cheese, wine, and dry-store provisioning is not at Antigua or Pointe-a-Pitre quality.
Trip shapes that work
The 10-night Pointe-a-Pitre to Le Marin one-way through Dominica. The standard Dominica inclusion. Two nights Les Saintes, two nights Portsmouth (Indian River, Cabrits, Champagne Reef), one night Roseau (Trafalgar Falls), four nights Martinique. The trip for the cultural and active Caribbean week.
The 14-night Antigua to St Lucia one-way deep southern arc. Two nights Antigua, two nights Guadeloupe, two nights Dominica, three nights Martinique, three nights St Lucia, two nights return. The case for a 2 week stretch with Dominica as the green half.
The 3-night Dominica add-on from Pointe-a-Pitre. For clients who want the Indian River and the rainforest but not a full Dominica week. Embark Pointe-a-Pitre, push south to Portsmouth for two nights, return north through Les Saintes. The minimum-commitment way to include Dominica.
Where this bracket falls short in Dominica
The pure beach week. Dominica's beaches are dark volcanic sand, not white. Clients who want the white-sand Caribbean week book Anguilla, the BVI, or the Grenadines.
The dock-and-dine week. There is no Dominica yacht harbour with restaurant frontage at the bracket level. Dinners are tendered ashore at Portsmouth or Roseau, or kept on board.
The shopping week. Dominica is the green Caribbean, not the duty-free Caribbean. Clients who want St Barths shopping go to St Barths.
The pick
For an active family of 8 on a 10-night Pointe-a-Pitre to Le Marin one-way in late February including two nights at Portsmouth: a 38m motor yacht with strong tender complement, an at-anchor stabilizer package, and a captain who has worked PAYS and the Indian River. Budget: $185K plus APA, all-in roughly $267K. Booking lead time: 6 months.
For a couples-only 7-night Pointe-a-Pitre round-trip with a 2-night Dominica push: a 33m motor yacht with a guide-trained captain for the boiling lake hike. Budget: $108K plus APA, all-in roughly $156K. Booking lead time: 5 months.
What sits next to this page
The neighbouring siblings are 30-40m Guadeloupe, 30-40m Martinique, 30-40m St Lucia, and 30-40m Antigua. For destination editorial, see Charter Caribbean. For the green-Caribbean case, see Best French West Indies charters and Caribbean charter weekly rates.
Land-side context is on VillasForKings Dominica and HotelsForKings Dominica.