Roseau in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Roseau

29°C (85°F) High Temp

22°C (71°F) Low Temp

0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

Dry season officially starts - January has the lowest rainfall of the year with only 0.0 mm (0.0 inches), making it ideal for whale watching as seas are calmest between 7am-11am
Perfect hiking weather with temperatures peaking at 29°C (85°F) - cool enough for the 6-hour Morne Diablotin trail but warm enough for swimming at the waterfalls afterward
Carnival season begins - January kicks off pre-Lenten festivities with traditional Mas Domnik rehearsals every Saturday evening at Windsor Park Stadium
Sperm whale season peaks - January through March offers 85% success rates for spotting whales along the western coast, compared to 40% in other months

Considerations

High season pricing - accommodation rates increase 30-50% compared to summer months, with minimum 3-night stays required at most properties
Crowds from cruise ships - 2-3 ships dock weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, overwhelming Roseau's narrow streets between 8am-4pm
Trade winds can be gusty - reaching 25-30 km/h (15-19 mph), making snorkeling at Dominica choppy and less enjoyable for beginners

Best Activities in January

Whale Watching Tours

January is peak sperm whale season with 85% sighting success rates. Calm morning seas (wave heights under 1m/3ft) make this the most comfortable month for those prone to seasickness. Tours run 7:30am-12:30pm when whales are most active feeding.

Booking Tip: Book 14-21 days ahead through certified operators - prices range EC$180-250 per person. Morning tours have higher success rates than afternoon. Look for boats with certified naturalist guides and hydrophones for listening to whale songs.

Morne Diablotin Summit Hikes

January's dry weather makes the 1,447m (4,747ft) summit accessible via the 6-hour trail. Morning temperatures of 22°C (71°F) are perfect for the steep ascent, while afternoon temps of 29°C (85°F) are ideal for post-hike waterfall swimming at Syndicate Falls.

Booking Tip: Independent hiking possible with proper gear, or guided tours cost EC$120-180 per person. Start by 7am to avoid afternoon heat. Certified mountain guides recommended for cloud forest navigation - book through licensed eco-tour operators.

Rainforest Canopy Tours

Dry January conditions mean zip-line platforms aren't slippery and wildlife viewing is excellent as animals seek water sources near tour routes. The Morne Trois Pitons area offers 200m+ (650ft+) zip-lines with guaranteed sisserou parrot sightings in morning tours.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead, tours typically EC$95-140 per person including transport from Roseau. Morning slots (8am-11am) have best wildlife viewing. Look for operators with certified safety equipment and naturalist guides.

Boiling Lake Expeditions

January's dry conditions make the challenging 13km (8-mile) round-trip hike safest, with river crossings at lowest levels. This is the only month locals recommend for first-time hikers attempting Dominica's most famous trek to the world's second-largest Dominica.

Booking Tip: Mandatory guided tours only - EC$200-300 per person with certified guides. Book 2-3 weeks ahead as only 3-4 operators are licensed. Requires excellent fitness - 8-hour expedition with 800m (2,625ft) elevation gain.

River Tubing Adventures

January's moderate water levels on the Saintvincentandthegrenadines River create perfect tubing conditions - fast enough for excitement but safe for beginners. Water temperature stays around 24°C (75°F), comfortable for 2-3 hour floating trips through rainforest canyons.

Booking Tip: Tours cost EC$80-120 per person including equipment and transport. Book 5-7 days ahead through operators with insurance coverage. Afternoon tours (1pm-4pm) are warmer but morning tours have better wildlife sightings.

Scuba Diving at Scotts Head

January offers the best underwater visibility (20-25m/65-80ft) and calmest conditions at this Atlantic-Caribbean convergence point. Water temperature is 26°C (79°F) - perfect for exploring the champagne bubbles and diverse marine life without thick wetsuits.

Booking Tip: Two-tank dives cost EC$180-250, certification courses EC$450-600. Book 10-14 days ahead with PADI-certified operators. Morning dives have better visibility before afternoon trade winds pick up.

January Events & Festivals

Every weekend in January

World Creole Music Festival Warm-up Events

January features smaller venues hosting traditional Cadence and Bouyon music performances every weekend as artists prepare for the main festival later in the year. Local musicians perform at Fort Young Hotel and Evergreen Hotel Friday evenings.

Every Saturday evening

Carnival Preparation Season

Traditional Mas Domnik (Devil Mas) groups hold weekly rehearsals at Windsor Park Stadium every Saturday 6pm-9pm. Visitors can watch costume preparation and learn traditional songs before the February Carnival celebrations.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 daily with intense tropical sun reflecting off water during whale watching tours

Quick-dry hiking pants - essential for Dominica trek where you'll cross 6 rivers and encounter muddy cloud forest terrain

Lightweight rain jacket - though January is dry season, brief afternoon showers occur on 10 days, lasting 15-20 minutes

Reef-safe snorkel gear - many operators don't provide quality masks, and reef-safe sunscreen is required by law at marine reserves

Sturdy waterproof hiking boots - trails remain muddy from December rains, and river crossings require good ankle support

Dry bag for electronics - essential for whale watching, river tubing, and waterfall hikes where splashing is inevitable

Insect repellent with DEET - rainforest mosquitoes are active year-round, particularly at dawn/dusk near rivers

Breathable cotton or linen clothing - avoid polyester in 70% humidity, especially during midday temperatures of 29°C (85°F)

Waterproof phone case - crucial for whale watching tours and waterfall photography where spray is constant

Comfortable sandals with straps - for easy on/off during multiple river crossings and rocky beach entries at Dominica

Insider Knowledge

Arrive at Dominica snorkeling site before 9am or after 2pm - cruise ship tours crowd the site 10am-1pm on Tuesday/Wednesday making it nearly impossible to see the volcanic bubbles clearly

Local buses (EC$2.50 fare) stop running to popular hiking trailheads after 2pm - arrange return transport in advance or risk expensive EC$80+ taxi rides back to Roseau

Many restaurants close Sundays and Mondays during January - stock up on groceries Saturday evening as even hotel restaurants have limited Sunday service outside of Roseau

Book whale watching tours departing from Anchorage Hotel dock rather than cruise ship terminal - you'll skip 30-minute delays waiting for cruise passengers and get better boat positioning for sightings

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating hiking difficulty - many visitors attempt Dominica without proper fitness preparation, requiring expensive helicopter evacuations that insurance doesn't cover

Not bringing cash - most tour operators, restaurants outside Roseau, and transport only accept Eastern Caribbean dollars, and ATMs frequently run empty during high season

Scheduling activities on cruise ship days - Tuesdays and Wednesdays see 2,000+ visitors overwhelming roads, restaurants, and attraction sites making everything crowded and delayed