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Secret Bay

Secret Bay

Dominica

Responsible Choice

We've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.

A peaceful all-villa sanctuary perched on the cliffs of Dominica’s northwest coast.

Ensconced in the rainforest on a secluded headland, Secret Bay lives up to its name. There are no rooms here — instead, you’ll have your own spacious villa, complete with plunge pool, kitchen, and indoor-outdoor living space. You’ll also have a dedicated villa host (like a butler, guide, and housekeeper in one), as well as access to private chefs, so you never have to leave your bubble of peace, except to explore the waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and turquoise ocean that lie beyond.

Though, the resort has more than enough to tempt you out of your villa, with two sandy beaches (one of which can only be reached by kayak or a gentle swim), plus a treehouse-style spa, island-to-table restaurants, and an alfresco wellness pavilion for morning yoga. What’s more, this secluded luxury doesn’t come at the expense of sustainability — protecting and working alongside nature is woven into every element of the resort.

OUR OPINION:

While the villas are meticulously designed, we love how wild it feels at Secret Bay. Trees sprout out of jagged precipices, hummingbirds flit by your terrace, and the black-sand beach below is strewn with rocks.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

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who's been there
Audley Travel Specialist Elizabeth

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Rooms

Designed by Venezuelan architect Fruto Vivas, Secret Bay’s hardwood villas are well scattered across the resort for privacy. Each has a private plunge pool, a fully equipped kitchen, and a covered terrace, and you can choose between rainforest or ocean views. Options range from intimate one-bedroom villas to family-friendly set-ups with two main rooms and a smaller room suitable for a child. If you plan on visiting as a larger group, you can opt for an estate-style stay, where multiple villas are connected by private pathways.

Location

Making its home on a forested clifftop on Dominica’s northwest coast, Secret Bay overlooks the Caribbean Sea and borders the quiet village of Tibay, near Portsmouth (Dominica’s second-largest town). The nearest airport is around an hour by car, while the mangroves of Indian River and the coral reefs of Cabrits National Park are just a short drive away. Secret Bay provides a tucked-away base for exploring the rest of Dominica, too.

Food and drink

  • All cuisine focuses on organic and hyper-local produce.
  • Sit-down breakfast and in-villa breakfast baskets are included in all stays.
  • Bwa Denn’s rooftop lounge offers tapas dining and a taster experience on certain evenings.
  • Zing Zing is an intimate open-air restaurant, offering a six-course menu and cocktails. Botanica’s Chef’s Table experience takes place in the resort’s organic garden, with cooking classes on select days.
  • In-villa dining with a personal chef and private dining experiences are available, too.

Families

  • Larger villas and multi-villa estates to suit larger groups.
  • Clubs and guided tours designed for children and young adults.
  • Babysitting and childcare available.
  • Family activities include snorkelling, nature walks, private cooking classes, and birdwatching.

Honeymooners

  • All villas are private and have their own plunge pools.
  • Honeymoon Villas are located on the farthest reaches of the clifftop, with uninterrupted sea views.
  • In-villa and private dining options available.

Facilities and activities

  • Gommier Spa: a treehouse-style spa overlooking Tibay Beach.
  • Bwa Mang Wellness Pavilion: a yoga space suspended over the Cario River.
  • Bwa Denn: a social space that includes a restaurant, art gallery, and microbrewery.
  • Oceanfront pool and pool bar.
  • Two secluded beaches, and access to another beach a short drive away.
  • A funicular, which ascends high into the coastal jungle.
  • Complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment.
  • The on-call concierge can book guided experiences, including an Indian River tour, canyoning, hiking, birdwatching, whale-watching boat trips, diving, and community visits.

Accessibility

  • Secret Bay has partnered with the Open Doors Organization to train staff and improve accessibility within the resort.
  • Wheelchair-accessible villas with grab bars, elevators, and ramps.
  • Wheelchair-accessible routes to the restaurant, bar, and beach, as well as a wheelchair-accessible funicular into the jungle.
  • Wheelchair-accessible experiences available, such as visits to Fort Young and Freshwater Lake.

Environmental and social responsibility

A certified Green Globe resort, Secret Bay was designed with sustainability at its core. Less than 10% of the resort is built up, and the villas are constructed from sustainably sourced Guyanese hardwood. Single-use plastics have been eliminated, in-villa composting is available, and ingredients for the restaurants are sourced responsibly. The vast majority of the Secret Bay team are local, which, in turn, feeds into the economy.

Location & places nearby

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    Price range

    We create trips as individual as you, so you won't find any set prices on our website. Your specialist will design your journey from scratch, selecting every element around your passions and preferences. The result is a unique itinerary with a unique price. This itinerary is just an idea, and our guide pricing is an indication of how much this kind of trip might cost, depending on factors like when you travel, how far in advance you plan, where you stay, and what you choose to experience.