Dominica has a wide range of vegetation, due, in part, to the high altitude and the rainfall. There are over 1,000 species of flowering plants, including 74 species of orchid and 200 ferns. The national flower is the bwa kwaib.On the west coast there are an abundance of showy flowers including the orange, pink and yellow lantana, and the bottle-brush-like flowers of the campech. Red, yellow, and green heliconias, and the purple leaves of the blue wax flower, are among many gorgeous species which can be found throughout the interior.

Over 170 species of birds have so far been seen in Dominica, including two types of indigenous parrot, and the twelve species of bats are among the few known land mammals, apart from the people. As well as the birds, there are an enormous amount of interesting insects of all shapes, colours and sizes.

There are no poisonous snakes in Dominica, but there are a few boas around which will do you no harm. Other creatures to be found in the forest include iguanas, opossums (manicou), agouti, frogs (including the mountain chicken), and crabs.

In the sea, as well as an abundance of brightly coloured fish and coral, there are many species of whales, turtles and dolphins.