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Boiling Lake

Boiling Lake, Dominica
Boiling Lake / Jean & Nathallie, / CC BY 2.0

WorldBlue  In short

The second largest hot lake in the world is Boiling Lake in Dominica – only the Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand is larger.

4.8 out of 10 stars 48.3%

GPS coordinates
15.3184 N 61.2941 W
Location, address
North America, Caribbean, Dominica, Saint Patrick, in Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Map of the site

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WorldYellow In detail

Creation of phreatic eruption

This lake is located on the flanks of Morne Watt volcano (1 224 m tall). This lake is found in a lush tropical forest, some 780 – 800 m above sea level.

Boiling Lake has formed in an explosion crater – here groundwater reached overheated rocks and the pressure of steam caused a spectacular explosion, leaving a deep and wide scar in the ground. Such an event is called – phreatic eruption.

Boiling Lake, Dominica
Boiling Lake / Titanium The Dog, / CC BY 2.0

The crater of the Boiling lake is 85 by 75 m large. Information about the depth is contradicting (or – may be changing?). In 1875 the measured depth exceeded 59 m, but now the reported depth is 10 – 15 m.

Underwater fumarole

The mountains of Dominica are shrouded in clouds for most of the time – the climate here is very wet. Soon after the eruption, the crater was filled with rainwater and several small streams.

At the bottom of this lake is located fumarole – a vent which emits hot steam and gases with high content of sulfur and arsenic.

As a result the lake is constantly bubbling: it emits gases and is roughly 90 °C hot in the middle. Bubbles of boiling groundwater rise up through the lake and heat the lake water.

Water of this weird lake is greyish-blue, acidic. The whole area is shrouded in an eternal cloud of vapor.

Boiling Lake, Dominica
Boiling Lake / Jean & Nathallie, / CC BY 2.0

Recent history

Latest eruption of Morne Watt volcano took place around 640 AD – thus it is possible that Boiling Lake is not much older.

This crater lake is constantly changing. Thus – in 1870, when it was discovered by first Europeans – Mr. Watt and Dr. Nicholls – the lake was large and deep.

Soon after there happened a phreatic eruption near the lake (in Valley of Desolation) and around 1880 this lake became almost empty. In the centre of former lake formed a fountain of hot water, similar to a geyser. It was up to 18 m high. Later, as the water filled the grater, it disappeared.

In December 2004 there was another phreatic explosion nearby and level of the lake fell again for some 10 m – until the April 2005. Now it is filled with boiling water again.

Today Boiling Lake is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Dominica. In order to access it tourists are walking 13 km along a spectacular path through the rainforest.

Lake has tall, steep banks and it is dangerous to walk too near to it.

WorldYellow Linked articles

Dominica - mountainous island rising from the Caribbean
Dominica – mountainous island rising from the Caribbean / Francisco Daum, Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Wonders of Dominica

Dominica is one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands.

Highlights of this small, green island are:

  • Geothermal features, including the second largest hot spring lake in the world – Boiling Lake.
  • Waterfalls – scenic and powerful falls in a lush jungle setting.
The lake of acid in Ijen Crater, Indonesia
The lake of acid in Ijen Crater / © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons

Lakes and streams

There are many factors that can make lakes, sea bays, or rivers unusual. Some lakes have unusual chemical properties and even do not contain water at all – such as lava lakes. Others may have unusual animals living in them or… legends about such animals.

Street in Trinidad, Cuba
Street in Trinidad / Elemaki, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Wonders of Caribbean

The Caribbean is a unique group of islands. These islands are somewhat similar – tropical islands surrounded by the blue Caribbean sea. At the same time, they are very diverse – from enormous Cuba to minuscule Saba, from dry Bonaire to jungle-covered mountains of Trinidad, and from the flat Bahamas to mountainous Dominica.

WorldYellow Recommended books

The Dominica Story: A History of the Island


This text traces the origin and development of this island from its volcanic formation to 1994. The author interweaves the island’s history with geography, ecology, folklore, and social custom to inform the reader about both Dominica and Caribbean history as a whole.


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