St Lucia is best known as a Caribbean beach destination. And it is a pretty good one. Less touristed than many Caribbean islands, St Lucia is fringed by exotic white sand beaches and colourful, friendly fishing villages. It’s paradise for many, but those who want to have an adventure know that they need to travel beyond the resorts to do it.
How about a St Lucia white water rafting trip? St Lucia is a mountainous island, with steep volcanoes and rocky ridges that drop right down to the sea. Sadly for rafters, though, there is little white water in the island’s mountain rivers. Kayakers can enjoy travelling through tropical forests, and along the coast, but rafters will need to go elsewhere to get their fix.
There are other places in the Caribbean that you can experience wild white water. The Dominican Republic’s highlands are the first choice of many Caribbean rafters. Head to the central mountains and the town of Jarabacoa, near where the Yaque del Norte River begins its journey. You’ll find yourself hurtling through rainforest on class 3-4 rapids.
Jamaica is another popular rafting destination in the Caribbean. In the Caliche Rainforest, close to Montego Bay, you’ll find several great river runs through the trees, with infrastructure improving all the time. You’ll fly along rapids that start at class 3, and swell to class 5 during the rainy season.
If you want a St Lucia white water rafting trip, you’ll need to be willing to take a journey across the Caribbean Sea. But that journey is worth the effort. Imagine yourself paddling over rapids through rich, green rainforest, and you will understand why.
