When you go away on holiday, what are the main things on your hitlist of things to do to make sure you don’t get too bored? Or is doing nothing precisely what you are looking to do? What about a balance of doing nothing and then breaking it up with one or two excursions?
(The incredible scenery you can zip through!)
If you are thinking of going to Antigua, then going on the Rainforest Canopy Tour and Ziplining through the trees of Antigua’s lush rainforest is one activity you would be crazy to miss. It is one of the highlighted activities of things to do in Antigua and it is easy to see why.
After a few days of lazing around by our pool and mixing it up with trips to the beach, Karin and I took a taxi to the South West of the island and got set for our 9 wire tour with Antigua Rainforest Company. The rangers set us up with all our safety equipment, gave us a quick demonstration on how to zip safely, and we were ready to go.
(Ready for the start of our adventure!)
Usually, I am quite scared of heights. More precisely I have a fear of falling. So Ziplining should not be a fun activity you would think. Yet it is – it’s amazing, and incredibly safe. For each zip wire we did, there were two rangers. One would go first, greet us as we landed at each treetop and then safely zip us up ready for the next line. The other would go last and ensure each zip was safe and clear for us to glide through.
(Ready for landing)
The lines varied in length – often over 200 to 300 feet long, giving us plenty of time to admire the flora and mangrove beneath us as we dashed our way through the course. Then, after we completed the course, it was time for even more fun. An obstacle course consisting of single zip wires we had to balance across to reach the other side, of spaced out planks of wood we had to reach for and bridges to cross with fine balance, but this time with no rangers for company!
(Part of our obstacle course – we didn’t fall)
Fortunately, there were still lines above us that our equipment was completely safely hooked up to. Also, the obstacle course was set in the forest floor area, so could be considered a better option for someone scared of heights as opposed to being above the trees. After the exhilaration of the ziplining, this was a perfect way for us to end our tour, giving us a different type of adrenalin and challenging our mental and physical capabilities.
(Karin showing off on the obstacle course)
As well as Ziplining, the company can offer various combination activities to give you a more packed day out, such as Kayaking and swimming with Sting Rays – giving you additional bang for your buck!
Zip Lining Tips
- Book for early in the morning. The heat won’t be too bad and you won’t sweat so much.
- If you can, be the first group to go out of the day. Handy if you have a full day of activities booked, or you want to whizz quickly around the course.
- Enjoy the view – it is set in a rainforest. What better way to appreciate it than glancing as you hurtle from tree to tree on a zip wire?!
This tour was made possible by Antigua Rainforest Company
All Thoughts and Opinions are Our Own.
ohh nice. I’m sure flying on a zipline is a great way to cool off. Did you happen upon any nice views of the island?
Not so much from where the zip lining was, the canopy was too high to see through, but the island has amazing views from the numerous hillsides you can hike up.