I recently went on a 90-minute bamboo rafting tour in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. It was a peaceful and scenic experience— comfortably seated, taking in the lush landscape around me while our raft captain skillfully guided us through the meandering Roseau River, St. Lucia’s largest river.
Table of Contents
A Special Milestone: My 50th Country
This short trip to St. Lucia held special meaning for me—it was the 50th country I’ve visited!
I had planned a packed itinerary, hoping to fit in 4–5 adventures over my four-day stay. However, unpredictable weather, with frequent rain showers, limited my activities. By the end of Day 3, I had only managed two excursions:
- A hike to view the famous twin Pitons, followed by a mud bath and a waterfall dip.
- A visit to the market in the capital, Castries.
Aside from some quick beach visits, that was all I had done so far.
So, when Day 4 arrived with a sunny forecast, I was eager to make the most of it. My pick? A bamboo rafting experience—something I had never tried before!
My Bamboo Rafting in St. Lucia Video
Bamboo Rafting on the Roseau River
Check-In & A Mid-Morning Cocktail
Checking in for the tour was quick and easy. As a welcome, I was offered a rum punch—and even though it was just past 11 a.m., who says no to a good cocktail? 🍹
I then met our raft guide, AJ, who led me towards the river.
The Raft & Safety Briefing
- Before we boarded, AJ gave us a quick safety rundown. Since he would be doing all the work, our job was simple:
- Wear a life jacket
- Sit back and enjoy the ride
- No sudden movements or rocking the raft
That was it!
The Bamboo Raft
Interestingly, bamboo is not native to St. Lucia—it was introduced centuries ago from Asia but has since become the country’s national tree. The rafts are made by tying long bamboo poles together with shorter crossbeams for support.
Decades ago, these rafts were used to transport bananas from the plantations in the Roseau Valley. However, changing international trade rules devastated St. Lucia’s banana industry. Today, these same rafts have found a new purpose—floating eager tourists down the river.
The raft had two elevated twin seats—one for passengers and a smaller one at the back for storing bags. The design kept us dry while we drifted over the water.
A Tranquil Journey Through Nature on Roseau River
AJ guided the raft downstream, explaining that we would cover about 3 km before returning upstream with the help of a motorboat.
As we floated along, I took in the scenery—lush plantain and coconut trees, frangipani, water lilies, and towering grasses. Mangroves lined parts of the riverbank, adding to the tropical atmosphere.
Then, the river narrowed into a peaceful, shaded “Lovers’ Lane.”
Here, the only sounds were AJ’s pole gently dipping into the water and birds chirping in the trees. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, creating a dreamy ambiance. According to AJ, this is where couples often steal a quiet kiss while the guide respectfully looks away.
But even for solo travelers like me, this was the perfect spot to simply close my eyes and soak in the serenity.
A Pause at the River’s Edge
After a few more twists and turns, we reached a stretch of land separating the Roseau River from the Caribbean Sea. We hopped off the raft for a short break.
A local vendor approached with a basket of fresh tangerines and guavas. I bought a couple of ripe guavas, and they were delicious—sweet and almost mushy.
Nearby, there was a small restaurant and the usual souvenir stand selling local handicrafts, hot sauce, and other keepsakes.
The Return Journey
For the return trip, our raft was tied to another, which was then connected to a motorboat. The boat powered upstream, pulling us much faster than our gentle downstream journey.
Soon, we were back at the dock, where we said our goodbyes to AJ and took home some unforgettable memories.
A Tip for Adventurers for Bamboo Rafting in St. Lucia
Bamboo rafting in St. Lucia was a relaxing and scenic experience, offering a different way to explore the island’s natural beauty. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, consider kayaking on the Roseau River instead!