My heart was pounding. I clipped my carabiner onto the cable and took a deep breath as I sat into my harness and took a big step…into thin air. I went roaring along a cable suspended across the Antigua rain forest, seconds later landing safely on the platform across the ravine. Tim, my dad and I had spotted the course on our drive around the island the day before and booked a tour to zip line in Antigua. This was just the first in a series of zip lines and suspension bridges we’d navigate for the next two and a half hours.
I’d been zip lining a couple times before in St. Maarten, but no matter how many times I’d taking that flying leap, my heart still raced with each new zip-line. The suspension bridges and rope challenges between each of the tree house platforms served as a distraction.
That is until we got to the highest, longest and fastest zip-line on the tour. It’s called The Screamer and stretches 328 feet across a ravine 350 feet above the rain forest floor. We could just barely see the others waiting on the platform on the other side.
I’d mastered the 11 zip lines before this one, so thought “bring it on.” What an adrenaline rush as I soared onto the platform mere seconds later.
Exhilarated and tired from swinging through the rainforest rope challenge and navigating over the planks of suspension bridges, just one last obstacle stood between me and a nice cold tropical drink in the cafe. It was a 45 foot high controlled descent called The Leap of Faith. Even after surviving The Screamer, it wasn’t easy clipping my carabiner in and stepping off that platform. As it turns out, throwing caution to the wind and flying through the rainforest like a monkey is a lot of fun!
Know Before You Go
- Tours start at 9am, 10am, 11am, or 12pm and start at $85 per person.
- The minimum height for the Full Canopy Tour is 5 feet and maximum weight is 250 lbs.
- Wear closed toed shoes. No flip flops allowed for safety reasons.
- Note that cameras also are not allowed for safety reasons. The professionally trained guides will take photos during your canopy tour.
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Monica says
This looks like so much fun! And also pretty freaking scary. I’d love to go on a zipline this big.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely a lot of fun, Monica! I hear the longest zipline is in South Africa. Might need to give that one a go when we finally make it to South Africa!
Jessica says
We went ziplining in Thailand and it was an awesome experience. Just when I was getting comfortable, our guide insisted that we go across one line without holding on, with our arms and legs out “like Superman”. We also had to do a drop at the end, similar to the Leap of Faith. It was supposed to be a controlled descent, but they let me (and a lot of the other guests) drop really fast at first, just to freak us out. It was fun, but terrifying.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Oh my gosh, that would certainly give you a rush! Where in Thailand did you go ziplining? We’re going to Thailand for the first time in November.
Jessica says
We went in Chiang Mai, up in the mountains – I recommend it!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks for the tip, Jessica! We will be spending a few days in the north and we’ll have to see if we can squeeze in some zip-lining there.
Andrea says
Ziplining is so much fun – must feel like Tarzan!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Agreed, Andrea! It is a lot of fun and it is kind of like Tarzan swinging from tree to tree. 🙂
jill says
I used to pooh pooh zipline as not being exciting enough, but I finally tried one in Hawaii that’s longer than a football field and very steep – and I got hooked!! When done right, it can be veeeery fun!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Absolutely agree, Jill! There are definitely lame zip lines out there, but the ones we’ve done in the Caribbean definitely were heart racers.
Ali says
I go back and forth about whether I actually want to try zip lining someday. Seems like fun, but I don’t think I can make the decision until I’m actually in a location where I might actually do it.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
What’s holding you back from zip-lining, Ali?
liza says
I recently did my first zip line “jump” and totally loved it. I am searching for more Zipline places now online, thats how I cam across this site.
Scott says
We’re looking into this too! Any advice on an all-inclusive nearby?
Sarah Smith says
My brother and husband love to feel the adrenaline rush of bungee jumping. From what you say about how zip lining allows you to soar through the canopy of a jungle and explore large stretches of land quickly, I think they would really enjoy it. Maybe we should look for zipline tours the next time we travel.