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Photo by: Gary Bogdon

I consider myself an intrepid traveler, but I usually favor adventures of the decidedly soft variety, such as treasure hunting in island shops and sampling exotic local cuisine. Ordinarily I’m happy to keep my feet planted on terra firma – but this particular summer day would turn out to be anything but ordinary.

When I’d first signed up with Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour, an eco-adventure operation nestled in the lush hills north of English Harbour, the thought of zipping along nine zigzagging lines that traverse the emerald canopy and reach heights of 350 feet above the earth seemed like a perfectly good idea. As I arrived for the hour-long heart-pounding adventure that morning, the sun streamed through the clouds, and exotic birds chirped a greeting from concealed tree limbs. Excitement was in the air – at least for my bright-eyed companions. Me? I caught my first glimpse of the towering network of cables, realized just how high 350 feet really is, and wouldn't get out of the car.

But soon enough two brawny young rangers had coerced me from the back seat with promises of a cold Wadadli at the clubhouse.

“Relax, you’ll be fine,” cooed owner Neil Keeling as he read the fear on my face. Gesturing toward the forest dissected by a web of cables and ropes, he assured me that the three-year-old course had been built to the most modern, “double-redundant” specifications, meaning that every harness, rope and zip line had a backup. The operation was fully certified, and all 30 members of the staff had been professionally trained. I was relieved until, with a wink and a nudge, Keeling added: “Just get ready for the Screamer! That one makes grown men cry for their mums.”

I took a seat for the instructional briefing as the rangers demonstrated proper zipping technique and, more importantly, what not to do. I’ve never paid closer attention in my life. Once we’d been deemed competent to hurl ourselves out of trees, we were each fitted into a strappy rope and carabiner ensemble topped off with a handsome hard hat and gardening gloves. I couldn’t stall any longer; we were ready to roll.

Stuffed sardinelike into the first treehouse with my fellow zippers, I peeped fearfully over the ledge – but before I even had time to croak, “Maybe I’ll just watch,” I was trussed, bungeed and clipped to the line, and just as suddenly shoved off the platform on the first leg of my zip-roaring adventure.

I shrieked and clawed desperately at the air with giant gloved hands as I streaked through the trees. I’d forgotten everything I’d just learned, and worse, I was zipping backward, helplessly. Just then, letting go and surrendering to the experience and the apparently fail-safe apparatus, I was struck by a revelation: This crazy zip-lining thing is actually kind of...fun. It turned out throwing caution to the wind and hurtling my body between trees was awesome!

Seconds later, when I landed on the platform across the ravine, I was eagerly looking forward to the eight adrenaline-pumping zips still to come. “I’ll show those weepy men how it’s done,” I thought. “Bring on the Screamer!”

Antigua Rainforest Canopy tours last between 45 minutes and 2½ hours and start at $85 per person. 268-562-6363; antiguarainforest.com

Put Some Zip in Your Trip

Five of our other favorite Caribbean zip-lines and canopy tours...

JAMAICA
With locations in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers two- to three-hour tours with zip lines that span up to 600 feet. Call ahead for reservations. From $89 per adult; 877-424-8552; chukkacaribbean.com

PUERTO RICO
Just 30 minutes outside San Juan, the Canopy Tour in La Marquesa Forest Reserve includes eight zip lines and takes around two hours. Call ahead for reservations. From $45 per adult; 787-444-0110; canopytour.com/puerto-rico.html

ST. KITTS
Located on a former sugar plantation, Sky Safaris St. Kitts boasts five zip lines, the longest of which is 1,350 feet. Call ahead for reservations. From $45 per adult; 869-466-4259; skysafaristkitts.com

ST. LUCIA
Palm Services’ four-hour treetop canopy adventure is an intensive guided hiking tour near Dennery that incorporates seven zip lines as long as 800 feet. Call ahead for reservations. From $65 per adult; 758-458-0908; adventuretourstlucia.com

ST. MARTIN
The Flyzone Xtreme course traverses a 200-year-old forest of mango and mahogany trees and features nearly two hours of zip-line challenges on the grounds of Loterie Farm. No reservations; bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis. From around $80 per person; 011-590-590-87-86-16; loteriefarm.net