Bottom time is probably the number one goal of your vacation. But most divers also want a bit more from their trip, whether it's hiking, shopping, water sports or just relaxation.
At several of the most popular spots on the world dive map, you can enjoy a less-expected adventure during surface intervals: A river rafting trip. Whether you are into white-water rapids or just a relaxing drift on a scenic stream, here are four destinations where you can add a bit of fresh water to the mix.
Costa Rica
Central America's eco-adventure capital has all the elements needed for world-class rafting adventures, and more than a dozen rivers to choose from. Up to 200 inches of rain fall on Costa Rica's mountains each year, creating rushing rivers that plummet more than a mile as they run to the sea. There are routes that challenge experts, trips that deliver more civilized white-water thrills, and excursions that provide calm drifts through lush jungle settings.
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If you are up for exciting plunges over head-high waterfalls and rides through big standing waves, rivers like the Pacuare, Naranjo El Rio Toro deliver the goods. For a less demanding but still thrilling whitewater experience, the Reventazón is Costa Rica's most popular choice, and the Sarapiquí and Balsa Rivers are also favorites. If relaxation is more your thing, the Corobicí and Tempisque Rivers offer leisurely drifts that pass-through rainforests and wetlands, and a float through the lush Turrialba Valley on the Pejibaye River can include stops for swimming and picnics.
Belize
The Mopan River descends from the highlands of the Mayan Mountains in a stair-step fashion that alternates between exhilarating waterfall-like plunges and calm pools where rafters can catch their breath. It's a white-water experience that's suitable for all ages, with the added attractions of warm water and spectacular jungle scenery. Opt for a canoe instead of a raft and you can explore the waters of the central Macal River, with stops for a tour of the Belize Botanic Gardens and a lunch stop at a local village.
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Belize reveals its darker side on the Cave Branch River, where tubes rather than rafts are the float of choice. After donning a life jacket and headlamp, tubers drift into darkness as they transit a pair of river caves that lead through subterranean chambers. For a more relaxing raft trip, head to the village of Mango Creek for a leisurely drift through a lush lowland forest on the spring-fed Rio Grande River.
Dominica
The Caribbean's Nature Island lays claim to 365 rivers, but only a few are large enough to float a boat or launch a raft. The island's longest river is the Layou, which flows to the Caribbean through deep gorges and lush rainforests as it alternates between small, lively rapids and tranquil pools. Instead of multi-passenger rafts, most drifts are done on single-person tubes. On Dominica's east coast, the Pagua River offers a similar tubing experience, with the added attraction of drifting along the border of the Kalinago Territory, which is home to the Caribbean's only remaining site of this indigenous culture.
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Passengers who don't want to wet their backsides in a tube ride can opt for a different type of voyage on the Indian River. The shores of this shaded jungle stream are lined with the huge roots of overhanging bloodwood trees, creating an otherworldly scene that some might recognize as a movie setting from the Pirates of The Caribbean.
Fiji
Whitewater rafting isn't something you'd think of when conjuring visions of Fiji. But if you head inland from Pacific Harbor on Viti Levu's southern coast, a fast-flowing adventure awaits in the waters of the upper Navu River. Fed by jungle streams flowing from the island's mountainous interior, the Navu plunges through a deep tree-lined gorge in a series of rapids and small waterfalls. It's a trip that offers plenty of thrills but isn't just for white-water experts.
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As the Navu approaches the ocean, the flow mellows and creates opportunities for milder float activities. Here, river runners can bounce through small rapids in tubes or inflatable kayaks or board a traditional Fijian bamboo raft for a guided float. These trips often include stops for village tours and swims in a waterfall pool.
For more information on adventure travel, email a Caradonna agent at sales@caradonna.com.