Bourceau Canyoning in Bouillante, Guadeloupe

Description

Above Malendure and Bouillante, a stone’s throw from the Cousteau Reserve, the Bourceau canyon is a great introduction to canyoning in Guadeloupe. Slides, small jumps and abseils are discovered in complete safety, on a blue-level route open from age 8, during a 3h30 half-day with a state-certified guide.

Canyoning in Bouillante: the Bourceau river

The Bourceau (sometimes spelled “Bourseau”) is a very scenic beginner route, tucked into the forest above Bouillante. You enter the river directly with an abseil of about twenty metres, which drops the group into a lovely pool where small jumps are possible. Then come a waterfall abseil, a jump and a zip line: a taste of every side of canyoning in half a day.

Reassuring for a first time: most obstacles can be bypassed. The guide adapts the route to everyone, and nobody has to jump.

How the trip unfolds

• Meeting in Bouillante, gear handed out and safety briefing.
• Drive and approach walk: a climb of about a quarter of an hour up to the ridge, then a descent with handrail ropes down to the start.
• Canyon descent: big entry abseil, pool, waterfall abseil, jump and zip line.
• Return: half an hour up a gully equipped with fixed ropes, ending at the foot of a beautiful 15-metre waterfall, before joining the trail.

Allow about 3h30 in total, briefing and gear included.

Who is it for?

Blue level: no canyoning experience is needed, and you do not need to be able to swim: what matters is not being afraid of water. The trip is open to families from age 8, accompanied by an adult, and suits groups of friends as well as couples. For an even gentler version with young children, see family canyoning at Acomat; to go further, Rivière Noire in Saint-Claude. Levels are detailed on the canyoning levels page.

Meeting point in Bouillante

The meeting point is the bakery in the Pigeon shopping centre in Bouillante (meet in front of it at 9:30 a.m.). It sits in the heart of the Côte-sous-le-Vent, a few minutes from Malendure beach and the Cousteau Reserve: ideal for combining canyoning and snorkelling during your stay.

Season and weather

Canyoning in Bouillante is possible all year round. As on every river of Basse-Terre, the trip may be cancelled or postponed in case of flooding or storms: you are then refunded or moved to another slot.

What to bring?

Swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, a bottle of water and a snack. Simple trainers that can get wet are enough. Wetsuit, helmet, harness and technical equipment are provided. All practical details are on the participant information page; prices on the rates page and dates on our upcoming availabilities.