Saut Maripa

Saut Maripa is the first great rapids of the Oyapock, a kilometre and more of water breaking over rock ledges across the full width of the river a short pirogue ride above Saint-Georges, with Brazil on the far bank and forest on both sides. In the dry season the ledges emerge and pools between them are calm enough to swim; in high water the whole thing is a single roar. An old portage railway once carried boats around it.

The landscape

• The rapids - over a kilometre of ledges across the full river.
• The dry-season pools - calm basins between the rock bars for swimming.
• The two banks - France on one side, Brazil on the other.
• The portage remains - traces of the old railway built to pass the rapids.

When to go

July to November is the dry season, when the ledges emerge and swimming is possible. High water from April to June turns it into continuous whitewater. Trips run in the morning before heat and storms.

What to expect

Everything depends on negotiating a pirogue in Saint-Georges and prices move. Currents around the rapids are dangerous outside the obvious pools. There are no facilities of any kind.

Nearby

Saint-Georges is downstream, and Oiapoque is across the river.

Key facts