Tamarind Falls

Known locally as Tamarin Falls or the Seven Cascades, this chain of waterfalls steps down a green gorge in the island's interior, each drop filling a pool deep enough to swim in and, at several, to jump into from the rocks above. The full route strings the cascades together over a few hours of walking, scrambling and wading through forest that feels far removed from the beach resorts twenty minutes away - basalt walls, hanging vines, and the constant noise of falling water. A viewpoint above the gorge gives the wide-angle version for those who want the scenery without the descent.

What you actually see

• The upper viewpoint - the panorama over the gorge and its stacked falls.
• The swimming pools - deep basins below several of the cascades.
• The cliff jumps - guided leaps at the pools with the depth for it.
• The gorge forest - basalt walls, endemic plants and birdsong on the descent.

When to go

Flow is strongest in the warm, wet months from January to May, which is also when jumps and pools are at their best. The cooler dry season makes for more comfortable hiking with lower water. After heavy rain the trail turns slick and dangerous - guides cancel, and that call should always be respected.

Honest expectations

This is a genuine hike, not a roadside stop: steep, slippery, rocky in places, with river crossings, and it takes several hours. Going with a licensed guide is the sensible and usual choice - route-finding is not obvious and people have needed rescue here. Cliff jumping carries real risk and depths change with rainfall; jump only where a guide says and never head-first. Sturdy shoes that can get wet are essential.

Nearby

Black River Gorges National Park, the Chamarel coloured earths and Grand Bassin are all in the same highland belt.