Illustrated landscape representing Chamarel

Chamarel

Coloured volcanic earth, a 100-metre waterfall and a rum distillery, in one small inland pocket.

What it is

A village on the southwest plateau above Le Morne. The Seven Coloured Earths are low dunes of weathered volcanic clay in bands of red, brown and violet, viewed from a boardwalk. The Chamarel waterfall drops roughly 100 metres into a gorge and is seen from a platform. A working rum distillery nearby runs tastings.

Why go

It breaks up a beach week without demanding a day, and the drive up the escarpment has the best views on the island.

When to go

Any month. Morning light shows the colours best. Be clear about the scale: the coloured earths are a fenced area you view from a walkway in about fifteen minutes, and the waterfall is a viewpoint rather than a walk. Combined with the distillery and the drive, it is a half day, not a full one.

Most people stay Half day.

Where to go here

Trips that go here

Talk to someone who has been there