Waterfalls

Experience Mother Nature at her best at Somerset Falls. A gondola ride carries you to the falls, tucked away in an enchanting rainforest, or you can take guided tours around the botanical gardens and explore Spanish ruins of centuries past. Other smaller, almost unknown waterfalls in the area include Nanny Falls near Mooretown, Scatterwater Falls, and McKenzie Falls which cascade into the Sarah (pronounced “say”) River, a tributary of the Rio Grande. These waterfalls can be enjoyed during some of the hikes offered by Valley Hikes. For the more adventurous, there are the White River Falls which are at the end of a three-hour hike from Millbank, a village deep in the Rio Grande Valley. Getting to Millbank means a torturous drive along exceptionally bad roads, but with spectacular scenery. The drive takes at least two hours from Port Antonio, but the end result is well worthwhile.

One of the area’s most captivating natural wonders, Reach Falls, is a short drive away from Port Antonio. Recognised as one of the most beautiful natural waterfalls of Jamaica, Reach Falls is a series of cascades that tumble over limestone tiers from one jade-coloured pool to the next. The main falls pour into fresh, mountain spring water pools deep enough for diving, and a half-mile hike up the river through unspoiled rainforest leads to Mandingo Cave, a quarter-mile long cave with a whirlpool in the middle that’s ideal for wading. Check with your hotel about getting to the falls before setting out.