Plunge into a Mineral Water Filled Subterranean Cavern
I always enjoy vacationing in Jamaica, especially when we get off the resort to really appreciate the natural beauty the island has to offer. Jamaica’s descriptive moniker has been “the land of wood and water” for many years, and for good reason. The island has countless awesome rivers, waterfalls, natural wading pools and incredible swimming holes that I can barely keep track. There’s the Blue Lagoon of Brooke Shields fame out by Port Antonio, the Cool Blue Hole and the Cascade (Thatch River) Blue Hole located near Ocho Rios, and several others scattered across the island. As this was our first visit to Negril, we wanted to check out the nearby ‘Blue Hole Mineral Spring‘, situated close to Jamaica’s southwest coast. We heard that the property consists of a nice hotel along with some other buildings and a pool. Of course, the feature attraction is a 25-30 foot gaping hole in the rocky limestone ground. Just over 20 feet down, the karst cave is filled with inviting light blue water. Similar to Negril’s most famous attraction Rick’s Café, the thing to do at the Blue Hole is to jump from the surface down into the water below – Well (pun intended), that sounds like fun!
So, we contacted a local tour operator who had been recommended to us to help us experience the place for ourselves. Andre Miller and a colleague picked us up from our Bloody Bay beach hotel and we were off… It’s an enjoyable 40-minute drive, starting down the main road parallel to 7-mile beach then heading inland on the outskirts of Negril before journeying towards the south coast on secondary roads. The second half of the drive is fairly slow, due to the narrow pot-hole filled tracks, but we were in no hurry. We enjoyed taking in the sights of the Westmoreland countryside. It was interesting to see colourful houses scattered throughout the lush green jungle – Big houses on the hilltops and smaller houses in various stages of construction built closer to the road.
Ultimately, we arrived at a modest-looking little dirt parking lot. But don’t let that fool you – It’s much more impressive once you wade on in… The Blue Hole Mineral Spring has a nice relaxing rural vibe to it, inviting one to explore at leisure. I loved the thatched-roof gazebos with modern tiled floors. There’s a colourfully painted bar, and a similar style building offering shade right next to the modern swimming pool. Backing into wild greenery, there’s also a multi-floor building with a partly enclosed party (or dining) area. The whole place has an easy-going feel to it, inviting you to kick back and chill for a while…
We got there early in the day, so it was nice and quiet. It was just the two of us, a couple of other tourists along with a handful of locals I assume were staff, taxi drivers, and others just hanging around. After a quick glance into the hole, we continued exploring – Venturing up some stairs to a decent-sized, vibrant-colour painted hotel. We went up the exterior stairwell straight to the rooftop, where we savoured spectacular views of the natural green beauty surrounding the place, brightly accented by the brilliant blues of the Caribbean Sea and endless sky. It was warm and sunny with a refreshing breeze – We could have stayed there forever… Except that I had an exciting jump on my mind.
Back down at the main area of the property, I took a better look at the namesake attraction. There’s a railing along one side of the blue hole and mineral spring, and some trees and stone walls bordering 2 other sides. An unobstructed end provides access to the hole via a small jumping platform and a sturdy metal ladder that disappears down into the cavern. Peering below into the sun-deprived cave, it’s fascinating to see the milky pastel blue water below. A staff member named Getty (spelling?) came over for a chat. Part lifeguard, part showman, and part tour guide, he’s here to help folks enjoy the natural attraction to the fullest. Getty assured me that the water, fed from a fresh underground spring, is over 35 feet deep – no problem man (as they say in Jamaica) 😊. While we were chatting, a local leaped off the railing into the hole, showing me there was nothing to it.
OK, I figured the best way to do this is to stop thinking about it, so I held my breath and stepped off the ledge. Honestly, it was an exhilarating and frightful drop that didn’t last much more than a second before I plunged deep into the water, where it seemed to take forever for me to bob back up to the surface. What a rush! A wild sensation for anyone who doesn’t normally jump off cliffs.
While my eyes were adjusting to the relative darkness, I swam towards a rock protruding from the side of the cave. I was thinking that the water temperature was comfortable enough when I noticed that there were little fish swimming all around me in the mineral-rich water – I didn’t expect that. I grabbed a seat on a rock ledge and took a look around. The cavern is a much bigger down at water level than it is up at the surface.
Getty showed us a place to find some grey powdery earth from between the rocks, and how to mix it with water to make a nice mineral-rich clay/pomace for our arms, shoulders, neck and back.
Such a unique experience hanging out in a mineral-water filled subterranean cavern – A place where all your problems can melt away.
After a relaxing swim and skin scrub/treatment, we eventually climbed the ladder to join the world once again.
As I reached the top of the ladder I noticed Getty way above me in a tree. Once he got our attention, he jumped – that must have added another 5-10 feet to the drop… Our entertainment at the hole over, I grabbed a cold red stripe from the bar and waded into the swimming pool. WoW – was it ever warm! I was told that the pool is also filled with natural mineral-rich water, having just been pumped in from the spring the day before. The warm water is so soothing… Sitting on the built-in bench that rings the pool’s edge, I soaked up the minerals, sunshine and reggae beats coming from the bar. I’m not sure there’s a better way to spend the day.
Oh… there’s more at the Blue Hole Mineral Spring than meets the eye… If you’re interested in marijuana, ask one of the staff to show you around their “field of dreams” (my term not theirs), and they’ll be happy to oblige. They grow some of the best bud in Jamaica if not the world, right here in these fields, and they have the awards to prove it.
Well… After hanging out for a while, we decided to head back to so-called civilization. All in all, a great day off the beaten path – A day that awoke my senses!
For an overview of the land of wood and water, take a look at our Jamaica Vacations page
For other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Jamaica blog
If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Jamaica Adventures blog for some other great ideas!
6 Things to do in St. Lucia – A Top Caribbean Destination for Adventure
Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s ‘Windward’ islands. Found near the southern end of the Caribbean islands chain, St. Lucia is just south of Martinique with Barbados to its east. Saint Lucia is a mountainous island covered in green rain-forest and home to the iconic Gros and Petit Pitons (mountains), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A very popular Caribbean vacation destination traditionally focused on romantic getaways, there are plenty of adventurous things to do in St. Lucia. Our favourite active vacation activities include:
Saint Lucia Hiking on a Diverse Assortment of Trails
There are a variety of trails on the island, offering something for everyone – From short nature walks to intermediate hikes along with a couple of challenging hikes. While no hiking trip to Saint Lucia is complete without climbing the majestic Gros Piton, the island has about half a dozen mountains above 1,500 feet (500m) tall, the tallest being Mount Gimie at just over 3,000 feet (950m). You should know that a Saint Lucia Forestry Department day-pass, along with a local guide, is officially required to hike on the island.
The best hiking trails in the south end of St. Lucia include:
Mount/Morne Gimie Trail in the Edmund Forest Reserve – Plan a full day for this fairly challenging hike covering 5-6 miles (8-10km) of occasionally extreme up and down terrain, as well as a waterfall. This diverse trail will reward you with amazing views along the way, including a really unique perspective of the island from the top
While we’re talking about it… The Edmund Forest Reserve is the final destination for a couple of ‘cross-country’ trails of note. The Des Cartiers to Edmund Trail is an approximately 5 mile (8km) long easy-to-intermediate level hike, while the Barre D’Isle to Edmund Trail is a more challenging 10 mile (16km) hike venturing across a nice ridge requiring 4-6 hours to complete.
Gros Piton Trail – This challenging hike consists of a pretty much constant climb to get to the top. While less than 3 miles (4.4km) round trip, it can take anywhere from 3-6 hours to complete. Once you catch your breath, amazing Caribbean sea views await.
Enbas Saut Falls Trail – This is an intermediate level hike with lots of rustic wooden/natural stairs to first descend, then climb on the return journey. Depending on your starting point, the hike can cover over 5 miles (9km), requiring 3-4 hours to get to and from the fun and amazing cascading waterfalls.
The best hikes in the north part of Saint Lucia include the Intermediate level Piton Flore Trail and the interesting Barre D’Isle Ridge / Mount La Combe Area Trails. On the east side of island, the Eastern Nature Trail is a fairly easy, but somewhat long trail that takes you along the remote eastern coastline of St. Lucia.
One of the funnest things to do in Saint Lucia, find more information about the trails on the island, including hiking guides who will help you get the most out of your day, click on St. Lucia Hiking
St. Lucia Snorkeling – With or without a Boat!
One of the better islands in the Caribbean for snorkeling, Saint Lucia offers half a dozen locations along the west coast of the island to explore clear blue waters full of diverse coral and colourful fish. Slip into the warm Caribbean sea and snorkel right off the beach – A unique underwater world you just can’t experience on land. One of the most enjoyable things to do in Saint Lucia, the best snorkeling sites in Saint Lucia include:
Saline Point – This small bay has a sand bottom and is protected from the wind. A reef runs parallel to the beach where plenty of fish can be seen.
Smugglers’ Cove – This large protected bay features underwater ridges which are home to a variety of crustaceans and fish. A great place for beginners…
Anse Cochon – Another large bay well protected from the wind and waves. This spot has a nice reef for exploring coral boulders along with fish, turtles, eels and more. A great location for beginners as well as more experienced snorkelers looking for underwater photography and night dives.
Anse Chastanet – This shallow reef is teeming with a rich diversity of marine life including fish and turtles. This is one of the best snorkeling sites and a favourite spot for underwater photography on the island.
Coral Gardens / Gros Piton – The island’s longest and one of it’s most popular reefs. There’s plenty of coral to explore along with a variety of fish and eels.
For those who want longer and deeper underwater exploring time, but don’t have scuba diving experience, Snuba (Mask and mouthpiece with air-tube) and Sea Trek (Full face ‘helmet’ with air-tube) tours are available.
For more information on visiting the island’s underwater world, check out our St. Lucia Snorkeling page
Golf in a Warm Tropical Setting in Saint Lucia
Looking for one of the more relaxing things to do in Saint Lucia? There are two golf courses on the island, an 18 hole / par 71 and a 9 hole / par 33. The St. Lucia Golf Club is an 18-hole course that plays to 6,685 yards with great views of the island and the Caribbean Sea. Close to the capital Castries, the Sandals Regency La Toc resort has a 9-hole course that plays to 3,141 yards.
Saint Lucia Diving – Explore a Unique Underwater World
One of the better islands in the Caribbean for scuba diving, Saint Lucia offers a variety of dive sites along the western coast of the island. There are close to two dozen dive sites with reefs, wrecks and walls to explore. If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, Saint Lucia is a great place to get started – there is a dive school on the island and a number of hotels on the island offer diving PADI certification as well. Some of the best dive sites off Saint Lucia’s coast include:
Smugglers’ Cove – This large bay is well protected from the wind and with a maximum depth around 40 feet (12m), this a great place for beginners. Underwater ridges are home to a variety of crustaceans and tropical fish.
Pigeon Island / Pigeon Point – This popular dive site includes a mixed terrain of sand, coral and boulders with a depth varying from 15 to 60 feet (5m – 18m). A variety of tropical fish, along with rays, barracuda, eels, lobster and even seahorse can be found here. A good dive site for underwater photography and night dives.
Bone Yard – A World War II era wreck can be found in about 40 feet (12m) of water. A variety of marine life, including tropical fish and lobster live in the area.
Anse La Raye Wall – This fairly deep dive site features volcanic boulders and a coral wall with a depth varying from 60 to 110 feet (18m – 34m). The wall is home to a variety of marine life, including corals and tropical fish, along with rays. A good site for wall diving and drift dives.
Lesleen M Wreck – A cargo vessel was sunk here for an artificial reef in about 65 feet (20m) of water on a sandy bottom. A variety of marine life, including reef fish, eels and lobster can be found here. This a good dive site for beginners.
Daini Koyomaru Wreck – A dredger sits on its side a mile offshore, making an artificial reef in about 244 feet (75m) of water. A variety of marine life, including tropical fish and barracuda call this place home. This deep dive site is for advanced divers only.
Fairyland – This deep dive site features boulders and coral walls with a depth varying from 40 to 200 feet (12m – 61m). A variety of corals and sponges are the main attraction, although turtles can be found here as well. This a good site for drift diving.
Superman’s Flight – In the shadow of the Petit Piton, this deep wall dive can take you to a depth of 1500 feet (460m). An assortment of corals, gorgonians and sponges, along with tropical fish and turtles can be found here. A good dive site for drift diving and deep diving.
For more detailed info on dive sites, boat operators and how you can enjoy one of the more adventurous things to do in Saint Lucia, click on our St. Lucia Diving page
Saint Lucia Cycling and Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in St. Lucia is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while gazing across jaw-dropping views of the mountainous island and Caribbean sea. There’s different terrain and trail styles to explore on St. Lucia, including some man-made courses and several nature trails that lead to waterfalls – It doesn’t get much better than this! Some local resorts also offer Mountain Biking lessons on trails made specifically for different experience levels.
You can take a leisurely Fat Bike tour around a town, through the rain-forest, or even on a beach! Other MTB tours take you on rain-forest trails that lead to gorgeous waterfalls, where you can relax and soak-in the beauty of your natural surroundings. Talking about nature… There’s even an organized tour in one of the island’s protected coastal areas.
Of course, you can also find cycling tours and bicycle rentals for taking on St. Lucia’s mountainous roads.
For more information on one of the funnest things to do in Saint Lucia, including tour operators and bike rental shops who will get you outfitted, check out our St. Lucia Cycling & Biking page
Saint Lucia Kayaking – Enjoy the Island From the Tops of the Waves
There’s nothing like exploring St. Lucia’s waterways and shorelines by kayak. Floating around on your single or tandem kayak, you can see the island from a unique perspective and it’s the perfect speed for sightseeing. Kayaking is something that can be enjoyed by anyone, enabling the whole family to get up close and personal with nature. You can find active or relaxing routes for vigorous or gentle paddling, it’s up to you.
There’s a number of kayak tours available in the Marigot Bay area, either along the coastline, or up a river to explore the island’s interior. Some kayak tours include short town visits with a locally prepared lunch, while others combine a relaxing fishing or bird watching experience. Kayaking is also available in the Soufriere area, below the towering Pitons, bringing new meaning to the peaks that are measured in ‘above sea level’. For a unique nature experience, kayaking is also available in the remote Pointe Sable Environmental Protection Area. For the avid paddler, there are even multi-day kayak packages available ensuring an amazing and rewarding vacation experience!
For more information about one of the more adventurous things to do in Saint Lucia, including tour operators who will get you on the water, click on our St. Lucia Water Sports page
Have Fun!
ACT Staff
If you’re looking for more of a relaxing vacation, take a look at our St. Lucia Attractions blog
For an overview of the beautiful island of St. Lucia, click on our St. Lucia Vacations page
Active Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis – From the Tops of Volcanoes to Underwater Shipwrecks
The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Islands, commonly referred to as “St. Kitts” or “SKN”, is a two island nation of the Caribbean Lesser Antilles’ Leeward Islands. Saint Kitts and Nevis islands are actually the tops of a submerged volcanic mountain range, covered with rolling green folds of volcanic peaks and lush valleys – More than a quarter of the islands are conserved via National Park lands! Regular ferry service connects the islands of Saint Kitts with Nevis – They’re only a couple of miles (3 km) apart. The sister islands are just a few miles from its closest neighbours, Sint Eustatius to the north-west, Barbuda and Antigua to the East and Montserrat to the south.
While many tourists spend their time ‘Limin’, relaxing on the beach with a local lime flavoured rum beverage, others see the amazing adventure opportunities the mountainous islands have to offer… Our personal favourite active things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis include…
St. Kitts & Nevis Hiking – Get on some Amazing Trails
There are a variety of hiking trails on each island, offering something for everyone – From short nature walks, to intermediate hikes, along with challenging volcano hikes on each island. Combined, Saint Kitts and Nevis have half a dozen mountainous peaks above 1,500 feet (500m), along with numerous other great areas to hike.
No adventurous trip to Saint Kitts is complete without hiking up Mount Liamuiga volcano, the island’s highest peak which stands 3,792 feet (1,156 m) above sea level. This is a fairly challenging hike. It’s only 5 miles (8km) or so round trip, however it usually takes 4–6 hours to hike to the peak and back due to it’s rooty terrain and steep sections. A great Caribbean ‘bucket list’ hike for sure!
A number of excellent hiking trails can be found on the west side of Saint Kitts. Good mountainous trails on the island include Dos D’ane Pond Hike (The Mansion Source Trail) on Verchilds Mountain and the Radio Tower Hike a little further south.
Other great hikes on the island of St. Kitts can be found in the Central Forest Reserve National Park. Trails include the “Valley of Giants” Rainforest Hike and the Peter Manning Trail Hike.
That said, the nice Phillips Rainforest Hike is reached from the east side of the island, and the epic Southern Peninsula hiking trail is found, not surprisingly at the south end of St. Kitts – This is a unique ‘dry scrub-brush’ trail with access to empty beaches and is full of mesmerizing ocean views.
Nevis Peak dominates the landscape on the small island of Nevis and it is the most challenging and popular hike on the island. The trail is only a couple of miles in length, however the hike will take 4-5 hours to complete due to it’s steepness – But why rush to get back down when you’ll be spoiled with the spectacular views from the top (You might be able to see Montserrat and Antigua on a clear day).
There are other relatively short hikes on Nevis as well, such as the Golden Rock Nature Trail, the Devil’s Copper Waterfall Trail, the Source Trail and the Sulphur Springs Hike. With Nevis’ natural beauty, there’re all sure to please.
For more information on one of the funnest things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis, including hiking guides who will get you on the trail, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Hiking page
Saint Kitts and NevisSnorkeling – Enjoy Bays, Reefs and more…
Saint Kitts and Nevis offer a number of locations to explore it’s underwater world. Slip into the warm Caribbean sea and snorkel right off the beach, or take a short boat ride to some nearby reefs and a shipwreck that lie in clear waters. Explore a new world full of diverse coral, sponges and tropical fish, as well as colourful sea fans and even sea turtles and rays.
The best snorkeling sites around Saint Kitts are along the west coast of the islands and include shallow spots like White House Bay and Green Point Reef as well as slightly deeper spots like Ballest Bay, Shitten Bay (no that’s not a spelling mistake) and Turtle Bar Reef. There’s even a shipwreck in less than 25 feet (8m) of water that can be viewed while snorkeling.
For those who want to enjoy longer / deeper under water journeys, but don’t have scuba diving experience, Snuba (Mask and mouthpiece with air-tube) tours are available as well!
Nevis offers similar snorkeling spots, including Booby Island and Herberts.
For more information on one of the better things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis, including tour / boat operators who will get you in the water, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Snorkeling page
St. Kitts and Nevis Water Sports – Plenty of Options
One of the best ways to really experience the Caribbean is by getting on the beach and into / onto the water. St. Kitts offers an assortment of thrilling water sports activities, both motorized and human powered, while Nevis gives you some more laid back options to appreciate the islands’ coastline.
The most popular spot for water sport action in the island of St. Kitts can be found on the beaches around the southern peninsula. You can kayak, SUP (Paddle Board) and surf along the gorgeous coast line, or if you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, try flyboarding, Kiteboarding / Kitesurfing, Parasailing, Wakeboarding / Tubing and jet-skiing. Small sail boats are also available cruise up and down the coast on.
The beaches along the west coast of Nevis can be enjoyed by kayak and SUP (Paddle Board) and jet-skiis are also available.
For more information on some of the more adventurous things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis, including tour operators who will get you outfitted, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Water Sports page
Mountain Bike & Cycle the Sister Islands
Mountain biking in the Caribbean is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while exploring the islands – Getting great views of the Caribbean sea and neighbouring islands is an added bonus. St. Kitts offers some cane field and road routes, while Nevis has a number of terrain options and trail styles to choose from. There’s something for everyone on the sister islands.
The best places to cycle on the island of Saint Kitts includes some cane fields and roads around the capital Basseterre and through the southern peninsula.
For the MTB and Cycling enthusiast, Nevis is the place to be! You can ride off-road on plantation trails and old road beds, including some nice down-hill trails. On the road, there are short, medium and long routes to cycle, including hilly and ‘around the island’ circuits.
For more information, including guides and tour operators who will get you on the saddle, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Biking page
Dive the Reefs and Wrecks of Saint Kitts & Nevis
One of the better areas in the Caribbean for diving, Saint Kitts and Nevis offer a variety of dive sites in both the Atlantic and Caribbean seas around the islands – There are over two dozen dive sites with reefs, wrecks and walls to explore. There’s something for divers of all skills to enjoy. If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, Saint Kitts is a great place to get started – there is a dive school on the island that offers diving PADI courses and certification.
There are over 20 dive sites off the coast of St. Kitts alone, including four wrecks to explore. If you’re looking for drift diving, wall diving or underwater photography, you’ll find here – There’s even a couple of sites with volcanic vents on the sea floor! Full of sea life, you’re sure to find a variety of fish, corals, sponges & urchins along with rays, turtles, eels, octopus, lobsters and the occasional shark & seahorse.
There are another handful of dive sites off the coast of Nevis as well.
For more information on one of the more adventurous things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis, including boat operators who will get you in the water, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Diving page
Saint Kitts and Nevis Golf
Believe it or not, there are two 18 hole / par 71 golf courses on St. Kitts and one on Nevis.
The Royal St. Kitts Golf Club is just outside St. Kitts’ capital Basseterre. This magnificent course is situated on 125 acres and includes two holes overlooking the Caribbean Sea as well as three holes on the Atlantic Ocean.
Kittitian Hill’s Irie Fields is located at the north end of St. Kitts. This uniquely natural course is set among Belle Mont farm’s crops and fruit trees and offers spectacular ocean views across to St. Barths.
On Nevis, the Four Seasons Golf Club is located on the west side of the island just outside the capital Charlestown. This attractive course was designed by Robert Trent Jones II.
For more information on one of the more relaxing yet active things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Golf page
Adventurous Things to Do in Jamaica – Rivers, Links, Trails, Caves and more…
The third largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola (Haiti / Dominican Republic), Jamaica is located south-east of Cuba in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The island is about 3 times the size of Long Island NY. Aptly known as the “land of wood and water”, the island is probably best known for it’s Reggae music & culture, white sand beaches, as well as it’s Rum and Coffee. Jamaica is rich with a beautiful and diverse landscape that includes mountain ranges, green valleys, wild rivers and waterfalls. Perhaps the island’s most iconic natural landmark is the Blue Mountain range, home to Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site.
To really appreciate Jamaica’s natural beauty, you need to get away from the resorts and journey into Jamaica’s forests and get active on it’s rivers and mountains. A very popular Caribbean vacation destination, Jamaica is one of the best islands to enjoy waterfalls, river rafting, hiking and golf. Our personal favourites include:
Jamaica River Rafting and Tubing
It would truly be a shame to visit Jamaica and not experience one of it’s marvelous rivers… Depending on your mood, you can enjoy a slow romantic ‘gondola’ style ride, or you can get wet on an exciting fast-moving river tube or raft. Can’t decide? No Problem Mon – You can do both!
For a relaxing and romantic rafting excursion, there are a few options to choose from. Probably the most famous rafting tour in Jamaica is on the Martha Brae, a meandering river close to Falmouth. You start at “Rafter’s Village”, six acres of grounds that include manicured lawns, Miss Martha’s Herb Garden, a picnic area, a full service bar, souvenir shops, a swimming pool and modern restrooms. From there, your personal guide will pole you and your companion down 3 miles of quiet river on a long bamboo raft. Similar bamboo rafting tours are also available on the Great River just west of Montego Bay, as well as on the Rio Grande river, just west of Port Antonio – at the east end of the island. One of the most romantic and relaxing things to do in Jamaica!
For a more adventurous river rafting experience, you can venture out into the fast moving waters of the White River, just east of Ocho Rios. You’ll love the stunning White River Valley while you’re tubing or rafting, and you’ll enjoy some bird watching on a short hike to some lovely waterfalls. If you’re staying on the other side of Ocho Rios closer to Falmouth, you’re in for a treat river rafting on the fast moving waters of the Rio Bueno River – Also known as the Jungle River, some Rio Bueno River tours include waterfalls, rapids, river pools and a private beach. Similar rafting tours are also available: At the west end of the island on the Yardy and Great Rivers; South of Falmouth at the Good Hope Estate as well as the River Bumpkin Farm; South west of Montego bay on the Great River at the Lethe Estate.
For more information about rafting, tubing and the tour operators who will get you on the water, check out our Jamaica River Rafting / Tubing page
Perhaps the best Golf destination in the Caribbean, Jamaica offers a smorgasbord of Caribbean Golf with over ten courses to choose from, including a number of Championship courses. Located mostly along the north coast between Negril and Ochos Rios at the west end of the island, here’s a small sampling of Links to wet your appetite:
The Tryall Club Resort is an 18-hole, 6,836-yard golf course designed by Ralph Plummer. The course covers land bordering the sea, and travels inland rising 180 feet (55m).
Half Moon Resort has an 18-hole / Par-72 championship course originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and later updated by Roger Rulewich. This golf course is home to PGA tournaments including the Jamaica Open and the European PGA Senior Tour.
Cinnamon Hill Golf Course at Rose Hall is an 18-hole course originally designed by Hank Smedley and later updated by Robert von Hagge/Rick Baril. This golf course features sea-side holes and a 350 foot (105m) rise from the ocean. Home to PGA tournaments including the BMW Jamaica Classic, the Latin America Tour and Annie’s Revenge ProAm. It’s 15th hole was used for a scene in the James Bond Movie ‘Live and Let Die’.
Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort (Also known as SuperClubs Golf Club at Runaway Bay) is an 18-hole / Par 72 championship golf course measuring 6,870 yards. Designed by Major John Harris, this course has hosted PGA tournaments including the Ryder Cup, The Jamaica Open, The Brinks (JA) Classic, The Heineken World Cup Qualifier, CNBC Nations Cup and numerous JGA Qualifiers.
Founded in 1865, the Manchester Golf Club is the oldest golf course in the Caribbean. This 9-hole / Par 35 course measures 2,865 yards and is set on 55 acres of rolling hills, at over 2,000 feet (610m) above sea level.
For more information on one of the most popular things to do in Jamaica, including a full list of courses along with tour operators you can get you there, click on our Jamaica Golf Vacations page
Jamaica Hiking – Several Forests to Choose From
There’s plenty of variety with the hiking trails on the island. There’s some hilly and mountainous trails as well as some short nature walks. For the serious hiker, you can enjoy some intermediate or more challenging mountainous adventures for sure.
At the east end of the island, the Blue Mountain range is 28 miles (45km) long and typically covered in a bluish cloudy mist, hence it’s name. The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, is where you can find the highest points of the island, including Blue Mountain Peak which stands 7,402 feet (2,256 m) tall – The most iconic hiking tour in Jamaica, the Blue Mountain Sunrise Hike, ascends this peak. The trail is about 11.5 miles (18.5km) long round trip, requiring 5-8 hours. This is a great hike with epic views of the island / sea waiting for you at the top.
There’s another half dozen up-hill mountainous trails in the Park, ranging in length from 2 to 6 miles (3 to 10 km), including Middleton Mountain and Catherine’s Peak. The Holywell Recreation Area, also located in the Park has a few easier trails, each taking little more than an hour to complete.
Another dozen decent trails can be found just outside of The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, north-east of Kingston.
While the southern portion of the Blue Mountain Range gets most of the attention, the northern part of the foothills, just south of Port Antonio offers some great hiking as well. Quiet and remote, this area will show you all the natural beauty Jamaica has to offer! There are a few trails in the Rio Grande Valley and a few more near Moore Town, three hours south of Port Antonio.
For more information about these hikes, and hiking guides that can get you on the trail, check out our Jamaica Hiking – North East page
Another hilly region of note in the north-west/central part of the island is the Dry Harbour Range with it’s lesser known and visited Cockpit Country. This is probably the wildest area left on Jamaica. The jungle landscape is wrinkled and dimpled with hundreds of limestone hills and karst caves and is home to a few hidden trails worth exploring.
Day hikes in Cockpit Country include the challenging Troy to Windsor Trail which follows the route of a British military road built in the 1700s for 10 miles (16km) one way. The Quick Step Trail is 11 miles (18km) one way running from Windsor to the village of Quick Step. There are also a couple of easier shorter hikes as well.
For more information about these hikes, and hiking guides that can get you on the trail, check out our Jamaica Hiking – Cockpit Country page
Jamaica Waterfall – Cool Off Under a Refreshing Stream of Water
One of my favourite things to do in Jamaica is to visit one of over a dozen easily accessible waterfalls on the island. This is a great way to explore the real Jamaica – Get out there and explore her rivers and natural highlights attractions like waterfalls. Excursions usually involve a short hike to the falls, where you can cool off under a soft stream of clean Caribbean water then splash around in natural river pools.
The best locations for a wet and wild waterfall experience in Jamaica include:
YS Falls – Located in the south-west part of island between Negril and Kingston, these falls feature a spectacular seven-tiered cascading waterfall. A visit there can also also include wading pools (one with a rope swing), canopy rides, river tubing and a zip-line.
Mayfield Falls can be found nestled in the Dolphin Head Mountains, on the west end of the island between Negril and Montego Bay. Take a short hike along a bamboo stairway, across manicured lawns and a wooden bridge to a Rasta village called Reggae Style Mayfield Village. From there a guide will accompany you along the snaking river so that you can enjoy a number of mineral pools, the waterfalls as well as taste local foods.
Of course, the most iconic tourist attraction in Jamaica has to be Dunn’s River Falls, just west of Ocho Rios. Although it’s always crowded with tourists, this is indeed a beautiful area where you can join hands with others and walk on it’s natural calcium carbonate based steps, part-way up the 600 feet (180m) tall gorgeous waterfalls.
Konoko Falls, just west of Ocho Rios, are a beautiful cascading waterfalls in a well maintained Park environment.
The Irie Blue Hole, also known as Secret Falls and the Cool Blue Hole, has a nice waterfall along with natural swimming pools. South-east of Ocho Rios, these falls are further away from the crowds, making it a great location to visit. Please note that the “Blue Lagoon”, from the movie with Brooke Shields, is located just west of Port Antonio.
Other less visited waterfalls can be found in the east end of Jamaica. Reach Falls are located just east of Port Antonio – This hidden gem has been featured in a couple of major movies. Somerset Falls, just west of Port Antonio are situated in a natural garden with ponds. Scatter Waterfalls are located in the Rio Grande Valley south of Port Antonio – These private grounds have several hiking trails and a campground.
For more information, along with tour guides who can help make the most of your day, check out our Jamaica Waterfalls page
Escape the sun’s rays by venturing underground to explore one of Jamaica’s dozens caves – Some are accessible by tourists, while others are for serious spelunkers. There’s tours of large caverns with bat viewing as well as remote rarely visited caves to go deep into…
For tourists looking for a cool cave tour you have a few options:
You can visit the popular Green Grotto Caves, between Falmouth and Ocho Rios. You’ll experience passageways and chambers close to 130 feet (40m) below the earth’s surface. The feature attraction is the ‘grotto’ itself – A huge limestone cave with stalactites, stalagmites, as well as a large subterranean body of water.
The Two Sisters Cave is located just south-west of Kingston and features two caves (hence the name), each with a large sink hole filled with fresh water. These caves are connected underground to a myriad of caverns extending in all directions. One cave contains a petroglyph carving of a face which is believed to be several hundred years old.
Further west of Kingston, you’ll find the Mountain River Cave. A mile long trail takes you to the cave, which is about 30 feet deep. Plenty of ancient pictographs can be seen on the cave walls, along with a few petroglyphs.
One of the more adventurous things to do in Jamaica is to go caving / spelunking in Cockpit Country or Cave Valley… What an experience!
Cockpit Country, south-east of Montego Bay, is home to hundreds of rivers, streams and caves that provide some of the best spelunking opportunities in the Caribbean. There are hundreds of caves in the area, including: Windsor Caves; Smokey Hole Cave – Which at 630 feet (193m) deep is the deepest on the island, Rock Spring Cave and the huge Quashie River Sink.
Cave Valley is located pretty much in the centre of the island. This is really cool… A river travels both under and above the ground, appearing and disappearing as it meanders through the valley. Major caving attractions include the “Noisy Water” River Cave and “Rat Bat Hole”.
For more information, as well as tour operators who will get caving, click on our Jamaica Caving page
Jamaica Mountain Biking & Cycling
Biking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while taking-in breathtaking views of the mountainous island and Caribbean sea. Making good use of it’s natural landscape and ancient foot-paths, Jamaica has plenty of technical and just plain fun downhill mountain biking trails, as well as several flat and hilly cross-country routes to enjoy. There are scenic coastal road circuits to cycle as well. Riding through active plantations and small villages, then cooling off in a local waterfall is a great way to experience Jamaica.
If you’re looking to join an organized ride, Jamaica has three annual events: The Jamaica Fat Tyre Festival in February – Great for mountain biking enthusiasts; The Jamaica Reggae Ride in November – A 3 day escorted bike ride across the scenic coastlines of the island; and The Jamaica By Bike Ride – A long distance cycle from Kingston to Negril.
The Negril area has a number of bike trails, both in the hilly wilderness as well as along the coast. There are challenging trails for the hard-core biking enthusiasts as well as easy routes for sight-seeing.
Your need-for-speed will be satisfied on downhill MTB courses between Ocho Rios and the Blue Mountains. With names like ‘Rivers of Babylon’, ‘Jellied Eel’ and ‘Pressure Drop’ you know you need to check out these trails!
Not surprisingly, some of the island’s most challenging biking is in the Blue Mountains. Trails range in length from 1 to 11 miles (0.5 to 17 km), with most in the 1 to 4 mile (2-6km) range. Trail names like ‘Triple Bypass’ and ‘Downpipe Gully’ paint a mental picture for sure!
That said, there are also tourist focused ‘sightseeing’ rides in the Blue Mountains that everyone in the family can enjoy.
For more info on one of the funnest things to do in Jamaica, including tour operators who will get you on the saddle, check out our Jamaica Mountain Biking & Cycling page
Things to do in Bonaire – Adventures, both Wet and Dry
One of the Caribbean ABCs, Bonaire is a relatively small island in the southern Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles, situated about 25 miles (80km) north of the Venezuelan coast. The island is a special municipality of the Netherlands. Safe from hurricanes, Bonaire has a truly amazing climate, relatively warm and dry for most of the year. Famous for it’s pink flamingos and white mountains of salt, the island has plenty of amazing adventure activities to enjoy, both below the ocean’s waves as well as on (and in/under) the land. When it comes to “adventurous” things to do in Bonaire, our personal favourites include:
Bonaire Snorkeling – Just Off the Coast
With it’s healthy coral reefs and rich marine life, Bonaire may be the best island in the Caribbean for snorkeling! The main island and Klein Bonaire, a small island less than 1/2 mile (1km) from Bonaire’s western coast, are encircled by coral reefs providing an amazing range of biodiversity, including colourful fish, coral and sponge. There are plenty of spots on Bonaire’s western shores where you can slip into the warm Caribbean sea and snorkel right off the beach. There are also a number of boat operators who can take you to plenty of locations in Bonaire’s Marine Park where you can visit shallow corals or skirt along the edge of steep underwater cliffs. Visibility is great as you can clearly see through more than fifty feet (15m) of Bonaire’s clear blue ocean water. There are even caves you can snorkel in!
Bonaire’s West Coast is where the snorkeling action is… North of Kralendijk there are over a dozen snorkeling sites, many accessible from the beach and several suited for beginners. With names like Playa Bengi, 1000 Steps and Witch’s Hut, I’m sure you want to check them out! South of Kralendijk there are another dozen snorkeling spots, like Pink Beach and Sweet Dreams, some also beach accessible. There’s also a few good spots to snorkel on Bonaire’s Lac Bay.
Of course the famous Klein Bonaire has well over a dozen locations for snorkeling, including some that are beach accessible. This is a great location for beginners as well as for underwater photography. Clearly, snorkeling is one of the best things to do in Bonaire!
Click on this link (to a page on our website) for more information about locations and boat operators – Bonaire Snorkeling
Bonaire Water Sports
With it’s happening vibe… this is where the cool kids hang out!
Thanks to it’s near constant trade winds, year round warm air and water temperatures, Bonaire is one of the best places in the Caribbean to enjoy life on the water. The south-west coast of the island seems to be made for kite boarding and kite-surfing, while the mangroves and water ways of Lac Bay are ideal for kayaking and windsurfing.
There’s no better way to experience the Caribbean than hanging out on the beach and getting active in the surf. So many options… mean Water Sports are one of the best things to do in Bonaire.
With literally hundreds of kilometres of cycling trails and a dry warm climate, Bonaire is one of the best Caribbean destinations for bike riding. Cycling is a great way to see the island – The hills in the north provide picturesque views of the island, while the rest of the island’s mostly flat with occasional gentle slopes offer soothing views of the Caribbean Sea. You can enjoy road courses that include amazing coastline routes, or you can mountain bike in desert-like off-road terrain.
Washington Slagbaai National Park has 21 miles (34kms) off-road trails, including some decent hills and is probably the most popular place to cycle on the island. That said, the Rincon Valley and the Bara di Karta Region have a number of trails and roads circuits through the countryside as well, many with views of the Caribbean Sea. There’s also some longer road circuits for the serious cycling enthusiast.
There’s more Bonaire mountain biking and cycling info to check out by clicking on our Bonaire Cycling page
Bonaire Hiking – Hit the Dusty Trails
Bonaire offers opportunities for some nice relaxing walks as well as a couple of intermediate level hikes, all in a unique-for-the-Caribbean, low scrub-brush like environment.
Perhaps the best hiking can be found in Washington-Slagbaai National Park at the north end of the island. This 14 thousand acre (56 sq km) sanctuary was the first in the Netherlands Antilles and has three main hiking trails to explore. Brandaris, the highest peak on Bonaire at 784 feet (241m), is located within the park and offers some spectacular views of the island – on a clear day you can even see Venezuela!
Other hikes elsewhere on the island include the Montana Trail (with views of Goto Meer Lake and the Caribbean Sea); The Roi Sango Trail (Partially shaded trail with views of the sea along with rock formations); The Dos Pos Trail (A Loop Trail along Washington Slagbaai National Park’s boundary); The Bara di Karta Hill (the small hill provides surprisingly spectacular 360 views of the island); and The Red Hill Trail (Desert-like terrain with views of the Atlantic Ocean).
Find out more about Bonaire’s trails and tour operators by clicking on our Bonaire Hiking page
Bonaire Caving
Looking for a good escape from the relentless sun? Journey underground to a world of natural subterranean limestone grottoes, where eerie stalagmites, stalactites and pillars dominate the scenery. There are literally 100s of caves in Bonaire, some ‘dry’ and some ‘under water’ – grottos with freshwater that you can actually wade into and check out the underwater rock formations with a snorkel. There are caverns with bats as well as native petrogyphs / paintings on the walls. Many caves are open to the public – Touring a cave is a unique activity few tourists experience, making it one of the coolest things to do in Bonaire.
For a list of local tour operators, click on our Bonaire Caving page
Bonaire Scuba Diving and Freediving
Saving one of the best activities for last… Bonaire’s healthy coral reefs and rich marine life make it one of the best islands in the Caribbean for Scuba Diving. Bonaire is also one of the best locations in the world for Freediving.
Bonaire and Klein Bonaire provide an environment that is home to over 50 varieties of coral and 350 species of fish. The islands are also world renowned for it’s abundance of easy access shore diving. Of course there’s also a number of boat operators who can take you to dozens of scuba diving locations in Bonaire’s Marine Park. There are over eighty dive sites in total, some in relatively shallow waters and others with steep walls that plunge into the deep dark sea. If you’re looking for great underwater photography sites, Bonaire has it all, including underwater caves to explore. There are locations for the Beginner diver, advanced diver and everything in between!
Bonaire’s West Coast is the most popular place to dive. There are over 30 dive sites north of Kralendijk, offering drift diving, wreck diving, night diving, as well as freestyle and technical diving. South of Kralendijk, there are another dozen excellent dive sites. There’s even more sites further south of Slave Huts (memorial).
Klein Bonaire is home to a couple dozen dive sites, providing more locations for drift diving, wreck diving, night diving, freestyle and technical diving and underwater photography.
Bonaire’s East Coast, including Lac Bay, is a bit rougher, however it has over a dozen dive sites, offering a less populated diving experience for advanced divers. Both shore dives and boat dives are available.
Follow this link (to a page on our website) for more Dive Spot and Boat Operator information – Bonaire Diving
For an overview of this amazing island, take a look at our Bonaire Vacations page
For a more relaxed vacation itinerary, you can find great Tourist Attractions on the island, by checking out our Things to Do in Bonaire blog
