Port Antonio's Outdoor Activities

Waterfalls & Rafting the Rio Grande

Waterfalls:

• Reach Falls
• Many camera vantage points are available!
• Scatter Falls & Fox Caves
• This adventure begins with a dubious bamboo raft trip crossing the Rio Grande and finishes with a short hike to the falls. There, the Thaxter family owned business offers restrooms and a bar where you can convince Rufus Thaxter himself to guide you in the caves!
• Sommerset Falls
• Located in a deep gorge on the Daniels River just east of Hope Bay lies a former indigo and spice plantation where a small paradise exists for your pleasure. The hidden falls are cool and bluish green hidden by exotic vegetation. Board a small rubber raft, swim under the falls into a cave, or dive off the ledges above. A small restaurant boasts knowledgeable friendly staff.
• Dunn's River Falls“
• "Climb the falls in a human chain led by experienced Falls Guides. Pause at the 'massage parlour' and experience the soothing effects of the water as it cascades to the sea. For the less brave - live vicariously. View the activities of the more intrepid from the "safe" vantage point of the terrace or deck.” Restrooms, Cafeteria & Gift Shop. Sat-Tue 8:30-5, (crowded cruise ship days Wed-Fri 7-5), last climb starts at 4. $8-10. Website: www.dunnsriverja.com

Rafting:
Though the rickety bamboo rafts appear dangerous the ride is quite safe and is the best rafting experience in Jamaica. Originally meant to transport bananas, In the 1960's Errol Flynn and his guests held races up and down the river, betting on the winners. A trip lasts about 2.5 hours. 9-4pm daily, $52 per raft of 2 people. The skipper will share lively stories of riverlife. RioGrandeTours 876/913-5434.

Hiking

Easy Hikes:
A short 30-minute walking preview of this luxuriant valley is the trail to Scatter Water Falls from Barridale, 10km (6 1/4 miles) SW of Port Antonio. Bamboo rafts transport you to a 20min. walk to the falls. Cool off there a number of small pools sipping a tropical punch.

Moderate Hikes...
The Watch Hill 5-hour hike leads to a former lookout point for the Maroons. You'll come upon miles of banana groves and the lapsed remains of an 18th-century sugar plantation. The 6km (4mi.), 7-hour White River Falls hike starting at Millbank, a borough south of Moore Town. Though the terrian may become slippery after the first two falls, your will want to press on to witness the rare swallowtail butterfly colonies in season. Another medium grade hike snakes around the Lower River Valley on the Darley Trail, (4-hrs).

Difficult Hikes...
On the steep slopes of the Blue Mountains, the 19km(12mi.) hike to Nanny Town is the most strenuous. This hike often split among two days, with a campsite beside the Nakunnu River. Named after Queen Nanny, the warrior goddess of the Maroons, Nanny Town was the Maroon's legendary hideout from the Brittish in the 1700s. The 7- hour, 11km(6 3/4-mile) Guava River Trail, starts in the patch of Bellevue. You can choose to intersperse your hike with upstream swims in the Guava River leading to hot springs atop the Blue Mountains.

Bike, Boat, Golf, Snorkel & Dive

Cycling:
Outfitters like Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours in Port Antonio or Chukka Cove's Mountian-to-Sea Biking in Runaway Bay will offer multi-level cycling tours in and around the north eastern shore.

Boating:
Directly from Port Antonio Marina, you can enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise off the coastline or charter deepsea fishing boat excursion. Both trips come complete with captain, skipper and a meal or two. Deep sea adventures can last one day to a few days out on the ocean catching dolphin fish (mahimahi), wahoo, blue and white marlin, sailfish, tarpon, barracuda, and bonito.

Golf:
San San Golf Course & Bird Sanctuary, a leisurely 9-hole course has been refurbished recently offering dramatic scenery of plants and the ocean.

S.C.U.B.A. & Snorkel tours:
Snorkel and diving sights include exotic coral, sea fans and sponges along with hamlets, squirrelfish, stingrays, triggerfish, spadefish and many more. The best outfitter is located in Blue Lagoon (Lady Godiva's Dive Shop). A full set of snorkel or dive equipment can be rented there along with offshore trips that offer the most sights. A popular advanced S.C.U.B.A. dive is found along Alligator Long (24-27m/80-90ft. deep).