Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls Tour from Ocho Rios

Dunn's River Falls: Climbing the Terraced Cascades

Dunn's River Falls is the most famous waterfall in Jamaica, a staircase of natural limestone terraces that drops about 180 metres (600 feet) through the forest just west of Ocho Rios. The rock is travertine, built up over thousands of years as the mineral-rich water leaves calcium on every ledge, so the falls are constantly renewing themselves. What makes the site special is that you do not just look at it: you climb it, from the beach at the bottom up towards the top, with cool water rushing around your legs.

On this Dunn's River Falls tour you spend about two hours at the falls and park. Friendly guides lead the climb, often with the group holding hands in a chain, show you where to step and help first-timers. Water shoes are essential because bare feet are not allowed, and they can be bought on site. It is a joyful, splashy climb rather than a technical one.

Dunn's River Park and the Caribbean Shore

The falls lie inside Dunn's River Park, an area of tropical gardens, shaded paths and wooden viewing decks that also lets non-climbers watch the cascades from the side. At the foot of the falls the river spills onto a small sandy beach and straight into the Caribbean Sea, one of the rare places where a waterfall meets the sea like this. The clear, calm water at the beach is a lovely place for a swim before or after the climb.

The site also has a long history. The Spanish called this stretch of coast Las Chorreras, 'the waterfalls', a name thought to have turned into Ocho Rios over time, and a battle between Spanish and English forces was fought close to the falls in 1657. Today it is one of the most visited natural attractions in the country, so arriving early, as this tour does, usually means a calmer climb and better photos.

Blue Hole, Ocho Rios

After the falls, a 20-minute drive takes you into the hills above Ocho Rios to the Blue Hole, a limestone river gorge where a series of small cascades pour into natural pools of striking turquoise and deep blue water. The colour comes from the pale limestone bed and the clarity of the water, which stays refreshingly cool even on hot days. Surrounded by tall trees, ferns and hanging vines, it feels wilder and more hidden than the coast below.

You spend about an hour at the Blue Hole with your guide. You can swim in the pools, swing from a rope, jump into the water if you wish, or simply sit on the rocks and enjoy the scenery. Guides know the safe spots and help you move between the pools. Independent photographers work at the site but are not part of the tour. Is the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios worth visiting? For many travellers it is the highlight of the day.

Ocho Rios and the Garden Parish

Ocho Rios lies on the north coast of Jamaica in the parish of St. Ann, often called the Garden Parish for its rivers, waterfalls and green hills. Once a small fishing village, it has grown into one of the island's main resort towns and a busy cruise port, with sandy beaches, craft markets and easy access to some of the best-known natural sights in the country.

That makes it the perfect base for an Ocho Rios waterfall tour. Dunn's River Falls is only about 10 minutes from town, and the Blue Hole is about 20 minutes further into the hills, so you spend most of the morning in the water rather than on the road. The tour starts at 08:00 with pickup in Ocho Rios and runs for about four and a half hours, so you are back at your starting point by early afternoon with plenty of time left for the beach.