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Nature lovers looking for more than just a beautiful beach resort should consider Jamaica an excellent opportunity to view the spectacular beauty of Caribbean flora and fauna. The island offers a great variety of outdoor activities, ranging from hiking in the amazing Blue Mountains to spelunking along the unexplored caves of Cockpit Country. Here are some highly recommended natural attractions that promise to inspire and astonish.
Martha Brae River
For those staying in the Montego Bay area and looking to enjoy an unparalleled view of nature in Jamaica, an evening trip to the Martha Brae River is just the right way to do it. Of the many stories about the Martha Brae River, the most famous tales involve a local witch-woman, tortured by Spanish Conquistadors about the location of a gold mine. When she finally agreed to take them there, she disappeared and used her powers to redirect the course of the river, which filled the cave and drowned the Conquistadors.
The river, located in Falmouth, Trewlaney (near Montego Bay), offers two main attractions: first, the exciting experience of bamboo rafting, and second the uniquely beautiful Luminous Lagoon of Glistening waters.
Daytime rafting along the river is inexpensive, and costs about $30(USD) for a couple and a small child (up to 10 years) per raft. Each trip is about four and a half hours and includes refreshments. During the day, one can enjoy the gorgeous natural scenery and animal life Jamaica is famous for. Rafting at night means a special treat for all, regardless of whether you're a nature fanatic.
One could begin the evening with an early meal at the well-known Glistening Waters Restaurant and Marina, serving delicious Jamaican seafood dishes. After dinner, around 7:00 p.m., sunset cruises along the river, which cost about $15(USD) per person, depart from the marina restaurant for the world famous Luminous Lagoon.
The river is home to a rare phosphorescent microbe that lives in the shallow, warm area where salt and fresh water meet. Here you'll find Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon, where the river meets the Caribbean Sea. The constant flow of the river moves the microbes causing them to glow, and the constant action along the lagoon, whether from boat tours or swimmers, enhances this effect. Of the four places in the world where this particular phenomenon can be found, Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon has been named the best place on earth to view the rarity.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the trip is when the boat stops so tourists can take a swim in the shallower areas of the lagoon (at it's deepest, eight feet, but closer to five feet on average), and see the water glow around them as they relax and bathe in the warm, tropical environment.
The Blue Mountains
Behind the city of Kingston are the Blue Mountains, aptly named for their appearance. The Blue Mountains are home to some of the world's rarest flora and fauna, as well as some of the world's best biking and hiking.
The Blue Mountains themselves actually consist of two ranges, the Central Range and the Port Royal Mountains. One thing that they both share, however, is a stunning variety of rare and unusual nature. The first is home to both the highest point in Jamaica at 7,402 feet, and also to the world's second-largest butterfly, the pterourus homerus, formerly known as the papilio homerus (commonly called the great Jamaican swallowtail). Additionally, Jamaica is home to an unusual tree called chusquea abietifolia which blooms once every 33 years. The next scheduled date for bloom is 2017.
One of the most exciting things to do in Jamaica is cycle down and see the scenic nature surrounding the mountains. Cycle tours start at an elevation of 5,060 feet and head downward, stopping along the way to see coffee plantations and rain forest sights. Local tour guides proudly share information on local wildlife and history. Tours include lunch, snacks and bike rental and generally cost about US$89 per person. Additionally, the Blue Mountains offer secure and enjoyable camping, which may be a fantastic way to enjoy your visit to the mountains.
Other Outdoor Activities
In Ocho Rios, popular activities for tourists interested in experiencing nature include an enjoyable day of sailing along the coast of Jamaica and to the famous Dunn's River Falls. Most boats allow time for swimming and photography, with stops at perfect picture locations.
Just outside Ocho Rios, there is a reclusive natural area called the White River Valley that is famous for its tubing tours along the river where you can enjoy a serene ride, whether by raft, tube or boat.
If you are more interested in the scenery underwater, Jamaica has many below sea-level sights to offer. With astounding visibility (in some places, nearing 30 feet), a diver can get up close and personal with close-to-shore wrecks, underwater caverns and coral reefs, all of which are home to diverse sea life.
If looking for a real adventure, caving in Jamaica proves to be an exciting and unmatched experience, especially in Jamaica's Cockpit Country, an area of mostly unexplored caves and hiking trails, perfect for any explorer. A word of caution, though, regarding this part of the environment in Jamaica: it is probably not best to go exploring Cockpit Country alone, but rather with a local or experienced guide.