Reach Falls

Reach Falls is an off-the-beaten-path delight. Located up in the John Crow Mountains on Jamaica’s east coast, this 30-foot jade-colored cascade tumbles into several pools in the surrounding rain forest. You’ll need a bathing suit and a waterproof camera to capture the natural splendor. Local guides are available to help you make your way across the swimming holes and levels, and show you the best spots. Or you can explore it solo. Because of its distance from tourism spots, there are no crowds, no harassment, just an entrance fee to your very own Garden of Eden. On-site changing rooms are available as you exit by the parking lot. Small fun fact: The falls play a minor role in the 1988 Tom Cruise movie Cocktail.

In March of 2012 we stayed at Zion Country Eco Beach Cabins in Portland Parish Jamaica, in part due to their commitment to sustainable tourism. The proprietor Free-I is a respected member of the community and is able to connect guests with local resources and guides. The tours at nearby Reach Falls recently became government-regulated, and outside guides were hired in lieu of the local Rastafarian community who have traditionally taken visitors to the magnificent main falls. Free-I eschews the regulated tours and instead directs guests to Renny, who with great wisdom and wit led us down a sloping path in a banana plantation to an aquamarine creek... which became a river... which led to pool after perfect pool below the falls. We hiked and played in the water all morning, jumping off rock faces into deep pools and swimming behind small falls to find hidden caves. Eventually we reached the “back door” of the main falls, and were able to see them from our vantage point outside the regulated zone. We did get some nice photos of the falls (a few of tourists with puzzled “how did you get there?!” looks on their faces) but after a brief respite we were happy to turn around and head back downstream with Renny!