Somerset Falls

Spend a day at Somerset Falls to witness the spectacular natural beauty of Jamaica. This steep gorge carves its way through craggy rocks scattered with waterfalls which cascade dramatically down to seemingly bottomless pools. Guided tours help you to make the most of your visit, with experts on hand to point out all the interesting geological features and help you identify the birds and plants that thrive in this unique habitat.

As you follow the gorge, pause to admire the exotic plants and flowers of the rainforest. Smell the warm, damp air as you pass ancient trees covered in downy mosses, red ginger lilies and green bottlebrush plants, keeping a constant lookout for flashes of brilliant colour as tropical birds dart among the branches or skim along the river bed. The guide will explain some of the traditional uses of the plants that grow in these conditions, pointing out different kinds of crotons, ferns and bamboos and helping you to identify them for yourself.

At the top of the falls are seats and picnic tables where you can take a breather and enjoy the sounds of the rainforest below you, before stepping into a handmade bamboo raft to explore the falls themselves. Pass the Bridal Veils Falls, which tumble dramatically down the rock face, to Hidden Falls, partly concealed by a narrow gorge. Stop here to take a dip in the pool, stimulating your senses under the cascading waters, and explore the cave behind the falls, before making your way back to the bar for drinks and dinner.

Somerset Falls lies at the end of a scenic coastal drive. The journey takes around 4 hours by car or taxi from Montego Bay, or around 1.5 hours from Kingston. Alternatively, many coach tour operators offer inclusive day trips. For a longer stay, overnight accommodation can be booked in private cottages and guest rooms, where you can wake up with the sounds of the tropical dawn chorus ringing in your ears.