Dry River Portland Jamaica

Dry River Portland Jamaica

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

The parish of Portland has some of the most beautiful beaches and waterfalls, and they are in no shortage either. So many are located in areas that are not well known or easily accessible by the general population and it requires guides from within the area to take you around.

One such hidden gem is the Dry River Falls.

A treasure trove of rivers and waterfalls can be found in the neighbourhood of Comfort Castle, much to the benefit of the locals. There is a picturesque hidden Portland waterfall nearby that emerges from Dry River.

Prepare for a hike because the area is located off the usual route after a series of winding roads that must be crossed on foot.

The journey initially seems to come to an end when you descend a slope to meet flowing water, but it actually continues upstream to the primary destination: Dry River Waterfall.

From here, it is not possible to see the massive falls; however, some more rock climbing and hopscotching will take you to the cascade and its swimming hole.

The spot is in a ravine that is surrounded by cliffs and vegetation, and the afternoon sun glistened softly on the chilly river there. Its transparent water flows deep, revealing stone flooring and an emerald overlay that was probably painted by the surrounding vegetation.

The velocity of the falling water creates its own spray at Dry River Falls, which is hidden behind a narrow rock cave. Busso, a little river snail that many Portlanders eat as a part of meals, is a local delicacy that inhabits the stones bordering Dry River's bank.

Dry River Waterfalls is not a tourist destination so you won’t find any amenities there. But gather a group of friends and it makes a great day trip.

Reach out to On the Edge Tours at 876 894 3507 and they will plan your trip to Dry River for you, be your guide and even provide you with a bamboo rafting and outdoor cooking experience. They are one of the few, if not the only tour company that operates in that community.

Other Falls in Portland

Some of the more popular falls in the Portland area are:

• Reach Falls- One of the island's most breathtaking natural waterfalls is Reach Falls. It is serenely located in a wild, exotic rainforest. It takes around an hour and a half to drive from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to Portland, which is situated on the eastern coast of Jamaica.
  
  Natural bamboo stands and vines are strung throughout the falls. Here you will find plant species that are unique to this area of the world. You can see secret holes that the water has dug out naturally if you walk underneath the waterfalls. Even better, one of the falls has a hidden cave behind it that you may enter and then exit right above the waterfall.
  
  
• Somerset Falls- The venue's restored natural features form a few cascades that meander through the picturesque green backdrop of rocks and woodland; these steps are somewhat bent and tilted to accommodate visitors.
  
  The Daniels River flows directly into turquoise natural pools after gushing down a steep slope through a beautiful landscape decorated with flowers and ferns, creating the picturesque main waterfall. A deep pool is created around the enormous boulder where the cascade spills upon it.
  
  Feel free to refresh yourself in the swimming area beneath the Hidden Falls, or if you're up for a little more excitement, jump in! Beyond the foggy curtain of the falls, a tour guide might lead you to a small, dark, cave-like grotto that is just begging to be explored.

• Nanny Falls - The lovely Nanny Falls are located in Moore Town, which is 45 minutes by car from Port Antonio. The journey to the falls, a true gem, is like an enjoyable treasure hunt on a natural trail. Leading to the crystal blue waters that cascade from rocks 30 feet into the pool below are large stones and the trees that support them.
  
  The Moore Town Maroons are in charge of the waterfalls named for Nanny of the Maroons. According to folklore, the 18th-century head of the Maroons and her men thought the waterfall had therapeutic qualities. The injured were deemed unsuitable to fight while preparing for combat if they had not recovered after visiting the waters.

Wondering what else you can do in Portland besides visiting these gorgeous falls? Here are some of Portland’s best attractions.

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Return to Jamaican Rivers from Dry River Portland Jamaica
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References & Sources For Dry River Portland Jamaica

1. J, J. (2021) Journey to dry river: Hidden Portland Waterfall, Simply Local. Available at: http://simplylocal.life/dry-river-hidden-portland-waterfall/ (Accessed: December 21, 2022).
2. Jamaican bloggers: Amazing dry river falls in Portland Jamaica - 2022 (2022) EpicTourzZ. Available at: https://epictourzz.com/dry-river-falls-in-portland-jamaica/ (Accessed: December 21, 2022).
3. Nanny falls - discover Jamaica Travel Blog (2020) Vacaymenow. Available at: https://discover.vacaymenow.com/listing/nanny-falls/ (Accessed: December 21, 2022).
4. Somerset Falls Portland: Things to do outdoors: Visit Jamaica (no date) placeholder. Available at: https://www.visitjamaica.com/things-to-do/experiences/nature/rivers-waterfalls/somerset-falls/ (Accessed: December 21, 2022).

Dry River Portland Jamaica | Written: December 21, 2022

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