Hidden gems in Portland
Lush, green and waterfall-rich: Port Antonio, the Blue Lagoon, Reach Falls and long, laid-back beaches like Long Bay and Winnifred. We have mapped 19 places in Portland, Jamaica: 8 waterfalls, 1 cave, 2 rivers and springs, 1 stay, 3 beaches, 2 food spots, 2 culture and viewpoint stops. Each one is tagged by how easy it is to reach, from easy access to hidden gems that need a guide.
Waterfalls
- Somerset Falls Easy access
A garden-setting falls park on the Daniel's River near Hope Bay, east of Port Antonio. A short boat ride leads to the main falls and the… - Fish Dunn Falls Off the beaten path
A waterfall with several cascades and clean water in the Silver Hill district of Mulleth Hall, listed by Google as a nature preserve.… - Springhill Falls Hidden gem
A little-known waterfall in the Mulleth Hall area, about 3 km north of Cascade Falls. A few visitors have rated it a perfect 5, and Google… - Marley Falls Hidden gem
A waterfall in the Albany area of Portland, away from the Port Antonio crowds. Reports describe a mild to moderate walk in, and local… - Nanny Falls Hidden gem
A waterfall and swimming hole above Moore Town, a Maroon community, reached by an uphill walk of about 30 minutes through ferns and giant… - Cascade Falls Hidden gem
Hidden waterfall reached by a short but steep forest hike in the Blue Mountains, with another route of about an hour from Holywell. Stones… - Reach Falls Off the beaten path
Clear pools and small caves near Manchioneal on the quiet east coast. Fewer crowds than Ocho Rios falls. - Nonsuch Falls Hidden gem
A towering waterfall in the small rural community of Nonsuch, in the hills of Portland. One travel blogger reports a drop of about 291 ft…
Caves
- Nonsuch Caves Off the beaten path
A cave system of about nine chambers beneath Athenry Gardens, in the cool hills roughly five miles uphill from Port Antonio. Visits are…
Rivers & springs
- Blue Lagoon Easy access
A famous deep blue lagoon near Port Antonio, fed by freshwater springs and the sea. One reviewer on Google Maps calls the water so clear, a… - Rio Grande, Berridale Easy access
Bamboo raft rides on a calm river, the slower local way to see Portland.
Stays
- Long Bay cottages Off the beaten path
Rustic beach cottages on a quiet stretch of the east coast.
Beaches
- Frenchman's Cove Easy access
A sheltered beach and river mouth in San San, about 15 minutes from Port Antonio, where a river meets the sea. It sits inside private… - Long Bay Beach Off the beaten path
A long white-sand crescent on the northeast coast, about 30 minutes east of Port Antonio. Popular with surfers and bodysurfers, with a few… - Winnifred Beach Easy access
A local‑favorite beach on Portland’s coast with a relaxed feel and far fewer tourists than the big resort beaches.
Food
- Oshea's 876 Kitchen Easy access
A small local kitchen near Port Antonio serving jerk chicken, escovitch fish, curry goat, callaloo and plantains. It also offers catering… - Boston Jerk Centre Easy access
The home of Jamaican jerk. A cluster of family-run jerk pits and stalls at the top of Boston Bay, with pork and chicken slow-cooked over…
Culture & views
- Hector's River village Off the beaten path
A small fishing village on Portland's wild eastern coast, where the road meets the sea. Under the Rock beach is a few steps away for… - Holywell Park Easy access
A cool mountain park beside Hardwar Gap in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, about an hour from Kingston. There are marked…