Port Antonio
Port Antonio © Jamaica Tourist Board
An hour and a half's drive east of Ocho Rios lies the rugged coastline of Port Antonio, where mist-shrouded mountains come right down into the sea providing hidden coves and beaches. Orchids and palms grow in profusion and waterfalls drop into fern-edged pools. The town itself, which nestles between twin harbours, is relatively unspoilt, with no high-rises, although there are some luxury resorts like Jamaica Palace Hotel. Beaches in the area are among the prettiest in Jamaica, especially Fairy Hill, San San, Dragon Bay and Boston Beach.

Described in the past as 'the most exquisite port on earth' (poetess Ella Wheeler), 'heaven on earth' and as 'the most beautiful woman I have ever seen' (Errol Flynn), Port Antonio still captivates visitors with its charm today. The seaside town has been a favoured destination for the rich and famous for decades, from Hollywood stars to billionaires and royalty, and the seclusion of its beautiful beaches, the azure sea, verdant hillsides and lush flora continue to enchant all comers to Port Antonio.

Port Antonio's banana industry boom during the late 1800s and early 1900s brought unprecedented prosperity to the area, but the Golden Age came to an end with the arrival of the Panama disease that almost completely wiped out the banana industry. The town still boasts a number of grand buildings from the days of the banana boom, such as the Musgrave Market and the Georgian Court House; and the remains of lavish hotels, like the ruins at Frenchman's Cove, are a reminder of the extravagance and extraordinary wealth of days past.

Today the main allure of Port Antonio is the undeveloped nature of its tourism trade, its unspoilt character, and the protection afforded to the environment and culture which has been fiercely undertaken by the local community to ensure that future generations will still be able to enjoy the natural wonders of this vacation paradise.



Attractions

Boston Beach
Boston Beach © Port Antonio Tourism

Beaches

Port Antonio has some of Jamaica's most beautiful beaches, from free public beaches to managed beaches with facilities and charging an entrance fee. San San Beach is a private strip of sand that has warm and shallow waters, and some offshore reefs that are ideal for snorkelling. In winter the waves make this a perfect spot to windsurf. One of the region's prettiest beaches is Frenchman's Cove, with its clear waters and white sand. During the 1960s a luxurious hotel resort, visited by the likes of Prince Philip and Elizabeth Taylor, occupied the headland, but has since closed down and fallen to ruin. The secluded cove at Boston Bay is perhaps more famous for its jerk stands than its public beach, with food stalls lining the road that serve jerk in all its forms. The waves, however, have raised its status as one of the best beaches in Jamaica for windsurfing.

Admission: Some beaches charge admission fees


Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio
Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio

Blue Lagoon

Made famous by 14-year-old Brooke Shields in the film Blue Lagoon, the sheltered cove is one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica, and is Port Antonio's most celebrated attraction. It is fed by underground mineral springs, and is believed by many to be bottomless, although it is estimated to be about 185 feet (56m) deep. Surrounded by steep, green hillsides, the Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim if one chooses to ignore the tales of sea monsters deep below the surface that are circulated by locals.


Banana raft on the Rio Grande
Banana raft on the Rio Grande © Port Antonio Tourism

Rio Grande

The Rio Grande has been used since 1911 as a means of transporting goods by bamboo rafts, particularly by banana farmers in the Rio Grande Valley who floated bunches of bananas on rafts to the end of the river at St Margaret's Bay. Today, bamboo rafting trips are a major tourist attraction, offering an experience that showcases the natural beauty that the Portland area has to offer. Trips last between two and three hours, and the 30-foot (9m) rafts can carry two passengers and are steered by skilled raftsmen who also act as guides. Rafts can be boarded at Berrydale or Grant's Level and end at the mouth of the Rio Grande at St Margaret's Bay.

Excursions

Reach Falls

Reach Falls, on the Driver's River, is a strong contender for the epithet of 'most beautiful place in Jamaica' - and are certainly the island's loveliest natural waterfalls. A series of cascades tumble into pool after pool of clear, green water, and the main falls thunder into a pool deep enough to dive into.

Address: Two miles (3km) from Manchioneal town centre; Website: www.reachfalls.com; Admission: US$10

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