The Most Unusual Experiences to Have in Jamaica

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The Luminous Lagoon is one of Jamaica’s best-kept secrets. The ‘glow in the dark’ effect of the lagoon comes from the microorganisms that fill the waters, giving off a luminous effect. It is located in Falmouth, Trelawny and there are said to be only three of its kind in the world. Tours are offered out into the lagoon, where guests can go diving and swimming in the glistening waters.

The remote Windsor Mineral Spring in St. Ann’s Bay is unlike any other in Jamaica. At the spring, there is a small area, called Fire Water Pond, where the water can actually catch fire. This unusual activity is believed to be caused by a high concentration of sulfur in the water. Residents of Winsdor in St. Ann have told many stories about the healing and rejuvenating effects of the water. ‘Fire massages’ are usually given to visitors of the spring and residents even use the pond to cook.

The massive earthquake of 1692 that hit Port Royal (once known as the wickedest city in the world), destroyed most of the city, sending parts of it into the sea. Hundreds of people died in the earthquake and a majority of the buildings collapsed or sank underwater. Today, most of the remains of the 17th-century city lie under up to 40 feet (12 metres) of water and can be explored by diving.

Floyd’s Pelican Bar is one of the most unique places to have a drink or grab some lunch in Jamaica. The tiny bar is made of driftwood stilted on a huge sandbar, about a quarter mile (400 metres) out at the sea. A 20-minutes boat ride from Negril’s coast will take you to the unusual bar out in the ocean. Once there, you can sunbathe, swim in the shallow ocean water, drink a cold Red Stripe beer and have delicious Jamaican food.

The Blue Hole, also called the Blue Lagoon, in Portland, Jamaica is one of the most beautiful natural attractions on the island. The lagoon, rumoured to be bottomless, features clear, turquoise waters surrounded by lush greenery. Blue Hole is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving off the tree vines that hang above the pool of water.

Cliff-jumping is the main activity and attraction at Rick’s Café in Negril. Rick’s Café is a restaurant and bar, but most locals and tourists go there to watch those brave enough to face the 35-foot-high (10-metre) cliff. A few daredevils have even climbed trees and buildings above the cliffs to dive into the waters. The café’s cliffs are also the perfect place to view the beautiful Negril sunset.

Crocodiles in Jamaica are truly a rare sighting. These infamous reptiles are often found in the southern coast of the island, especially Black River. When touring the 33-mile (53-kilometre) river, you are sure to see at least one crocodile. At first, they aren’t very easy to spot, as they tend to lie quite still for long periods of time, only showing their eyes and nostrils. Visitors are usually fascinated and often take pictures of the silent reptiles. The crocodiles are not usually harmful to humans.

The Blue Mountains is the longest mountain range in Jamaica and features majestic scenery and a lush forest. Apart from hiking and camping, the Blue Mountains are the perfect place to go biking in nature. The well-travelled nature trails form wide, clear paths that are suited for bicycle riding.

It is incredible that you can find horses swimming in the Jamaican waters with visitors on their backs. At specific resorts in Jamaica, such as Half Moon, this equestrian activity is the highlight for many guests. Thoroughbreds are trained to swim in the water and, surprisingly, make very good swimmers!

Many think of bobsledding as a winter sport, but the Mystic Mountain Nature Park offers guests the opportunity to bobsled any time of the year, through the mountains of Ocho Rios. Tour up to the 700-foot (213-metre) Mystic Mountain peak and ride down in the bobsled, similarly to a rollercoaster. Mystic Mountain also features zip-lining and sky exploring, for those who want to engage in other fun adventures.