Hiking Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Dunns River Falls is one of the most well-known landmarks in Jamaica thanks to its stunning 180-foot-height and 600-foot length. Every year millions of visitors come from around the world to see this unique and refreshing natural treasure. The lush-rain forest-like feel and beautiful cascading falls are what put this attraction on my bucket list and I was finally able to cross it off.

Why Dunns River Falls In Ocho Rios is a Must See

This excursion was on my bucket list for a while. We had some friends who did the hike in 2010 but since our port of call on that cruise was Montego Bay, they had to spend a good amount of time on a bus getting to the falls. We opted to enjoy Montego Bay instead on that trip.

Chris and I booked our 2017 cruise knowing that there would be a stop in Ocho Rios and we knew it would finally be our chance to see the falls. I wanted to experience the beauty of the falls and convincing him was easy. He’s a huge James Bond fan and since the falls were featured in Dr. No, the original James Bond film, it was a must-see on his bucket list, too.

After a short bus ride from the port, we changed into our water shoes, rented a locker on-site for our personal items and set off to see the falls. We visited in late September and the water was pretty cool but it felt invigorating thanks to hot summer temperature.

Dunns River Falls Climbing Experience

Dunns River falls offers two types of climbs – the dry climb and the wet climb. The dry climb uses a walking path along the falls. The wet climb is what most people do – you start at the beach in a guided group and climb up the rocks in a human chain fashion. If you plan to climb the falls from beginning to end, you should join a tour group because the guides are very familiar with the slippery spots and can keep you out of harm’s way on your climb to the summit.

Or you could do like we did and get in at various points along the walking path to take photos and enjoy the many small lagoons along the falls. We started about midway up and then joined up with a group near the top so we could hike to the summit. After got to the summit, we hiked down to the beach and back up again on the walking path.

It’s worth a hike down to the beach because the falls feed directly into the ocean. It’s also just a beautiful beach that makes for a nice photo op or a quick water break in the shade. Dunns River Falls is a must-see in my book. We enjoyed our day at the Falls and I would highly recommend it if you’re ever in Ocho Rios.

What To Bring To Dunns River Falls

If you plan to visit the falls here’s what you need to bring:

Money – You’ll need some form of payment to pay your entrance fee, rent a locker and purchase a snack or souvenir if you choose.

Water Shoes – you are required to have closed-toe shoes to hike the falls. You can buy a pair on Amazon before your trip but in case you forget, vendors do sell them at the entrance of the falls but of course, the cost is a little inflated.

Water Proof Camera – we use a GoPro for our water-related adventures. Purchasing a GoPro was the best thing we’ve done to date. It comes with different cases, one of them being a waterproof case which is perfect for use at the beach, lake, pool or underwater. The thing I love about the GoPro is you have the ability to take photos and videos with one device.

We purchased the option GoPole Bobber which is basically a selfie stick for your GoPro. The floating stick and wrist strap make it easy to use and not lose. You could also use the camera on your phone – just be sure to get a waterproof case to protect it.

Swimwear – We wore our swimwear under a tank and shorts for the quick ride from the port to the falls. You can stash away your cover-ups and personal items once you arrive since they do have lockers for rent on site.

Towels – Since we visited as part of a cruise excursion, we brought the towels from the ship to dry off with once we finished but if you plan to visit as part of your vacation, be sure to bring your own towel.

Water – This is a must! I always carry water with me on any excursion. If you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know I always bring along my RTIC water bottle. My 36 oz bottle was the perfect size for this excursion and as always, it keeps my water cold ALL day long.

Learn more about the Falls or plan your visit: https://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/.

Not only do you want to be prepared to visit this amazing spot, it’s also important to be prepared for your trip as a whole. Check out my post on 11 Important Things To Do Before Every Trip.