THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Blue Hole (Island Gully Falls) offers bright blue plunge pools, cliff jumps and a small cave to explore a short drive from Ocho Rios. This 2–3 hour outing blends easy hiking with swimming and local-guided cliff climbs—ideal for moderately fit travelers.
Blue Hole (Island Gully Falls) offers bright blue plunge pools, cliff jumps and a small cave to explore a short drive from Ocho Rios. This 2–3 hour outing blends easy hiking with swimming and local-guided cliff climbs—ideal for moderately fit travelers.
You step off the shaded lane and hear the river before you see it — water cutting a lucid blue through green, tumbling over limestone ledges into a string of plunge pools. Sun sifts through breadfruit and almond trees while local guides call up the trail, ready with ropes and local stories.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Peat Taylor Tours · Ocho Rios, St. Ann Parish
You step off the shaded lane and hear the river before you see it — water cutting a lucid blue through green, tumbling over limestone ledges into a string of plunge pools. Sun sifts through breadfruit and almond trees while local guides call up the trail, ready with ropes and local stories.
Blue Hole (often called Island Gully Falls) sits a short drive inland from Ocho Rios. Geologically, the falls run through fractured limestone and volcanic soils that give the pools their bright aquamarine hue; not far upstream, freshwater springs bubble from fissures that carved the channel over millennia. Culturally, this place is woven into St. Ann parish life — generations of Jamaicans have gathered here for bathing, clay treatments and communal swims.
Practical details: the standard visit lasts about 2–3 hours including transport; the approach is a 10–20 minute uneven trail with rock steps and slick surfaces. Pools range from shallow wading spots to deeper basins often 3–5 meters deep; designated jump points are marked and overseen by guides. Expect wet rock, pockets of shade, and brief cave sections where mineral clay accumulates.
Tips for planning: wear secure water shoes, bring a waterproof bag and reef-safe sunscreen, and time your visit early for cooler water and fewer crowds. If you want to climb the falls or jump, go with a guide who knows safe entry points. Respect local rules about clay and wildlife, pack out trash, and leave the pools as you found them — the springs thrive when visitors do.
The approach from the parking area is typically a 10–20 minute walk on an uneven rock-and-dirt trail with stairs and brief steep sections.
Designated jump points are supervised by local guides; beginners should jump with a guide present, avoid high jumps and enter feet-first.
Facilities are basic; some local operators provide simple changing areas, but it’s best to bring a towel and use your vehicle for secure storage.
Yes, children can enjoy shallow pools under supervision — bring life vests for non-swimmers and choose calmer areas away from jump zones.
Peat Taylor Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the shaded lane and hear the river before you see it — water cutting a lucid blue through green, tumbling over limestone ledges into a string of plunge pools. Sun sifts through breadfruit and almond trees while local guides call up the trail, ready with ropes and local stories.
You step off the shaded lane and hear the river before you see it — water cutting a lucid blue through green, tumbling over limestone ledges into a string of plunge pools. Sun sifts through breadfruit and almond trees while local guides call up the trail, ready with ropes and local stories.
Blue Hole (often called Island Gully Falls) sits a short drive inland from Ocho Rios. Geologically, the falls run through fractured limestone and volcanic soils that give the pools their bright aquamarine hue; not far upstream, freshwater springs bubble from fissures that carved the channel over millennia. Culturally, this place is woven into St. Ann parish life — generations of Jamaicans have gathered here for bathing, clay treatments and communal swims.
Practical details: the standard visit lasts about 2–3 hours including transport; the approach is a 10–20 minute uneven trail with rock steps and slick surfaces. Pools range from shallow wading spots to deeper basins often 3–5 meters deep; designated jump points are marked and overseen by guides. Expect wet rock, pockets of shade, and brief cave sections where mineral clay accumulates.
Tips for planning: wear secure water shoes, bring a waterproof bag and reef-safe sunscreen, and time your visit early for cooler water and fewer crowds. If you want to climb the falls or jump, go with a guide who knows safe entry points. Respect local rules about clay and wildlife, pack out trash, and leave the pools as you found them — the springs thrive when visitors do.