3 weeks ago
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Sorry TLC, but “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” is advice I’ll never take! I’m fascinated by waterfalls, and am pleased to report that I’ve now visited 30 of Jamaica’s 50+ waterfalls. My thirtieth Jamaican waterfall was another hidden gem: the Crescent Falls in Geddes Town, St. Mary. Here’s how my amusing adventure to Crescent Falls went and what to expect at this off-the-beaten-path treasure.
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Where is Crescent Falls?
Crescent Falls is located in Geddes Town, St. Mary, a small rural district close to Free Hill. Free Hill is home to Mad River, a hidden gem which my partner and I stumbled upon last year by surprise. Funnily enough, we were nearly directed to Mad River again when we stopped to ask community residents for directions to Crescent Falls. We had to constantly tell everyone “no, not Mad River,” even after showing them a photo of Crescent Falls. That’s an amusing nuance of our culture; Jamaicans always want to help so they will send you to where they know, rather than admit that they don’t know the spot you’re enquiring about.
Beautiful trail to Crescent Falls with wild ginger lilies From A3, we took the Free Hill Main Road which led us past the Jack’s River community, C&J’s gas station, Sun Valley Plantation, dozens of coconut trees and finally past an old iron bridge. We parked in the vicinity of this bridge after stumbling upon two youngsters who recognized the waterfall in question and offered to take us there as they were also heading to the river. We tipped them for their kindness, but the waterfall was actually hiding in plain sight by the road! I’m also grateful for Fire, an alias for the helpful Rasta who steered us in the right direction to the falls. This was quite an adventure but we found it in under two hours of leaving the capital city of Kingston, even after making two wrong turns initially. We passed about 4 bridges in total, each of which only permit single lane traffic so be courteous to other motorists and give way where necessary.
As with all hidden gems in Jamaica, come dressed for the water and pack light! Crescent Falls is free which equals no amenities, but this is the wild unfiltered Jamaica which I prefer to explore. Pack bug spray; you’ll need it!
Enjoying Crescent Falls
Xaymaca: Land of Wood & WaterWe only had a 10-15 minute walk to Crescent Falls from where we parked. We traversed a narrow trail which coursed through lush pink and red ginger lilies, and finally alongside the river bank. The river banking was covered with slippery moss, so we opted to strip down to our swimwear and wade through the shallow parts of the river pictured above. Our reward was quick– a beautiful hidden waterfall (well err, partially visible from the bridge above the river). Our teenage tour guides watched us with amusement as we got our pictures and a back massage from nature. They said it looks even better in wet season, so all the better to revisit some day!
Our Amerindian ancestors couldn’t have named Jamaica any better: Land of Wood & Water. After we had our fill at the waterfall, we went downstream to join our teenage guides at their favourite section of the river. They were daring us to dive in but none of us were up for the challenge. Instead, it was our turn to watch their acrobatic feats in amusement. I can only hope they realize how blessed they are to come from such a beautiful place though it seems they do because the river was cleaner than most I’ve been to. There wasn’t an ounce of litter anywhere. What a relief!
Silent rivers run deepWrap Up
With each adventure, I fall in love with Jamaica’s beauty even more, and am in awe of the Creator. While words and photos cannot do Jamaica justice, I still try my best and hope to capture even a fraction of that magic in this online diary. On another note, today (August 1) is a public holiday in Jamaica, so Happy Emancipation Day! What do you think of Crescent Falls? Was it worth the visit in dry season with low water levels? Sound off in the comments section below!
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