Nanny Falls: Visit Protected Maroon Waterfall in Portland, Jamaica

Moore Town was mostly easy to find by following a map app. Ventured to the village mainly to bathe beneath a towering, legendary waterfall of the Wild Cane River. To locate Nanny Falls, it’s as simple as asking a Moore Town resident for directions. Anyone familiar with Jamaicans giving directions may start to worry at this point, but I urge you to fret not!

In my case, 2 elderly women pointed to the route before calling another resident from his home to act as a guide. This caught us off guard, as it wasn’t expected / intended to have someone unexpectedly pause their day to accommodate my adventure. I later learned that our guide, Chris aka Dre, is himself a Maroon.

The legend of Nanny Falls is that it’s a natural healing water source. During the years-long battle between the Windward Maroons and the British, it was believed to treat wounded soldiers through holistic properties. If a bath below Nanny Falls didn’t readily cure a Maroon’s injuries, they were deemed unfit to return to combat.

I’m not superstitous but will say that this is a river that gives me an indescribable sacred feeling when in it; have heard similiar sentiments from others as well. A popular Portland delicacy called busso can be found in these waters. It’s a tiny river snail, and if you’ve ever considered trying conch or escargot it’s worth asking your Maroon guide about this cultural dish.