Things To Do In Portland Jamaica.

Few will disagree that the parish of Portland is one of the most beautiful places on the island. With its stunning blue waters, romantic coves, remote white sand beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best food on the island, Portland has long been a favourite getaway spot for celebrities looking to escape the glare, and couples craving solitude for their honeymoons.
There is no shortage of activities in Portland. Here are some highlights of the area:

BOSTON BAY
Well renowned as “The Jerk Capital of Jamaica”, Boston Bay is not only a tantalizing treat for the taste buds it also appeals to sun bathers and lover’s of water sport. The golden sands and rough waters will tempt you to grab a surfboard and ride the waves, take a lesson in wind surfing, or venture further out to some good snorkeling sites.
Boston Bay is one of the best surfing spots in Jamaica. Boasting the longest history of surfing in the island, locals have been riding the waves here since the 1960′s. The horseshoe-shaped bay works the water both ways depending on the swell direction. The area is also great for body boarding and swimming too, not to mention just relaxing.
When you’re ready for a break from the seaside fun, some of the finest jerk on the island is just steps away roasting away on pimento wood.

FRENCHMANS COVE
Frenchman’s Cove is tucked between two rocky bluffs and consists of a lagoon which meanders around a bar of sand from one direction while the sea barrels in from the other. The beach is pinched between two tiny headlands that are overhung with greenery – giving the beach a luminous green light. You enter through lush gardens, which then open up into a gorgeous secluded beach cove. There is also a fresh water river flowing into the beach.
There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the water where the river meets the sea and Frenchman’s Cove is one special place where you can enjoy this sensation. It’s combination of beauty, tranquility and seclusion makes it a popular destination for Jamaicans in the know.

SOMMERSET FALLS
Sommerset Falls in Hope Bay, about 10 miles west of Port Antonio is a beautiful cascade where the Daniel’s River plunges down a narrow gorge. The waterfalls are nestled in a lush rainforest and the entire property is an exotic tropical escape.
Once an old sugar plantation that extended from the mountains to the sea, today Somerset is a 97-acre property with a breathtaking garden, complete with ponds and waterfalls. Overflowing with crotons, bamboos, ferns, cocoa plants, indigo and moss-covered trees, the garden grows on the banks of the Daniel River and is home to a collection of exotic birds. A concrete walk to the falls takes you past the ruins of a Spanish aqueduct and Genesis Falls before reaching the Hidden Falls.

To reach Hidden Falls, you board a boat and travel beneath the tumbling water; more daring travellers can swim in a whirlpool or jump off the falls into a pool of water while visiting the caves. Spend the day sunning, relaxing and bathing and diving in picture-perfect 20-foot deep rock pools, or chill out at the seaside/riverside restaurant and bar.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
The Blue Mountain range sprawls across the eastern portion of the island for a length of 28 miles and an average width of about 12 miles. It is the most popular area for outdoor enthusiasts in Jamaica.
You can access hiking trails and camping grounds from the Portland side of the range. The forests in the Blue Mountains have more than 800 species of endemic plants, the world’s second largest butterfly, Papilo homerus, 200 species of resident and migrant birds and is one of the largest migratory bird habitats in the Caribbean. There are also more than 500 species of flowering plants of which almost one half are native to Jamaica.
Campgrounds are found in areas supervised by the Forestry Department. An excursion to the peak is an unforgettable experienced, but be sure to make arrangements with an experienced guide.

MAROON TOWN
For centuries during our colonial past a community of African descendants resisted captivity from their strongholds in the mountains. Geography and mutual suspicion kept Maroons isolated from mainstream society for over a century. Their separation made them a time capsule of African traditions that date back to the 16th century.
In Portland, tours are available to the historic Charles Town maroon settlement. The area is the former haunt of national heroine, Nanny. Among the highlights of a visit are the Charles Town Museum and Safu Yard that share the story of Maroon struggles and lifestyle.

Courtesy of  http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/experiencejamaica/portland.html