Last month I decided to see what lies beyond the road to Holywell and what awaited was a pleasant surprise. I’d intended to visit at least one more waterfall from the parish of Portland going by this list of all the waterfalls in Jamaica, but ended up seeing three: Cascade waterfall, an unnamed pair and this mesmerizing beauty named Fish Dunn/Done Falls in the community of Silver Hill.
Would you believe it if I told you we didn’t even have to hike? This stunner is located next to the main road! You can drive or cycle right up to it. Barely any cars pass here on a daily basis but if you’re self-conscious about bathing right next to a road, just stare at the water for a bit and you’ll get over yourself.
Before we get into the article, subscribe for new adventures.
Also, please support the writer’s books on Amazon.

How to Find Fish Dunn Falls


Fish Done Falls is just under two hours from urban Papine and even shorter on the way back since the return trip is downhill. It’s about an hour’s drive beyond the entrance to the mountain park of Holywell, and midway between these two points is the community of Cascade and its waterfall. The road quality to get there wasn’t too bad on my trip, a pothole here and a pothole there, and occasionally we used our horn where the road narrowed to single lane traffic but there were only perhaps two places where that occurred. The views of the Blue and John Crow Mountains and its valleys are divine and the air is refreshingly cool, light and unpolluted. I would breathe this air every day of my life if I could.
When I visited, however, there was a recently erected fence– so recent in fact that my guide was startled because there wasn’t one there previously. While it didn’t bar my group access, the fence may be a sign of impending commercialization to yet another of Jamaica’s treasures. Enjoy it free while it lasts.
Arriving at Fish Dunn Waterfall


Brrrrrr! Located in the middle of a mountain range, you can imagine how cold the water was. Nonetheless, it was too beautiful to not get inside or even at least wet your toes like two friends from my quartet did. The water is deep and it’s possible to jump in from above. A community resident-turned-informal-lifeguard made it his point of duty to demonstrate just that for us and the huge splash was actually very dramatic and exciting to witness. None of my friends were having it today though– one in particular was still nursing some fatigue from a recent Reach Falls trip which quickly turned into a wet slippery (but enjoyable of course!) hike. I spent a lot of my time sitting on a rock near the middle of the natural pool which gives a dreamy view of the entire surroundings, and that immersed me up to about waist-deep. There’s a makeshift changing room right next to it too. Beautiful unspoilt high-mountain rugged Jamaican hospitable countryside truly doesn’t get any better than this.
Wrap Up

Again, a huge thank you to the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust and its lovely office staff and rangers who make my trip and similar trips to this slice of paradise possible. Find out more about the work this organization does and support if you can. Jamaica is truly paradise if you can overlook her problems, and its natural environment is a jewel and resource we must protect for those to come. I rate Fish Dunn Falls full 5 stars, ☆☆☆☆☆ and if you liked this waterfall, you’ll LOVE (from top left to bottom right):




Where have you reached in your personal bucket list of seeing Jamaica’s waterfalls? I’m now at 16 and counting, and yes, Fish Dunn Falls maks another item checked off of 2019’s local bucket travel list. 😊 Let me know which and how many Jamaican waterfalls you’ve visited down below. ⤵️
Stay in touch. ‘Til next time. ✌🏽
Find Elle on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and now on YouTube.
hey, how can i get here? apparently you can approach it from Buff Bay
LikeLike
I gave the directions from Papine in Kingston under the ‘getting there’ heading. I know it can be approached from Buff Bay but I’ve never taken that route. It should be easier though as the waterfall is closer to Buff Bay than it is to Kingston. Perhaps Google Maps could help.
LikeLike
hey, I took the route from Buff Bay, I was geotagged
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome!
LikeLike
Been here. Beautiful destination love it 👍😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous! I think I need to add the Blue Mountains to my bucket list…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed you should! It’s a magical place and my favourite in the whole of Jamaica from the people, the coffee, the landscape, waterfalls, rivers and everything. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t drink coffee… but I see more than enough natural beauty to slake my thirst!
LikeLiked by 1 person
this is so nice, wait is all of it deep? deep water stresses me out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, no. 😂 That’s understandable . Thankfully there are shallow parts (up to waist deep) and there was a lovely rock in the centre of the river where I could sit and admire the waterfall and its beautiful surroundings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s good to hear 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Fish Dunn Falls in Silver Hill (free, can drive or cycle right up to […]
LikeLike