Rediscovering White River Waterfalls and Portland's Hidden Gems

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. —Henry David Thoreau

As we walked the same path I had taken years ago, memories of past adventures flooded my mind.

Trips to Swift River, Big Spring, and Warsha Waterfall danced in my thoughts, reminding me of those times I had hiked with Jess and Shane through the towering trees.

Izzy, my friend on this trip, was exhausted but equally determined to see Jamaica's untouched beauty. He had traveled miles for this.

Eventually, we arrived back at Waterfall Number One, where we rested before jumping into the water without a second thought.

The hike had been tough, and our guide had to clear the overgrown trail with his cutlass.

It was clear no one had visited this spot in some time. We relaxed in the cool water, feeling the rush of the waterfall massage our tired muscles.

It's been years since I first visited White River Number One Waterfall in the Rio Grande Valley of Portland, and I can still vividly recall the day I first saw it and fell madly in love.

I had searched the internet for any mention of this hidden gem, but nothing turned up

. Determined not to give up, I searched for "Rio Grande Valley, Portland Jamaica," and stumbled upon Ambassabeth Eco Lodge. That was my first lead.

I decided to call the number associated with the page, and a lady answered, explaining that she offered tours to various waterfalls near her cabins. Excited, I felt this might be the lead I was hoping for—a chance to see the waterfall I had been seeking and maybe even more hidden treasures.

A few months passed, and I finally booked the tour. When I called, however, her son answered and informed me that she had sadly passed away. It was a heart-wrenching moment, knowing that she had been the driving force behind the business. With her passing, the family had no plans to continue the tours, leaving me at a standstill.

Then COVID-19 struck, and as the world adjusted, new tour companies began to emerge. Two caught my eye: Touring876 and On The Edge Tours. To my surprise, Touring876 posted a picture of the elusive White River Number One Waterfall on Instagram—the very waterfall I had waited so long to visit. Without hesitation, I contacted them and secured my place.

The path to the waterfall was overgrown, and the area swarmed with mosquitoes. The hike wasn’t for the faint of heart. Still, I was thrilled to be the first visitor on this trail before it became popular. The hike was scenic, the air crisp, and the anticipation built with every step.

After reaching Waterfall Number One and reveling in its beauty, we found Waterfall Number Two. The path was choked with bushes, but we pushed forward. Halfway there, one of the tour guides was stung by a bee, his face swelling up. Despite the setback, we kept going, eager to see what awaited us. (You can read more about Waterfall Number Two in a past blog post.)

We headed to Comfort Castle the next day and enjoyed a refreshing dip in Best River Waterfall. This river, often overlooked, was the perfect place to unwind after hiking.

We then made our way to Dry River, another long-lost destination for me. The hike was challenging, involving steep hills, rocky paths, and navigating through a farm lush with coconuts, bananas, and coco yams.

Once we reached Dry River, I was in awe. It was even more breathtaking than I remembered.

 As I stood by the emerald green water, Izzy, with his goggles on, looked into the river and exclaimed that it resembled Atlantis.

Curious, I borrowed his goggles and was astonished by what I saw—it was beautifully eerie, as if gazing into another world.

While we soaked in the beauty of the place, a Rasta man swam by with a large jug, effortlessly filling it with water from the waterfall.

It was a simple, serene moment that added to the magic of the day.

As we prepared to leave, I took in the stunning view of the mountains, capturing a few photos to hold onto the memory. This journey reminded me why Portland holds such a special place in my heart—why it was my first love.

We returned to civilization with plans to explore Nanny Waterfall, but instead, we decided on Darren Waterfall, another adventure waiting to unfold.

Would you hike to Dry River and relax at Best River Waterfall in the Rio Grande on the same day? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more on my next adventure—a beautiful herbal and waterfall tour in St. Andrew.

Portland will always hold a special place in my heart, but there’s always something new to discover in Jamaica’s natural wonders. See you on the next adventure!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Whatta Gwaan!

You've discovered my blog. I'm delighted you're here. Maybe it's destiny. I'm Doreen Lillian Scarlett welcome to Nature's Sweet Escapes where I go on the far side of Instagram to document and share my adventures.

The Fairytale Finale: Waterfall Number Four, Spring Bank

"Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—over and over announcing your place in the family of things." –Mary Oliver

After the perfect date with waterfall number three, it was time to say my goodbyes. My heart was heavy, but my spirit was still buzzing with excitement as we ventured toward our final waterfall for the day — number four.

I wasn’t ready for the day to end. There was still so much to see, but the sun was slowly bowing out, and we were deep in the lush, untouched wilderness of Spring Bank.

And then... we met him. Tall. Dark. Handsome. Waterfall number four stood confidently among the trees, the largest of the day — towering over waterfalls one, two, and three with a commanding presence.

I have a deep appreciation for large waterfalls, and this one was no exception. Still, waterfall number three — with its charm and intimacy — held onto its title as my favorite. But number four? He made me pause and stare.

The jungle vibes were strong here. Strings of vines and trees hung gracefully around the waterfall, giving it the look of a natural cathedral.

It reminded me so much of waterfall number six in the Rio Grande Valley — mysterious, majestic, and wildly free.

Spring Bank continued to whisper memories of Millbank — my favorite place in all of Jamaica. I hadn’t returned to Millbank in a while, but being here reignited my desire to explore every hidden waterfall in that area, too.

Back in Spring Bank, I stood in awe. I hadn’t expected to discover such a tall, powerful waterfall after visiting three smaller ones earlier. It was a pleasant surprise — nature showing off yet again.

I climbed to the top and let the cool mist kiss my skin as I stared out into the trees. In that moment, I said it aloud: “I love you, St. Thomas — where have you been all my life?”

In Spring Bank, I uncovered a new layer of St. Thomas — one filled with beauty, mystery, and magic. The only drawback? These waterfalls rely heavily on rainfall. Without it, they tend to vanish, hiding their beauty until the heavens open again.

Still, I smiled uncontrollably, dancing, singing, and laying on warm rocks beneath the fading light. I was completely present.

Filled with joy. Wrapped in peace. Living my fairy-tale moment. It felt like stepping into another dimension — a sacred place untouched by time. A place where I found my purpose again.

Spring Bank is paradise. The trees, the rivers, the cold, fresh air — it’s a world of its own, and I know you’d fall in love too.

On our way back, we made a quick visit to waterfall number ten.

 It was stunning, but I didn’t linger — I knew my next adventure in Spring Bank deserved my full attention.

My guides were incredible — patient, kind, and knowledgeable. If you ever explore places like this, please don’t go alone. These areas are home to wild animals, including hogs. We didn’t encounter any, but they are often hunted for their organic meat.

Back in civilization, as I waited for transportation, a twist of fate unfolded.

One of my tour guides at Waterfall Number Ten.

Out of the hills came Emilio, with only one shoe on — the river had claimed the other. We’d both been exploring Spring Bank that day, and though it was our first time meeting in person, we instantly clicked.

We took a photo to surprise our mutual friend Simone and rode home together, exchanging stories from a parallel universe of waterfalls and wonder.

Have You Fallen for Waterfall Number Four?

Did waterfall number four sweep you off your feet like it did me? I’d love to hear what you think. Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Until next time — stay wild, stay curious. 🌿💦✨

More Adventures

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @NATURESSWEETESCAPES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Whatta Gwaan!

You've discovered my blog. I'm delighted you're here. Maybe it's destiny. I'm Doreen Lillian Scarlett welcome to Nature's Sweet Escapes where I go on the far side of Instagram to document and share my adventures.