My local take
Status first. Reach Falls is open: the Jamaica Tourist Board’s list of tours and attractions shows it as open, and the site’s operator, the Urban Development Corporation or UDC, lists its usual opening days and fees. One thing to watch: in July 2026 the UDC invited private companies to lease, develop and manage the site for 25 years, so the way it runs, and its prices, could change.
When it’s running, Reach Falls is a very different trip from Dunn’s River. It’s a quieter river park in the forested hills of east Portland, where you swim in clear pools below the cascades rather than climb with a crowd. The site has had closures before: in 2023 the UDC shut it for a while after a suspected chemical leak into the Drivers River, which feeds the falls. My take: it suits people staying in Portland, or anyone happy to make a long day of it, who want to swim in a river rather than queue for one. If you’re coming from Ocho Rios or Montego Bay for one day, the drive is long, so pair it with something else on the east coast.
Close by, and confirmed open, the Blue Lagoon is free to visit, and Frenchman’s Cove is a beach where a river runs into the sea. For more of the parish, see my Portland guide.
How to get there
Reach Falls is inland from Manchioneal, on the east coast of Portland. The UDC puts it about 45 minutes east of Port Antonio. You drive east along the coast road towards Manchioneal, then turn inland up a hill road to the gate.
From Kingston, allow roughly two and a half to three hours each way, and from Ocho Rios about three hours or more; those are estimates, not timed routes. From Montego Bay it’s a very long day, and most people only do it if they are already spending a night or two in Port Antonio.
Without a car: Knutsford Express runs scheduled coaches with connections to Portland, but nothing goes to the falls. From Port Antonio, hire a licensed JUTA taxi or book a tour, and agree the price and the return time before you set off.
What to expect
Reach Falls is a series of cascades and pools on the Drivers River, surrounded by forest. You swim in the pools below the falls, and guides take visitors up the river through the water, including to an underwater cave. The UDC describes the property as an ecological sanctuary with significant biodiversity.
Fees are paid at the gate, and the UDC lists separate rates for residents and non-residents. We couldn’t confirm current details on lockers, changing rooms or food from an official source, so ask when you call ahead.
Local tips
Call before you leave. The UDC lists (876) 276-8663 and (876) 993-6512, and reachfalls@udcja.com, for the falls.
Don’t turn up on a Monday or Tuesday. The UDC lists it as open Wednesday to Sunday and on most public holidays.
Wear water shoes with a good grip. You walk on wet, slippery river rocks.
Use the guides at the official gate. You may be offered other tours on the road in, so agree the price before you start.
Bring cash in small notes for tips, and a dry bag for your phone if you go up the river.
Before you go
- Rivers in the hills rise fast after heavy rain. Stay out of the water if it is high or brown, whatever the time of day.
- The site isn’t suited to anyone with limited mobility. Children need close supervision.
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Questions people ask
Is Reach Falls open?
Yes. The Jamaica Tourist Board’s list of tours and attractions shows Reach Falls as open, and the UDC lists its usual days and fees. It’s a long drive from the resort areas, so call the falls on the numbers the UDC lists before you go.
How much does Reach Falls cost?
The UDC lists US$10 for non-resident adults and US$5 for children, and J$500 for resident adults and J$250 for children. The UDC is seeking a private partner to run the site, so check current prices when you call ahead.
What days is Reach Falls open?
The UDC lists Wednesday to Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, plus every public holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
How far is Reach Falls from Port Antonio?
About 45 minutes’ drive east, according to the UDC. It’s inland from Manchioneal, up a hill road off the east coast road.
Sources & updates
- Jamaica Tourist Board: Tours and attractions reopenings (Reach Falls: open) · checked
- Urban Development Corporation: Attractions (Reach Falls hours, fees and contacts; page updated Dec 2025) · checked
- Urban Development Corporation: Request for proposals, lease and development of Reach Falls (Jul 2026) · checked
- Jamaicans.com: Reach Falls temporarily closes over suspected chemical leak (May 2023) · checked
- Jamaica Tourist Board booking site: Reach Falls tour listing · checked
- Knutsford Express: scheduled services and connections to Portland · checked
- OpenStreetMap: Reach Falls (map location) · checked
Update log
- — Rewritten as a researched guide; facts re-checked. Post-hurricane status could not be confirmed.
- — Status changed to open, per the Jamaica Tourist Board's tours and attractions list.
- — Moved source citations out of the text
- — Removed repeated advice
- — Trimmed hurricane references to where they change the advice
Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.