Woman jumps into The Blue Hole near Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Credit: Robin Tinsley, Wikimedia, Creative Commons license

An excursion to The Blue Hole and Secret Falls near Ocho Rios is a chance for adults and kids alike to jump off rocks into a bright blue natural swimming pool.

This popular shore excursion in Jamaica is about seven miles or 30 minutes southeast of the Ocho Rios cruise terminal.

Secret Falls is a series of cascades that feed a vibrantly blue pool. Visitors can climb among the cascades, jump into the pools and explore hidden underwater caves. Note that some locals refer to the location as Island Gully Falls.

Cruise lines offer the excursion in combination with another adventure such as ziplining or river tubing. These packages cost about $100 to $150 per person depending on the cruise and time of year. They take up to six hours of time, so plan on using most of the day for the activity.

Anyone who wants to do it on their own can hire an excursion operator to take them there from a hotel. The cost is around $50 to $75 per person.

Budget-minded visitors who rent a car can possibly save more money. But the safety of going with a group on a tour bus is a benefit. Jamaica has a high crime rate, although tourism areas are safer than most.

Reviewers overall give positive comments about the trip.

“Blue Hole and it was absolutely breathtaking. You climb up a few stairs and rocks and start jumping off of some decent size falls. ... The only drawback was that it was crowded with a lot of people but that didn’t deter us from enjoying it,” one reviewer said.

“There are about 6 jumps, ranging from 5-6 feet to about 20 feet. There is also a rope swing!” another reviewer said.

A third was less positive. “The Blue Hole was overcrowded and we spent the majority of our time waiting in line to jump off the cliffs. There was no open swimming or cave exploration.”