Did you know?
Independence day was August 6th 1962, celebrated every first Monday in August.
Port Antonio Sightseeing Tours
If your villa is located in Port Antonio, you will be very fortunate
to meet Joanna Hart who lives right in town and has the best tours of
the Port Antonio Area. She lives there with her family and knows the
area and people very well. This area is an absolute jewel and Joanna
is the best person to show you the local secrets. She loves Port Antonio
with a passion. There is free pick up at your villa, Spanish and English
is spoken. Please contact Joanna directly on EMAIL JOANNA AT:
JOAHART@GMAIL.COM or PHONE
(876) 8318434 OR (876) 8593758
Long Bay
It's an absolutely breathtaking half mile long beach with waves
and white caps. People are always stunned when they see it!
A photographers dream!" "Cool Running's" is the
thatch hut restaurant on the beach. Natural fruit drinks, pizzas
and seafood dishes are served there.
Errol Flynn Properties
Errol Flynn came here in the late 1940's,fell in love with
Portland which he described as being"more beautiful than
any woman he had ever seen"! He bought a lot of property
including Navy Island nestled in the twin harbours of Port Antonio,
2,000 acres of cattle farm, and his home, all of which we see
on my tour. We'll hear about his adventures and maybe even run
into his wife, Pat who still lives here.
Princess Nina Agha
Khan Island
Nina, a top British model and jet setter in the 50's married
Baron von Thysson, owner of the largest private art collection
in the world. The island was a wedding present from him and
is a jewel of a sight and you can swim, snorkel or simply gaze
at it for inspiration from the lookout at Goblin Hill. More
about her on the tour. Baron von Thysson's homes can be seen
directly facing the island on the other side at Alligator Head.
. .
The Boston Jerk Center
"Jerk pork"is a famous authentic Maroon culture cuisine
native to Port Antonio .
The famous Maroons were the breakaway slaves from the Spanish
when the English took
Jamaica from them. They baffled the English for centuries, continue
to practice their practices and rituals as before with festivals,
ceremonies and the like. Hear their story with me on my tour.
At the "jerk" center sample the spicy jerk pork, chicken
or lobster with "festival" a delicious cornmeal bread,
and wash it down with a refreshing "jelly" coconut
water.
Boat Excursion and
Snorkel Trip
Tour the magnificent coastline in a boat, stop to snorkel and
swim by the coral reefs.
Rafting on the Rio Grande
Float on a bamboo raft down a banana tree lined river.
An outing originated by Errol Flynn himself. . .
De Montevin Lodge
and Titchfield Hill
Up the Titchfield Hill sits Demontevin Lodge once the home
to the Custos of Port Antonio. An original Victorian heritage
house with delightful interiors .A real treasure to visit!
We'll hear the story of Lorenzo Dow Baker who was the father
of tourism in Jamaica building the first hotel ever there with
400 rooms, the Titchfield hotel ,and see the site
overlooking Navy Island'. .
Reach Falls
Dive into crystal clear pools, loll there and swim or climb
the waterfalls with a guide.
Folly Point
The haunting remains of a Tiffany heiress's home in the late
1800's. See the indoor swimming pool with remains of Tiffany
tiles, hear how they air-conditioned the place with blocks of
ice ,and many an interesting account of the family on my tour.
Frenchmans Cove
One of the most beautiful beaches on the island nestled in
a cove with a pristine river running into it. It is on the Frenchman's
Cove Hotel site, once the most expensive hotel in the world
in the 1960's, where royalty and Hollywood stars rubbed elbows.
A very reasonably priced lunch is served on the beach of jerk
chicken, lobster or fish.
Trident Castle
Trident Castle, part of Trident Hotel, the Caribbean's only
castle has been host to a multitude of weddings, celebrity visits,
and boasts magnificent period furnishings in it's interior''
It has several bedrooms with wide ocean views.
The Bottomless Blue Lagoon
The world famous "bottomless Blue Lagoon" was once
the home of Robin Moore, the writer of the French Connection,
Green Beret and other stories. Swim in the Lagoon, or sun on
a floating raft in the center of the Lagoon.
A mineral spring is also on the property, many a site for films,
model shoots etc. The restaurant serves seafood, spicy chicken,
lamb, and has exotic tropical drinks too.
The Village of St.
George
A brilliant "hodge podge" of eclectic European facades
in a shopping mall unlike any other''.on my tour as well , with
all the story of it. .
Blue Mountains
Breathtaking views of waterfalls, lush foliage, ancient tree
ferns and flowers growing wild. See how the famous Blue Mountain
Coffee is processed.
Winnifred Beach
A delightful public beach with warm, shallow water and local
food available.
Nonsuch Caves and
Athenry Gardens
Stalactite and stalagmite caves dating back 1,5 million years.
See the Arawak Indian findings, discovered inside.
Gorgeous gardens and panoramic mountaintop view of the coastline
below.
Bonne View &
Navy Island
Up a steep hill, 10 minutes from the city center sits Bonnie
View, a magnificent site with
A 360 degree panoramic view looking down on the whole Port Antonio
town with its twin harbors below and the Blue Mountain's behind.
Navy Island, once owned by Errol Flynn sits off the peninsula
in the distance''he supposedly lost it in a poker game!
The Crafts Market and Local Market
Visit the local vegetable and crafts market to pick up some
typical Jamaican craft items.
Meet the charming sculptor "Rock Bottom" with his
hearty handshake!
Restaurants, Nighttime
and Activity
Options for eating out can be a simple hamburger at "Woody's,
a charming local joint, to a four course meal. . Italian,"spicy
"jerk, seafood etc. Ask at your hotel, and enquire on your
daily rounds too.
Kumina is the authentic drumming and ritual attached to a certain
African sect. Soul stirring rhythms and the drumming spectacle
are not to be missed if you like this kind of experience!!!!!!
( A two day advance booking is necessary)
Fort George
An old British Fort with cannons pointing out to sea in front
of the gorgeous Navy Island.
An ammunitions house sits on the site as well.
Hiking, Bicycling
and Nature Trails
There are many interesting trails offered with Valley Hikes.
. some pass waterfalls, streams, rare birds, lush foliage and
wild flowers abound. . . . Meet the charming country folk too!