Dunn's River Falls - how does the hike work?

[Flossbolna]

Hi everyone! We are considering a private excursion to Dunn's River Falls on our upcoming cruise. However, I don't really like the pictures I see of people hiking up in groups holding hands.

I have done my fair share of hiking/climbing in mountains on terrain that is similar to or worse than the waterfall (not with flowing water on it) and so has the rest of my group. To me the idea to have to hold hands with some strangers just does not appeal at all. Actually, I find it more dangerous than helpful as the person next to me might pull me down as well when he or she is falling. Not interested in that.

Has anyone here any experience of not being part of one of those lines? I have found out that it is possible to hike on your own. But how difficult would it be without a guide. I can see that a guide would be helpful in telling you where to step.

I am not concerned about our physical ability of doing the hike, just about how necessary a guide is.

 

[com_op_2000]

I have done this twice, once in the early 80's and a group of us from a cruise were put together and led up by a guide.
The 2nd time was in Feb '11 and there had been so many people taking the hike that you can "see" where there foot falls are. The rocks are worn out with the foot steps and should be fairly easy to follow.

 

[ASchwa]

Hi everyone! We are considering a private excursion to Dunn's River Falls on our upcoming cruise. However, I don't really like the pictures I see of people hiking up in groups holding hands.

I have done my fair share of hiking/climbing in mountains on terrain that is similar to or worse than the waterfall (not with flowing water on it) and so has the rest of my group. To me the idea to have to hold hands with some strangers just does not appeal at all. Actually, I find it more dangerous than helpful as the person next to me might pull me down as well when he or she is falling. Not interested in that.

Has anyone here any experience of not being part of one of those lines? I have found out that it is possible to hike on your own. But how difficult would it be without a guide. I can see that a guide would be helpful in telling you where to step.

I am not concerned about our physical ability of doing the hike, just about how necessary a guide is.

Been to Dunn's River Falls plenty of times in my life including when it wasn't built into a tourist area. You don't need a guide to go up. Just keep the stairs to your left. Some places are wide and definitely wear water shoes. You can either rent or bring your own. The water is cold and the falls are just strong enough to need to be careful, there are also areas where you can take it easy. Float in the water a bit in the pools, but all walkable. Have fun!

 

[Capt_BJ]

Has anyone here any experience of not being part of one of those lines? I have found out that it is possible to hike on your own. But how difficult would it be without a guide. I can see that a guide would be helpful in telling you where to step.


I have not used a guide since 1986 ..... we go up the middle and on our own ..... it is not difficult .. but I'm not saying a 70 year old should try it either

the conga line is to the left ... we're going up the middle

 

[BlondieinFL]

We did this a few weeks ago. I am glad that we had a guide. We did start out with the holding hands thing, but it didn't last long. It just wasn't practical, and was easier to not. The rocks can be very slippery, and the guide does know exactly where you should step to avoid falling, which was very helpful. Also, there were areas where I couldn't see beneath me, and the guide knew what it was like, and could direct how we should step (high knees, sit down first before stepping, etc.). So, we typically prefer to do things on our own, but for this, we appreciated the guide. Also, I'm a relatively short person, and there were a couple of areas that I wouldn't have been able to get up without the guide helping me.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Good luck and have fun! Here is my tip: please have a plan for your shoes and the shoes in your party once you return. Our experience on the Wonder was I, and many other guests, walked into the laundry room on Deck 2 to washing machines loaded with piles of muddy shoes that ended up breaking several of the washers. Later on, I returned again to the laundry to see that the owners of this huge pile of shoes did not return in a timely manner so another guest just piled them up on a shelf. I am talking enough shoes for a dozen people. It was rude and inconsiderate. They obviously never said to themselves "hey, our multi-generational group is going on a big hike, wonder what we should do with our filthy shoes when we get back to the ship?". Just posting so that others planning a big hike can think it thru, maybe wear a pair you are ready to toss.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks everyone for your feed back!!

Been to Dunn's River Falls plenty of times in my life including when it wasn't built into a tourist area. You don't need a guide to go up. Just keep the stairs to your left. Some places are wide and definitely wear water shoes. You can either rent or bring your own. The water is cold and the falls are just strong enough to need to be careful, there are also areas where you can take it easy. Float in the water a bit in the pools, but all walkable. Have fun!

Thanks, this sounds really good. I would love to have the freedom to stop where I like it and no because of the tour guide.

However, I am confused. Do you mean to not use the stairs and instead go up left of the stairs? Looking at the pictures from Capt_BJ it looks like the stairs are on the left?

I have not used a guide since 1986 ..... we go up the middle and on our own ..... it is not difficult .. but I'm not saying a 70 year old should try it either

the conga line is to the left ... we're going up the middle

Thanks! Yes, I would much prefer to not be in a long conga line... That is exactly why I asked!

We did this a few weeks ago. I am glad that we had a guide. We did start out with the holding hands thing, but it didn't last long. It just wasn't practical, and was easier to not. The rocks can be very slippery, and the guide does know exactly where you should step to avoid falling, which was very helpful. Also, there were areas where I couldn't see beneath me, and the guide knew what it was like, and could direct how we should step (high knees, sit down first before stepping, etc.). So, we typically prefer to do things on our own, but for this, we appreciated the guide. Also, I'm a relatively short person, and there were a couple of areas that I wouldn't have been able to get up without the guide helping me.

Thank you for your report!

Did everyone in the group spilt up or just the people at the end? I totally agree with you that it just does not seem practical to hold hands, but then I do not want to be the one who spoils the experience for the others in the group who want to hold hands.

How did it work with getting the tips from the guide to everyone in the group? I cannot imagine that he shouts over ten people in a line so that everyone can hear?

Good luck and have fun! Here is my tip: please have a plan for your shoes and the shoes in your party once you return. Our experience on the Wonder was I, and many other guests, walked into the laundry room on Deck 2 to washing machines loaded with piles of muddy shoes that ended up breaking several of the washers. Later on, I returned again to the laundry to see that the owners of this huge pile of shoes did not return in a timely manner so another guest just piled them up on a shelf. I am talking enough shoes for a dozen people. It was rude and inconsiderate. They obviously never said to themselves "hey, our multi-generational group is going on a big hike, wonder what we should do with our filthy shoes when we get back to the ship?". Just posting so that others planning a big hike can think it thru, maybe wear a pair you are ready to toss.

I will never put muddy shoes in a washer!! How inconsiderate of those people!!

 

[BlondieinFL]

Did everyone in the group spilt up or just the people at the end? I totally agree with you that it just does not seem practical to hold hands, but then I do not want to be the one who spoils the experience for the others in the group who want to hold hands.

How did it work with getting the tips from the guide to everyone in the group? I cannot imagine that he shouts over ten people in a line so that everyone can hear?

I feel like everyone kind of split up, or stopped holding hands with strangers, at least. We were a party of 6, so we would still hold hands with each other at times, because it seemed necessary for stability/safety. As for the guide instructing people - he tended to be the leader, so we would just follow. I'm not really sure how he did it, but I always heard his instructions, and it appeared that the others did as well. He would be either ahead of us, behind us, or in the midst of us, depending on the situation. If it was a steep rock to climb, he would stand at the top, and help pull each person up as we came. Like I mentioned before, that was especially helpful for shorter people like me.

 

[Capt_BJ]

If you go as a cruise excursion, they form BIG groups (20+) and do the conga line thing ... holding hands keeps the group together If you go on your own you can get your own guide (guides are NOT required and work for tips). With a small group (6-8) you do not have to do the conga thing .... he can just lead you.

Note that the cruise trip is gonna do the 'express visit' .... arrive, walk to the bottom via stairs, climb to top via conga line ... get back on bus ... total time 1 hour ....

BUT, DRF is a National Park ... you pay for a day's admission and technically the falls climb is 'free' or included anyway. When we visit we stay several hours and climb 3 or 4 times ... until we burn out! We climb UP, and we climb DOWN and we play in the pools along the way. Then we libate and do it again! For a complete first time group it is probably a good idea to get a guide for your first climb just to get comfortable. Then toss 'em a tip and go up the middle on your own! I've been many time .. first visit was 86 when my ship pulled into Ocho for R&R and we stayed for 2 days. DRF let us bring in our own beer and BBQ stuff so most of the crew would make a day of it . . . many similar stops for R&R over the years. I feel fully comfortable serving as guide when we go cruising and bring some first timers . . .

playing in a pool .. conga line is behind us


this is at the top of the climb ... you can not climb beyond this point .. look closely at the left and you can see the stairs to 'exit' the water.

 

[ASchwa]

m to stop where I like it and no because of the tour guide.

However, I am confused. Do you mean to not use the stairs and instead go up left of the stairs? Looking at the pictures from Capt_BJ it looks like the stairs are on the left?

I just meant that there are stairs and that when climbing the falls, the stairs are to the left side of you. I meant that there was no way that you would lose your way or not know where you were going. As for being short, I am about five feet, about 152.4 cm and overweight. Last time I hiked up the falls with no problems. I was on the WBPC with you in 2014. You caught the backside of me in one of your pictures in your report. In the terminal, when you check in. Enjoy!

 

[ASchwa]

BUT, DRF is a National Park ... you pay for a day's admission and technically the falls climb is 'free' or included anyway. When we visit we stay several hours and climb 3 or 4 times ... until we burn out! We climb UP, and we climb DOWN and we play in the pools along the way. Then we libate and do it again! For a complete first time group it is probably a good idea to get a guide for your first climb just to get comfortable. Then toss 'em a tip and go up the middle on your own! I've been many time .. first visit was 86 when my ship pulled into Ocho for R&R and we stayed for 2 days. DRF let us bring in our own beer and BBQ stuff so most of the crew would make a day of it . . . many similar stops for R&R over the years. I feel fully comfortable serving as guide when we go cruising and bring some first timers . . .

Ok, this is giving away part of my age, I was at DRF in the 60's. I was a child and did the falls one day half way up, numerous times. Had fun! Would climb the falls and run down the stairs, repeat. We spent the day there. Went to Jamaica numerous times in my life enjoyed every trip.

 

[Capt_BJ]

this is the prototype water park!

 

[GabBeFit]

My fiance and I did the hike on our own! We were totally fine without a guide, and there were tons of others doing it without a guide as well. We ended up all helping each others take pictures! We caught a cab from the port, and our drivers took us to a spot on the way to rent water shoes, and he gave us a time that he would pick us back up. If i did it again, I again would not join a tour. I too did not want to be holding hands with a bunch of strangers! As long as you pick your footing well.. youll be fine! Its tons of fun

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you to everyone for your answers! I feel far more confident about doing this on our own now!

At first I really was not too thrilled about going to Jamaica, but after doing some research, I am very excited to see more of the island, it really seems to be a beautiful place.

I was on the WBPC with you in 2014. You caught the backside of me in one of your pictures in your report. In the terminal, when you check in.

How funny!! I always wonder if I will ever appear in someone else's report!