Admiring cascading Caribbean waterfalls is one of the best things to do on vacation. These tropical natural marvels are scattered across this luscious region, found near white beaches, tumbling over mountainsides, and deep in dense green rainforests.
Not only are Caribbean waterfalls beautiful to gaze at, they’re wonderfully refreshing places to cool off on a hot and steamy day. Pack your camera (preferably a waterproof one) to capture some of these stunning Caribbean landmarks.
From the famous Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica to Puerto Rico’s more under-the-radar Gozalandia Falls, here are 15 spectacular waterfalls in the Caribbean.
Diamond Waterfall, St. Lucia
Diamond Waterfall, St. Lucia
Diamond Waterfall is a primordial wonder, part of the lush Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths in St. Lucia, lying on a natural gorge on the edge of Soufrière.
Set in a tranquil six-acre park, this Caribbean waterfall is surrounded by tropical flowers, plants, birds, and insects. The estate is a thick tangle of green vines and wide ferns with pops of color from hibiscus, ixora, and heliconia. Guided tours are offered at the gardens, with insightful talks on the island’s tropical produce, such as nutmeg.
Sulphur Springs, St. Lucia
This hidden Caribbean gem is near the island’s steaming Sulphur Springs (Soufrière is named after the French word for sulfur, soufre), known as the world’s only drive-in volcano, with mud baths and bubbling pools formed roughly 40,000 years ago.
Mineral-rich water from the springs flows to Diamond Waterfall, where the soothing hot water is used in public and private baths that visitors can book. The private baths are built on the site of the original baths that were established in the 18th century.
Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Dunn’s River Falls is one of the most famous Caribbean waterfalls for its glorious and easy-to-access cascade in the north of Jamaica.
Lying on Dunn’s River, the waterfall is one of the world’s few travertine waterfalls that empties into the sea.
The terraced drops are around 180 and 600 feet, creating small lagoons among the sections of falls.
There’s plenty of history in this part of Jamaica, too. Notice the plaque at the bottom of the falls to commemorate the 1657 Battle of Las Chorreras between the British and Spanish.
Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Climbing Dunn’s River Falls is one of the best things to do in Jamaica and takes around 90 minutes through the jungle terrain. It’s well mapped out, and there are steps for travelers who prefer a less rocky path. There is also zip lining and a splash pad for kids close by. Pack swimwear to cool off in the river and natural pools.
Damajagua Waterfalls, Dominican Republic
Damajagua Waterfalls, Dominican Republic
This network of 27 cascading falls near Puerto Plata, known locally as 27 Charcos, are among the most beautiful Caribbean waterfalls for their vivid turquoise water.
Getting here involves a short 30-minute hike through rainforest canyons and across bridges in the north of the Dominican Republic.
Not all of the falls are accessible in a day’s visit, but a local guide will lead you to those that are. The idea is to make your way down via a series of natural rock slides and rock pools, making for an action-packed adventure in the Dominican Republic.
Blue Hole, Jamaica
Blue Hole, Jamaica
One of the best places to visit in Jamaica, this natural attraction near Ocho Rios is famous for its delicious electric-blue-hued pool at the bottom of a gentle, 20-foot waterfall. The pool is carved into limestone rocks on the White River, amid Jamaica’s tropical vegetation.
Rope swings, rapid river tubing, hiking trails, and cliff jumping present plenty to do for adventurous travelers. Pack water shoes to wear at the Blue Hole and a towel to dry off after a refreshing swim.
Guides are available to take visitors along the path and to mud baths at the top. They’ll also direct you to the safest swimming spots.
Annandale Waterfall, Grenada
Annandale Waterfall, Grenada
On fragrant Grenada, Annandale is a tranquil, 30-foot cascade fed by mountain streams near the village of Vendome. Hanging vines and ferns enshroud this shimmering natural pool.
Gaze at the mesmerizing waterfall and enjoy a swim in the inviting pool. Wild Orchid is a restaurant near the waterfall with delicious coconut shrimp, Cajun fries, BBQ chicken wings, and veggie burgers among its lunchtime offering.
Grand Etang National Park, Grenada
Annandale Waterfall is a popular stop when visiting Grenada’s mighty Grand Etang National Park. Centered on Grand Etang Lake, the extinct volcano crater cradles a 36-acre lake, 1,706 feet above the sea.
Hardy hikers can follow a four-mile, two-hour trail through former clove, citrus, and nutmeg plantations, between the waterfall and lake. Otherwise, it’s a scenic 12-minute drive between the two.
Read: Best Things to Do in Grenada
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
Trafalgar Falls, a dashing twin waterfall just 20 minutes inland from Roseau, plunges 125 feet and 75 feet respectively through a green-covered canyon on tributaries of the Roseau River.
To reach Trafalgar Falls’ viewing area, follow the guided path for 10-15 minutes. There’s an opportunity for swimming and bathing when you arrive. Bring a camera as you might even catch a pretty rainbow formed from the falls’ spray.
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
Visiting Trafalgar Falls is one of the best things to do in Dominica as it presents a wonderful opportunity to see some of the region’s wildlife. Look out for the colorful flora on the route to the falls—breadfruit trees, pretty pink begonias, and emerald-green ferns—and breathe in the heady scent of ginger plants and vanilla orchids.
There’s a dazzling array of fauna here, including birds, butterflies, lizards, and crabs. Among the most common species are small whistling frogs, stick insects, and tree lizards. Hummingbirds flit between branches and vines and nonchalant Lesser Antillean iguanas can be spotted near the welcome center.
Concord Waterfall, Grenada
Concord Waterfall, Grenada
This blockbuster Caribbean waterfall in the village of Concord lies around a 30-minute drive north of Grenada’s capital, St. George’s.
Concord is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Caribbean, thundering around 60 feet down a mountain into a pool that’s flanked by palm trees and other tropical greenery.
Take the steps down from the roadside to the watering hole to feel the refreshing spray and bathe in the shallow pool. After, continue through a trail of nutmeg, cocoa, and banana plantations to reach the nearby Fontainebleau, another of Grenada’s spectacular splashy falls.
Emerald Pool Waterfall, Dominica
Emerald Pool Waterfall, Dominica
On the northern edge of the UNESCO-listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park, near the center of Dominica, Emerald Pool Waterfall is an enchanting 40-foot drop, and one of the best waterfalls in the Caribbean.
To reach Emerald Pool Waterfall, you’ll follow a section of the Waitukubuli National Trail (Segment 5—the Maroon Trail) amid a sea of luxuriant Caribbean foliage. The dramatic rainforest around the Emerald Pool is filled with giant ferns and creeping greenery that blankets the magnificent peaks of the national park.
Enjoy a refreshing swim as shafts of sunlight pour in, enhancing the pool’s emerald glow. Look out for some of the area’s enchanting birdlife, too, including blue-headed hummingbirds, forest thrush, bullfinches, and tremblers.
Argyle Waterfalls, Tobago
Argyle Waterfalls, Tobago
Near the town of Roxborough close to the rugged windward coast of Tobago, Argyle is a breathtaking Caribbean waterfall that plunges 175 feet, making it the island’s highest waterfall.
The three-tier drop is accessed via the Roxborough Visitor Service entrance through a warren of rainforest vines and plants. You can follow the path from the parking lot independently or with a guide.
The short hike takes around 15-30 minutes along a marked trail. As well as the sound of the thundering falls, there is a soothing soundtrack of birdsong along the way.
Argyle Waterfalls, Tobago
The third of Argyle’s pool is the deepest and the best for swimming, while the first two are more suited to bathing.
Argyle lies just south of Tobago’s UNESCO Main Ridge Forest Reserve, an evergreen forest that’s the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere. The waterfall is just a 20-minute drive from Gilpin Trace trailhead within the reserve, home to white-necked jacobins and blue-backed manakins.
Read: Things to Do in Tobago
Middleham Falls, Dominica
Middleham Falls, Dominica
This sensational waterfall in Dominica is reached via a 90-minute return yomp deep into Morne Trois Piton National Park. Middleham is Dominica’s highest waterfall, dropping 275 feet over a cliff from a stream into a pool below.
The dense path to Middleham Waterfall is lined with tropical plants, including red gingers, orchids, tree ferns, and the buttressed chataignier tree.
Trafalgar and Middleam falls can be combined in one day, since the access points are around a 15-minute drive apart. Wear hiking boots or sturdy sneakers for the walk. You’ll want to carry water and snacks, too.
La Coca Falls, Puerto Rico
La Coca Falls, Puerto Rico
One of the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico, La Coca is a soaring veil of water that drops 85 feet onto a rock formation within El Yunque, the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
First stop by El Portalito Hub, the visitor center of this beautiful rainforest destination. You can pick up a trail map and chat with a park guide to find out more about the national park and its steamy canopies of tabonuco trees, glistening ferns, and palm trees.
Yokahú Tower, a 69-foot observation tower, is close by, offering rousing views stretching as far as the east coast toward the hazy blue horizon. A short distance further, the foaming La Coca can be seen from the highway where you can snap photos and admire the falls.
Titou Gorge Waterfall, Dominica
Titou Gorge Waterfall, Dominica
A series of deep cliffs form a canopy above the narrow Titou Gorge inside the rich landscape of the fern-festooned Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
Reaching Titou Gorge, with its hot spring, involves a short swim rather than a hike, with intrepid travelers required to wade through the gorge, rewarded with a beautiful waterfall at the end. Wear swimwear and water shoes and carry a waterproof bag for the journey to Titou Gorge.
Just a few minutes away by car, you could tag on a visit to Valley of Desolation, where an otherworldly volcanic landscape of bubbling ponds, steaming geysers, and hot springs awaits.
Konoko Falls, Jamaica
Konoko Falls, Jamaica
Located in the jade-green hills above Ocho Rios, Konoko Falls is more than just a cascading waterfall. It’s home to an aviary, botanical gardens, and rainforest trails.
Visitors can climb the tiered Konoko Falls, though appropriate footwear should be worn. Stand beneath the cooling curtain of water and enjoy a swim in the pool. Wander through the botanical garden, with streams and ponds home to carp and tilapia, and meet scarlet macaws and brightly-colored parrots at the zoo.
This well-equipped Jamaica attraction also has a museum, restrooms, a café and bar, a gift shop, plus sublime views of Ocho Rios and the azure Caribbean Sea from a lookout point.
Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Grenada
Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Grenada
As its name suggests, this crowd-pleasing waterfall in Grenada is actually several waterfalls, lying in the center of Grenada and to the east of Grand Etang Lake.
The best way to experience Seven Sisters is with a local guide who will steer you on a 40-minute trek to see vibrant heliconias and tall bamboos before reaching the falls.
Following a rewarding hike to Seven Sisters and a dip in the warm water, seek out the drinks shack, selling beer, soda, and water, near the start of the trail.
Gozalandia Falls, Puerto Rico
Gozalandia Falls, Puerto Rico
Picturesque Cascada Gozalandia is a series of falls connected by a river on the edge of San Sebastian, a town in western Puerto Rico that’s a 75-mile drive from San Juan.
A sandy trail leads from the parking lot to the 60-foot Gozalandia, where there’s a partially submerged cave and a teal-hued plunge pool with space for swimming at the main waterfall. You might also spot thrill-seeking cliff jumpers taking the plunge from the top of the cliff.
Continue along the path, alongside the river, to reach a second waterfall with a pool for a low-effort hike combined with a wild swim. Cascada Gozalandia also has a casual restaurant and restroom facilities.
Saut du Gendarme Waterfall, Martinique
Saut du Gendarme Waterfall, Martinique
This lesser-known gem is one of the best Caribbean waterfalls to visit for its off-the-beaten-path feel, around a 45-minute drive north of Fort-de-France, deep in Martinique’s hinterland.
The road to Le Saut du Gendarme is via Route de la Trace (the Trace Road), which runs between Fort-de-France and L’Ajoupa-Bouillon. The journey is spellbinding, winding north through a tropical rainforest where the roads are lined with fern trees, red palulu, and hibiscus to skirt around the mighty Carbet Mountains.
Garden of Balata, Martinique
Take in views of the sumptuous pitons, an area that’s heaven for hikers. You could also take a pit stop at the Garden of Balata, a botanical garden with a beautiful treetop walkway and a Creole restaurant.
At Saut du Gendarme, steps lead down to the dramatic spectacle of the falls. You can bathe in the waterfall’s shallow watering hole. There’s a sheltered seating area in which to enjoy a picnic, too.
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
Discover the waterfalls of the Caribbean for yourself. Explore Celebrity Cruises’ exciting Caribbean cruises and plan your tropical vacation.
