Great River or other swimming on south coast?

We are going to go from TB to Negril and I am thinking we might as well make a tour of the drive bystopping somewhere. We don't have any "inland" plans yet so I am hoping there is a cool river or waterfall or blue hole we might visit on the way...to me the less developed the better. We have been to Mayfield and YS and while a revisit might be nice, neither one is really on the way. We will have visited Black River by boat already.

We can stop at Bluefields or Font Hill but I'd really prefer fresh water if possible.

Abeokuta still open? Is that on the way?

Thanks for any ideas!

Isn't there a "Steve's Aqua Nature Park" in that area? Anyone been recently, or ever?

Abeokuta is still open. as of end of Sept. but they require a call before hand if you want them to cook you lunch. I called the day before and they never had a chance to get chicken, or fish, so we just swam.

There is a swimming hole in a mineral stream between the two, but I don't recall exactly where right now. I'll do some map checking and see if I can jog my memory. When are you going?

Thanks newfiegirl. TAH - early January.

This might fit the bill. I was here about 5 years ago on the way from Negril to Little Ochi.
http://www.visitjamaica.com/bubbling...g-mineral-bath

I looked at that, very very mixed reviews. Seems best if with little children but what did you think then?

Is Apple Valley Park still open, I wonder?

steves aqua if it has a name near petersfield and fort william...we always route taxi out of sav...i am almost positive it is the same place with spring fed swimmin' hole ...no entry fee but last time a small snack bar...FRESH WATER rite out of da mountain, just pouring out... real refreshing . I always call it the cheap waterfall...

ps a cool "washing machine place to get to and let it rush over you

Steve's Aqua Nature Park has a website . . http://www.aquanaturepark.com/contact.html . I have never been . Abeokuta has been on my list for years . Had some great adventures getting lost while trying to find the place . I think they are close , If not on the same road , to each other . Of course Roaring River is also handy !

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Abeokuta still open and a beautiful place to spend the day. Tour guide can take you through the hills and explain the flora, meals can be made and nice views. Just call a day or 2 in advance for meals.

Nice map Rasta Animal, where did you find that?

steves, no call ahead ...show up swim a few minutes,,,check out the grounds and move on to next destination...maybe leave a likkle tip for steve...many local people bath there its not just tourist thing

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Originally Posted by jan24

Nice map Rasta Animal, where did you find that?

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Google Earth with my own placemarks.

can you post approximate coordinates from google earth to Abeokuta ? thanks

18°14'46.79"N 78° 2'40.83"W

If you're looking for the turnoff from the B8 main rd.:

18°14'53.92"N 78° 3'2.02"W

Great thank you all! Maybe Steve's and Abeokuta, or maybe just dip at Steve's on the way.

Anyone been to Paradise Park? Another place I've been told to check but many years ago.

thank you Rasta

And is Venture Park the same as Paradise Park?

I remember stopping by one of the mineral spring fed swimming area on the road from St Elizabeth area to Accompong. Seemed to be a few different spots - some with food, some undeveloped but can't recall the details. Must have been in a dream state!

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Originally Posted by jan24

And is Venture Park the same as Paradise Park?

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I do not think so.

The Venture River is where Steve's is, maybe other spots.

Paradise Park is on the coast and used to offer horseback riding and swimming but the land is for sale so I'm not sure if they still have visitors coming.

The options we are considering are

-Steven's Aqua Nature park (not too far from Sav)
-Abeokuta (outside Sav)
-Paradise Park (if open)
-Bubbling Springs in St. Elizabeth
-Apple Valley Park in Maggoty (if open)

...and anything else anyone might suggest in that general area. Love to hear opinions from anyone who has been to any of these.

Liz, I can't remember the spot I am thinking of. I have gone back over the maps a few times, it's just lost in the fog. I don't think it is any of those posted so far, it was just a little pull off the side of the road and a short hike to the swimming hole. It was on a section of north/south road, heading north the river is on the right. I want to say it was in St Bess, but that's all I got.

Steve's is a nice chill place been there a couple times and enjoyed.

Just to report back, we wound up stopping at the beach in Belmont. Our driver (Chicken) has a friend with a nice little bar/grill (King Love) on a lovely beach with a swing and shade and incredible swimming (clear and calm water and white sand, very few people even though we were there on a Saturday). I'll definitely go by there again.

We stayed on a river later in the trip for a couple of nights, actually on the Great River (which does not reach the south coast but comes down from the cockpits to the north coast).

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Originally Posted by ohliz

Just to report back, we wound up stopping at the beach in Belmont. Our driver (Chicken) has a friend with a nice little bar/grill (King Love) on a lovely beach with a swing and shade and incredible swimming (clear and calm water and white sand, very few people even though we were there on a Saturday). I'll definitely go by there again.

We stayed on a river later in the trip for a couple of nights, actually on the Great River (which does not reach the south coast but comes down from the cockpits to the north coast).

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Great spot! Went there with Chicken and some friends and enjoyed the time there. Belmont is a great spot to stop and enjoy some quiet time with zero hassle. Any chance Liz you will get the blog going again? Your South Coast input is what took us down that way.

Blog is still there though I haven't had time to update it from this trip yet, but I do have lots of photos and stuff to share. Will be getting to it later this week probably, once my daughter heads back to college :)

So happy my south coast posts brought you there!