by Erica Green

Created on: August 21, 2008   Last Updated: August 24, 2008

Largely unknown to tourists, Port Antonio, Jamaica continues as a favorite hideaway for royalty and celebrities. An unspoiled tropical delight, Port Antonio, sits nestled between two harbors on the eastern side of the island. The jagged coastline and mist-enveloped mountains provide a picturesque backdrop to unwind and relax.

Walking through the streets of Port Antonio brings visitors back to a time when the town was a thriving banana port. The central town square highlights a clock tower and affords vendors an opportunity to sell their goods. The Musgrave Market provides tourists the chance to purchase local items from produce to hand-made garments. The city is compact and easy to maneuver around. All the city neighborhoods carry a directional title, such as "West Harbor."

For a natural experience like none other, take a trip into valley of the John Crow and Blue Mountain Ranges. The descendants of fugitive slaves from the 17th and 18th centuries, Maroons, call this area home. Still today, these people preserve the memories and traditions of their ancestors. One of the most well-known Maroons is Sister Ivelyn "Blossom" Harris, a ninth generation descendant of the great Maroon leader Nanny. Harris produces her own medicinal herbal products and Maroon crafts. She welcomes visitors from around the world into her herbal garden to learn about traditional bush medicine, root tonic and essential oils.

Port Antonio extends a wide range of activities to island visitors, including swimming, rain forest hiking, boating, parasailing, bird and butterfly adventures, surfing, horseback riding and sunbathing. Deep sea fishers can set their sights on mahi-mahi, blue and white marlin and tarpon; while Dragon Bay provides an excellent spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Two popular beaches include Frenchman's Cove Beach and San San Beach. The later is one of the most famous in all of Jamaica, with a reef just off shore. It's an excellent location for snorkeling and to explore marine life.

Travelers can visit hidden waterfalls, caves and secluded lagoons. One of the best kept waterfall secrets is Somerset Falls. It's surrounded by lush vegetation and provides an exotic sight when approached by boat. This breathtaking view of bluish green, cool water offers travelers the perfect spot to cool off. Take a peek behind the waterfall into the cave. Another favorite vacation activity, visitors enjoy rafting along the Rio Grande River. These trips generally last 2.5 to 3 hours, but give vacationers a chance to view undisturbed nature at its best.

Port Antonio's most famous spot, the Blue Lagoon, furnished the location of the 1980 movie The Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields. This lagoon displays deep, turquoise cool waters surrounded by lush trees and vegetation. Port Antonio provided the backdrop for such movies as Cocktail, Lord of the Flies and Club Paradise. The Boundbrook Warf, the main banana hub in Port Antonio, even inspired a song by Harry Belafonte, "Banana Boat Song."

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