 Island Hoppers Helicopter Tours Ltd.
Enjoy the beauty of Jamaica from a helicopter. The 60-minute deluxe tour offers breath-taking views of Dunn’s River Falls, Bog Walk Gorge, Jamaica’s old capital - Spanish Town, with it’s magnificent square and oldest Cathedral in the New World, Port Royal - the former haunt of pirates and buccaneers like Captain Henry Morgan, and then north to Kingston and across the majestic Blue Mountain range. Or, take the 20 minute tour and see the Jamaica that inspired the James Bond series, flying over Dolphin Cove, Rio Chico, Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios, Reynold’s Pier – also known as James Bond Pier, which will be recognizable to 007 fans as “Crab Key,” Dr. No’s evil Island. Also, fly to Oracabessa and view Goldeneye, Ian Fleming’s home, and if you add 10 minutes to your tour you will fly down the coastline to Port Maria. The helicopter is U.S. registered and is maintained under the regulations of both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority. The owner, John Morris, has been a commercial helicopter pilot for over 30 years and the other pilots are Jamaican Defense Force pilots. Private tours around the island may also be arranged with pick-up and drop-off at Silent Waters’ helipad. Tel: (876) 974-1285; Fax: (876) 974-6452 or visit Island Hoppers.
 Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour
Located on the south side of the Island, about a 90-minute drive from Silent Waters Villa. Sit back and relax with a boat ride up the Black River - see crocodiles in their natural habitat. Your knowledgeable guide will tell you all about the wildlife and flora. Then visit impressive YS Falls. YS Falls boasts a magnificent seven-tiered cascading waterfall and an expansive wading pool fed by underground springs. Swing from a  rope and drop into a refreshing pool of water, or relax and immerse yourself in the bounty of nature, surrounded by water, gardens, giant trees and tropical birds. Bring along a bathing suit and a change of clothes for the ride home. (We find it more fascinating and less commercial than thee more famous and more publicized Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios.) Our Property Manager can arrange this excursion. Note: YS Falls is closed on Mondays. Visit Black River Safari.
Dunn’s River Falls & Park (a day trip)
 Near Ocho Rios, the Dunn's River Falls is one of the most beautiful spots on the island. The falls have been described as a living and growing phenomenon as it continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock. This rock is the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river as it flows over the falls. The small dome-shaped cataracts are usually associated with thermal spring activity found in limestone caves. The falls themselves lie inside a beautifully maintained park area that offers terracing and decks for viewing the falls, picnic facilities, craft shops and a cafeteria. Two separate fees will be charged. One will be an entrance fee to the park and another if you actually want to climb the falls or swim in the river. You may attempt to scale the falls solo or you can wait for a guide who knows the best footholds. Visit Dunn's River Falls.
Appleton Rum Distillery
Beside the Black River in one of the most beautiful valleys in Jamaica, south of Montego Bay, is the Appleton Rum Distillery. The Appleton Estate has been blending some of the finest rums in the world since 1749. Enjoy a guided tour of the distillery where you will learn the details of the distilling process from sugarcane, molasses, sugar, to wine and rum. After the tour you can savour these award-winning rums and shop for souvenirs in the gift shop. This is a great tour to combine with a visit to YS Falls. The Appleton Estate is about a 1-hour drive from Silent Waters Villa. Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm. Tel: (876) 963-9215-7 or visit Appleton Rum Distillery.
 Cranbrook Flower Forest and River Head Adventure Trail
Cranbrook Flower Forest, is a unique eco-tourism attraction located on Jamaica’s north coast between  Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The 130 acre property, 40 acres of which are landscaped, boasts exotic tropical gardens, lawns, water pools and a tropical rain forest. The Flower Forest presents flowering plants and ornamentals, including orchids, begonias, gingers, heliconias, bird of paradise, yellow alamander, Ixora, hibiscus, red euphobia and much more. Take a tour through the lawns and beautiful gardens into the natural tropical rain forest. Also, enjoy wading in the Little River, bird watching, pond fishing and volleyball. Children may play in the children’s area. Tel: (876) 770-8071 or visit Cranbrook Flower Forest.
 Croydon in the Mountains
Nestled in the foothills of the Catadupa Mountains is the Croydon Plantation. Croydon is a working coffee and pineapple plantation. Walk through coffee groves while your tour guide explains the secrets of coffee cultivation and processing. Taste the different varieties of pineapples and citrus. Sample exotic drinks made from them or nibble on a piece of sweet juicy sugarcane. Located about 60 minutes from Silent Waters Villa. For more information contact Tel: (876) 979-8267, or Fax: (876) 979-8251. Visit Croydon Plantation.
 Rockland’s Bird Sanctuary
Originally owned and run by Lisa Salmon “the bird lady,” Rockland’s Bird Sanctuary is a an experience not to be missed. Sit on the covered patio and you will be surrounded with a variety of beautiful and exotic Jamaican birds, such as Black-faced Grassquits, Yellow-faced Grassquits, Orangequits, Banaquits, Greater Antillean Bullfinch and Black-throated Blue Warbler to name a few. Enjoy them up close when they come to eat seed sprinkled on your knee or on the patio. Hold a bottle of sugar water and Jamaica’s exotic Red-billed Streamertail and Jamaican Mango hummingbirds will feed from the bottle. See many other bird species in the wooded area beyond the patio. Located near Anchovy in Montego Bay. Tel: (876) 952-2009.
Great Houses of Jamaica
 Rose Hall Great House
Visit the legendary home of Annie Palmer (the White Witch) who was a cruel ruler and died a violent death. Known for the haunted ghost of Annie Palmer appearing frequently during the day and evening. Dead for over 100 years, her legend still evokes memories of her monstrous reign as the mistress of the Great House. All three of her husbands met their death at her hands, while countless slaves suffered as a result of her ruthlessness. Her evil reign ended with her murder in 1831. (30 minutes east of Silent Waters Villa). Daily-guided tours start at 9am until 6pm. For more information contact Tel: (876) 953-2456; Fax: (876) 953- 2160, or visit Rose Hall Great House.
Greenwood Great House
Located about 15 miles from Montego Bay and about seven miles from Falmouth (45 minutes from Silent Waters). The finest antique museum in the Caribbean and indeed the greatest Great House (old sugar plantation home) in Jamaica was built by the Barretts of Wimpole Street in 1790 for entertaining. The upper verandah offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Caribbean and you can actually see the curve in the earth’s surface. On display is the original library of the Barrett family, with rare books dating from 1697. Also displayed are oil paintings of the family, Wedgewood china, rare musical instruments and a collection of antique furniture. It is also said that Greenwood possesses two ghosts, one spirit is a former female slave and the other is simply known as the lady in grey. Hours of operation - daily 9:00am - 6:00pm. Tel: (876) 953-1077 or fax (876) 953-1847 or visit Greenwood Great House.
 Bellefield Great House Tour & Belfield 1794 Restaurant
Owned by the Kerr-Jarret family of the Barnett Estates, Bellefield is one of the oldest sugar plantations in Jamaica. The estate which was built in 1794 has been restored to its original glory with cultivated gardens, immaculate grounds and luxurious interiors. The guided tour of the house is like a step back in time. Every experience at Bellefield is as authentically Jamaican as possible. The tour concludes with refreshments and snacks at the bar and restaurant that have been erected on the spot where the original sugar mill grounded cane more than two centuries ago. Tel: (876) 952-2382 or visit Bellefield Great House. |
