Classroom lesson · Dunn's River Falls · 🇯🇲 Jamaica

Dunn's River Falls

A terraced waterfall you can actually climb

Visitors climbing the stepped terraces of Dunn's River Falls in the sunshine

Photo · Wikimedia Commons

What is it?

Dunn's River Falls is a beautiful waterfall near Ocho Rios on Jamaica's north coast. What makes it truly special is that you can climb it! The falls flow in wide, flat steps like a natural staircase, and visitors form a human chain - holding hands and helping each other up through the cool, rushing water.

Tell me more

The waterfall is about 55 metres tall and flows directly down to a gorgeous beach where the fresh river water meets the Caribbean Sea. You can swim at the bottom, then climb to the top, and then run back down to the beach - it never gets old.

The rocks are smoothed by millions of years of flowing water, so they feel almost like wet marble under your feet. Guides lead groups up the falls and point out the best footholds, making it an adventure suitable for families with children.

The falls are surrounded by tropical gardens full of tall trees, bright flowers, and the sound of birds. When the light is right, tiny rainbows appear in the spray - something that delights every visitor who sees it.

Dunn's River Falls is one of the most visited natural attractions in all of the Caribbean. Every year, people from countries all over the world come to climb these steps - a shared adventure that ends with a splash on the beach.

In the classroom

Walk your class through this in 15 minutes.

Talk together

Discussion prompts

  1. 01Most waterfalls you look at - this one you can climb. What makes climbing something more exciting than just watching it?
  2. 02At the bottom, river water meets sea water. How might those two kinds of water be different?
  3. 03The guides at Dunn's River Falls help visitors feel safe. Can you think of a time someone helped you do something you thought might be tricky?
Try this

Classroom activity

Use a tray, small stones or blocks, and a cup of water to build a mini terraced waterfall on a table. Sketch your design first - how many steps will it have? Test it carefully and see if water flows smoothly from the top to a 'beach' container at the bottom.