The Wag Water River in the eastern parish of St. Mary is, to me, one of Jamaica’s more interesting rivers. It rises in the mountains of St. Andrew, flows for just over 36 kilometers through St. Mary and empties into the sea west of Annotto Bay, in the parish.
The Wag Water, which used to be called Agua Alta, is one of two rivers that supply water to Kingston, the capital.
What makes the Wag Water special is that this section of the riverbed is littered with some unusually large boulders that look like they should be from another time. My guess is they probably got there during one of the many hurricanes that always redo the landscape with their own design. Despite their size, though, they never manage to block the flow of the river.
The water is cool and clear and extremely tempting, especially on hot days. Despite earlier protests, my nephew couldn’t resist getting into the water.
If you’re in Kingston head out of the city to Castleton. It’s a pleasant 40-minute drive that takes you into the interior of the island, through verdant countryside. Go early, take a refreshing dip, then cross the street to Castleton Botanical Gardens. There you can view many of the plants that were introduced to Jamaica, including West Indian Mahogany, coffee trees, strychnos (from which strychnine is derived), or spot some of the birds that have made their nests in and around the area.
The Wag Water River at Castleton is open daily. Castleton Gardens closes at 6:00 p.m. during the months of October to February; 6:30 from March to September. Entrance is free.
This is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday, which is organized by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Be sure to head over and check out more photos from locations around the world.
Rivers are great fun and water always attracts kids!
This looks so refreshing! I love that last picture – hools so content 🙂 Those boulders do give this area a unique quality and great places to rest too.
Lovely pictures 🙂 Great to find such cool water…
I was browsing the photos before fully reading the article because I was taken in by the boulders. They really do look like they appear from another time. And they’re pretty, like oversized stones. Are folks able to enjoy being in the water year round? It seems a serene place to just sit on the boulders.
Thanks, Muza-chan.
It sure does, Mary. You’re right, there are lots of places to rest.
So true, Debbie, and the kid within us all.
Beautiful pictures. Impressive boulders. Looks like great fun was had by all on this outing. The Wag Water is now definitely on my list of places to visit on the island.
I was almost tempted to jump in a pool – very similar to your photograph too – here in SW Utah. Hot today for hiking but the water is a little too refreshing. I heard screaming as some people just hopped out.
Love the boulder shapes.
Wow, I can’t believe how much Jamaica resembles the Philippines! These pictures can be anywhere in my country hehe
Looks refreshing! Is it the sorm surge that moves the boulders?
Looks quite a serene place to spend some quality time!! The boulders remind me of the Himalayas, the place where the River Ganga originates 🙂
What a gorgeous place to escape to on a hot day…beautiful trees and refreshing water, rocks to jump over..what more do you need!
Those boulders really are huge! What a lovely place to cool off and have some fun.
They sure are, Cathy. I agree, it’s a lovely place to cool off and have fun.
Not much else, Jenny. It really is a beautiful spot.
I’m guessing it is, Michele. There’s no other way to explain how they got there.
Interesting, I didn’t know that. Hmmm, I need to take a trip, Aleah!
I’m always surprised when it’s hot but the water stays cool or cold.
Hope you get a chance to cool off, Leigh.
Thanks, Donna. Yes, you should and go next door to Castleton Gardens.
Yes, you can enjoy the water year round, Totsy.
Those boulders remind me of some we saw in Cape Town at Boulders Beach. They seem so out of place, like someone just dropped them there.
Aah, that’s interesting, Arti.
What a magnificent terrain… You did a brilliant job of it too. 😉
Thanks, Elizabeth. That is it.