Ocho Rios question

[rescue911chick]

Can anyone tell me how cold the water is at the falls and also at the site where you go tubing? We're going to be at that port a week from Friday, was just wondering if the water is naturally warm or if it's going to be ice cold. (I have health issues and my joints don't function well when they get cold) Thanks for any answers

[penny3333]

The water in the falls is cold, however, it feels wonderful since you work up heat while ascending. Plus the air will be warm. I really don't think you'll get cold enough to hurt your joints. If you're not sure, you can climb beside the falls and not in the water. I think you'll be fine. Have a wonderful cruise!

[Jim C.]

Its definetly cool water. Its not so bad as to cause you problems though. Like Penny said, you will be woring climbing the falls. However, the point about you health issues raises a concern. How bad are your health problems? Its not an easy climb. If you can take a few flights of stairs 2 at a time (at a slow pace) that falls might be too much. My mother in law went with us and it took me pushing and a gentleman in front pulling to get her up halfway. It about killed me. She finally had to get out because we came to a point where she had to duck crawl under a bridge and she just couldn't do it.

[Oggy Boy]

If you do climb the falls be sure to take water shoes or surfer's booties, as the rocks can be slippery, especially if you try to climb the falls barefoot.

Tom

[rescue911chick]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I did buy water shoes (I should have been better about storing our Niagara Falls "Cave of the Winds" shoes because those would have been perfect)

Do you think the walk up the falls would be hard for kids? I might play it safe and walk alongside the falls like you suggest. I have rheumatoid arthritis, extreme cold water kind of "freezes" my joints. What about the tubing, is that water pretty cold?

[wise2u]

The water is refreshingly cool with the warm days sun. There are places to get in at different points of the assent. I got in just past the lockers where there was a large pool. I climbed a bit, swam and took some pictures. Then I scouted the river to the bottom.
there is a place where they get people to slide over a rock while they take your picture, there is a place to get in and out there. a place to get in above the bridge, which cuts out a nasty looking section just below the bridge. I prefer to go on my own and did not join the giant chain. I saw an elderly lady looking terrified being drug along and felt bad for her. Even an experienced river rat/waterfall seeker like myself would feel daunted climbing the falls from sea level to top, in the water. it takes about 45 minutes if your in good shape.

Best tip: try to walk on the darker colored rocks, they have had the slime worn off of them.
Beach wasnt that great, but we rented a chair and gave it a try. Just take your time, don't join the chain (unless you need the support), enjoy the river and falls at your leisure. To get by the aggressive vendors at the exit, just smile politely and repeat "no thank you."

[Dave]

I've climbed the falls twice - once in 1980 when my Navy ship stopped at Ocho, and then again in 1993 on the Majesty Of The Seas. We've since been back many times but decided to just walk the steps and otherwise loiter. Both times I climbed, it was steaming hot outside with awful humidity. Getting into that cool water of the falls was MOST welcome relief!

[spoheat]

We tubed on the white river 2 years ago. It was about 82 air temp. I have chronic arthritis in my spine and worried about "locking up". It was fine, you don't get that wet--I looked at our pics and we are mostly dry. It was a super fun thing to do. Our daughter climbed the falls when she was 7 and did fine, we hung on to her. The water was moving over us and you are out in the air so it seemed cooler than the tubing adventure. I would hate to give wrong advice about tubing in view of your chronic health problems, but it did not bother my arthritis and I did not feel cold. Youngest was 9 at the time and she did not get cold (kids have less thermal mass and get the "blue lips" thing going so fast--no problems there). The guides at tubing were fantastic, knew I was cautious and my daughter was small and practically never left our sides. Ask them to assist you getting on the tube, you are in the water when you start, about thigh deep or so when we went, so pulling yourself up onto it might be irritating to shoulders/neck, and they are there to help.