Fire on the Water
I would have never seen this little treasure if it hadn’t been for Daggerin Mondays in the hills of St Ann’s Bay, and the random Jamaican guy we picked up in the car, who took us there. It was after a long night of partying but was WELL worth the extra hour of sleep deprivation.
Fire Water, located in St Ann’s Bay is one of the coolest natural wonders I’ve ever seen. I read about it in a trip report of a friend of mine, so I had already seen pictures. I remember thinking “That’s pretty neat but I’d never find it”. Never gave it a second thought.
Fire Water - St Anns Bay, Jamaica
So on the way back to Ocho Rios in the early morning hours, the guy who was riding with us directed our driver off the beaten path to show us something. We’re driving really slowly through pitch darkness in the trees, until we come to a clearing where we parked. I had no clue where we were and probably could have been murdered and no one would be the wiser!
By the light of cell phones we make our way over to a tall barrier, and the guy opens a gate for us. Inside we could see in the dark, that there was a pool of water. I still had no idea where I was….until he walked up to the water and ignited it with his lighter! It was at that moment I realized we were at the place I’d seen in the trip report! I was so excited because after I’d seen pictures of my friend walking in burning water I wanted to experience it!
This pool of water in the hills has minerals and natural gasses from the earth in it, allowing it to burn when ignited. It is said to have healing properties as well. When I was standing in it the water was really warm, when I tasted it I was surprised that it was salty. Our driver splashed his face and head with it, he even waved his hands through the flames without getting burned. The guy who brought us up there was praying to Haile Selassie as we waded in the pool. This makes me believe it’s a very spiritual place and doesn’t get abused or overused.
Since my visit to Fire Water I have done more research on it and found out that in the daytime you can actually get mud massages in the pool, from local Rastas. I wished I was able to revisit in the daylight hours to get a full look at the place and interact with the people who work there. But for now, enjoy the few pictures and video footage I took. It was a very quiet and spiritual time spent there.
Click here for the daytime view and for more information
10:25 pm on May 5th, 2010
You should be glad that you didn’t get there during day light time ‘to get a full look at the place and interact with the people who work there’
I have had a really bad experience with these people. The place, if you look carefully is not that clean, the folks are tricksters. They will tell you a sad story about underprivileged children in the community and how they will help them with your money. They will overcharge you, and if you don’t give willingly they use intimidation. You have no recourse. In the and you will be glad that you have your life and your body intact. Btw, who knows what the effect of the chemicals that are burning, sulfur or anything else, on the skin is. The Jamaican government should do a study on this and a warning to tourists as well as locals may be necessary.
10:51 pm on May 5th, 2010
Sorry you had a bad experience. I’ve been there twice, and know several people there who never had bad experiences. They never asked us for money at all. We just gave what we saw fit, they can’t “overcharge” when there’s no fee to go.
The water has been studied, this place has been featured on Travel Channel and several reputable other sources.
Almost every tourist attraction that exists in Jamaica creates a job and helps at least ONE local, maybe more. I don’t mind giving money for something I feel is worth it or something I enjoyed.
9:54 pm on May 6th, 2010
Oinga,
Fire Water is a great place to visit during the day!
I know the benefits of the water…..they heal my bug bites within a day! Thank you for leaving a donation so the local kids can go to school…god bless you!
11:24 pm on May 6th, 2010
Thank you all for your sympathies, JC. What has happened to me has happened. It may have not happened the exact same way it has happened to me. Most like you may have been spared. Lucky you!
I know very well that tourism is important to Jamaica and Jamaica is an important destination for international travellers.
If the water has worked miracles for some, God bless them. It has done nothing for me so far. I have nothing against Jamaican kids going to school, getting the necessary skills to face the world, or tourism creating jobs and opportunities in places like St Anne Bay. I am all for that. I would have been a much happier person , as ‘Jamaica Travel’ had suggested, had I voluntarily gave part of my hard earned income to the furtherance of the local kids education. It was not.
I was scammed by adults who prey on innocent tourists.
That is all