Experience the natural delights of Jamaica’s northeastern coast on a day trip to Portland Parish from Ocho Rios.

During the trip, enjoy views of Jamaica’s rural countryside as you pass by villages and banana plantations. You’ll also see Firefly, the vacation home of English playwright Sir Noel Coward. A National Heritage Site, the simple house was built in the 1950s and hosted many famous figures, from Winston Churchill to Elizabeth Taylor to Ian Fleming, the James Bond author who lived down the road.

When you enter Portland Parish, pass through its capital, the pretty coastal town of Port Antonio, before reaching your first stop, the small but beautiful tree-lined beach of Frenchman’s Cove. You have about 2.5 hours of time here to enjoy the secluded atmosphere, swim in the clear aquamarine water, sunbathe on the soft white sand and eat a Jamaican country-style lunch.

Next, head just a couple of minutes east to Blue Lagoon, one of Jamaica’s most attractive natural sights, named after the 1980 movie starring Brooke Shields. You have one hour of free time here to take a refreshing dip in the lagoon, which is a mix of salt water and fresh spring water and is cooler than the ocean. Admire the gorgeous color of the water, whose exact shade of blue changes with the position of the sun. Learn a bit about the lagoon’s legends from your guide, including how it was once thought to be bottomless until it was discovered that it’s 180 feet (55 meters) deep. You may swim and relax on your own, or take an optional boat or raft ride (own expense).

Finally, it’s time for your third activity, a 1-hour rafting trip down the Rio Grande! On board a 30-foot (9.1-meter) bamboo raft, travel from your inland launch point downstream toward the mouth of the river, where it meets the Caribbean. During the relaxing ride, admire the lush greenery and watch for wildlife like birds and swallowtail butterflies, which are often found in abundance during the summer.

Your tour ends with the drive back to Ocho Rios.