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Fire Water – St Anns Bay, Jamaica

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Jamaica
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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
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.

firewater-2

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

Comments

19 responses to “Fire Water – St Anns Bay, Jamaica”

  1. Oinga Avatar
    Oinga

    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.

    Reply
    1. JC Avatar
      JC

      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.

      Reply
  2. Jamaica Travel Avatar
    Jamaica Travel

    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!

    Reply
  3. Oinga Avatar
    Oinga

    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

    Reply
  4. doctoro Avatar
    doctoro

    Actually when so many tourists began visiting the owners decided that it would be better to charge than rely on donations. So they set a price. For those of you that did not pay, you were pretty lucky. It is no longer free and hasn’t been for a while.

    Reply
    1. JC Avatar
      JC

      That’s good to know! I guess I’ve been lucky both times then because I’ve never been charged but always give generously. Thanks Doctoro!

      Reply
    2. JC Avatar
      JC

      Doctoro, I have friends who just went up there last week and there was no charge, only a donation.

      Reply
  5. BROWN Avatar
    BROWN

    I went they charged me $4,000… I hope was not scam.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      That surprises me because they don’t actually “charge” admission there. It’s based on tips. If you ask how much is proper it opens the door for them to say whatever they want. If you show up with a set amount in mind ($1000 is PLENTY!) they can’t argue.

      Reply
  6. Wahoo Avatar
    Wahoo

    The first time I saw that video, I didn’t know whether that fire in the water was real or the Lambs Bread was kicking in. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Wahoo!!!! Long time no see! How the heck are you anyway??

      Reply
  7. Wahoo Avatar
    Wahoo

    I be maintaining. Was in Negril April 2013 (first trip back since our April 2009 get-together at Canoe). Got in a likkle snorkeling at Samsara on the cliffs. Bless.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Wow you waited a long time to go back huh. Glad you did and glad you’re still kickin’ around out there!!!

      Reply
  8. Wahoo Avatar
    Wahoo

    Say, I saw a viral video of you driving in Jamaica. If I’d been along for that ride, I’d have been prepared to leap & roll at high speed! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Candi Avatar
    Candi

    First I was very excited to see the mineral springs water which ignited with a click of a lighter. I had the 5 min rub on my legs and arms with minerals and rocks from the bottom of the pool . Once it was complete they requested $30. I felt abit ripped off as there was no discussion of money prior. Then 5 days later when I arrived back to my country , I broke out in a very bad rash which requested medical attention and medication. So felt disappointed that I paid $30 for a rash. Who know what’s all in that water!!! Could be full of bacteria.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      That’s unfortunate Candi. Maybe things are different now because they never asked us for a dime. We offered a tip for the massage.
      And never got any rash.

      Reply
  10. Susana castro Avatar
    Susana castro

    We was advice for our guesthouse people to go there. We rented a car so we went our self now in sep 2014. If we take the tour it was 20. We was exiting, place very rustic, I’m OK with that but when finish they ask us 40 us each!!! We said that was overprice, I mean they don’t spend any money in the maintenance of the place. But as we was far from other people and like 5 guys there looking to us we felt scared and pay and leave. Next day we back with the Jamaican guide he ask for money back cause the real price is 5 Us. He was sending us to Pedro the old guy, his friend but he was not there, and this young guy who told us he was Pedro was lying. So don’t go there by yourself its not safe. Bad people.

    Reply
  11. ME Avatar
    ME

    Just returned from JA on March 30. Visited the Fire Water site and can say I was hesitant at first. Seemed to be a gimmick but tried it anyhow. Cured my daughters massive mosquito bites; bruises gone, bites no longer itchy. Took pain (touch) from my elbows away. Now a believer! Your skin feels “different” after the experience..told not to shower off the water until next day.

    A unique experience. Scary drive in..into the bush, narrow road, through many locals homes. Cost? They want $20US per person, but they don’t like to see you leave and not try the experience, so you can bargain with them..offer something REASONABLE, its their living! Spent 30 minutes of relaxing and getting cured. Would do it again..

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Hi ME, thanks for commenting! I’m so glad you made your way in there to experience it. As you said it may seem like a gimmick but then, isn’t 90% of life manifesting what we “believe”?? I loved going in there the couple times that I’ve been. It’s a totally unique experience no matter what you get out of it.\

      Thanks again for commenting! 🙂

      Reply

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