Western Caribbean cruises often visit Falmouth, Jamaica. Located halfway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, historic Falmouth has expanded over the last decade to become one of Jamaica’s top destinations for cruise guests. The port’s pier can accommodate today’s massive ships and many of Jamaica’s top attractions are within easy reach. Vacationers looking for beautiful beaches, adventure, history and relaxation are likely to find a memorable excursion that matches their interests here.

If you’re visiting Falmouth on your next cruise vacation, here are eight great things to do while your ship is in port:

1. Take An Epic Climb Up A Waterfall. Dunn's River Falls is one of Jamaica's most famous tour attractions. Take a guided climb over 600-feet up to the top of the falls, providing plenty of thrills and memorable moments. Wear water shoes with good treads for the best experience. Those who don't wish to make the climb can watch people ascending the falls from a series of observation decks. There's also a beach below the falls for swimming and playing before or after the climb. Many cruise passengers combine trips to Dunn's River Falls with other activities on their shore excursions, including river tubing, catamaran sails, snorkeling, zip lining, horseback riding and more.

2. Play At An All-Inclusive Resort. Cruise guests looking for the ultimate in relaxation may choose to spend their day at an all-inclusive resort located near Falmouth. Resort for a Day offers day passes at several all-inclusive beach properties. Some of the resorts are available for adults only, including Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort and the Hyatt Zilara. Families, couples and groups can opt for day passes at a wide variety of all-inclusive resorts including Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort, Hilton Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva and Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort. All include private beach and pool access. Special children’s rates are available. For more information, visit ResortForADay.com. Shore Excursions Group offers day passes at the family-friendly all-inclusive beachfront RIU Resort. For more information, visit ShoreExcursionsGroup.com.

3. Be Adventurous On A Zip Line. Cruise passengers have a number of exciting zip line shore excursion options in Falmouth. One choice is to head to H’Evans Scent Zip Line Facility for a thrilling zip line experience that sends guests soaring through the treetops. H’Evans Scent has a total of four zip lines including one that stretches a total of 1200 feet, the longest in Jamaica. Guests can also take an adrenaline-filled ride of a 50-foot giant swing and cavort on a large outdoor playground complete with a hedge maze, trampoline, swings and an obstacle course. Other zip line courses are available near Falmouth, too.

4. Go Rafting Or Tubing Kayaking On A River. Get out on the water while you’re in Jamaica. Treat yourself to a unique rafting experience and journey down the Martha Brae River on a 30-foot long bamboo raft built for two. This romantic river rafting excursion is one of Jamaica’s most popular experiences. As guests glide along the water, they can relax and enjoy the area’s lush scenery. Tubing, kayaking and river boarding options are also available on the Rio Bueno River as well.

5. Saddle Up And Swim. This popular tour takes cruise passengers on a trail ride through Jamaica’s countryside, wooded areas and wetlands. After completing the trail ride, the horses will come to a deserted beach where guests can go on a 10-15 minute bareback horseback ride in the Caribbean Sea. This is a unique and exhilarating experience, one you’ll seldom find outside of the Caribbean. On the return ride, guests can see some of the remains of an old sugar plantation. Guests must be at least 6 years of age and weigh 250 pounds or less.

6. Visit Jamaica’s Stunning Blue Hole. Located in a tropical rainforest, the Blue Hole is a breathtaking azure-colored natural lagoon featured on a number of Falmouth tours. Surrounded by cliffs, this limestone sinkhole area features cascading waterfalls, a Tarzan-like rope swing, multiple pools and even a cave. If you’re planning to visit the Blue Hole, bring along water shoes with good treads, a towel, and a waterproof camera. It’s also best to have a guide show you the safest places to jump into the water, swim, cross the river and access the falls.

7. Explore Jamaica’s Historic Past. Vacationers interested in history can choose from several tours, including visits to Good Hope Great House. This 2,000-acre former sugar plantation dates back to the 18th century. Cruise guests can also learn about Jamaica’s history on shore excursions that visit Montego Bay and Rose Hall Great House. Here, vacationers can to tour the house and gardens and learn about its owner, Annie Palmer, often called the “White Witch of Rose Hall.” The Great House and Annie Palmer were memorialized in Johnny Cash’s song, “The Ballad of Annie Palmer.”

8. Ride a Jamaica Bobsled. Mystic Mountain offers a number of exciting adventures for cruise guests. One of the most popular is the single-person bobsled ride, featuring 3,280 feet of thrilling twists and turns down the mountain’s track. Height and weight restrictions apply. The bobsled ride is accessed by taking a scenic trip on Mystic Mountain’s Sky Explorer chairlift, providing beautiful views of the forest canopy and the Caribbean Sea. A zip line experience, infinity pool and restaurant facilities are also available.

Popular Falmouth tours can sell out prior to arrival, so it’s wise to book your shore excursions in advance. While the majority of these excursions can be purchased directly through the cruise lines, some travelers prefer to buy their tours through independent shore excursion companies. These companies sometimes provide lower prices, smaller groups, and easy pre-booking options. Some popular independent shore excursion companies offering tours in Falmouth include Shore Excursions Group, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Island Routes and Viator.