MORANT POINT LIGHTHOUSE

At the most easterly point of Jamaica in the sleepy parish of St. Thomas is the Morant Point Lighthouse.  The 30 metre tall, red and white lighthouse is the oldest National Monument in the island, and in fact, the Western Hemisphere. Built of cast in London in 1841, it was erected upon arrival and since then provides some amazing views. Gazing over rippling cane fields towards the towering Blue Mountains into the cloud dotted blue sky and across the Caribbean Sea, atop the lighthouse is an experience. As the sea crashes against the deserted shores, a welcoming caretaker will be all too happy to oblige a tour of the facilities and tell intriguing stories about the historical monument.

To get there prepare to travel far off the beaten track. From Bath, it is a dirt road through Golden Grove to Duckenfield. The dirt road through the sugar cane fields might be properly labelled so keep the Duckenfield factory as a land mark. After meandering about 8 km through the fields, the coast comes into sight and not much further is the lighthouse. Since the roads are not paved and can become swampy when it rains, a 4WD might be the best mode of transport.