1 GET SNAPPY

The busy little town of Black River is where you cast off upriver aboard a pontoon in search of crocodiles. Escorted by a knowledgeable and amusing guide you’ll drift through the wetlands of mangrove swamps.
Suddenly, your guide will shout, “come, come, come”, luring them out of the vegetation. We saw three American saltwater crocs, including one with no teeth. The brave are encouraged to dive in and swim with them. We’re assured they’re not aggressive and there’s been no trouble in 30 years.
Not convinced? You can just opt to hold one for a photo at the sanctuary alongside the jetty.

● J Charles Swaby offers Black River Safaris from £10pp (jamaica-southcoast.com).

Click here now for amazing offers to Jamaica!

2 ZIP IT

Go native as you zipline through the trees in rugged Cockpit Country, dotted with limestone cliffs and precipitous ravines. Before you “fly”, explore Good Hope, a 2,000-acre citrus farm once owned by Jamaica’s wealthiest man John Tharp.
The Great House, which was built in 1755, offers a glimpse into just how life was on the plantation in the 18th century.
Today you can get a taste of the adrenalin-inducing activities with Chukka Caribbean Adventures on a Zipline Canopy tour. Fly more than 150ft through the canopy landing on wooden platforms built around the tree trunks. You’ll also pass over the meandering Great River and a 150-year-old dam. ● Chukka Caribbean Adventures (chukkacaribbean.com) offers a Zipline Canopy tour from £58 per adult, £40 per child (minimum age eight years).

3 EASY RIDER
There’s plenty of uneven terrain to test your driving skills on an ATV Safari also at Good Hope. After a safety drill you’ll strap on your helmet, slide on dark glasses and roar off on your four-wheel bike.
For two hours you’ll roar through puddles, negotiate your way around rocks and fly up dusty tracks while taking in the dramatic views of the Cockpit Mountains with the mist and smoke trails creating an eerie, almost filmic air.

● Chukka Caribbean Adventures (as before) offers an ATV Safari from £49pp (minimum age 16).

4 ROCK OF AGES

It may be a bit touristy but a clamber up the bulbous, travertine rocks of Dunn’s River Falls (dunnsriverja.com) in Ocho Rios is one of the most exhilarating climbs you’ll ever make.
Join hands to form a human chain and work your way up the three tiers of cascades, all shaded by rainforest with plenty of stop-off points along the way such as rocky platforms and calm pools.

● Tickets £10 per adult, £9 per child (two-11 years).

Want incredible deals to Jamaica? Click here now...

5 COOL RUNNINGS
You can’t fail to have been inspired by the success of the Jamaican Bobsled team at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. Temperatures may be a few degrees warmer than the usual location but the Bobsled course at Mystic Mountain Rainforest Adventures (rainforestadventure.com) in Ocho Rios is as authentic as you can get.

Climb aboard your sled for one hell of a ride down a 3,280ft track, whooshing your way through the dense tropical rainforest. Tickets £28pp.

6 CAST OFF AT JAKES

Head out with the experts and learn how it’s “reely” done during a one-day fishing expedition from Jakes Treasure Beach boutique hotel (jakeshotel.com) on the arid south-west coast. A private fishing trip costs £45pp per hour.

7 SHAKE YOUR TAILFEATHER

Jamaica and reggae are a heady combination. No more so than during the annual Reggae Sumfest (reggaesumfest.com), which takes place from July 15 to 21, 2012. Shake your tailfeather to hundreds of massive acts. Ticket prices vary.

8 SWIM WITH THE LOCALS
It’s always a moving experience when you swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios (dolphin-covejamaica.com).
Stand knee-deep in water and watch an experienced trainer direct these beautiful creatures towards you. Adults £29per adult, £20 per child (six-11 years).

10 AND...CHILLIN’
Order a rum punch and relax in a reclining chair in front of Dougie’s Bar at Jakes Treasure Beach (as before) for a sunset you’ll never forget.
Jakes’s bohemian-style cottages are dotted along the beautiful rugged coastline. Ex-theatre designer Sally Henzell designed the eclectic décor: wild Seventies colours, outdoor showers surrounded by walls of coloured bottles and intricate mosaic borders around the kidney-shaped pool.

GETTING THERE

Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels (0844 573 2460/vhiphotels.co.uk) offers seven nights in Jamaica from £1,199pp (two sharing a deluxe garden-view room), room only. Price includes accommodation at Jakes Treasure Beach hotel, return flight with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick to Jamaica and private transfers. For departures until December 7, 2011. Jamaica Tourist Board: 020 7225 9090/visitjamaica.com