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Beaches
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 On a bay sheltered by reefs and surrounded by
coconut groves, sugar cane and fruit plantations, is Ocho Rios. The town has become very popular, with many cruise ships making a stop here. It is 64 miles east of Montego Bay and claims some of the best
beaches on the island. The beach in town is safe and well-organized with facilities, 200 yds from Main Street where most of the shops and vehicle hire companies can be found.
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Diving
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Jamaica's underwater world is filled with spectacular caves, canyons and crevices...schools of shimmering tropical fish...star, rose and
giant pillar coral. All the equipment you need is available from licensed diving operators.
Couples Hotel
Tel: 876-975-4271-5
Enchanted Gardens
Tel: 876-972-1937
Jamaqua Dive Centre
Tel: 876-973-4845
E-mail: webedivin@jamaqua.com
Resort Divers
Tel: 876-974-5338
Reef Divers
Tel: 876-973-4400
Sandals Ocho Rios
Tel: 876-974-5961-3
Sandals Dunn's River
Tel: 876-972-1750
Sans Souci Lido and Buscobel Beach Club
Tel: 876-974-5344
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Exploring
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Polo
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 Chukka Cove Equestrian Centre
Hotly contested matches featuring leading local and international riders. |
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Waterfall Climbing
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Dunn's River Falls & Park
 Climb up, up, up 600 feet through cool, cascading waters with the help of an expert guide. One of our visitors' favourites! 9am-5pm, daily. |
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Horseback Riding - Chukka Cove
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Make your day with a unique, exhilarating and enchanting beach ride! Come with us! We will travel in air conditioned comfort from the cruise ship
pier or hotel, bypassing the quaint and historic town of St. Ann's Bay, on to Chukka Cove.
Then the real fun begins! Leaving Chukka Cove on horseback, we will ride through Richmond and Llandovery, two of the oldest sugar estates on the
island. The latter is now a dairy farm; but you can still see the chimney stack and ruins of the old sugar mill on the way to the beach. Look out for the breadfruit tree! It's one of the original breadfruit trees
brought to Jamaica by the infamous Captain Bligh of the sailing ship "Bounty". We'll ride along the seashore to Chukka Cove's private beach where we'll enjoy light refreshments and prepare for a truly
unique experience ~ Riding bareback in the sea! This is indeed the adventure of a lifetime! After this exciting ride, relax while the guides re-saddle the horses for the return trip to the stable. We'll return to
the ship/hotel refreshed, exhilarated, with unique memories of Jamaica!
Experienced guides accompany all rides. Riders' cameras, towels and other personal belongings are taken by van to the beach.
Duration of the Ride is 3 Hours plus Transportation.
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Mountain Bike Adventure - Chukka Cove
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Discover the real Jamaica. Take an invigorating and
scenic mountain bike ride from the hills to the valleys: high in the mountains of St. Ann down
through woodland and meadow. From the quaint village of Mount Zion to a thirst quenching stop at the Spicey Grove Tavern…and, finally, to the picturesque Chukka Cove, carved by nature out of a rock to form a serene
and beautiful pool, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
After the swim, relax with a cold Red Stripe beer and return to the ship/hotel refreshed, exhilarated, with unique memories of Jamaica!
Experienced guides accompany all rides. Bikers' cameras, towels and other personal belongings follow the ride by van.
Duration of the Bike Tour is 3 Hours plus Transportation.
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Deep Sea Fishing
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Charters can be arranged for half or full days through hotels or directly through operators. Approximate cost for half a day, US$300,
includes boat, captain, crew and equipment. Four to six passengers, depending on boat size. Popular game fish include marlin, tuna, barracuda, bonito, kingfish and dolphin.
Independent operators:
King Fisher & Sun Fisher
Tel: 876-974-2726
Mitzy
Tel: 876-974-2527
Sunfisher Ltd.
Tel: 876-994-2294
Triple "B"
Tel: 876-975-3273
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Golf
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Ocho Rios
Sandals Golf & Country Club is an 18 hole, Par 71  course with a total of 6,311 yards,
located two miles from Ocho Rios,amidst verdant hills 700 feet above sea level. This is one of Jamaica's most scenic courses, noted for majestic trees, rolling fairways, constant breezes, a plantation clubhouse and
a 10th hole offering a spectacular view of the Caribbean.
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Shopping
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In the craft markets and stores you can find items of wood  (by Rastafarians and Maroons), straw, batik (from a number of good textile companies) and embroidery; the hand-knitted woollen gold, red, green
Rasta caps (with or without black dreadlocks affixed) are very cheap. Jewellery from Blue Mountain Gems, near Rose Hall, Montego Bay area. For art and ceramics, Devon House gallery, Chelsea Galleries on Chelsea
Road, Gallery 14, Old Boulevard Gallery, Grosvenor Gallery, Contemporary Art Centre in Liguanea. Blue Mountain coffee is excellent, cheaper at airport duty free shop than in supermarkets or tourist shops.
Please remember to check with legislation (and your conscience) before buying articles
made from tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, and certain corals, shells and butterflies. Many such animals are protected and should not be bought as souvenirs. It is illegal to take or
possess black or white coral in Jamaica; sea turtles are protected and you should refuse to buy products made from their shells. The closed season for lobster fishing is April-June, so
if lobster is on the menu check where it has come from.
Some shopkeepers offer a 10-15% discount on all goods but in fact merely refrain from
adding the tax when payment is made. Street vendors never add tax.
Photographic film is reasonably easily obtained but take spares of essentials such as
Lithium batteries as they are difficult to find and expensive. Glare and UV light is constant, take suitable filters. Do not photograph Jamaicans without their permission, the men,
particularly in Kingston, can get aggressive.
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