From each morning’s glorious sunrise until the sea swallows the sun at night, Jamaica presents a magnificent palette of experiences, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that make this island the most precious jewel in the Caribbean. It is a land of unique culture, engaging activities, breathtaking landscapes, and a warm, welcoming people.
 
The beat of reggae. The searing smell of jerk over the fire. The swizzle of rum in your glass. No place on earth provides the range of attractions and the cultural diversity that can be found here. No place on earth feels like it. No place on earth shines like it. Jamaica, the home of rhythm and sway.

Our time in Jamaica will be spent exploring the northern coast of the island. From Port Antonio to Ocho Rios to Montego Bay to Negril we’ll have lush rainforests to hike, incredible scuba sites to dive, and sun-soaked sails in between. The hardest part will be deciding what to do!

Ocho Rios

With stunning scenery, renowned attractions, world-class resorts, and vast shopping options, the tourist-friendly hub of Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica’s major tourist regions. Situated in what locals call “the garden parish”, abundance awaits you in forms of greenery, flavors, and variety. Traveling through this coastal area, the tones of the region are backdropped by the roar of nearby waterfalls flowing into the Caribbean Sea.

Cool off at the famous Dunn’s River Falls, then be swept off your feet (literally) at Mystic Mountain Rainforest on the Sky Explorer and into the air to soar above the town. Finally, eat and cheers with a sundowner overlooking the water at Ocean’s 11.

Just off the coast of Ocho Rios is the SS Kathryn wreck, a great scuba diving site. The SS Kathryn was a 120 foot WWII mine-sweeper, and it was intentionally sunk in the 1950’s for the purpose of creating an artificial reef. It has thrived over the years, and today you can find corals, sponges, and marine life of all kinds during a dive here. You can either swim around the wreck, or venture inside the wheelhouse for a closer look.

Falmouth

Nestled between bustling Ocho Rios and lively Montego Bay is the lesser known but stunningly beautiful Falmouth.

The coastal town is packed with rich history dating back over 200 years. This city is an interesting display of colonial architecture and heritage; Falmouth possesses the largest collection of Georgian-style buildings in Jamaica.

In the 1700’s, fortunes from the sugar industry were booming and Falmouth was considered a cosmopolitan metropolis. The industry’s decline resulted in the town’s decrease in profits, and ultimately its status. In recognition of its rich history, Falmouth is both a Jamaican National Heritage Site and a UN World Heritage Site.

One must-do activity is a scenic tour of the thickly forested mangrove on the calm and quiet Martha Brae river on a bamboo raft. This 3-mile long journey will offer a relaxing experience that is sure to create a lasting memory. Try rowing the raft using the tall bamboo pole if you think you can.

Another must-do for those lucky enough to stay overnight is a swim in the Luminous Lagoon after dark. When stirred the waters lights up in an eerie blue light as the lagoon has microscopic organisms that light up when agitated creating a phenomenon known as bioluminescence.

Go for a swim and enjoy the magic as the blue light dances to the tunes of your body movements.

Montego Bay

The tropical adventure of your dreams awaits you in Montego Bay. Whether you’re looking to relax on perfect white sandy beaches with clear blue skies above, be swept away in the rocking nightlife steps from your hotel, or enjoy thrilling experiences that etch lifetime memories, you’ll find it in the enchanting “Mobay.”

A drive inland will take us to the mountainous Cockpit County where history, adventure, and awe come alive. Learn how the Cockpit Country Maroon warriors used caves, camouflage and guerrilla warfare to defeat their British enemies.

Guided by descendants of Maroons, you explore the caves of Cockpit Country, the hide outs used by Maroon warriors’ in their successful fight against the British.

Journey into the dark underground caverns of the Printed Circuit cave, sculpted from weathered white limestone and exhibiting breathtaking formations and glittering reflections. Become immersed in the quiet and eerie ecology, seeing an underground fresh water pool and nocturnal animals living a peaceful and unusual existence. Walk upright past uniquely formed stalactites, stalagmites and bacon rams, occasionally crawling on your knees or wiggling through the magnificence.

Scuba diving in Montego Bay has a bit of everything from coral arches to airplane wrecks. The Arches and the Caves are incredible diving sites that feature outstanding rock structures; divers in these areas can sometimes see things like rays and sharks. The Caves are about 10 minutes away from shore and consist of two caverns connected by a narrow tunnel. You’ll easily be able to swim through The Arches right alongside schools of purple and yellow fairy basslets and explore the wall with many ledges and overhangs. The airplance wreck known simple as “The Wreck” begins at 60 feet down with the fuselage of the plane at the 80 foot mark, right next to stunning coral and fish swimming nearby.

Most famously in Montego Bay is Widowmaker’s Cave. Enter this cave at 80 feet below sea level and twist and turn your way back up the 10–foot–wide chimney at 35 feet below.

Inside the tunnel leading to the cave, there is wire coral with, in the beam of your dive light, red polyps, and the walls are covered with multicolored sponges. On this dive you’ll likely encounter schools of silvery blue bogas, glassy sweepers, schoolmaster snappers, balloonfish, trumpetfish, hamlets, wrasses and parrotfish.

After full days hiking, spelunking or diving we can watch the sun go down at any one of the fantastic restaurants along the coast, such as the fine-dining locale up in the hills (The Sugarmill Ruins) or the unique experience of The Houseboat Grill right on the water.

If you’re ready for some luxury and relaxation we can book an all-inclusive day pass at many of the world-class resorts for some pool time, chilled champagne, and a shaded cabana bed.

Negril

Negril is the epitome of relaxation. Famous for beautiful sunsets, a 7-mile stretch of bright white sandy beach, and picturesque cliffs overlooking the emerald green sea, this is the place for you to come and soothe your soul. Enjoy the slow pace of life here with the freshest seafood caught daily and the most amazing beachside sunsets you’ll ever see.

Get off the beaten path at Mayfield Falls. This hidden gem thrives with wildlife and crystal clear waters. Experience the coolness of one of the island’s rivers or explore the land as you climb the clear watered waterfall and take in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings. Mayfield Falls is the perfect escape from the ordinary, and a great haven for nature lovers.

In terms of diving, The Throne Room in Negril is often described as the best site for scuba diving in Jamaica. It is highly rated because of the abundance of marine life that can be found there, as well as the unusual coral formations. During a dive here you may come across stingrays, black corals, eels, octopus, barracuda, yellow sponges, marine coral, snappers and sometimes dolphins and nurse sharks. The lesser known Frenchman Hole is where you can sometimes spot moray eels, groupers, nurse sharks and hammerhead sharks.

Finally, you can’t fly out with jumping off! Negril is home to the one of Jamaica’s most famous hot spots: Rick’s Cave. This casual bar and restaurant sits atop a 35-hoot high cliff and boasts some of the best and uninterrupted sunsets in the world. 

While the drinks are cold and sunsets are beautiful, most people go there for heart-throbbing cliff jumping! Are you brave enough?