Independent Tour Guides
Queen McBeam Ocho Rios Tours Ionie Mcbeam offers a number of very personalized tours of Ocho Rios.
Tour Operators
Yardie Tours Yardie Tours offers tours that take you to all of the attractions in Ocho Rios and the surrounding areas.
Jamaican Cruise Excursions Ocho Rios Cruise Excursions offers you a wide variety of shore trips to enjoy under the safety and supervision of our professional and attentive guides. They offer 11 tours to Ocho Rios attractions, and specialize in trips for cruise ship passengers.
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a number of tours that are detailed on this page, including Canopy/Zipline tours, Motorsports tours, horseback riding tours, Bob Marley tours and more. They're the largest tour operator in Ocho Rios.
Peat Taylor Tours Peat Taylor has been an established tour operator since 1985 in Ocho Rios. With his fleet of well-maintained and air-conditioned vehicles, Peat operates primarily for cruise ships passengers arriving in Ocho Rios.
Attractions
Mystic Mountain Opened in 2008, Mystic Mountain is an environmentally friendly attraction designed to be enjoyed by guests of all ages. The park covers over 100 acres of land stretching from the coast road entrance near Dunn's River Falls to over 700 feet above sea level at the peak of Mystic Mountain. Here, visitors can view and explore the unique seaside tropical forest ecosystem as they enjoy the three unique and exhilarating excursions--the Sky Explorer, Bobsled Jamaica and Tranopy.
Located at the top of the mountain are the Mystic Pavilion, a 3-story Jamaican Railway Station and an infinity pool. The Mystic Pavilion features displays and memorabilia celebrating Jamaica's culture, great moments in sports and the promotion of environmental awareness and conservation of natural resources. The picturesque Jamaican Railway Station is a replica of an early 1900s-era Jamaican railway station. Stunning views of Jamaica's north coast can be had along with majestic vistas of the hills and valleys of St. Ann. The multi-level rail station features a lookout tower, a bar and restaurant on the second level and shops. The Railway Station also serves as the boarding point for Bobsled Jamaica. For people looking for refreshment, the infinity pool is perched on the edge of the mountain.
The Sky Explorer takes passengers up and down the mountain from the coast road. The ride is a state-of-the-art chairlift that takes passengers above the treetops on the ascent, and through the heart of the canopy on the descent. The ride takes about 15 minutes.
Bobsled Jamaica is the park's signature attraction, taking riders on a 3,300 foot gravity-driven ride in custom-designed bobsleds through the tropical landscape. Riders control the speed of descent with an in-sled handbrake, allowing for either a leisurely ride or an adrenalin-pumping dive to the bottom at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Once the bobsleds come to a controlled stop, they are slowly raised back to the Railway Station through the forest on an elevated tramway. The ride was designed to evoke the experience of the Jamaican Olympic bobsled teams of 1988 and 1992.
Mystic Mountain Canopy This zip line adventure is sold as part of a package known as the "Tranopy." This package includes the Sky Explorer ski lift that takes visitors from the beach to the top of Mystic Mountain; the Bobsled Jamaica, a roller coaster ride down the hill (and back up again); and the zip line, which is comprised of 10 zipline traverses with nine tree- and land-based platforms.
Beaches in Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios features a number of beaches both in town and to the east. All are easily accessible via taxi.
- Mahogany Beach is a small beach adjacent to the Shaw Park Beach Hotel. Here you'll find a restaurant, a large bar and you can rent lounge chairs. You can also rent jet skis, take the glass bottom boat and do some snorkeling.
- Reggae Beach is a safe, clean and beautiful stretch of white sand beach. Here you'll find three guest areas, each with a bar. One of these areas is used exclusively by the Bamboo Beach Club, which is an all-inclusive beach club program put on for guests of Carnival Cruises twice each week. The price to enter Bamboo Beach Club is $55; this includes food, drinks and entertainment. The other two areas of Reggae Beach are for guests who pay the regular entrance fee at the gate to come onto the property. The cost is $10 per person for adults, $5.00 per person for kids. Otherwise it's a very quiet beach where locals go on weekends.
- Mallards Beach is located in the center of Ocho Rios and attracts beach goers from all the surrounding area hotels.
- Dunn's River Falls Beach is a small beach where the falls meet the sea. It's crowded on days when cruise ships are in port, but they've got a beach bar and grill that complement the beautiful view.
- Dolphin Cove Beach is located within the Dolphin Cove property. You'll have to pay the $15 entrance fee, but then you'll have the option to enjoy some of the other (non-beach) facilities that Dolphin Cove has to offer.
- James Bond Beach is less crowded because it's located about 20 minutes east of Ocho Rios by taxi. The waters are calmer than the other beaches, with no shade. There's a great seafood restaurant--the Moonraker Jamaican Bar and Grill--on site. The beach is located next door to the erstwhile home of Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond books; it's now an exclusive resort property.
Beach Party
Bamboo Beach Club Located on Reggae Beach, a safe, clean and beautiful stretch of white sand beach east of Ocho Rios. Upon arrival, you'll be assigned a personable "guide," who will fetch drinks and food for you as you relax on the oversized beach loungers. The BBC's entertainment includes dancers, reggae drummers, singers and artistic acrobats, performing their thing on the sand. The entrance fee includes unlimited food--served tapas style--and adult beverages. It'll set you back $55 per person for your day at the Bamboo Beach Club. This is not a great place for folks who want to mellow out on a beach with a book, or families with kids.
Bob Marley Tours
Jamaica Cruise Adventures offers a Zion Bus Tour, that takes you on a tour through the Jamaican countryside aboard an authentic Jamaican country bus, the "Zion Bus Line." With the music of Bob Marley blaring, your dreadlocked driver will take you to Nine Mile, the birth and final resting place of the King of Reggae, Bob Marley. The 5-hour tour includes complimentary refreshments and lunch at a local Jerk Center. The cost is $84 per person.
Island Marketing offers their Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour which is very similar to the above tour. You'll be traveling in an air-conditioned van, and once you reach Nine Mile, you'll tour the boyhood home of Bob Marley, often called "the Graceland of Reggae." A lunch of Jerk chicken, pork, rice and peas is included. A must for Bob Marley fans, the tour costs $70 per person.
Jamaica Cruise Adventures offers a Chukka 4X4 Adventure: Bob Marley Tour. This 4 -hour tour takes you to the birthplace of the "King of Reggae" in a 4X4 Jeep, traveling via Higgin Town and Claremont to the quaint village of Nine Mile. The tour takes you through the house Bob lived in as a young boy and your Rastafarian guide will share with you little known insights into Bob Marley's childhood and musical career. You'll also visit his final resting place. The tour includes complimentary refreshments, and costs $74. The minimum age to participate is 18 years.
Reggae Explosion is a small museum that is dedicated to the roots and stars of reggae music. Here you can listen to famous reggae music songs played at listening stations, watch clips of Bob Marley, and view a replica of a Jamaican recording studio. The facility is located in the Island Village Shopping Center, which is adjacent to the Cruise Ship Terminal. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, a visit to Reggae Explosion is free.
Canopy/Zip Lines
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers their Chukka Zipline Canopy, which is not for the faint of heart. This canopy adventure will have you flying through the air at the Laughlands River gorge, a giant valley carved from the surrounding mountain by ancient waters, on 9 traverses that range from 105 feet to 660 feet in length. During the 2-hour tour, you'll catch a glimpse of the miles-away Caribbean and learn about the surrounding tree and plant life from the experienced guides. Frankly, you should be in pretty good shape to do this tour, as you'll do a lot of climbing during the zipline portion of the tour. The minimum age to participate on this excursion 8 years; it's also got a weight limit of 264 lbs. Complimentary water is available during the tour. The cost for adults is $90, with a kid's rate of $63.
Chukka Caribbean Adventures also operates their Bird of Paradise Zip Line Canopy, which is located in the White River Valley. You'll soar through the trees on three horizontal traverses that range in length from 65 to 160 feet in length. Since there are fewer traverses here, the zipline portion of the tour takes only half an hour. Chukka Caribbean Adventures often ties this excursion with a tubing adventure down the White River. The minimum age to participate on this excursion 6 years; it's also got a weight limit of 264 lbs. Complimentary water is available during the tour. The cost for adults is $32, with a kid's rate of $22. The zipline and tubing combo package runs $83 for adults, and $77 for kids.
Mystic Mountain Canopy This zip line adventure is sold as part of a package known as the "Tranopy." This package includes the Sky Explorer ski lift that takes visitors from the beach to the top of Mystic Mountain; the Bobsled Jamaica, a roller coaster ride down the hill (and back up again); and the zip line, which is comprised of 10 zipline traverses with nine tree- and land-based platforms.
Caves
Green Grotto Caves Located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, the central feature of this natural attraction is the large labyrinthine limestone cave with its numerous rock formations, its stalactites, stalagmites and abundance of overhead ceiling pockets. The cave is almost a mile long and 40 feet deep, with numerous chambers and light holes. There's even a subterranean lake in the cave.
The cave is rich in history and can be identified with different groups of people. The indigenous Arawak Indians found shelter in the caves, and after the English took the island from the Spanish, the caves were used as a hideout for the Spanish colonists, who were being driven out of the country. In the period between the two world wars the caves were used by smugglers running arms to Cuba. In the latter years of World War II, the government of Jamaica used the entrance of the cave as a storeroom for rum barrels.
The cave is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the $20 admission price includes the rental of a hard hat, a 45-minute guided tour and a drink.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing on Jamaica's Northern Coast is generally good year round. January through May is the season for White Marlin, a few small Blues, Kingfish, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Striped Tuna, Blackfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi. Kingfish and Barracuda are caught all year round, but more so in August and September. May to July is the season for big Blue Marlin (400-500 lbs) along with a variety of fish mentioned above. From August to December more blue marlin about 120-250 lbs are caught; Kingfish, Wahoo, Tuna and Dolphin are also plentiful this time of year.
Make sure to book your trip well in advance of your arrival!
Jamaica Cruise Excursions offers Deep Sea Fishing Charters for both half-day and full-day trips. They provide two options for groups of 1-6 Fisherman on either their deluxe 38-foot Pacemaker or their Luxury 53-foot Hatteras. Rates run $600 per boat for the Pacemaker and $750 per boat for the Hatteras on the half-day trips, and $1,100 and $1,400, respectively, for the full-day trips.
Jaital offers a Deep Sea Fishing Charter on a per-person basis for half-day (4-hour) trips. Rates are variable, depending on the number of passengers on the boat, which can carry up to 6 passengers. On a 6-passenger trip, the per person price is $99.
Diving
Scuba Caribe operates a dive center located on the beach at the Riu Ocho Rios Hotel. They offer half day and full day diving excursions designed to cater to all levels of experience, from beginner to the most advanced. They offer three boat departures daily, with an instructor to student ratio of no more than 4 to 1. Their dive catamarans are 30 feet long and are powered by two 85HP engines. The boats are fully equipped to comply with all Maritime Authority of Jamaican marine regulations including Oxygen, First Aid Kit and VHF Marine Radio to maintain in constant communication with the Dive Center and if needed the Emergency Services.
Dog Sledding
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers their Jamaican Dogsled Encounter for people who want to meet the Jamaican sled dogs, but who don't want to take a sled dog ride. On this excursion, you'll meet the dogs, help the Jamaican Musher harness his dog team, and watch as he takes them out for a high speed exhibition run using a "Dry-land Rig" that is used for racing. This 1½-hour long excursion includes transportation from the Ocho Rios area, complimentary refreshments and photo opportunities along the trail and personal shots with the dogs. The tour costs $43 per person for adults, and $30 per person for children. A percentage of this tour revenues and merchandise sales from the Jamaica Dogsled Team goes to the JSPCA.
Chukka Caribbean Adventures also offers their Jamaican Dogsled Experience for folks who want to experience a 5-seater dog sled ride through the countryside. This 2-hour long excursion includes transportation from the Ocho Rios area, complimentary refreshments and photo opportunities along the trail and personal shots with the dogs. The tour costs $85 per person for adults, and $57 per person for children. A percentage of this tour revenues and merchandise sales from the Jamaica Dogsled Team goes to the JSPCA.
Dolphins
Dolphin Cove Dolphin Cove is the second most popular activity in Ocho Rios, after Dunn's River Falls. Situated at one of the best beaches in Ocho Rios, Dolphin Cove offers three interactive dolphin experiences and an interactive shark program, a shark show, a white sand beach with beach loungers, a variety of aquatic activities, and Treasure Reef, which is a replica of the pirate haven of Port Royal, complete with roaming pirates. They've also got a variety of shops, food venues and other attractions. The programs include:
- Entrance to Dolphin Cove The $15 admission fee to Dolphin Cove actually gets you quite a bit: access to their sandy beach, with complimentary beach chairs, as well as a variety of aquatic activities, including snorkeling in their offshore reef, glass-bottom kayaking and their Mini Boat Adventure, where you get to be the Captain of your own boat. The in-park activities include interacting with Stingrays, viewing the Shark Show and access to Jungle Trail, where you can interact with exotic animals. There's also a variety of shopping venues, restaurants and an observation deck from which you can see the dolphins at play.
- Dolphin Touch Encounter In this 20-minute program, you'll learn about dolphins in an introductory educational presentation, then have an encounter with the dolphins from the security of the shallows. You'll have a chance to caress and touch the dolphins and view them up close. The cost for this tour is $67.
- Dolphin Swim Encounter On this 30-minute personal encounter with dolphins, you'll not only kiss and stroke a dolphin, but also swim, dance and play with it as you witness its immense intelligence and skill. The cost for this tour is $129.
- Swim With Dolphins This 30-minute swim will have you interacting with two dolphins, stroking and petting their smooth skin, get kissed and even get a foot push or a dorsal pull as you swim with the dolphins in the dolphin cove. The cost for this encounter is $195.
- Sharks Program This tour begins with a Shark Show performance, and then, under the careful supervision of highly-trained shark encounter facilitators, guests get the chance to hold, touch, feed and explore by swimming in the same water as the sharks.
The cost for this encounter is $131.
- Sea Keeper for a Day On this very special 6- to 8-hour program, participants get to assist in food preparation for the park's animals, intimate feeding and behavior interaction with dolphins, sharks and stingrays while being educated with hands-on training techniques used by the professionals. The cost for this tour is $595.
Dunn's River Falls
Climbing Dunn's River Falls Upon arriving at Dunn's River Falls Beach, you will need to buy a ticket for the climb. Then you'll meet your guide and be assigned into groups of approximately 20 to 30 climbers. If you've brought a camera, your guide will carry it for you. If you haven't brought aqua socks, you'll have an opportunity to rent a pair. In addition, storage lockers are available at the falls for a nominal fee. Then, joining hands, your guide will lead you into the entrance of the falls and you'll begin your ascent.
Climbing the 600 foot high falls will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour. You'll be walking on smooth limestone boulders as you make your way up through the cascading waters. You'll be able to chill out in some of the pools you encounter; however, jumping from the falls is not permitted (it's also not a good idea anyway). For those who brought a camera, your guide will periodically takes shots of you along the way (just to prove that you did indeed walk up the falls).
At the top of the falls you'll pass through a shopping area where you can purchase a refreshing bottle of water, soda or a beer. You can also buy souvenir from the local merchants.
As an alternative to hiking up the falls, an adjacent rustic stone pathway leads to the shopping area at the top of the falls. The climb will take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. The cost for non-residents is $15 US for adults and $12 for children under 12 years of age. On cruise days, you have between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm to have all the fun, but the last climb leaves at 4:00 pm.
Estates/Great Houses
Annandale Great House Located in the hills near the village of Epworth, the Annandale Great House commands stunning views across the mountains. The Great House was built in 1760, and, as it was built by a Scotsman, was named after a farm near Kilmarnock, Scotland.
The Great House has been well kept over the years, and has hosted many celebrities, including the late Queen Mother. Visitors to Annandale come to sip tea and enjoy the antique collection, one of the finest in the country. The dining room is entirely furnished with late-eighteenth-and nineteenth-century island-made mahogany furniture.
The Annandale Estate remains a true working plantation. In the 19th century, the late Sir Thomas Roxburgh purchased the estate, and it has remained in his family for over 100 years.
Brimmer Estate The Brimmer Hall Estate is located 21 miles east of Ocho Rios, in the hills above the historic town of Port Maria. Today the Estate is a working plantation, growing a number of crops, including bananas, sugar cane, pineapple, ackee (a Jamaican fruit) and coffee.
The centerpiece of the Estate is the Great House, built in 1817. The house is a single story building with glass louvered windows and cooler boxes. The structure has high ceilings, polished wooden floors and a wide verandah. The Great House lies on four to five thousand acres of land which was once a part of four adjoining estates: Tryall, Trinity, Roslyn and Brimmer Hall, all of which were owned by Zachary Bayley.
Visitors to Brimmer Hall make a tour the grounds of the Estate in a tractor-drawn jitney, viewing the tropical fruit trees as the guides explain the processes used to produce the crops. Visitors are also given a tour of the Great House, replete with period antiques. A typical tour includes a lunch that features a variety of typical Jamaican dishes. Guests are encouraged to visit the facility's gift shop, which features a good selection of ceramics, art, straw goods, woodcarvings, rums, liqueurs, and cigars.
Firefly While not a historical estate per se, Firefly was the Jamaican vacation retreat of the noted English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer Noel Coward and his longtime companion Graham Payn. Here he entertained lavishly, with a guest roster that included Hollywood's A-List as well as English royalty and politicians. Upon Coward's death in 1973, the home was donated to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. Located in Grants Town, in St. Mary Parish, 20 miles east of Ocho Rios, the home remains a shrine to Coward and his legacy in Jamaica; much of his furniture, library and artworks remain as they were in his day. Coward is buried on the property under a white marble gravestone. The home is open Monday through Thursday, and Saturday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for children 11 and under.
Prospect Plantation Dating from 1721, Prospect Plantation is a working plantation comprised of over 1,000 acres in the White River Valley. Today, the former sugar estate grows bananas, cassava, coffee, allspice, coconut and a number of other crops, but not for the commercial market.
The Great House was built in the early 1800s and boasts many antiques, paintings and artifacts from an earlier era. The house is fortified with loopholes against raids by privateers and buccaneers. The property had three owners before Sir Harold Mitchell purchased the farm in 1936. After Sir Harold's death in 1983, ownership of the plantation passed his son-in-law and grandchildren.
Today, the property is primarily used for tourism. The facility offers five excursions:
- Camel Safari and Plantation Tour with Dunn's River Falls Camels were used in the harvesting of sugar cane in the 19th century. On this tour, camel trainers will give you a brief orientation and background on the camels, after which you will saddle up and take a trek through the countryside. Following your camel ride, you'll be transferred to Dunn's River Falls for the ascent of the waterfall. The tour lasts 3½ hours.
- Prospect Plantation Open-Air Carriage Tour with Great House This excursion combines a guided tour through the Prospect Plantation property in a tractor-drawn open air carriage with a visit to Dunn's River Falls. At the plantation, you can feed the ostriches, pet the camels and visit the butterfly aviary and the apiary. You'll also have the opportunity to tour the Great House, replete with 19th century antiques. After your Prospect Plantation tour, you'll be transferred to Dunn's River Falls for the ascent of the waterfall. The 4-hour tour includes a complimentary refreshing drink.
- Prospect Plantation Tour on Horseback This excursion combines a tour of Prospect Plantation on horseback with a visit to Dunn's River Falls. Your horseback ride will take you through the plantation, viewing the bananas, cassava, sugar cane, coffee, all spice and other crops. Back at the plantation, you can feed the ostriches, pet the camels and visit the butterfly aviary and the apiary. After your Prospect Plantation tour, you'll be transferred to Dunn's River Falls for the ascent of the waterfall. The tour lasts 3¼ hours.
- Horseback River Ride This excursion combines a horseback ride through the forest to the White River with a visit to Dunn's River Falls. You'll ride on a spectacular trail that passes through primeval forest descending to the White River, where guests have the opportunity to take a dip in the river and sip a cool fruit drink. Back at the plantation, you can feed the ostriches, pet the camels, visit the butterfly aviary and the apiary and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by lush vegetation.. After your Prospect Plantation tour, you'll be transferred to Dunn's River Falls for the ascent of the waterfall. The tour lasts 4¼ hours.
- Camel Safari - Hike, Camel Ride & Cycle Camels were used in the harvesting of sugar cane in the 19th century. On this tour, you'll take a brief walk to the Camel Park, where the "Rasta" camel trainers will give you a brief orientation and background on the camels, after which you will saddle up and take a trek through the countryside. Following your camel ride, you'll hop on a bicycle for a short ride down the gentle sloping hills. At the conclusion of your activities at Prospect Plantation, you'll be transferred to Dunn's River Falls for the ascent of the waterfall. The tour lasts 3 hours.
Roaring River Great House The Great House complex is comprised of the Great House itself, plus a number of outbuildings, totaling 18,650 square feet. The two story Great House is a good example of the architectural re-adaptation of classical Georgian artistry into a tropical setting. The Great House features a beautiful wrap-around verandah.
Gardens
Fern Gully not a garden, per se, but a rocky gorge that features Jamaica's largest collection of ferns (there are more than 200 species) overhung by tall trumpet and mahoe trees that create a cool (but humid) rain forest. The area was created after an earthquake in 1907 destroyed one of the area's rivers. The riverbed was subsequently paved and the roadway was established. The scenic 3-mile stretch of Highway is best viewed by car; you can stop along the route and do some shopping at one of the numerous impromptu stalls that sell a variety of handicrafts.
Coyaba River Gardens "Coyaba" is the Arawak word for "paradise," and that's what you'll find at this special place in Ocho Rios. Here you'll find beautiful gardens that change with new blooms throughout the year. Visitors enjoy strolling through the gardens, which are interspersed with natural springs and the Mahoe waterfalls--a miniature version of the Dunn's River Falls. A new feature, "Ysassis Lookout Point," offers a panoramic view of Ocho Rios Bay and the cruise ship terminals; the Lookout Point adjoins the Mahoe Falls by a wheelchair-friendly wooden walkway. Ysassi was the Last Spanish Governor of Jamaica, and spent some of his last days in Jamaica at Shaw Park, where he was defeated in 1660 by English forces. Also at the Coyaba River Gardens you'll find a small museum that details the history of Jamaica from the pre-Columbian period through to the current day. Located in the Shaw Park hills. The entrance fee is $10, and includes a 1-hour tour of the gardens. Open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Enchanted Gardens Located just 5 minutes from the entrance to Dunn's River Falls, the Enchanted Gardens is a one-time all-inclusive resort that is today one of Jamaica's prime garden attractions. It is located in a natural river gorge, with 14 waterfalls on 20 acres of land. The facility hosts a nature walk replete with a wide variety of flowers, fruit trees and a large Japanese Koi pond. The property also includes the largest walk-in bird aviary in the Caribbean with a wide variety of exotic birds. Open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on cruise days, the entrance fee is $12.
Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls Situated high on a hilltop overlooking the azure waters of the Caribbean, the Shaw Park Gardens embrace 25 acres of tropical splendor.
The original Shaw Park property, consisting of approximately 600 acres, was named after John Shaw, a prominent St. Ann resident who died in 1821. The property was originally used for the production of sugar cane, but switched to oranges for export to New Orleans in 1892.
In 1905, the Shaw Park Estate was purchased by Sir John McKenzie Pringle, and the estate was in turn passed to his daughter Flora in 1923. The Shaw Park Great House was transformed into the original location of the Shaw Park Hotel, which was an exclusive resort catering to the wealthy and titled. In 1940 the hotel boasted 40 rooms. The entire Shaw Park Gardens and hotel property was self-contained, with its own ice factory and hydroelectric station.
It was Flora McKenzie Pringle Stuart who established the gardens. Today, the Shaw Park Gardens and Waterfalls remain one of the finest botanical gardens in the world. Guided Tours are available between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm daily. The entrance fee is $10 per person.
Golf
Breezes Runaway Bay The SuperClubs course at Breezes Runaway Bay is a 72 par, 18 holes championship golf course offering an exhilarating experience for beginners and accomplished golfers alike.
Designed by Commander John Harris and opened in 1960, the course features long rolling fairways, large flat greens protected by grassy mounds and sand bunkers. Over the years, the course has hosted a number of championship events.
The course measures 5,389 yards, and is slope rated 117 from the forward trees. From the back it measures 6,870 yards and is slope rated 124. The course is well trapped, protecting it from certain errant shots and wind gusts of up to 35 mph.
Green fees (for non guests) are $80 for 18 holes, or $50 for 9 holes. Cart fees are $23 for 9 holes, and $35 for 18 holes. Mandatory Caddy runs $11 for 9 holes, and $16 for 18 holes. Club rental is $20 per set, per round.
The Golf Club at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios In June 1992, Sandals Resorts International purchased the Upton Golf Club and set about creating the most elite golf course in Jamaica. All the greens were rebuilt with Tifdwarf Bermuda grass and the fairways resurfaced with Bermuda grass creating a beautifully manicured layout. Sandals now boasts one of the finest Golf Courses in the Caribbean. Golf Digest Magazine granted a four star rating for courses to play while on vacation.
The Jamaica Golf and Country Club is formidable test characterized by narrow fairways and minuscule, drop-off greens. A par-71 18-hole layout measuring 6,502 yards, the course stretches out over a verdant, rolling landscape with sweeping views of sparkling sea and mountains cloaked in dense vegetation.
While there are no major forced carries and few fairways bunkers, precision is key; ten holes are flanked by out-of-bounds stakes. Particularly vexing is the unassuming-looking par-3 13th hole on the course, but it packs a wallop with its treacherously shallow green fronted by a steep slope and backed by a hidden bunker.
Green fees (for non-hotel guests) are $80 for 18 holes, or $50 for 9 holes. Optional Yamaha cart fees are $25 for 9 holes, and $40 for 18 holes. Mandatory Caddy runs $12 for 9 holes walking, or $17 for 9 holes on a shared card, and $17 for 18 holes walking, or $25 for 18 holes on a shared cart. TaylorMade club rental is $30 per set for 9 holes, or $45 for 18 holes.
Horseback Riding
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a 2½-hour Horseback Ride n' Swim. Your adventure begins as you ride along Papillion Cove and along a coastal trail that once played host to several Hollywood movies. Upon arriving at Chukka Beach, you'll be served complimentary refreshments while your experienced guides unsaddle your mounts and prepare for the amazing bareback ride in the Caribbean Sea. Afterwards your horses will be resaddled for the return trip to the farm. The minimum age to participate on this tour is 6 Years, and there's a weight limit of 250 lbs. The cost is $74 for adults, and kids are $52. Eight to ten experienced guides accompany each ride. The riders' cameras, towels and personal belongings are taken by van to the beach.
Hooves Jamaica offers a Beach Ride that begins with a visit to the Seville Great House Museum. Then it's time to saddle up and begin the ride. You'll learn a lot about the history of the area as you ride past castles and sugar factories, through wooded areas and a natural wetland before arriving at a beach. Here you'll take a ride through the water (the saddles aren't removed so you won't fall off the horse). The return ride takes a route along the beach and through a mangrove forest. The ride takes 2½-hours to complete. Riders must weigh less than 240 pounds to participate. The trip includes round trip transportation from the Cruise Terminal, a visit to the Seville Great House Museum, refreshments and a taste of local produce on the beach, plus fruits on completion of the ride.
Motorsports
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a 1½-hour Chukka Dune Buggy Adventure for those who want to go off road for a bumpy, dusty, dirty ride in your very own Chukka Dune Buggy built for two. On this exciting trip, you'll travel through the Cascade Rainforest, going full circle through the hills of the Jamaican countryside. You'll get down and dirty as you see the true Jamaica at it best in this rugged Chukka Dune Buggy Ride. The minimum age for drivers is 18 years (you must have a valid drivers license), while passengers must be at least 6 years of age. The cost is $76 for adults, and kids are $53. There's a weight limit of 265 lbs per person. Remember, on this trip, YOU WILL GET DIRTY! Souvenirs, photos of your tour and beverages are on sale at the conclusion of the adventure.
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a 2-hour Chukka ATV Safari. For the adventurer in you, this trip begins at Chukka Cove Farm and takes you across the Richmond Property. You'll pass the old Landovery sugar factory, then press deeper into the scenic countryside along paths that take you beneath the jungle canopy and across riverbeds and hillocks. When you return to Chukka Cove Farm, you can end the tour with a swim in the water of the private cove. The minimum age to participate is 16 years, and there's a weight limit of 300 pounds. The cost is $77, and includes a complimentary refreshment of water and fruit punch. No ATV experience is required.
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a 5-hour Chukka 4X4 Adventure: Dunn's River Safari. You'll ride in one of their "Zebra Striped Safari" Jeeps, driving through Fern Gully as you head for Murphy Hill--2,000 feet above sea level--for the spectacular views. The ride takes you through the countryside, and you'll learn about the history of the area, see old churches and pass by many local marketplaces. You'll also visit one of Jamaica's largest estates with a working cattle station and a small coffee plantation. The trip also includes a visit to Dunn's River Falls, where you are given ample time to climb the 600-foot high waterfall. The minimum age to participate is 6 years, and the trip runs $87 for adults and $61 for kids.
Rafting
Rafting on the Martha Brae One of the most enigmatic and enjoyable excursions in Ocho Rios, a rafting trip on the Martha Brae have you and a partner sit back and relax as an expert rafting guide poles the 30 foot long bamboo raft lazily down the river. Along the way, your guide will regale you with colorful folklore of the region as you take in the lush tropical riverbanks. A number of tour operators offer rafting trips on the Martha Brae. These include:
- Budget Tours Jamaica offers a 5-hour trip (including transfer from Ocho Rios) down the Martha Brae aboard a Calypso raft for $70 per person. Their trips take place in the morning on Monday and Saturday, and in the afternoon on Wednesday and Friday.
- City Discovery Tours
offers a 6-hour trip (including transfer from Ocho Rios) down the Martha Brae aboard a Calypso raft for $142 per person. Their daily trips include complimentary Jamaican Punch upon arrival at Martha Brae.
- Shore Trips
combines a rafting trip down the Martha Brae aboard a Calypso raft with a hike up Dunn's River Falls; the cost is just for $114 per person. Their daily trips depart Ocho Rios at both 8:00 am and at 9:00 am.
Rafting on the White River Similar to trips on the Martha Brae, visitors can choose to take a raft down the White River. A number of tour operators offer a rafting trip on the White River. These include:
- Island Marketing offers a tour that combines a rafting trip down the White River with a trip up the Dunn's River Falls. The cost for adults is $68, while kids under 12 are $52.
- Ocho Rios Tours offers a tour that combines a rafting trip down the White River, followed by a day at Mahogany Beach. The cost per person is just $55. There are three morning departures daily.
- Yardie Tours offers a Calypso rafting tour down the White River; the cost is $100 for a 2-person raft trip.
River Tubing
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a River Tubing Safari, which takes you on a three mile journey down the White River. You'll pass through beautiful scenery, coconut plantations and bamboo groves, and enjoy challenging rapids and through enchanting lagoons. This 1½-hour trip on the river features experienced drivers and guides as well as complimentary refreshments. The minimum age to participate is 6 years. The cost is $64 for adults, and $45 for kids.
Jamaica Cruise Adventures offers a Dunn's River Falls and River Tubing Adventure Tour that starts off with a stop at Dunn's River Falls, where you can choose to ascend the falls, just hang out on the beach, or enjoy a dip in the pools at the base of the falls. Following your experience at Dunn's River Falls, you'll reboard your bus and take a 20-minute drive to the starting point of their White River Tubing adventure. The cost for this 4½-hour excursion is just $58 per person for adults, and $48 per person for kids 9 and under.
Sailing/Kayaking
Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers a White River Valley Kayak that has you paddling through rapids and crystal clear pools under a canopy of lush tropical vegetation and huge bamboo groves. The 1-hour 15 minute kayak features experienced guides, and costs $65 for adults and $46 for kids. The minimum age is 12 years.
Jamaica Cruise Adventures offers a Dunn's River Falls Catamaran Party Cruise Tour that starts off with a sail to a reef just off shore in a beautiful unspoiled locale. Here you can enjoy 30 minutes of snorkeling, or remain on board the catamaran and get with the party spirit. Your next stop is Dunn's River Falls, where you can choose to ascend the falls, just hang out on the beach or enjoy a dip in the pools at the base of Dunn's River Falls. Following the falls adventure, you'll reboard your catamaran for a fun party boat atmosphere on returning to Ocho Rios. The cost for this 4-hour excursion is just $68 per person for adults, and $42 per person for kids 9 and under.
Snorkeling
Garfield Diving offers an hour-long Snorkeling Adventure that will take you to a local reef where you can explore the beautiful marine life and environment. You'll travel by boat to the coral reef. All snorkeling equipment is provided. The cost is $30 per person.
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