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Another option is a sunset dinner cruise complete with an open bar and live DJ. All you’ll need to bring is your water shoes and a waterproof camera — the tour operator will provide the tube and safety equipment. After a long, winding road into the mountains, you’ll enjoy a relaxing float trip from the comfort of your personal tube.
Ocho Rios Cruise Port 8 Best Things To Do In Ocho Rios Jamaica
While the town itself is pleasant and mere steps away, the real draw is the easy, quick driving access the port offers to some of the island’s top attractions. A fun mall that also serves as an entertainment center is Island Village, Jamaica's newest shopping and entertainment attraction. Good Hope Estate is located a 1h 15-minute drive (75 km/47 miles) from the port of Ocho Rios. If your ship docks in Falmouth, it’s much closer (only 20 minutes’ drive) so I suggest you visit it from there. Numerous waterfalls, swimming holes, cliff dives, rope swings, and hiking are some of the natural wonders and activities available, and there are guided tours offered as well.
Cruises to Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The primary pier, known as Turtle Bay Pier, has enough space for two mid-sized cruise ships to moor. However, this pier is used (most of the time) by only one mega-ship. The Turtle Bay Pier is used exclusively by cruise ships and is the nearest to downtown. If you are looking for a beach bargain that is away from the port, Mahogany Beach is a free public beach just a short cab ride away.
Top Food and Drink Spots Near the Ocho Rios Cruise Port
From there, various top attractions are within reach, some of which include Dunn’s River Falls, Dolphin Cove and Blue Hole. Read on for our breakdown of the Ocho Rios, Jamaica cruise port, including address information, cruise line terminals, directions, services and more. The downtown area of Ocho Rios seems to have been taken over by strip malls that houses any number of duty free stores, souvenir shops, restaurants and straw good vendors. I am the creator of an e-book “Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide“, the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports, & YouTube channel @AdventourBegins.
The Harbor Shops plaza
This is the place where you can enjoy dolphin interactions, snorkeling with stingrays, a mini animal park, and shark feeding. They have a nice, cozy restaurant where you can delight in the local food and a gift shop that sells souvenirs. Ocho Rios, nicknamed Ochi by locals who live there, is located on the northern side of Jamaica between the capital of Kingston and the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay. Scotchies Ocho Rios Jerk Centre is a cruise day must in Jamaica if you want to try authentic Jamaican food.
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

The port area has been designed with the traveler in mind and features plenty of shopping centers, restaurants, and duty-free stores. Until cruise ships arrived, Ocho Rios (“eight rivers”) was a sleepy little fishing village. Now, with two major piers for cruise ships, it’s become one of the hottest destinations in the Caribbean. If you’re hoping to do some retail therapy while in port on a cruise to Ocho Rios, you’re in luck. The cruise port offers a number of different places to shop, some of which are within walking distance. Head to the Taj Mahal Duty-Free Shopping Center for some great deals.
Also called Ocho Rios Bay Beach, Turtle Beach is one of the most popular ones for cruise ship passengers. This stunning beach—the largest in Ocho Rios—features a swimming area, loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, restrooms, and showers. No day trip to Ocho Rios in Jamaica would be complete without sampling the local cuisine.
Bob Marley’s birthplace is located in the mountains of St. Ann’s Parish, 75 minutes from Ocho Rios. Climb to the top of the falls and jump into the pool below, as it’s plenty deep enough! There are also rope swings all around if you want to pretend you’re Tarzan for a day. There’s also plenty of shade if you just want to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The aptly named Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios encompasses five acres with a natural cove.
PHOTOS: Carnival cruise ship damaged after slamming into pier amid strong winds - FOX 59 Indianapolis
PHOTOS: Carnival cruise ship damaged after slamming into pier amid strong winds.
Posted: Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Undoubtedly one of the must-do activities/attractions in the Caribbean. The scenic waterfalls are a spectacle in itself and to climb them a thrill not to be missed. You really have to be a local (or a long time resident) to figure out how to use the latter and the regular public buses are not that easy to navigate on a day tour of Ocho Rios. Therefore, unless you have previous and sound experience of how to use these local transportation services, the Editor would not recommend either.
This natural swimming pool is not as crowded as Dunn’s River Falls, offering you the chance to swim in crystal-clear blue waters surrounded by tropical greenery. Horseback riding on the beach is one of the most unique and thrilling shore excursions in Ocho Rios. However, the activity doesn’t only involve riding along pristine sandy beaches. Trails also include riding through tropical forests, historic castles, and sugar plantations.

You can enjoy vibrant flowers and the soothing sound of cascading waterfalls. Additionally, it is possible to feed fish in the Koi pond and marvel at butterflies and birds in the aviary and butterfly house. A catamaran cruise lets you explore the crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
It takes ten to 15 minutes by car or taxi from the cruise ship port. You can relax in beautiful parks and gardens or admire stunning waterfalls. But if you’re looking for fun and excitement, outdoor adventure activities include river rafting, ziplining, horseback riding, and exploring caves.
The Ocho Rios location has a pool with swim-up bar and 60-foot waterslide. If the beach is more your thing, they have that too with chairs, umbrellas, and water trampolines to use. Best of all, entrance to Margaritaville is free, just purchase some food and drink.
Eventually, you’ll ride out onto the beach, where you have the option of unsaddling your horse and riding bareback in the water. The Irie Blue Hole is one of the most spectacular swimming holes in Jamaica. Adding to the fun of the Irie Blue Hole are the ropes along the edge from which you can swing into the water.
Climbing is usually accomplished in groups with some human chain formation and the assistance of a local tour guide. After a fun-filled day enjoying all that Ocho Rios has to offer cruise passengers, relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches is ideal. Several beaches near the cruise port let you relax in loungers or dip in the crystal-clear turquoise waters on Jamaica’s north coast. All cruise lines offer excellent shore excursions (aka Shorex) and tours in Ocho Rios. Some of these can only be booked with your cruise ship or with independent tour operators such as Viator or Shoretrips. Nevertheless, many can be easily organized independently with Local Tour Guides, or on your own with a taxi at the pier.
You may get better prices in downtown Ocho Rios from private taxi drivers. In most cases, they will look for you, not the other way around. If you decide on a private taxi driver, check the officially rated fares first. Officially certified taxis, called Freelance Taxis, have fixed fares for specific journeys. In most cases, prices are displayed on notice boards at the pier. However, it’s worth taking a picture so you have a record of official fares.
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