BEACHES
If you like busy seaside beaches with lots of people
and plenty of water sports, walk east a short distance from the cruise-ship
terminal to Turtle Beach (sometimes called the UDC Beach), the public
beach preferred by locals. (The northeastern end of the bay isn’t
public—it’s part of the Jamaica Grande Hotel.) Turtle Beach is near resort
hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Swimming conditions are excellent
there, and it has water-toy rentals and changing facilities. Expect to be
hustled (and sometimes hassled) by vendors selling everything from straw
baskets to fresh pineapple—this is also the place to get your hair braided
in corn rows.
If you’d rather splash in one of the island’s emerald, sandy-bottomed rivers, consider a trip to Irie Beach on the White River, about a 15-minute drive east of Ocho Rios (turn south off the road to the Sandals Golf and Country Club; phone 974-5044). It’s very secluded.
WATER SPORTS
Snorkeling/Scuba Diving—Though Ocho Rios isn’t known for great diving, there are several nearby coral reefs, including Devil’s Reef, which stretches from Ocho Rios Bay east to Salt Bay. You can snorkel off Turtle Beach and Mallards Bay, but boat diving is necessary to get the best look at the undersea architecture. Several dive shops rent snorkeling and scuba gear and arrange reef trips. Try Garfield Dive Station on Turtle Beach (phone 974-5749) or Resort Divers, a full-service shop in Island Plaza on Main Street in Ocho Rios (phone 974-5338). Most shops provide free transportation from cruise ships. Expect to pay about US$35-$50 for a one-tank dive and US$65-$80 for a two-tank dive. You must be a certified diver and present your C card to rent equipment and go diving. Some shops offer a supervised “resort course” dive—check locally. Your ship also may have classes for beginners. Check with your ship’s shore-excursion staff.
Windsurfing—Steady trade winds mean brisk windsurfing. Try Chris Watersports at Turtle Beach for equipment (phone 974-0815).
Fishing—Anglers talk of the sailfish, wahoo and dolphin (the fish, not the mammal), and there is plenty to talk about. To go deep-sea fishing, try one of the many fishing boats that tie up at the Ocho Rios dock off Main Street. (The tourist-information office or your ship’s shore-excursion staff can help arrange an expedition.) Expect to pay about US$400 for a half day for up to six people, including equipment, captain and crew.
Boating—Boats of all sizes can be rented to explore Ocho Rios Bay. Pedal boats with glass inserts are available at Turtle Beach so you can enjoy the world below the waves. (You can peer down at Devil’s Reef and the wreck of a minesweeper.) Contact Oras Divers (phone 974-5005). Expect to pay US$10 an hour per person.
You can sign on for a party cruise along the coast aboard a catamaran or a yacht. The boats usually stay close to sh ore so you can admire the resorts and luxury homes. Most boats cruise west along the coast to Dunn’s River Falls. Try the Cool Jazz (daily 10 am-3 pm; US$35; phone 974-5367) or the Red Stripe (9 am-noon and 12:30-3:30 pm; US$40; phone 974-2446). The Red Stripe also departs from the pier off Main Street.
If you want to try jetskiing off Turtle Beach contact Calaski (phone 974-2527) or Chris Watersports (phone 974-0815) for equipment rentals. Expect to pay US$35-$40 per half hour.
Parasailing—You can glimpse the jungled coast from the air while parasailing off Turtle Beach. Calaski (phone 974-2527) and Sunny Watersports (phone 999-7596) offer rides for about US$45.