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Visitor Activities and Attractions
Beaches
 Jamaica has some of
the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. Whether you land
on Negril’s seven-mile stretch, the North Coast’s golden
shores or the South’s wave-carved coves, Jamaica’s beaches
will captivate you the moment you step onto their sands.
If you like it natural, Jamaica has more nude beaches
than any other Caribbean island.
Hiking
You could spend weeks exploring Jamaica's embryonic trail
system, mainly in the Blue Mountains, or tramping rough
bridle tracks nationwide. Rugged Cockpit Country is little
explored, yet tailor-made for experienced hikers.
Horseback Riding
 A great way
to explore Jamaica and most resort areas have stables.
Many organized rides lead through plantations, with some
trekking far into the country's interior.
Golf
Jamaica's boasts 12 championship golf courses, some of
which are regular stops for the PGA and LPGA tours. Tryall
Golf Club, 12 miles (19km) west of Montego Bay, is the
pre-eminent course.
Deep Sea Fishing
Visiting anglers have an opportunity to battle blue and
white marlin, wahoo, tuna and dolphin in deep water and
drops to thousands of feet beyond the reefs, but a mere
15 minutes from shore. Blue marlin is the most-prized
big game fish, and catching your first is well within
reach. Great fishing encircles the island and larger blue
marlin are usually caught between summer and fall. Although
they diminish in size, they are present year-round. Well
equipped boats and expert guides are available.
Scuba Diving
If its diving you want, Jamaica has it. Dive sites are
close by and professional operators help to make Jamaica
a great dive destination. And, with the establishment
of marine parks in Montego Bay, Port Antonio and Negril,
fish populations are flourishing.
Montego Bay is famous for its wall dives, and is known
for its mass of coral caves, tunnels and canyons.
The underwater terrain around Negril has excellent patches
of spur-and-groove corals including caves and overhangs,
as well as "coral cottages" in depths of 60-plus
feet. There are also several close-to-shore wrecks to
explore.
 Kingston is one of the
Caribbean's best-kept scuba dive secrets. Port Royal,
which abuts the Kingston airport, is rich with history
of pirates and sunken ships that now provide haven for
a dense array of tropical fish.
East of Ocho Rios, Devil’s Reef, a pinnacle, drops from
60 feet to over 200 feet, with a sand shelf at 130 feet.
Caverns, a shallow reef about a quarter mile long, has
endless small tunnels, with silversides and nurse sharks
often in residence.
Starting in 30 to 40 feet of water, the wall off Falmouth
runs within a half-mile of shore. Chubb Castle, a Falmouth
favorite, starts shallow, its top decorated with soft
corals and basket sponges and its wall strung with rope
sponges and black corals. A chimney, dropping from 35
to 90 feet, leads to even more tunnels and caves.
Water Temp Averages 78F 25 C throughout the year. Visibility
can reach 100 ft 30 m
Surfing
While surfing has been enjoyed in Jamaica for many years,
many visitors still do not equate great surfing and this
islands hidden away and seemingly out of reach of nice
waves. Some of the best areas are Treasure Beach in St.
Elizabeth, Long Bay and Boston Beach, and Portland, Jamaica.
You can bring your own board or rentals are available
at some beaches.
Windsurfing
Long overlooked, windsurfing enthusiasts are finding Jamaica
to be a great destination.
Special Events
Jamaica hosts a full calendar of musical, artistic, cultural
and sporting events. Reggae Sunsplash and Reggae Sumfest
are the biggest rages on the island, held about one week
apart in July/August. Sunsplash is held near Ocho Rios,
Sumfest in Montego Bay. Both are frenetic beachy music
festivals, with A-rated fun and X-rated dancing. Carnival
in March or April, the week after Easter, takes place
on the university campus in Kingston and at various other
places around Jamaica. It's a big blow-out, mainly for
Jamaicans, with reggae, calypso and dancehall soca the
main booty-shakers, but it's also a tourist attraction
in its own right.
There are a number of yacht races on the calendar: the
Pineapple Cup Yacht Race, held each February, starts in
Miami and finishes in Montego Bay, a distance of 800-plus
miles (1288-plus km). Cricket matches are held from laneway
to lawn throughout the year. In April, the West Indies
team takes on an international challenger in the Cable
& Wireless Test Match in Kingston. Jonkanoo is a traditional
Christmas celebration in which revelers parade through
the streets dressed in masquerade. The festivity has its
origins among West African secret societies and was once
the major celebration on the slave calendar.
Attractions
(Fees Charged)
Greenwood Great House - Montego Bay, St. James
Great House with rare antique musical instruments which
still play. Fascinating antique furniture with hidden
compartments Located 16 miles east of Montego bay near
Falmouth.
Cornwall Bathing Beach - Montego Bay, St. James
Beach facility with water sports, bar and restaurant on
property. At nights a disco entertains while you play
volley ball.
 Croydon on the Mountain
- Catalupa, St. James
Guided half-day tour of working plantation with diverse
crops, livestock and bee-keeping, Complimentary drinks
made from fruits in season and Blue Mountain coffee.
Black River Safari Tours - Black River, St. Elizabeth
Located at the old boarding ramp on the eastern bank of
the Black River, this wildlife boat tour of the coastal
wetlands. Excellent opportunity for photographing many
species of birds and crocodiles.
Shaw Park Botanical Garden - Ocho Rios, St. Ann
Five hundred and fifty feet above sea level with a spectacular
view, this is Jamaica's most celebrated botanical garden,
floral opulence, waterfalls. Gift shop and bar.
Dunns River Falls - Ocho Rios, St. Ann
A must see and do attraction in Jamaica is climbing Dunn's
River Falls. Beginning at the sea you climb 600' of stair-stepping
 limestone surrounded
by tall rainforest. If you're not quite so brave at heart
there's wooden stairs along the way to view the awesome
cascades and pools. You can spend the entire day here
Coyaba River Garden and Museum - Ocho Rios, St. Ann
Eco-tourist attraction with botanical garden, museum with
Jamaica history dating back to the Arawaks era to the
present. Juice Bar, restaurant and gift shop.
Rafting on the Rio Grande - St. Margaret's Bay, Portland
This is a leisurely three-hour ride down the river on
a 36' long bamboo raft. You sit on a raised seat for two
as an experienced guide poles your trip. It is wonderfully
scenic and you'll get a taste of rural life along the
riverbanks.
Bob Marley Museum - 56 Hope Road, Kingston
Formerly Bob Marley's home and studio of Tuff Gong. Interesting
collection of Marley's memorabilia, films, posters, records,
books, etc.
National Art Gallery - Roy West Building, Kingston Mall,
Kingston
Large gallery on two floors. Permanent exhibition of Jamaican
Art - Pre 20th century gallery. Also includes Edna Manley
and Kap collection.
Cashoo Ostrich Park - Located on the South Coast
Enjoy the fine grilled cuisine, drinks and fruit juices
from the wicker or logwood bars on a property that is
entirely solar powered. And for the kids, while enjoying
a sno-cone, cotton candy or popcorn, there is a petting
zoo and play area that will keep them busy and happy for
the entire day.
The Park includes:
* Medicinal Herbal Garden
* Fruit Orchard
* Petting Zoo for Children
* Children's Play Area
* Pond Fishing
* Bird Sanctuary
* Food Pavilllion
* Hammock Relaxation
* Donky Cart Rides
* Buffalo's
* The Park opens Tuesdays to Sundays 10:00 am to 4:30
pm
* Rates:
Adults Ja $200.00
Children Ja $ 120.00
For details or reservations contact::
Cashoo Ostrich Park, P.O.Box 284, Mandeville, Jamaica.
Phone: (876) 966-2222
Fax: (876) 634 - 0954 - E-Mail: mpvet@cwjamaica.com
Special grouprates available.
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