Wet and Wild in Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is Known for Its Water Sports, and with Good Reason
Used to be taking a dip in the cerulean sea known as the Caribbean was plenty exciting for visitors to Jamaica. But those times are no more. Dipping your toes in the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean is great, but Jamaican visitors these days demand more from their travel experience, especially when it comes to water sports.
Those hankering for thrill in the water would be wise to surf down to Ocho Rios, a town whose name itself speaks to the quantity of watersport offerings, even if is a bit of misnomer. Before you throw on your bikini or swim trunks, this is what you need to know about your Ocho Rios options for water fun.
Turn on the Jets
Jetting in the Bay
We are still years away from using hover boards and jetpacks on our daily commute or in everyday life, but that’s not the case in extreme water sports. Ocho Rios offers flyboard, hover board and even jetovators – think Return of the Jedi speeder bikes. Of course, the main advantage of delighting in the use of these jet propulsion activities is the forgiving nature of water when you plunge into it while learning to fly through the air! Don’t forget to use your Resort Credit when available.
Surfing Without the Threat of Sharks!
Just kidding, sharks are not much of a problem in Jamaica or the Caribbean in general. And though Jamaica has several surf spots that evoke memories of Endless Summer, Ocho Rios doesn’t have much in the way of waves on its beaches. Lucky for you, you can jump on the FlowRider at Moon Palace Jamaica and learn what it’s like to tame the surf. The ride is a constant hit at the resort among kids and adults though it’s not clear whether you have more fun cutting through the water or taking spills and getting a reverse-slide ride up the artificial wave as water thrashes you about.
Dive Into It
A Natural High with Cliff Diving
The oldest extreme sport might be cliff diving, as you don’t need any technology to get together the guts to take a plunge off a rocky. Island Gully Falls, also known as Blue Hole, is a magical spot that allows you to plunge through the air and into a natural aquamarine pool. Along the coast, there are several spots to jump into the sea. Despite its mountainous beauty, the cliff diving in Ocho Rios is relatively safe as the cliffs are not particularly high. Negril and other spots represent much higher and more risky options.
Diving
Just ten minutes off the coast of Ocho Rios is the SS Kathryn, a 140-foot Canadian minesweeper, which was purposely sunk in 1991 to serve as habitat for coral and other sea life, and, of course, as a spot for thrill-seeking divers. The wreck rests only 50 feet below the surface, making it well within the reach of beginner divers. Another nearby spot is the Ocho Rios Wall, which boasts a variety of eels, turtles, seahorses, and barrel sponges.
Paddleboard or Kayak
Like to enjoy your surroundings while in the water? Then paddleboarding and kayaking are way to go. The options are plentiful as you can paddleboard out into the Caribbean and look back at the picturesque Blue Mountains or go into range and take a kayaking or rafting tour (on original paddleboards made of wood) down the White River. You don’t even have to leave the resort to paddleboard or kayak, Moon Palace Jamaica Grande has paddleboards, kayaks, sailboats, and Hobie Cats on hand to use whenever you’d like.
