Things To Do in Jamaica holidays

You’ll find locals’ favourite, Public Beach, in Runaway Bay. The water here is really clear and great for snorkelling – there’s a large coral reef just a few yards from the shore. What’s more, the sands are hugged by a band of thick trees and greenery.

A visit to this 600-foot waterfall in Ocho Rios is a must. It’s made up of crystal-clear cascades that plunge over limestone rocks. You’ll get to link hands in wobbly, guide-led congas as you all pick a path to the summit. Everyone gets drenched, but that’s all part of the fun. That said, there are viewing points if you don’t fancy getting wet. If you've got little ones in tow, they'll love the slides and splash park complete with fountains and tipping buckets. There are kiosks where you can get ice-cream and pizza, too.

Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios has been hailed as Jamaica’s number one marine attraction. Learn all about the bottle-nosed dolphins, before diving in to the water to swim alongside them. And if you’re feeling really brave, you can join the park’s sharks and stingrays in the water, and give them a feed.

In the heart of Montego Bay, this popular beach is framed by green mountains and backed by palms. A string of open-air restaurants and beach bars lead off from the sand, so you haven’t got far to wander when you fancy some of the local jerk chicken.

Legend has it, this 18th-century plantation mansion in Montego Bay is haunted by the ghost of Annie Palmer. She was rumoured to be a witch who despatched of several husbands and slave lovers. Eventually, she was said to have been killed by a past lover seeking revenge, before being buried in the grounds.

This sandy sweep is right in the centre of Runaway Bay, and it’s backed by a cluster of ramshackle beach bars and seafood restaurants. Watersports like sea-biking and jet-skiing are on offer, and you’ll also find a fun park with a waterslide for little ones.

Sprawled across Jamaica’s eastern interior, these cloud-forested peaks are often shrouded in a blue heat haze, which explains their name. Hike through the dense jungle and you’ll enter a world of waterfalls, hummingbirds and exotic plants. The humid slopes also play host to Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain coffee plantations, which offer tasting sessions.

Negril’s Seven Mile Beach is one of the most famous in Jamaica. The powdery-soft, butterscotch sands stretch along the coast, lined with laid-back bars and al fresco restaurants. Come sunset, take a seat at one of the beach bars and watch as daredevil divers hurl themselves into the sea from the cliffs.

Float, Tom Sawyer-style, downstream. Head for the Martha Rae or White River and sail the tranquil waters on a two-seater bamboo raft, guided by a captain. You’ll drift past a rolling slideshow of riverbanks and forests, and you might even spot a crocodile or two on your way.

If you can be lured away from the beach, pay a visit to one of Jamaica’s oldest working plantations in Ocho Rios. Ride an open-air carriage to trundle through sweet-smelling sugar cane, coffee and spice plantations, stroll the tranquil gardens, and step inside the butterfly house. Make sure you check out the ‘Great House’, as well – it’ll give you the lowdown on the plantation’s history.

With his guitar propped up in the corner and knick-knacks dotted about, it looks like Bob Marley popped out of his house for a pint of milk. And that’s all part of the charm at his home-turned-museum in Kingston. You can also see a huge range of Marley memorabilia and a replica of his record shop, ‘Wail’n Soul’m’.

This beach in Ocho Rios has movie-star credentials. Scenes from the Bond flick, Dr No, were filmed here, and when you see the white sands and bright blue waters, you’ll see why the place caught the eye of the location scouts. This part of the coast is teeming with coral and marine life, and there’s a hut where you can hire snorkelling and scuba diving gear.

Golf isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Jamaica, but the island’s got some brilliant courses. They range from the casual ones around Negril and Ochos Rios, to the more challenging courses of Montego Bay. It’s worth checking out Manville’s Manchester Club – it’s the oldest on the island and it’s got rolling hills and velvety greens.

Calling all Bob Marley fans. Every year, from the start to the finish of February, Jamaica pays homage to all things reggae, a music genre which was invented on the island in the 1960s. Live concerts pop up all over the place, while talks and photo exhibitions let you in on the history. There’s even an awards ceremony to celebrate up-and-coming reggae artists.

Multi-hued parrotfish, rainbow-coloured sponges and jewel-like coral reefs – Jamaica’s underwater realm is teeming with marine life. Snorkel above reefs awash with barracudas, starfish and rays, or don your wetsuit to inspect caves and wrecks. Runaway Bay is one of the best places to see the marine life. And if you don’t fancy swimming, you can check out the wildlife from the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat.