One Day in Ocho Rios From Cruise Ship: Amazing Itinerary
Are you going to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for a day with your cruise and are looking for a great itinerary? Then I got you covered!
I’ve rolled into “Ochi” more times than I can count, yet the rush of packing jungle waterfalls, jerk smoke, and late-night reggae never gets old.
Are you only in Ocho Rios for the day? There is much to see and very little time to do it all! Luckily, I got the solution for you.
This one-day itinerary squeezes waterfall thrills, jerk-smoked lunch, and a salty cooldown into a typical shore day.
Let’s get to it!
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One Day in Ocho Rios Itinerary: at a Glance
If you are simply here to snatch up your shore day itinerary, you are in the right spot. Further down below in this post, I’ll give you lots of insider tips and practical info for your shore day, so make sure to keep on reading!
☀️ Early Morning: Island Gully / Blue Hole
☀️ Late Morning: Dunn’s River Falls
☀️ Lunch: Scotchies Jerk-Flavoured Brunch
☀️ Afternoon: Adventure or Beach Time
About the Ocho Rios Cruise Terminal
🛳️ Where is the Cruise Terminal?
There are two cruise piers in Ocho Rios. Both are located right on the north coast of Jamaica:
- Turtle Bay Pier 🐢 – This is the main terminal. It’s right in town and super close to everything.
- James Bond Pier 🎬 – A smaller, more basic pier but still within walking distance to shops and sights.
Make sure to check first where your cruise ship will be docking to avoid any confusion.
Closest Airports: Ocho Rios is two hours from both Montego Bay (MBJ) and Kingston (KIN) airports
🏝️ What’s Nearby?
- 🌊 Dunn’s River Falls – Waterfalls and tropical views
- 🐬 Dolphin Cove – Swim with dolphins or chill on the beach
- 🚡 Mystic Mountain – Try zip-lining, a bobsled ride, or the scenic chairlift
- 🍹 Margaritaville – Right outside the terminal for food, drinks, and a beachy vibe
- 🛍️ Main Street – About a 10-minute walk, lined with local stores and restaurants
🧳 Terminal Amenities
At Turtle Bay Pier:
- ✅ Shaded waiting area
- ✅ Taxi stands
- ✅ Small shops and tour booths
At James Bond Pier:
- ✅ Simpler setup
- ✅ Tourist info kiosk
- ✅ Easy walk into town
Fast Facts at a Glance
Language: English, Jamaican Patois
Currency: Jamaican dollars (JMD) rule at roadside stalls; bring small bills
Driving: Left side of the road; watch blind curves on the coast highway
Best weather: December–April for blue skies, May or November for thinner crowds
Best Day Trips and Shore Excursions
If following a self-guided itinerary does not seem too appealing to you, I have good news.
There are plenty of amazing shore excursions from the cruise ship that will take you to all the attractions around the island.
They’ll pick you up at the cruise ship docks and take you to all the great places for entertainment and adventure in Ocho Rios.
Here are my favorite shore excursions in Ocho Rios:
Private Sightseeing Tour in & Around Ocho Rios
Triple Action Pack Combo (Blue Hole, horseback riding, and river tubing)
Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios
How to Hit the Ground Running — Quick Tips
🌴 Keep on ship time. Jamaica stays on standard time year-round, but many ships shift their clocks. Set your phone to ship time and ignore island clocks.
🌴 Disembark early. Every minute matters once tour buses start rolling—aim to clear the terminal as soon as possible to avoid all the masses of people
🌴 Book a taxi, not a ship tour. Licensed red-plate cabs wait outside the fence. Agree on a flat rate for the full loop (Blue Hole → Dunn’s River → Scotchies → White River or James Bond Beach → port).
🌴 Budget about USD $ 120–140 per car that seats four, plus entry fees and tips. For each guide or raft captain who elevates your day, tip J$500–1,000.
Ocho Rios Shore Day Itinerary
1. Early Morning: Island Gully / Blue Hole Wake-Up Plunge
≈ 90 min on site
We’ll hit the ground running with an excursion to one of the coolest places in Ocho Rios.
High in the rainforest, the Blue Hole is a string of limestone sinkholes that collapsed into a flooded cave system.
There is mineral-rich water that was filtered through porous rock. This is giving the pools a surreal, electric-blue color.
Local guides—often barefoot pros who grew up here— can steer you toward safe ledges (the highest is about 30 ft) and hidden tunnels linking the falls.
Why visit: It’s still community-run, with fees supporting nearby villages. We suggest arriving early, so you’ll have to share those sapphire pools with only a handful of other people.
Practical: Entry ≈ USD $25; guides required; water shoes are essential. Tip J$ 1,000 pp (≈ US$ $7) if your guide doubles as a photographer.
2. Late Morning: Dunn’s River Falls Hand-Over-Hand Climb
≈ 1 hr including locker time
Right after enjoying the Blue Hole, we’ll head to another cool spot in the area: Dunn’s River Falls.
This 180-metre cascade is one of the few on Earth that empties directly into the sea.
You’ll start at the beach and follow a guide-linked “human chain” up natural terraces sculpted by calcium deposits.
Why visit: It’s a Jamaican rite of passage—and still the island’s most iconic selfie spot.
Practical: Entry USD $25; try to arrive before 10 a.m. to beat the cruise crowds; waterproof phone pouch strongly advised.
3. Lunch: Scotchies Jerk
≈ 45 min including grill time
Scotchies began as a roadside shack and grew into the holy grail of jerk. It is a great insider tip for lunch.
Their meat is marinated in Scotch-bonnet, allspice, and thyme, then slow-roasted over pimento-wood embers. That gives it a unique flavor that you can’t get anywhere else on the island.
Why visit: You’re tasting jerk cooked in the time-honoured Maroon way—smoky, fiery, unforgettable.
Order like a pro: Quarter-pound jerk pork, festival fritters, and an ice-cold Ting. Vegans can grab the coconut-rich ital stew.
4. Afternoon: Adventure or Beach Time
Option A — White River Bamboo Raft Drift
If you are in need of some adrenaline after lunch, a White River Bamboo Raft Drift might be just what you need!
The local captains guide 30-ft bamboo rafts—modelled after those that were once used to float bananas to port—down a shaded stretch of jade-green water.
Why visit: It’s Jamaica’s most relaxing thrill: storytelling captains, rope-swing splashes, and rum punch in a coconut.
Practical: About USD $80 per raft (seats two); ride lasts 40–50 min.
Option B — James Bond Beach Snorkel & Sun
James Bond Beach is a beautiful and scenic spot in the little town of Oracabessa. It’s got a fun twist of movie history.
It was named after James Bond because the author Ian Fleming wrote many of the novels at his nearby estate, Goldeneye. Parts of the James Bond: Dr. No movie were also filmed around this area.
I love the calm turquoise water, shallow coral gardens – all minus big-resort crowds.
Practical: Entry ≈ USD $10; snorkel rentals, showers, and lockers on site.
Alternative Activities in Ocho Rios
If you have some more time on your shore day or simply want to switch out some of my itinerary points, do not fret.
There is much to do in Ocho Rios, so I have created a list of alternative activities:
🇯🇲 Mystic Mountain – Zipline
🇯🇲 Konoko Falls & Park – Waterfalls, tropical gardens, and amazing views
🇯🇲 Fern Gully – Lush rainforest filled with ferns
🇯🇲 Bob Marley Mausoleum (Nine Mile) – Visit the legendary reggae icon’s birthplace and final resting place
🇯🇲 Yaaman Adventure Park – Ride ATVs, meet camels, or take a cooking class
🇯🇲 Green Grotto Caves – Underground limestone caves with hidden lakes
🇯🇲 Turtle River Park – Park with fountains, shady trees, and cute walkways
🇯🇲 Island Village Shopping Centre
🇯🇲 Seville Heritage Park – Learn about Jamaica’s colonial past and early cultures, from the Tainos to the Spanish and British.
🇯🇲 Ocho Rios Bay Beach – A calm, easy-access beach in town
Conclusion: One Day in Ocho Rios
In this post, we discussed an amazing itinerary from the Ocho Rios Cruise Port.
We started off with a scenic drive to a stunning waterfall, followed by some river rafting, botanical gardens, a traditional lunch of jerk and rice, followed by some beach time.
Alternatively, you can go horseback riding, visit the Duty-Free Shops in the shopping center for souvenirs, or visit the childhood home of Bob Marley. The Ocho Rios Craft Market is also worth exploring.
Make sure to bring some change in US Dollars for entrance fees and tips, as well as a bathing suit and a phone case. Leave your jewelry on the boat.
We’ll end our day sipping traditional blue mountain coffee at James Bond Beach, while watching tropical birds and iguanas stroll by casually.
I hope you enjoyed your shore day in Ocho Rios, and keep on reading more Caribbean itineraries:
Best Things to Do in Bonaire on a Cruise – One Day Itinerary
Dominican Republic Cruise Ports – How to Plan Shore Excursions
One Day in Aruba From Cruise Ship: Perfect Itinerary
One Day in Curacao From Cruise Ship – Itinerary With Map
One Day in Cozumel From Cruise Ship: Amazing Itinerary
How To Spend One Day in Puerto Rico: San Juan Cruise Port
Amazing One Day in Nassau, Bahamas Itinerary: From Cruise Port
About the Author
Justin is a military pilot and travel blogger.
Justin enjoys discovering the world together with his wife and venturing out with his drone to take magical shots.
