Use this guide to pick the right beach, reef, river, or waterfall for your trip. It covers where to snorkel and dive, the best rafting and tubing, low stress boat trips, and family friendly swimming spots across Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Portland, the South Coast, and Kingston.
Mornings are calmer on most beaches. Rivers can rise after rain. If you want easy snorkeling, stay near reef protected bays. If you want waterfalls, plan a river day inland and carry water shoes. For families, pick shallow beaches and skip cliff jumps. Independent travelers should confirm pickup points and return times for cays and catamarans.
Clear water and easy entry points make this an easy win for first timers. Good spots include Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, the Montego Bay Marine Park, and the reefs off Ocho Rios. Book a short boat trip if you want healthier reefs away from shore and bring a rash guard for sun and jellyfish protection.
Calm mornings are best before the wind picks up. Try Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay, or the lagoon areas near Ocho Rios. Rent on the beach or book a guided session and keep your phone in a dry bag clipped to the board.
Warm water and reef walls suit both new and certified divers. Negril, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios have PADI operators with beginner pool sessions and two tank boat dives. Confirm the operator’s gear condition, ask about group size, and bring your certification card if you have one.
This is quick and high energy with rental stands at major resort beaches. Negril and Montego Bay have the most options. Agree on price and ride time before you start and keep a safe distance from swimmers and snorkelers.
This is a gentle float on a bamboo raft steered by a guide. The Martha Brae near Falmouth and the Rio Grande in Portland are the classic routes. Wear water shoes, keep valuables light, and ask about photo stops before you leave the dock.
These are short climbs and cool swims with a guide. Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios is the most famous, YS Falls on the south coast is quieter, and Reach Falls in Portland feels more local. Wear grippy water shoes, follow the guide’s path, and avoid heavy rain days when flow is strong.
Half day and full day charters run from Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril for mahi, wahoo, tuna, and marlin in season. Ask if bait, licenses, and fish cleaning are included and confirm the boat has shade and a working head. If you are prone to motion sickness, take tablets one hour before boarding.
Warm, usually calm water with quick access to reefs and resort marinas. The Montego Bay Marine Park protects coral and sea life. Doctor’s Cave Beach and Cornwall Beach are common entry spots for beginners and guided snorkel tours. Catamarans run half day and sunset routes with a snorkel stop and coast views. Jet skiing and parasailing operate along the Hip Strip and at larger resorts.
Easy to combine river and sea in one day. Dunn’s River Falls has a terraced climb that ends at the beach. Blue Hole (Island Gully Falls) has clear pools with short jumps for confident swimmers. The White River offers gentle rafting or tubing through bamboo and tropical plants with calm sections for floating.
Shallow turquoise water along Seven Mile Beach suits new swimmers and kids. You can book snorkel runs straight from shore or ride glass bottom boats to patch reefs. The West End cliffs draw strong swimmers for jumps into deep water. Many visitors prefer to watch skilled local divers from safe platforms.
Greener scenery and slower days with rivers, coves, and small beaches. Classic bamboo rafting on the Rio Grande takes two to three hours with calm water and swim stops. Reach Falls offers cool, clear pools in a forest reserve. Frenchman’s Cove blends a small river with the sea, and the Blue Lagoon delivers deep, shifting blue green water with short boat rides to nearby islets.
Quieter, more local feel with wide bays and fishing villages. The Black River safari uses flat bottom boats to explore mangroves and view crocodiles and birds. YS Falls is a well kept estate with layered cascades, pools, and a zipline that crosses the falls. Treasure Beach strings together coves that are nice for swimming on calmer days, and small boats run out to Pelican Bar on a sandbar.
Base in Kingston for quick sea breaks and short day trips west. Boats from Port Royal run to Lime Cay for simple beach time and a swim. The Hellshire area mixes casual beach stops with fry fish shacks and near shore snorkeling when water is clear. Short, calm stretches of the Rio Cobre are possible with local operators during stable river levels.