(updated July 2022)
If you are visiting Ocho Rios you may be wondering what is the best or prettiest beach to visit whilst you are there. The largest and most well-known public beach in Ocho Rios is the wide sand arch of Ocho Rios Bay Beach, otherwise known as ‘Turtle Beach’.
Nestled between Moon Palace Jamaica Grand and the Ocho Rios Marina, Ocho Rios Bay Beach has warm and shallow turquoise water that gently laps a thick strip of immaculate white sand covered in shady Almond and Palm Trees.
Although it is a beautiful-looking beach, Ocho Rios Bay Beach lacks that ‘off the beaten track’ vibe, and it isn’t especially romantic or secluded either, but it’s great for families and has loads of space to stretch out and paddle about.
It’s NOT free to enter Ocho Rios Bay Beach, but the fee is nominal (see FAQs) and you will be given a wristband so that you can enter and re-enter as many times as you choose for the day, enabling you to get supplies in the town or pop back to your accommodation.
Ocho Rios Bay Beach can get very busy as there is a multitude of hotels and apartments lining Main Street that back onto the sand, most of which give free beach passes to their guests. The beach is also very popular with locals both from Saint Ann and further afield, who also come to Ocho Rios to do the ‘tourist’ thing!
Additionally with its proximity to the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier, not only do the towering cruise ships dominate the view from the beach, the passengers that flock to shore swell the population of the town and beach. There is a beautiful paved boardwalk all the way from the Cruise Ship Pier, passing the Ocho Rios Marina and straight to the beach entry booths.
TIP! If you want to party on the Ocho Rios Bay Beach lookout for billboards in the town advertising upcoming events. There are often Igloo (cool box) parties where a sound system sets up on the beach and you can bring your own food and drinks.
FAQs About Ocho Rios Bay Beach – Saint Ann
Everything you ever wanted to know about Ocho Rios Bay Beach to get the most out of your visit to this bustling and picturesque Jamaican beach located in the parish of Saint Anns’ most well-known town Ocho Rios.
What Shops Are Nearby To Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Plus there is the sprawling Ocean Village complex, which has a huge choice of shops, General Foods supermarket, banks, doctors, dentists, opticians, Ice Cream Parlour, and so on.
Across the street, there is also the Post Office and Burger King / KFC if you are wanting a break from Jamaican food.
Is Ocho Rios Bay Beach Free?
No! The cost varies on whether you are a local or a visitor and you can pay in either Jamaican or US dollars.
Residents: The cost for Ocho Rios Bay Beach is Adults JA$300 / Children JA$100
Visitors: The cost for Ocho Rios Bay Beach is Adults US$3 / children US$1
Can I Park At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! Ocean Village Shopping Centre Parking – Enter adjacent to the Reno Gaming Lounge. Free for the first 2 hours, if you get the ticket ‘stamped’ after making a purchase in one of the shops in the shopping center.
Can I Bring Food and Drink To Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! You can bring food and drink onto Ocho Rios Bay Beach that has been purchased outside of the beach itself.
Can I Purchase Food and Drink At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! There is a bar on the beach, and small snacks can be purchased. This is sometimes seasonal and if not open cooked food, snacks and drinks can be purchased nearly in Ocean Shopping Center.
Can I Buy Souvenirs At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! There is always an assortment of vendors selling craft items on the beach who may well approach you with their wares.
Expect to see various vendors plying their trade along the sand, which is convenient if you don’t want to leave your things to walk to the bar or craft market. If you don’t want to buy anything, a smile and a polite ‘I’m not shopping today’, or ‘I’m good thanks’, will see them walking on to the next customer.
There are also two craft markets near the Ocho Rios Bay Beach which can be found if walking along Main Street.
Are There Restrooms At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! There are showers, w.cs, and changing rooms on Ocho Rios Bay Beach.
Is Ocho Rios Bay Beach Family Friendly?
*Yes! The sea has designated swimming areas and is shallow enough near the shoreline for children to play although it does have a tendency for a lot of seaweed. However, you may see people smoking and selling Marijuana on the beach.
Is Ocho Rios Bay Beach Wheelchair Accessible?
Yes! Ocho Rios Bay Beach is very flat and sandy with wide-open spaces, so as long as you’re able to drive across the sand it is very accessible.
Can I Rent Sun Loungers At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! You can rent sun loungers for US$5, plus there are plenty of FREE picnic benches scattered around too.
Is There A Lifeguard At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! There are lifeguards on duty, at Ocho Rios Bay Beach.
Is It Safe At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! There are Security Personnel both manning the gates and patrolling the beach on a regular basis. Plus, there are usually plenty of people around Ocho Rios Bay Beach, with a good mixture of locals and visitors so you won’t feel isolated.
Is There Watersports At Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Yes! There is a watersports rental booth and diving center, where you can try everything from snorkeling to paragliding and taking a spin on a jet ski (water bike).
Does Ocho Rios Bay Beach Get Crowded?
Ocho Rios Bay Beach can get very busy, especially on cruise ship days, and in the high season when the nearby hotels are at full capacity.
Is Ocho Rios Bay Beach Clean?
Yes! Ocho Rios Bay Beach is racked every day and litter is removed.
However, due to the fact, that the beach is located in a bay, it can sometimes have debris washed ashore after a storm, which some people complain can be a bit smelly. I have personally not had either of these problems whenever I have visited.
What Are The Opening Hours Of Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Ocho Rios Bay Beach is open every day from 8:30 am, with the last entry being 5:00 pm although once you are on the beach you are able to stay later.
Where is Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
Ocho Rios Bay Beach is located in the heart of Ocho Rios Town Center right behind the Ocean Village Shopping Centre. ADDRESS: Ocho Rios Bay Beach, Main Street, Ocho Rios, Saint Ann.
How Do I Walk To Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
If you are staying in Ocho Rios town center you can easily walk to Ocho Rios Bay Beach. Head towards Main Street where you will find the large Craft Market (opposite Burger King) beside Ocean Village Shopping Centre. Walk through the car park in front of Joseph’s Hotel, past General Foods and The Healthy Way, and keep going until you reach the last of the shops. Turn left and you will see the beach ahead of you behind a chain-link fence, keep walking to the left and you will see the entry booth.
How To Use Public Transport To Get To Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
As Main Street is a one-way street and the Ocho Rios Bay Beach is in the center of town, it is counterproductive to get a taxi from the Ocho Rios clocktower, so I recommend a little stroll, as per the directions above! If you are coming from further afield in the direction of Oracabessa, you will probably be dropped off near the clock tower, so follow the directions for walking above. If you are coming from the direction of Saint Ann’s Bay, you will probably drive down Main Street, ask to be let off at Burger King, and follow the walking directions from there.
How Do I Drive To Ocho Rios Bay Beach?
If you are driving from the direction of Oracabessa, drive down the bypass, aka the A3. If you want to park in the car park in front of Joseph’s hotel, turn right at the traffic lights in front of the Eight Rivers Plaza and drive down Milford Road.
You will pass Jamaica National on the corner, and keep going to the end of the street, where you will see Scotia Bank on the corner. You can only turn right as it is a one-way road, immediately get in the left lane, and pull into the car park next to the Craft Market.
Follow the walking directions from there. The car park is Free for the first 2 hours, if you get the ticket ‘stamped’ after making a purchase in one of the shops in the shopping center, otherwise it is JA$200 per hour.
Or, if you prefer to park in the car park in front of Reno Gaming Lounge (a quieter car park) drive down the bypass aka the A3. Drive past the Eight Rivers Plaza and Turtle River Park, and take the first right turn after the park. You will have to bear right as Main Street is a one-way road.
Drive down Main Street, you will pass Sandcastles, a little further down you will see a car park, adjacent to the Reno Gaming Lounge. The entrance to the beach is at the back of the car park.
The car park is free for the first 2 hours, if you get the ticket ‘stamped’ after making a purchase in one of the shops in the shopping center, otherwise it is JA$200 per hour.
If you are approaching Ocho Rios from the west (Saint Ann’s Bay, Montego Bay, etc) drive down Main Street, which is a one-way road. You will pass Island Village on the corner, a little after you pass Sandcastles you will see the car park, adjacent to the Reno Gaming Lounge. The entrance to the beach is at the back of the car park. The car park is free for the first 2 hours, if you get the ticket ‘stamped’ after making a purchase in one of the shops in the shopping center, otherwise it is JA$200 per hour.
