The name "Ocho Rios" has two possible origins: it is either a direct translation from Spanish meaning "eight rivers" or an adulteration of "las chorreras" (the spouts), reflecting the large number of waterfalls in the area.
Ocho Rios is located in St. Ann's parish about 60 miles from Annotto to Discovery Bay on a half-moon shaped cove in the middle of Jamaica's northern coastline. It was formerly a fishing port and was also known for its banana exports.
Now it is a pretty resort town with stunning waterfalls and beaches and interesting colonial-period buildings like the Geddes Memorial Church and the Anglican Church. The town's business and commercial center is Pineapple Place.
When we visited Ocho Rios aboard the Zenith (Celebrity), we pre-booked a private tour with Peat Taylor. Our guide was his witty and knowledgeable son, O'Neal. He was terriffic!
We visited Dunn's River Falls, watched the climbers, and cooled off in the waters where the falls merge with the sea.
Dunns River FallsThe Dunn's River cascades over a number of rock terraces on its way to the sea and a beautiful beach. The stepping stones of the falls allow easy access up and down their 600 feet, under a stimulating shower
We enjoyed our drive through Fern Gully, including a couple of photo stops at our request.
A former river bed, it is now possible to walk three miles through the valley in the shadows of magnificent ferns (600 types) and hardwood trees.
The above post includes excerpts (in brown) from Geographica.com
O'Neil Taylor was a storehouse of interesting and amusing information as he took us for a drive through the hills surrounding Ocho Rios. On several occasions, we asked him to stop so we could take photos, which he did. This one includes a view (from high on a hill) of the city and of Zenith in the Harbor:
Looking down on Ocho Rios Harbor
There were numerous times on this drive when O'Neil would ask the driver to slow or pull over to show us something special. Sometimes he would pick a flower or leaf, and pass it among us to smell while he told us how it was used locally. Other times, it was to point out an indigenous small animal or insect... including one very scary and poisonous spider in its web.
Lastly, O'Neil took us to a beach that was not-so-frequented by cruise ship passengers.
It was quiet and uncrowded.
Of the five in our group, two elected to sunbathe, and dip in the edge of the water, while the other three of us chose snorkeling.
O'Neil secured a small boat with a driver and guide for us, and off we went...
We didn't get very far from shore before the guide asked the driver to stop the boat and the three of us went over the side with the guide. O'Neil and the driver stayed in the boat, and assisted by handing us fresh cameras, towels, or whatever we needed.
Our guide swam with us, and woud tap one of us on the shoulder from time to time, and point to something that we might have otherwise missed.
He also helped all three of us hand -feed the fish:
In the last 20 years, Ocho Rios has developed from a small town to a thriving tourist resort. New beach land, hundreds of acres, was dredged to the south and hotels, apartment blocks, shopping centres and a marina were added to the already well-established old hotels like Jamaica Inn and Shaw Park.
A deep water pier with berthing space for three cruise ships at a time has attracted this segment of the tourist industry and it is a rare day when the streets of Ocho Rios do not throng with cruise ship visitors.
So Long, Ocho Rios... Many thanks for a wonderful day. And a very special thanks to O'Neal Taylor of Peat Taylor Tours!
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Ocho Rios: Our Day There
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Jamaican Flower
Feeding fish in Jamaica
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