Your ship has docked in Montego Bay and you have one day to see Jamaica. Make it count. We're a private tour company based right here in MoBay, and we pick up cruise guests at the port all the time. Here's how to plan the perfect day ashore.
How much time do you really have?
Most ships stay in Montego Bay for most of the day, but check your "all aboard" time and work backwards. We plan every cruise tour to have you back at the port with plenty of time to spare. Some private drivers cut it close. We don't.
A good rule: anything within about 30 minutes of the port is an easy half day. Trips of 1.5 hours or more each way, like Dunn's River Falls, are doable but take most of your day.
Close to the port (easy half day)
Rose Hall Great House. Tour Jamaica's most famous plantation house and hear the legend of Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall. It's about 20 minutes from the port.
The Hip Strip and Doctor's Cave Beach. Gloucester Avenue, the "Hip Strip," is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, and leads to Doctor's Cave Beach, one of the island's best-known beaches.
Margaritaville. Water trampolines, a big water slide and cold drinks on the Hip Strip. See our top reasons to visit Margaritaville Montego Bay.
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary and river rapids. Hand-feed hummingbirds, then go river tubing nearby. Book the River Rapids Adventures + Rocklands Bird Sanctuary tour.
A real Jamaican food stop. Skip the port snacks and eat jerk chicken, patties and fresh fruit where locals eat. Our "Jamaica Tasting" Tour takes about 3 hours.
Worth the drive (full day)
Dunn's River Falls. Climb the famous 600-foot waterfall in Ocho Rios, about 1.5–2 hours away. It's a full day, but for many guests it's the highlight of the whole cruise. Read Dunn's River Falls vs YS Falls if you're torn.
Mayfield Falls. A quieter river walk through small waterfalls and natural pools, about an hour away. See the Mayfield Falls Tour.
Negril and Seven Mile Beach. About 1.5 hours away. A long day, but you'll see one of the Caribbean's most famous beaches.
Ship excursion or private tour?
Ship excursions are easy to book, but you'll share a bus with dozens of people and follow a fixed schedule. A private tour meets you at the port, goes only where you want, and you can change the plan as you go. For families and groups, a private tour often works out about the same per person. See our Montego Bay cruise port tour and all our cruise ship tours.
Tips for your day in port
- Bring US dollars in small bills. They're accepted almost everywhere, and you'll want them for tips.
- Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if you're doing a waterfall or the beach.
- Bring sunscreen, water shoes and a waterproof phone pouch.
- Keep your ship card and ID with you at all times.
FAQ
Can you do Dunn's River Falls from the Montego Bay cruise port? Yes. It's about 1.5–2 hours each way, so it takes most of the day. We'll plan it around your all-aboard time.
What can I do near the Montego Bay cruise port? Rose Hall Great House, the Hip Strip, Doctor's Cave Beach, Margaritaville, and river tubing with a stop at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary are all close to the port.
Will you get us back to the ship on time? Yes. We plan every cruise tour around your all-aboard time and build in a buffer.
Do you pick up at the cruise port? Yes. We meet you at the port and drop you back there at the end of the tour.
Got a cruise date? Send us your ship, date and group size and we'll plan your day in Montego Bay.