Known as the “Second City,” Montego Bay, or Mobay as it’s called locally, is the tourism capital of Jamaica, welcoming a million visitors annually at the Donald Sangster International Airport and by ship at the Montego Freeport.
The city offers an array of activities and attractions to suit every taste. Here are 5 of the best things to do in Montego Bay.
Golfing
Mobay has, without doubt, the best golf courses in Jamaica and possibly the Caribbean. There are five to choose from, Half Moon
Golf, White Witch, Cinnamon Hill, Tryall, and Superclubs Ironshore. Check each site for fees.
Cinnamon Hill – This 6,637 yard, 71 par course is located near the Cinnamon Hill and Rose Hall Great Houses and provides a delightful view of the Caribbean Sea. Fees are listed on their website. 876-953-2984
Half Moon Golf Course – Half Moon’s award-winning par-72 championship course offers breathtaking views and challenging holes. 876-953-2211
Tryall Club – 18 holes, 6221 yards, par 72 course overlooking the Caribbean Sea has been described as one of the most beautiful in the world. Tryall is located about 15 miles from Montego Bay and is part of Tryall Villas.
SuperClubs Ironshore Golf & Country Club – This 18-hole championship course is known to be quite challenging.
White Witch – Set over 200 acres, 16 of White Witch’s 18 holes overlook the Caribbean Sea. 876-518-0174
Bird Watching
Jamaica has more than 2 dozen birds that are found nowhere else in the world. If you love birds and are in the Montego Bay area, head over to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary where you can spot up to 17 species, including the humming bird, Jamaica’s national bird, and feed them too!
Historic Sites
Step back in time at three of Jamaica’s great houses in the Mobay area: Bellefield, Greenwood and Rose Hall.
Bellefield Great House – Owned by the Kerr-Jarrett family, which traces its roots to 1655 when the first member of the Kerr clan from Scotland arrived in Jamaica after the British captured the island from the Spanish. A Kerr family member married a Jarrett and created one of the most powerful families on the island. Descendants of the Kerr-Jarretts are well-known and influential in Jamaican business and politics. Bellefield Great House was built in 1794 and is part of Barnett Estate, one of the oldest sugar estates on the island. To arrange a tour of the great house, call 952-2382 or email info@bellefieldgreathouse.com
Greenwood Great House – Located about 25 minutes’ drive from Montego Bay, Greenwood was once owned by the family of the English poet, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning. It has the finest collection of musical instruments, antique furniture, china and books belonging to the family. Guided tours are available 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rose Hall – Built as a calendar house in 1770, Rose Hall has 365 windows, 52 doors and 12 rooms. It was made famous by the former owner, Annie Palmer, aka the White Witch, who dispatched three husbands and several slave lovers before she was also killed by Takoo, a slave lover. Rose Hall offers day tours, and candlelight tours on some Friday and Saturday nights. 876-953-2323
Horseback Riding
For horseback riding, head over to the Half Moon Equestrian Centre. 876-953-9489
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling/Deep Sea Fishing
Love to scuba? Check out Seaworld Resorts at the Cariblue Beach Hotel for excursions to offshore coral reefs with PADI-certified dive guides and equipment. 876-953-2180
Doctors Cave Bathing Club – Doctors Cave has been around since 1906 when Dr. Alexander McCatty donated the property for the
establishment of a bathing club. It became known as Doctors Cave because Dr. McCatty and his friends, medical doctors, used to get to the small beach through a cave. One of the best beaches in Montego Bay.
Almost next door to Doctors Cave is Cornwall Beach, a great place for snorkeling, as well as beach parties and events. Cornwall Beach is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 876-979-0102 info@cornwallbeachja.com
If you’re interested in sport fishing, check your hotel. They can arrange it with one of the companies that specialize in Deep Sea Fishing. Catches can range from marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, sail fish, wahoo.
Tennis
Fancy a game of tennis? Try the Tryall Club or the Half Moon Hotel (953-2211)
This is just a handful of activities that Montego Bay to offer. The best part is that all are convenient to the airport, the Montego Freeport and the hotels.
Any of these strike your fancy?
Montego Bay is one of the many places that I would love to visit. I would like to experience those water activities and check out the historical sites! Thank you for including the pictures.
I hope you get a chance to visit, Janice. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
So happy golfing makes the list:) Have been to Jamaica several times, but never for more than a day. Perhaps we need to head down to Rose Hall so I can play Cinnamon Hill!
Wow….I didn’t see most of these! I was just looking for the beach and to chill out! I recommend the Bobsled Cafe on the main street!
I’ll pass on the golf – and leave that for Deej but happy with all the other activities. Tomorrow I am taking my fist golf lesson with one of the tourism boards so perhaps I;ll change my mind.
I only every heard of Montego Bay in a song. Just looked for it in YouTube and remembered how nice the song by Bobby Bloom was. It’s certainly a must-visit if ever one is in Jamaica.
Never imagined that the Montego bay has such beautiful tourist spots. I would really look forward to make a visit.
My favourite activity would be the historic sites. I’ve read a lot of historic books set in Jamaica lately, and it could be interesting to explore the physical reality.
Love the idea of reaching a beach by cave and I love to dive as well!
I could bird watch nearly all day and while I’m not adept at horseback riding, I’d still do it. I’ve watched TV or people snorkeling, scuba diving and all that, so to keep watching is good enough for me. I find it interesting though.
I can see myself sitting on that gorgeous beach! I would, of course, get off my duff to learn a bit about Jamaica’s history 🙂
Sign me up for historic sites and snorkeling. Heck, even a horseback ride sounds great right now! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing Jamaica’s awesome activities.
I’m loving your new blog design, Marcia! Great list of things to do in Montego Bay…definitely pinning this one 🙂 Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club would be my first stop.
Montego Bay sounds like a great place. You could definitely be busy all the time!
Ooooooo I’d love to visit the White Witch’s house! 🙂
The birdwatching sounds very cool! I’d imagine they have a plethora of bright, tropical beauties down there!
Rocklands is very close to Montego Bay and a very cool place to watch birds. Yes, we do! I hear several of them everyday. It’s like they’re having an entire conversation. Thanks for visiting, Jess.
It’s quite an interesting place to visit, Ana. Hope you do!
I agree, Jessica. There is quite a bit to do, you’d definitely be busy.
What an awesome place! Thanks for the tips about what to do there!
Thanks, Andi!
Yes, Doctor’s Cave is a great place to spend sometime.
Great, Keryn! I could go to the beach right now, it’s very hot today.
You’re welcome and thanks for inviting me.
Hahaha, but you could also read about it while you’re sitting on the beach, Debbie!
So we have a few things that could keep you busy, Totsymae. Glad to know that.
It’s just a regular entrance now, unfortunately. Two things you’d like to do in Mobay – great!
I’d love to hear about the books you’ve read, Mette. Hope you get a chance to see it.
Oh, I had totally forgotten about that song! I had to look it up on YouTube.
Hope you and Michael make it to Jamaica, Marlys. I’ll find you some good trails.
I’d love to hear how it turned out, Leigh. I’m not big on golf either, but maybe it’s because I don’t know how to play.
I would go scuba diving for sure. And possibly golfing.
Great, Scott, I’m signing you up!
You’re welcome, Brock. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.
I know what you mean, Tash. Hope you found and liked the beach.
Thanks, I’ll definitely check out the Bobsled Cafe.
I’m sure you’d like it, Deej. Have heard good things about Cinnamon Hill.
Very nice.
What’s a calendar house?
One that has the same number of architectural features as the calendar. So it could have 365 windows or doors, 52 doors or rooms, 12 windows, etc.
I love Mo Bay! I haven’t been in quite a while but I talk about it constantly. I loved Jamaica in general.
The blog looks beautiful!
Thanks, Carla. Yes, Mobay is quite lovely, hope to see you here soon.
I can’t resist the beauty of Montego Bay! I would surely go on golfing there and of course go trailing.
It’s a lovely place for golf. Hope you get do so some here soon.