Ocho Rios Cruise Port Guide: Blue Hole Express & Tips
Ocho Rios Cruise Port Basics
Ocho Rios has two working piers: Turtle Bay Pier (the main terminal, less than half a mile from downtown Ocho Rios) and the historic Reynolds Pier (also known as the James Bond Pier), each with a single berth, so only one ship docks at a time. The Turtle Bay terminal puts you close to the Ocho Rios Craft Market, Island Village shopping, and Margaritaville Ocho Rios. We headed straight into our excursion through Virgin's Shore Thing program, so save your port-browsing time for the walk back.
What Ocho Rios is Known For
Ocho Rios is Jamaica's adventure port: Dunn's River Falls, bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae, and cliff-jumping at the Blue Hole are the marquee draws, alongside Blue Mountain coffee and jerk everything. If you want an active excursion day, this port delivers.
What We Did: Blue Hole Express with Lunch
We booked the Blue Hole Express with Lunch through Virgin's Shore Thing excursions — a shorter version of the popular Blue Hole tour. There's a longer option that adds waterfalls and hiking, but we skipped it since we didn't want to be gone from the ship too long.
Here is what a similar option looks like:
The Blue Hole (also called the Irie Blue Hole) did not disappoint. A few important things to know before you go:
You'll be required to buy water shoes when you get off the boat if you don't already have your own — bring a pair if you can.
Leave valuables on the bus. Our things stayed locked on the bus at the Blue Hole; if you want to bring anything with you, you'll need to pay for a locker.
Skip the sunglasses and watches — there are cliff jumps involved, and you don't want to lose anything in the water.
We did three jumps, the last one from around 30 feet, plus a small zip line into one of the pools. Jumping is optional — you can absolutely enjoy the Blue Hole without it.
Check out our video below to see the whole experience!
Food & Drinks
Lunch was included as part of the tour at Margaritaville Ocho Rios — jerk chicken and drinks, right near the port. We also picked up some Blue Mountain coffee before heading back to the ship, which is a must if you haven't had it.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Blue Hole is a genuinely fun, scenic excursion with swimming, jumping, and a zip line all in one
Booking directly through Virgin's Shore Thing made logistics simple
Lunch at Margaritaville and time to shop at the port were built into the day
Port area is well laid out with plenty to do if you have time left over
Cons:
You can't bring valuables with you to the Blue Hole unless you pay for a locker
The longer version of the tour (with waterfalls and hiking) means a bigger time commitment if you want to add that in
Water shoes are required, so factor that into what you pack or budget for
Ocho Rios: Things to Do Next Time
Ocho Rios has excursion options for pretty much every interest. A few other favorites worth considering:
Dunn's River Falls — the iconic climbable waterfall, one of Jamaica's most popular excursions
Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting — a relaxed, scenic float down the river on a traditional bamboo raft; a sailor we know booked this one and loved it
Island Village — shopping and a boardwalk right near the port if you'd rather stay closer to the ship
Kristin Tip
Do an excursion in Ocho Rios. There are so many good options here that it's worth booking something rather than just staying at the port. If you're not sure what fits your group, I'm happy to help you pick. Send me a message today!
Timing Tips
Our Blue Hole Express with lunch left us with enough time after the tour to shop at the local stalls outside the cruise port before boarding. If you book a shorter excursion like we did, you can usually count on some extra time at the port afterward.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Hole was a highlight of the whole cruise for us; Scenic, a little adventurous, and easy to fit into a port day without feeling rushed.
Whatever excursion you choose, Ocho Rios rewards getting out and doing something rather than staying dockside.
Planning a Cruise to Ocho Rios?🔗
Ready to book your own Virgin Voyages sailing through Ocho Rios?
Prefer help? Reach out now my contact page and I'll help you plan the whole itinerary, including which excursion is the best fit for your group.
FAQ: Ocho Rios Cruise Port
Do cruise ships dock or tender in Ocho Rios?
Ships dock directly at one of two piers — Turtle Bay Pier or Reynolds Pier — so there's no tendering involved.
What is the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios?
The Blue Hole (Irie Blue Hole) is a series of natural freshwater pools and small waterfalls near Ocho Rios, popular for swimming, cliff jumping, and a short zip line into the water.
Do I need water shoes for the Blue Hole excursion?
Yes — water shoes are required, and you can buy a pair on-site if you don't bring your own.
Can I bring my phone or valuables to the Blue Hole?
You can, but you'll need to pay for a locker to store them securely. Otherwise, valuables are typically left locked on the tour bus.
What other excursions are popular in Ocho Rios?
Dunn's River Falls and Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting are two of the most popular alternatives to the Blue Hole.
Is Ocho Rios walkable from the cruise port?
Yes — the main terminal is less than half a mile from downtown Ocho Rios, with shopping, restaurants, and Margaritaville all within walking distance.
