The sea temperature at Ocho Rios today is 29.8 °C (86 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 30.2 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 31 °C to 29.8 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 27 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.5°C / 81.4°F | 27.7°C / 81.8°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| February | 27.2°C / 80.9°F | 27.2°C / 81.0°F | 27.3°C / 81.2°F |
| March | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| April | 27.5°C / 81.5°F | 27.8°C / 82.1°F | 28.2°C / 82.7°F |
| May | 28.1°C / 82.7°F | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 29.1°C / 84.4°F |
| June | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 29.1°C / 84.3°F | 29.5°C / 85.0°F |
| July | 29.2°C / 84.6°F | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F |
| August | 29.5°C / 85.2°F | 30.0°C / 86.0°F | 30.5°C / 86.9°F |
| September | 29.8°C / 85.6°F | 30.4°C / 86.7°F | 31.0°C / 87.8°F |
| October | 29.7°C / 85.4°F | 30.2°C / 86.3°F | 30.7°C / 87.2°F |
| November | 29.0°C / 84.3°F | 29.3°C / 84.7°F | 29.7°C / 85.4°F |
| December | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 28.4°C / 83.2°F | 28.8°C / 83.8°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.2°C / 75.5°F | 25.4°C / 77.7°F | 26.3°C / 79.3°F |
| February | 24.0°C / 75.1°F | 25.3°C / 77.5°F | 26.4°C / 79.5°F |
| March | 24.2°C / 75.5°F | 25.7°C / 78.2°F | 26.9°C / 80.4°F |
| April | 24.5°C / 76.2°F | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 27.2°C / 80.9°F |
| May | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 27.3°C / 81.1°F | 28.5°C / 83.2°F |
| June | 26.4°C / 79.6°F | 28.0°C / 82.4°F | 29.2°C / 84.5°F |
| July | 26.9°C / 80.4°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 29.8°C / 85.7°F |
| August | 27.0°C / 80.6°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 30.1°C / 86.2°F |
| September | 26.9°C / 80.4°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 29.6°C / 85.4°F |
| October | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 27.6°C / 81.6°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F |
| November | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.7°C / 80.1°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| December | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 26.8°C / 80.2°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Ocho Rios holidays
On the north coast of Jamaica, Ocho Rios is a port and resort town in the parish of Saint Ann, set between green hills and a bay where cruise ships dock. Rivers and waterfalls come down from the hills close to town, and all-inclusive resorts line the coast on either side of it.
Beaches
Ocho Rios Bay Beach, also called Turtle Beach, is the main town beach, a curve of sand facing the cruise pier with water that is usually calm. Mahogany Beach, a short drive east, is smaller and quieter. About 20 km east in Oracabessa, James Bond Beach is named after Ian Fleming's fictional spy; Fleming wrote the Bond novels at his nearby GoldenEye estate. Many hotel beaches along the coast are protected by reefs, so the sea in front of them is often gentle enough for children.
Things to do
Dunn's River Falls, just west of Ocho Rios, is a series of limestone terraces where the river runs straight into the sea, and visitors climb the falls in guided lines, holding hands. Next to it, Mystic Mountain has a chairlift up the hillside and a bobsled ride through the rainforest, and Dolphin Cove offers swims with dolphins. Fern Gully, a road south of town, follows an old riverbed through a shaded gorge, with ferns along its banks and tall trees forming a canopy overhead. Inland, the Blue Hole, also known as Island Gully Falls, has pools for swimming and rocks to jump from.
Weather and best time to visit
At Ocho Rios the sea stays above 27 °C / 81 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Ocho Rios is warm all year. December to April is the drier and busiest season, when north-east trade winds keep the air fresh. Rain is more frequent from May to November, often in short, heavy showers, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Days when several cruise ships are in port make Dunn's River Falls and the town beach much busier, so it pays to check the port schedule.
Hotels and where to stay
Large all-inclusive resorts stand along the coast east and west of Ocho Rios, including Mammee Bay to the west, while smaller hotels and guesthouses are found in and above the town. Staying near the centre puts the town beach and restaurants within walking distance.
Signature hotels: Moon Palace Jamaica – All Inclusive (Main Street) · Riu Ocho Rios – All Inclusive (Mammee Bay)
Airport and getting there
Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay is the main gateway, about 1.5 to 2 hours west of Ocho Rios along the North Coast Highway. Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston is about 2 hours away via the North–South Highway. Ian Fleming International Airport near Boscobel, about 15 km east of town, is another gateway; check its current scheduled and charter services.