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Montego Bay

Jamaica's second City in size and importance 

 

Montego Bay is known locally as Mo Bay and is Jamaica's second City in size and importance, but it is the Island's tourism capital. The bay offers some wonderful beaches and the town also has a lot of attractions too. Montego Bay is also home to Jamaica's largest airport, the Sir Donald Sangster International Airport.

 

This popular resort stretches fifteen miles along the coastline from the deluxe Tryall Club in the west to Greenwood in the east. The blue waters of the Bay are edged by mangrove wetlands and pristine white sand beaches, surrounding the old town, which sits at the bottom of verdant green mountains. The Port of Montego Bay is operated by the Port Authority of Jamaica and the terminal comprises of five principal berths two of which are dedicated solely for cruise shipping and two of which are currently being used for both cruise ships and cargo shipping.

 

Sam Sharpe Square is located in the centre of Montego Bay and the birthplace of The Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe, one of Jamaica's Seven National Heroes. Sam Sharpe was the leader of the 1831 slave rebellion in Montego Bay which was an important move towards the ending of slavery. Sharpe developed a plan of passive resistance which would entail slaves refusing to work on Christmas Day 1831, unless their owners considered their grievances.

 

A group of slaves became aggressive and set fire to buildings and the surrounding plantations and cane fields. The rebellion was crushed in eight days and as Sam Sharpe was the main leader of the rebellion, he was consequently hanged in Charles Square (as it was known then) – renamed Sam Sharpe Square. The square has a sculpture of Sam Sharpe and four of his men during the Christmas rebellion in 1831. Another main feature of the square is the stone Cage, built in 1806; it originally used to hold captured runaway slaves. It has had many different uses over time and now currently houses the tourist centre.

 

The Montego Bay Museum is located in Sam Sharpe Square, in the restored former Montego Bay courthouse. The museum houses exhibitions of the history from its past as a seaport Town to the tourist haven it has now developed into. The museum particularly concentrates on what has determined Montego Bay's economy for more than a Century.

 

The Montego Bay Dome is located at the intersection of Creek and Dome Streets. This brick structure was constructed in 1837 and straddles the stream; it was the only source of dependable water in Montego Bay up until 1894.

 

 

The Bob Marley Experience is located in the Half Moon Shopping Village in Montego Bay. The theatre seats 68 and shows a free documentary of this reggae legends life and music. Bob Marley Memorabilia is also available.

 

The Montego Bay Marine Park is located at Pier One, Howard Cooke Blvd in Montego Bay. The Park covers a large area of sea, founded to protect some of Jamaica’s finest coral reefs and marine life. Programs and tours are available to gain knowledge of the species that inhabit the 15 sqkm of the park. The resource center and the park's headquarters are located at Pier One Marina where you'll find a research centre, reference information, slide shows and books. Glass bottomed boat tours can be taken and Charter boats are also available to take you out to the fish feeding grounds and coral reefs. 

 

Walter Fletcher Beach is located off Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay and is centrally located. This beach is very popular with both locals and tourists due to its calm waters and it has lifeguards. There is an admittance fee. Water sports such as diving and snorkeling are available and other activities are offered. The Aquasol Theme Park is also situated on this beach and offers plenty of attractions including banana and pedal-boats, jet skis, water trampolines, glass-bottom boat rides and snorkeling. There are also tennis courts, disco, a great seafood restaurant and gift shop.

 

Doctor's Cave Beach is located not too far from Walter Fletcher beach off Gloucester Ave. The beach was named after a local doctor who donated the land.  Dr Alexander James McCatty donated the land in 1906 to commence a bathing club. At that time, the only way to get to the beach was through the cave. In 1932 the cave was destroyed by a hurricane, despite this, the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become well-known. In the early 1920’s, the acclaimed British osteopath-Sir Herbert Barker, believed that the waters had curative powers. Consequently, the beach became a haven for visitors seeking the therapeutic waters. The beach is five miles long; it has changing rooms, snack bars and a tennis court.

 

Cornwall Beach is located Adjacent to Doctor’s cave beach, its white sand beach is an idyllic way to spend some time relaxing and swimming. It is a popular destination for windsurfing and playing volleyball. The offices of the Jamaican Tourist Board are also located here.

 

The Rocklands Feeding Station is located in Anchovy, south of Montego Bay. Birdwatchers will be able to glimpse the Quits, doves, nightingales, finches, orioles and hummingbirds, doctor birds (Jamaica's national bird) feeding, and these are just a few of the different species that can be seen here. This sanctuary has been around for more than fifty years.

 

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