Summary of Our Jamaica Adventure:
When traveling to Jamaica, you have got to get yourself on the water and the best party is a catamaran cruise to Rick’s Cafe and Margaritaville. We spent the afternoon on a catamaran having fun on the water with snorkeling, swimming, and playing on a jungle gym. If you are heading to Jamaica, this is a fun excursion that will get you off the resort while enjoying the good life.
Catamaran Cruise with Island Routes Jamaica
We arrived at Island Routes Catamaran tours to cruise along the Negril Coastline in Jamaica from Beaches Resort.
We walked out to the catamaran from 7 Mile Beach, getting our feet wet after a hot morning on dry land. It felt wonderful, and we couldn’t wait to get out for a swim. The luxurious catamaran had ample space for all of us as we grabbed our spots in the sun for the journey to the reef.
Catamaran and Snorkeling Tour Jamaica
Being in the Caribbean, excursions are all-inclusive, just like the resorts. Once you board the boat, your food and drinks are included. There was a fully stocked bar with a buffet lunch, allowing us to feast and drink while dancing and enjoying ourselves. However, it was time to get in the water first!
You don’t have to participate in everything; some people stayed on board to bask in the sun.
Snorkeling in Jamaica
Accustomed to independent travel, it struck us as amusing to be snorkeling with life vests on. There appears to be a significant liability concern on package tours, so safety precautions were strictly enforced.
This made for a slightly uncomfortable swim, but we didn’t have to worry about running out of breath. The reef, unfortunately, left much to be desired and has definitely seen better days, likely due to the impact of uninformed tourists over time.
Jamaican Marinelife
The coral appeared unhealthy, with only a few examples of marine life like starfish, trumpet fish, blowfish, and sea urchins scattered about. However, for those who have never snorkeled before, this would be a satisfying start. Anytime you have the opportunity to swim in the warm waters of the West Indies, it’s a thrill!
We spent about thirty minutes in the water, following our fantastic guide who knew where to find the sparse marine life.
Pirate’s Cave – Jamaica
Our next destination was Pirate’s Cave, a historical hideout for many a pirate. We splashed our way through the turquoise water to explore the caves, and at this point, I was glad to have my life vest on.
Inside, we discovered an old bar. How cool would it have been to swim up to a cave and sit at a pool bar? Unfortunately, it’s abandoned now. When I asked our guide what happened, he succinctly replied, “Bad Business.” Once back on the boat, the party atmosphere began to build.
It’s a Catamaran Party
Following our snorkeling adventure, drinks began flowing freely. Although alcohol consumption was restricted before swimming, we could indulge as we made our way to the next stop. Onboard, we had access to rum, beer, wine, and more!
Jamaica is all about savoring rum and fun in the sun.
The refreshing breeze felt amazing, allowing us to comfortably enjoy the heat as we cruised along the Negril coastline, taking in its famous landmarks.
Rick’s Cafe
Our next stop was Rick’s Cafe, renowned for its cliff divers who perform exhilarating aerial feats nightly. It may not appear that tall in photos, but the height is impressive, with even higher platforms available for skilled divers.
There was an element of danger; one of our group recounted how a friend had suffered a broken back jumping from this very spot previously. Thankfully, nobody from our boat was diving, so we comfortably settled back to enjoy the show.
A highly competent diver showcased his skills, flipping off the rocks for us not just once, but twice. By this time, we were quite satisfied, having feasted on wraps and fresh fruit while sipping delicious fruit juice.
Margaritaville
Next, we arrived at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. Indeed, a real Margaritaville exists! These establishments are dotted all over the Caribbean, and this particular one was fantastic.
As we approached, water trampolines came into view, and each of us felt a sudden urge to jump on them. Consequently, the captain maneuvered beside the trampolines, and a group of adults dove into the water, ready to tackle the jungle gym for grown-ups.
And this is where the fun truly began.
It was a chaotic scene, with fully grown men and women bouncing around like children. It turned into a competitive challenge, reminiscent of a Wipe Out game, as we attempted to cross successfully—spoiler alert: we didn’t!
After hours on the water, we emerged thoroughly sun-kissed, mildly fatigued, and absolutely delighted. Yes, we truly enjoyed some fun in the sun throughout the day.
Our Captain
When our captain, the only female captain in Jamaica, Sydelle Gifford, announced we could use the trampolines, everyone eagerly participated! Without a doubt, I would embark on a catamaran trip again.
